Encountering Hiruzen Sarutobi

Both of them walked into the shop. At this moment, it was dinner time, and the small ramen shop seated three or four tables of customers, filled with rising steam and the warm atmosphere intertwined with food and human warmth.

Father Teuchi was busy behind the counter, and Ichiraku was also helping serve noodles. Seeing the two walk in, Father Teuchi's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly wiped his hands and went up to greet them:

"Lord Hokage! And this lord! Please come inside and sit!"

He looked somewhat excited, especially seeing the Hokage actually patronize the place again, and even bring a companion. Ichiraku also curiously and stealthily looked over.

Nangō Kumoi waved his hand, signaling him not to make a fuss, and sat down with Hiruzen at a relatively quiet small table near the back.

"Boss, bring two bowls of your signature ramen, make them large. This is Hiruzen Sarutobi, my senior brother, and also the Hokage's advisor of the village."

"So it is Lord Advisor! Forgive my lack of respect!" Father Teuchi was even more respectful, "The two lords wait a moment, the noodles will be ready right away! Ichiraku, hurry up and pour tea!"

"Boss, don't be too polite, we just came to eat a bowl of noodles."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said amiably, his gaze already landing on a crude but eye-catching notice newly pasted on the wall.

On it was drawn a smiley face, with the words "Charity donation, warming the neighborhood" written on it, and a small wooden box was indeed placed next to it.

Nangō Kumoi followed his gaze, and smiled:

"Senior brother, this is the 'Charity Ramen' little experiment I mentioned to you. It seems the boss moves fast."

"A very thoughtful approach."

Hiruzen nodded, obviously very appreciative of this kind of grassroots-initiated, organized mutual aid form.

Soon, two steaming bowls of ramen covered with chashu and side dishes were served, the aroma assaultive to the senses.

Father Teuchi deliberately added two extra slices of chashu:

"Hard work for the two lords, just a little token of my appreciation."

This time Nangō Kumoi no longer declined the boss's good intentions, and thanked him with a smile.

The two picked up their chopsticks, first concentrating on dealing with the delicious food in front of them.

A mouthful of hot soup went down, and the mellow taste instantly ironed out their stomachs and fatigue.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help praising:

"The taste is indeed good! The soup base is mellow and the noodles are chewy, no wonder you recommended it, Kumoi."

"Right? The taste of home, comfortable to eat."

Nangō Kumoi also ate very heartily.

"Much better than those cold Military Ration Pills. In the future when things get busy, this place will be a pretty good canteen."

Eating noodles, they chatted casually about the operation ideas of the ramen shop and the "charity box," and the atmosphere was relaxed.

When a bowl of noodles was nearly at the bottom, Hiruzen Sarutobi wiped his mouth, his expression becoming slightly more formal:

"Kumoi, I was actually looking for you today. Besides eating, there's also something else."

Tomorrow the Ninja Academy starts. According to convention, the Hokage needs to give a brief opening speech to inspire the new students, and it's also considered showing the whole village's emphasis on the next generation.

I have already drafted a first version of the speech, originally planning to send it to your place tonight to discuss, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

Nangō Kumoi put down his chopsticks and turned serious:

"Oh? Senior brother's efficiency is really high. The general idea of the speech is?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out a small roll of paper from his portable scroll pouch and handed it to Nangō Kumoi:

"Mainly to encourage the children to study hard, inherit the Will of Fire, be united and friendly, and it also emphasizes the ongoing reconstruction of the village and expectations for the future.

Take a look to see if it is appropriate, or if anything needs to be added or reduced."

Nangō Kumoi took it, quickly browsing through it under the warm light of the shop.

The draft was written in a standard and upright manner, full of positive energy, fitting the consistent Hokage speech style, and also taking into account the current special period.

He pondered for a moment, and spoke: "The tone is very good, senior brother has put in the effort. However, I want to add a little bit of content."

"Please speak."

"First, to specially mention those students who lost relatives in the war and have now become orphans."

Nangō Kumoi's tone was gentle but firm.

"To clearly tell everyone, especially these children—Konoha is their home.

The village will never abandon any child, and will do its best to provide them with opportunities and support for learning and growth.

This is not charity, it is responsibility, and also where the hope of Konoha's future lies."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze congealed, and he solemnly nodded:

"I understand, this point is very important and must be emphasized. I will add it in."

"Secondly,"

Nangō Kumoi continued.

"Besides the traditional 'becoming a powerful ninja to protect the village,' one can slightly mention that Konoha's future needs all kinds of talents—

Not only battling ninjas, but also those who build the village, study knowledge, save lives and heal the wounded, and create a better life.

Encourage children to discover their own interests and strengths, and work hard for them. This is consistent with our future development direction."

A gleam of contemplation flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, and immediately a smile appeared:

"This angle is very novel, and also more inclusive. Indeed, for the village to be strong, it cannot do without support from all aspects. I've noted it down."

"Lastly," Nangō Kumoi smiled.

"The tone can be more cordial and more hopeful.

Talk more about words like sunshine, new sprouts, companions, and the future.

The village has just experienced war, and what the children need is hope and a sense of security, rather than heavy responsibility and pressure.

As for the part about responsibility, when they grow up a bit, they will naturally understand."

"Makes sense."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put away the manuscript paper.

"I'll go back and revise it according to your meaning, and give you the final finalized draft early tomorrow morning."

The serious matter was settled in a few words during the gap of eating noodles, and both of them felt much more relaxed.

They ordered two more cups of green tea, and while drinking, chatted about some trivial matters and anecdotes in the village.

For example, Jiraiya's progress in copying "Standards of Conduct," and Tsunade's little appearance of being both nervous and excited about tomorrow's enrollment.

Leaving the ramen shop, the night had grown dark, but the street lamps and the windows of every household emitted warm light.

Nangō Kumoi and Hiruzen Sarutobi walked side by side for a stretch.

"Sometimes, just simply eating a bowl of noodles like this, chatting, can instead make one think about things more clearly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with emotion.

"Yeah,"

Nangō Kumoi gazed at the night sky.

"The village is not just documents and meetings, it's also these piping hot bowls of noodle soup, and the people eating and chatting together.

Tomorrow, I'll have to speak to a group of little ones full of expectations again, thinking about it really has quite a bit of pressure."

"You will do very well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his shoulder, his tone full of trust.

"Because you genuinely hope they do well, hope Konoha does well. The children will be able to feel it."

The two bid farewell at the intersection, each walking the road heading home.

The warmth of a bowl of ramen and a frank discussion made the fatigue of this night seem to dissipate a lot, replaced by a faint expectation for tomorrow's morning sun and new beginnings.