As Fang Xu looked at the man, a joke from netizens in his previous life came to mind.
Kenta Otsutsuki, the legendary ultimate powerhouse hidden deep within Konoha, who could subdue the Shinobi World with a single bowl of ramen.
Of course, that was just a meme.
Fang Xu carefully sensed him. Kenta had none of a ninja's chakra fluctuations, so he was most likely an ordinary person.
But he couldn't completely rule out another possibility.
If the man was hiding so deeply that even he couldn't detect it, that would be even more absurd.
Seeing Fang Xu standing motionless in the doorway, Kenta smiled. "Young man, what would you like to eat?"
Fang Xu came back to his senses and sat at the counter. "One extra-large tonkotsu ramen."
Kenta paused.
"Extra-large? Are you sure? Our extra-large portions are pretty big."
Fang Xu patted his stomach.
"I'm sure. I trained a lot today, so I get hungry fast."
"Coming right up!"
Kenta immediately got to work.
The broth bubbled in the pot. White pork bone broth was ladled into a large bowl, and steam billowed up.
The noodles went into the pot, were scooped out, and laid in the broth. Chashu, dried bamboo shoots, nori, chopped scallions, and half a soft-boiled egg were arranged on top, one by one.
A final spoonful of hot oil went over it, and the aroma burst forth.
Fang Xu swallowed.
"No wonder Naruto eats here every day."
Kenta hadn't caught that. He looked up and asked, "What did you say?"
Fang Xu immediately corrected himself. "I said it smells amazing."
Kenta's smile grew wider.
"Then make sure you enjoy it."
Fang Xu picked up his chopsticks and took a sip of broth first.
Rich, fragrant...
The pork bone broth was full-bodied without being greasy, with just the right amount of salt. As the hot broth slid down his throat, warmth instantly spread through his stomach.
Then he lifted a chopstickful of noodles.
The noodles were springy and coated in broth. One mouthful thoroughly soothed his hunger.
The chashu had alternating layers of fat and lean meat, tender without falling apart.
The soft-boiled egg was just right too, its slightly runny yolk making the broth even more fragrant when mixed in.
Fang Xu's eyes lit up.
"Delicious."
Kenta smiled as he wiped down the counter. "Glad you like it."
After a few quick mouthfuls, half the noodles in the large bowl were already gone.
His appetite was much bigger than before. Lightning Body Tempering and physical training both burned energy.
An extra-large bowl would once have left him stuffed, but now it only whetted his appetite.
By the end, he had drained every drop of broth too.
Kenta looked at the empty bowl in surprise.
"Young man, want some more?"
Fang Xu pushed the bowl forward.
"Another bowl."
Kenta gave him a thumbs-up.
"What an appetite!"
When the second bowl arrived, Fang Xu ate just as quickly.
Hot broth, noodles, chashu-mouthful after mouthful, even the fatigue in his body was pushed down.
Halfway through, he suddenly asked, "Kenta, do you have any chili sauce here?"
Kenta blinked.
"Chili sauce?"
"Yeah."
Fang Xu nodded earnestly.
"The pork bone broth is really fragrant. A little chili sauce should give it more kick. It would definitely be even more satisfying in cold weather."
Kenta stroked his chin and thought it over.
"We don't usually keep that here, but you have a point. I'll try preparing some later and let customers add it themselves."
Fang Xu smiled. "Then I'll try it next time."
Kenta readily nodded.
"No problem."
After finishing the second bowl, Fang Xu ordered a third.
This time, Kenta was genuinely impressed.
"With an appetite like that, you're sure to become a powerful ninja someday."
Fang Xu lowered his head and slurped his noodles, his voice muffled but firm.
"Here's hoping you're right."
With three extra-large bowls of tonkotsu ramen in his stomach, Fang Xu was finally satisfied.
When he paid, a chunk of the 2,300 ryo he had just received disappeared.
But he didn't regret it at all. Money spent on food, especially food that supported his training, wasn't a waste.
Besides, Ichiraku Ramen's food was genuinely worth it.
By the time he left the ramen shop, it was already dark.
Fang Xu returned home, checked the doors and windows first, then put away the money left over from today.
He didn't rest right away. The more he ate, the more he needed to train.
In the yard, Fang Xu picked up his wooden sword and practiced the basic movements from the Thousand Hands Swordsmanship Insights.
First, a straight downward cut.
Plant the feet firmly, generate force through the waist and back, and keep the wrists controlled.
Second, a horizontal slash.
Keep the blade level and the force steady.
Third, a diagonal cut.
Mind the distance, and mind the recovery.
These movements looked simple, but executing them correctly was no easy task.
The Thousand Hands Swordsmanship Insights repeatedly emphasized that basic swordsmanship wasn't about striking poses, but engraving power generation, footwork, and breathing into the body.
Fang Xu swung his sword again and again.
Ten times, twenty times, thirty times.
Sweat dripped down his forehead, his arms began to ache, and his breathing grew heavier.
He didn't slack off. Every movement followed the insights' requirements.
His lightning ability provided explosive power; swordsmanship and taijutsu were his foundation.
Without a solid foundation, once he faced a real ninja and information about him was exposed, he could easily be countered.
After fifty repetitions of basic swordsmanship, Fang Xu lowered his wooden sword, his back already soaked.
He had used up most of his stamina, but he hadn't overtaxed his body. This level was just right.
He went inside for some water, then returned to the center of the yard.
Next, it was time to practice Lightning Release: Lightning Ball Technique.
Lightning Ball was a C-rank ninjutsu. Its power wasn't top-tier, but it suited him well right now.
First, it would help him become familiar with lightning release chakra.
Second, he could cross-check it against his understanding of lightning from the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Fang Xu raised both hands, ready to form hand seals.
Just then, a knock came from outside the yard.
Knock, knock. The sound was unhurried but clear.
Fang Xu stopped moving. Who could it be at this hour?
He walked behind the door without opening it immediately, first peeking through the crack.
The next moment, Fang Xu's expression stiffened.
An old man stood outside.
He wore a white Hokage robe and the Hokage Hat, with a pipe between his lips and a gentle smile on his face.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Fang Xu hurriedly opened the door.
"Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
"I'm not disturbing you, coming over so late, am I?"
Fang Xu felt a little tense inside, but immediately stepped aside.
"Of course not. Please come in, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the yard, glanced at the wooden sword set to one side, then at the sweat on Fang Xu's forehead that hadn't completely dried.
"Training?"
Fang Xu nodded.
"Practicing some basic swordsmanship."
"Good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with an elder's approval.
"Lay a solid foundation, and your path ahead will be steady."
Fang Xu invited him into the living room, then hurried to make tea.
The tea at home wasn't particularly good, but it was the best hospitality he could offer.
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed no distaste. He accepted the cup and gently blew on it.
Fang Xu sat opposite him, his mind racing.
Why had the Third Hokage suddenly come?
Was it because of those three thugs this afternoon?
Or had he noticed Lightning Activation?
If it was the latter, he was in serious trouble.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sip of tea and set down his cup.
"Fang Xu, don't be nervous."
Fang Xu didn't insist on playing dumb. He answered honestly, "I'm certainly a little surprised to have Lord Hokage visit in person."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile grew a little gentler.
"I came to see you today mainly about two things."