Training in Senjutsu was every bit as slow as Huang Bai had said, but Tetsuya did not mind.
He spent his days selling noodles and his nights practicing Senjutsu. Huang Bai only appeared once every seven or eight days to check on Tetsuya's progress and make sure nothing had gone wrong.
However, fewer ninja in the village were coming in for noodles. It looked as though the situation was growing serious.
Jiraiya and his two friends still dropped by for ramen now and then, though.
After a few visits, they had gotten to know one another.
"Boss, boss! The usual!"
Jiraiya burst into the Ramen Shop, brimming with excitement.
"Oh, it's you, Jiraiya."
Tetsuya smiled when he saw Jiraiya.
"Boss, I'll have cold noodles."
Tsunade walked in behind Jiraiya, followed by Orochimaru.
"Boss, do you have any new flavors today?"
"Haha, you picked the right day to come! My latest creation, Flame-Fried Noodles. Want to try some?"
"Oh? Flame-Fried Noodles?"
Orochimaru's interest was immediately piqued.
"Sounds interesting. I'll have a serving, then."
"Just a moment. Your noodles will be ready soon."
Still smiling and chatting, Tetsuya lifted the kitchen curtain and went inside to get to work.
The three settled into their usual seats and looked around curiously.
"Hey, Orochimaru, have you noticed how much quieter this place has gotten?"
"You idiot, Jiraiya."
Before Orochimaru could answer, Tsunade spoke up.
"Most of the customers here are usually ninja, and lately the village's ninja have all been sent out on missions. Of course business has slowed down."
"So that's why."
Jiraiya spoke with a hint of longing.
"Ninja, huh? I really wish I could graduate sooner and become a proper ninja."
Tsunade pursed her lips.
"Oh, please. You're such an idiot, Jiraiya. Even if you became a ninja, you'd probably just mess up your missions."
Orochimaru, who had barely spoken until then, smiled and chimed in.
"I think Jiraiya will become an excellent ninja someday."
"Hahaha! See, Tsunade? Even Orochimaru recognizes how great I am! I'm definitely going to be an excellent ninja."
"Your ramen is here, you three."
Tetsuya came over carrying three servings of noodles on a tray.
One signature tonkotsu ramen, one serving of cold noodles, and one serving of Flame-Fried Noodles.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up at the steaming, red-tinted stir-fried noodles. He caught a distinctive aroma—or, more precisely, a spicy fragrance.
"So these are the Flame-Fried Noodles? Just smelling them makes me feel as though my insides are on fire."
"Go ahead and try them. I'm still adjusting the flavor, though, so I hope you can give me some suggestions afterward, Orochimaru."
"I'll do my best."
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru's stir-fried noodles.
"Another new flavor of stir-fried noodles, huh? You really like trying new things, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru answered with a smile.
"Don't you think exploring new, unfamiliar things is fascinating? There are so many unknown things in this world waiting for us to explore and discover."
Jiraiya looked thoughtful, but he clearly did not enjoy pondering such things.
"Really? Well, whatever. I think familiar things are more interesting."
Sitting nearby, Tetsuya watched the two of them.
Ah, you can already see how different Orochimaru's and Jiraiya's future paths will be. One will devote himself to chasing that elusive Child of Prophecy, while the other will venture ever further down the road of science.
But all that lay in the future. For now, the three were still very close friends.
"Princess Tsunade, may I ask you something?"
Tetsuya suddenly addressed Tsunade.
"Just call me Tsunade, boss. What do you want to ask?"
Tsunade was curious, too. She did not know why Tetsuya had suddenly singled her out.
Tetsuya cleared his throat and lowered his voice.
"Well, there have been a lot of rumors around the village lately. People are saying Lord Hokage's health is failing, and that people outside the country are already plotting to wage war on our Land of Fire.
"I'm just a little worried about Lord Hokage. How has he been lately?"
As war drew nearer, all sorts of rumors had begun to spread. Previously, they had only circulated in other countries, but lately, word that Hashirama Senju was weak and close to death had even reached the Land of Fire—and Konoha itself, the village he protected.
Panic spread. Most troubling of all, the First Hokage had not appeared to dispel the rumors. Even his younger brother, Tobirama, the Second Hokage, had not stepped forward to say anything.
Tsunade immediately fell silent. Orochimaru and Jiraiya also stopped eating and looked over.
"Um, if you can't talk about it, just forget I asked."
He had only asked out of passing curiosity. He had more or less guessed the answer anyway.
Most likely, Hashirama Senju was already dead, and his death was being kept secret. After all, the other nations were stirring restlessly. Once his death was confirmed, a major war was certain to erupt.
When that happened, the Land of Fire would very likely face attacks on multiple fronts.
"It's not really something I can't talk about."
Tsunade sighed.
"Actually, I haven't seen my grandfather in a long time either. I tried to visit him before, but my great-uncle and grandmother stopped me. They said Grandfather was at a critical stage and couldn't be disturbed."
"I see. I hope Lord Hokage succeeds. His presence is what keeps this Shinobi World at peace, after all."
It was fair to say that peace in the Shinobi World at this time was maintained entirely through Hashirama's overwhelming strength. There was no shortage of ambitious people in this era.
Another day passed. After watching his income dwindle day by day, Tetsuya returned home and sighed.
"Looks like Hashirama Senju is probably gone. War is about to break out. Even if the fighting doesn't necessarily reach Konoha, I still need enough strength to protect myself."
Looking at the nineteen thousand and change he had taken over ten days to save, he set some aside as emergency funds.
"Doggo, come out. I want to top up."
[Well, well, if it isn't my dear master! How much would you like to top up this time?]
"The usual. Enough for ten pulls from the highest-tier pool."
[No problem, my dearest, most beloved master.]
"Heh. I think money is your real master."
[Oh, how could you say that? Without you, where would the money come from?]
As they spoke, the money in Tetsuya's hands vanished, converted straight into credits.
Tetsuya did not even glance at his credit balance before starting the draw.
"Doggo, let's go! The highest-tier prize pool. Give me ten pulls! Go all out and make a miracle happen!"
[You got it! Ten pulls from the tier-three prize pool, commencing!]
A giant prize wheel appeared before Tetsuya and began to spin.
Before you continue