Ichiraku Ramen

Qiu Shan Uchiha nodded at Shisui's analysis.

"Right. That's when I'll step in and use this incident to press our demands. We'll move the Uchiha District out of here, somewhere a little farther from Konoha. The Third Hokage will definitely agree to appease us. Then we'll set up our own barrier, freeing us from surveillance by the Anbu and Root."

Shisui Uchiha frowned at Qiu Shan's words and raised an objection.

"But the Third Hokage and Danzo aren't idiots. They're shrewd old schemers. If I fake my death, there's no way I'll fool them."

Hearing Shisui's objection, Qiu Shan Uchiha gave him a meaningful look.

"With people as shrewd as the Third Hokage and Danzo, not to mention the secret techniques of all the village's clans, how could you possibly fool them by faking your death?"

Shisui Uchiha fell silent for a moment, his eyes as still as water.

"I understand."

"And Shisui, do you know what your death will bring about?" Qiu Shan Uchiha continued.

"Not only will our Uchiha Clan escape its current predicament, we'll also gain another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan."

Shisui Uchiha caught on immediately.

"Uchiha Itachi?"

Qiu Shan nodded. "In the fragments of the future I saw, Uchiha Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan because of your death. Given his talent, his Sharingan should already be at the limit of three tomoe. With how deeply he cares about you, if you were murdered for some reason, there's a very high chance he'd awaken his Mangekyō."

Shisui Uchiha smiled with a hint of pride at Qiu Shan's words. "I never imagined Itachi would do so well, awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan even younger than I did. He'll definitely become an incredible shinobi someday."

Hearing Shisui's words, Qiu Shan Uchiha grumbled inwardly. He certainly became powerful, but he had a screw loose. Between the Third Hokage's manipulation and Obito Uchiha's threats, he actually slaughtered his own clan and parents, shouldered all that hatred alone, and died a lonely death.

Uchiha Itachi was a decent person, but he had been afflicted with the Uchiha Clan's peculiar brand of madness and lived in his own world. Qiu Shan Uchiha couldn't bear to let him meet such a miserable end, either. Still, these things would take time. If he changed things gradually and kept an eye on the Third Hokage, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Qiu Shan Uchiha looked at Shisui. "So, Shisui, for the Uchiha and for Itachi's Mangekyō, I'll have to ask you to truly die once."

Shisui looked earnestly at Qiu Shan Uchiha. "Let me confirm one more time. Is there no other way? Do I really have to die?"

Qiu Shan answered just as solemnly. "This is the best way. Don't worry. Once you die, I'll make sure to secure the greatest possible benefits for the Uchiha Clan. I won't let the clan be wiped out. I'll lead the Uchiha Clan to glory."

After receiving Qiu Shan's assurance, Shisui Uchiha smiled in relief and nodded.

"All right, I agree. But you must protect my body, too. I don't want it to end up in Danzo's hands. Also, keep my Sharingan. I hope they'll help you in the future. I haven't used the Kotoamatsukami in my left eye yet. I'm entrusting them to you."

Qiu Shan Uchiha nodded. "Don't worry, Shisui. Rest for a few days. In a few days, I'll arrange for someone to spread the news that you've awakened your Mangekyō. Danzo will definitely come looking for you then. Be careful when you deal with him."

Shisui nodded. He had only just returned from a mission outside the village, and with everything that had happened the previous night, he hadn't rested at all. Although he was a powerful shinobi, he felt somewhat exhausted and planned to go home for a proper rest.

Seeing that they had more or less finished discussing the important matters and that Shisui Uchiha was ready to leave, Qiu Shan offered a sincere invitation.

"Shisui, we've been busy all night and haven't even had breakfast. Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen. My treat."

Qiu Shan Uchiha didn't have much choice, either. Although Konoha was quite large, it had regrettably few good dining options. Only Ichiraku Ramen and grilled meat were really worth mentioning. But what normal person went out for grilled meat first thing in the morning? Besides, the barbecue restaurants wouldn't be open at this hour.

A steaming bowl of ramen with extra meat and eggs could still make for a satisfying meal, lifting one's spirits and providing plenty of energy to face the day.

Shisui Uchiha wasn't particularly fond of ramen, and he wasn't in the mood to eat right now. He only wanted to go home and rest in peace, so he politely declined Qiu Shan's invitation and headed back alone.

Qiu Shan Uchiha understood how Shisui felt and didn't press him. Watching Shisui's figure disappear into the morning light, he felt a little dejected that no one would join him for breakfast. He rubbed his eyes, which still felt faintly warm, and grumbled, "Well, if no one's coming with me, I'll just eat by myself. I'm getting an extra-large deluxe bowl of tonkotsu ramen."

As Qiu Shan Uchiha left, muttering to himself as he headed toward the village, the rarely visited riverbank fell quiet again. The morning sunlight shone on the rippling river, creating a peaceful scene.

Although Qiu Shan Uchiha arrived early in the morning, quite a few customers were already inside Ichiraku Ramen.

The moment Qiu Shan walked in, he called out, "Teuchi, I want an extra-large deluxe bowl of ramen!"

After calling out, Qiu Shan paused, rubbed his stomach, and added, "Two bowls. One tonkotsu and one miso."

Qiu Shan Uchiha was still growing, and the previous night had taken quite a lot out of him, so with a little effort, he could manage two extra-large bowls of ramen.

Many of Ichiraku's regular customers were shinobi, and training and molding chakra consumed a great deal of physical energy. The Akimichi Clan in particular were enormous eaters even among shinobi, so Teuchi was well accustomed to customers with hearty appetites. An order like this hardly surprised him; at most, he might give the customer an extra glance.

Besides, Qiu Shan Uchiha was a regular at Ichiraku Ramen. After he became a Jōnin, his mission pay had risen considerably. With no one else to worry about, Qiushan had never skimped on food for himself and often ordered plenty of extra toppings at Ichiraku. Teuchi therefore took Qiushan Uchiha's order for extra-large deluxe ramen completely in stride.

"Ayame, come help!" Unable to keep up with the work, Teuchi hurriedly called his daughter over.

Seeing Teuchi get to work, Qiu Shan Uchiha sat down to wait, taking a quick look around at the other customers. Well, there were no familiar faces, and no one he knew.

After only a short wait, Qiu Shan Uchiha's ramen was ready. Ayame, still a tiny little girl wearing a white chef's hat, carefully carried over his extra-large deluxe ramen and gently set it before him. Her cheeks were flushed from the hot steam as she said softly, "Qiushan, your ramen is ready. Careful, it's hot!"