Aunt Ichiraku's words fell.
Everyone turned around in shock to look at Master Hongle, who wore an equally blank expression.
"The main ingredient of the Peerless Noodle brought back by Master Hongle?"
"Could it... actually be like this?"
"To be able to share the secret seasoning mix obtained through all his hard work, Hongle truly deserves the title of Ramen Master!"
Watched by everyone, Hongle had no idea how to respond for a moment.
Yet looking toward the Little Master, he also stepped forward with a confident smile.
Seeing Hongle cooperate so well, Aunt Ichiraku secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then left her spot, wove through the crowd, and walked over to Hongle.
"Master Hongle, you brought back the ultimate flavoring, and using the ingredients you brought back, I researched the Peerless Noodle recipe... How about it, Master Hongle, does the Ichiraku House sincerely invite Hongle Ramen to reach a business partnership?"
Aunt Ichiraku finished speaking unhurriedly, leaving every ramen master present-except for Sasuke and Naruto-gaping in shock.
"What? Master Ichiraku actually wants to partner with Master?"
"When did Master share the mysterious alkali stone with Master Ichiraku?"
"Who knows, maybe it was when Master was alone with that blond kid?"
Though Hongle's three disciples found the scene before them hard to believe, they felt no small amount of aversion; instead, they held considerable anticipation.
After all, they had tasted trial samples of the Peerless Noodle.
They could only say that such earthly delicacies were the lifelong pursuit of every ramen master.
If their master could reach a partnership with Master Ichiraku, then they and the others would also have a chance to learn the Peerless Noodle.
At this moment, Ichiraku and Hongle met in the center of the competition venue.
Of course Hongle did not believe that this Peerless Noodle was researched by Ichiraku, but as for the alliance between Ichiraku and Hongle Ramen, he did not know whether it was the Little Master's intention or Ichiraku's.
Since the two were surrounded completely by Konoha's ramen masters, Hongle could not catch a glimpse of the Little Master's intent even if he tried.
As the surrounding ramen masters clamored, Hongle grew somewhat anxious.
Yet just as he was hesitating, a familiar voice suddenly came from the outer perimeter of the crowd.
Yes, it was Naruto's cheering and shouting.
Though Hongle had only met Naruto once, yesterday's experience had been far too bizarre, rendering him exceptionally sensitive to Naruto's voice.
Hearing the Little Master's loud cheers and encouragement, Hongle also smiled, looked at Ichiraku, extended his right hand, and said, "Then I must ask Master Ichiraku for much guidance in the future."
Aunt Ichiraku had expected Hongle to firmly oppose the partnership, yet she had not anticipated it would go so smoothly.
"You're too modest. I believe that in the future we will continue to innovate and create even more delicious ramen."
The two masters shook hands publicly and formed a partnership.
This sight immediately brought pressure upon the surrounding ramen masters.
"What... Master Hongle agreed?"
"If Ichiraku and Hongle join forces, wouldn't that be outrageous?"
"Yeah, a single Peerless Noodle has already squeezed us to the point of breathless exhaustion, so what if the two of them unite to create new ramen?"
Hearing everyone's words, Ichiraku immediately made an announcement according to Naruto's instructions.
"Everyone, do not worry about this; within three months, we will publish the recipe for the Peerless Noodle."
As soon as these words were uttered.
The competition arena plunged directly into dead silence, and everyone doubted whether their own ears were malfunctioning.
A ramen recipe and secret broth were a ramen master's very foundation for survival, yet Master Ichiraku had actually announced in public that he would publish the recipe for the Peerless Noodle three months later...
"Of course, even after the recipe is published, not everyone will necessarily be able to make the Peerless Noodle one hundred percent, because the two main ingredients among them are not in the Land of Fire at all."
As soon as Aunt Ichiraku said this, everyone looked toward Hongle.
Indeed, Master Hongle had just returned from other countries, so it was completely normal for him to carry the secret seasoning mix.
Hearing that the Land of Fire completely lacked the main ingredients to make the Peerless Noodle, everyone felt secretly helpless, yet obtaining the recipe for the Peerless Noodle was still a good thing.
At this time, Ichiraku and Hongle were surrounded in the center by Konoha's ramen masters; Naruto could not squeeze through no matter how hard he tried, so he could only stand on the outer edge and shout to Aunt Ichiraku, "Auntie, the competition is over, so we're heading back first!"
Naruto's shout was not particularly loud, but Ichiraku and Hongle, who constantly kept their attention on the Little Master, still heard it clearly amidst the crowd.
"Oh, little Naruto, thank you all for your help today." Ichiraku was polite on the surface, but his gaze was filled with extreme reverence.
Hongle also looked at Naruto with eyes full of awe, nodded, and then once again joined the inquiries coming from his peers.
If ANBU and Root ninja hadn't been patrolling and monitoring the surroundings, Naruto might have slipped away without saying a word.
Yet with people watching him, he had no choice; he had to follow the rules, otherwise causing Danzo's suspicion would spell trouble.
Bidding farewell to the competition grounds.
Naruto and Sasuke walked away in each other's company, heading toward the location of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Naruto had been busy ever since school let out in the afternoon-first making ramen with his own hands at the Ichiraku House, then persuading Aunt Ichiraku to reach a partnership, and finally staying until the competition concluded, by which time the sky had nearly grown dark.
Having completed the most crucial chess move, Naruto let out an inadvertent smile.
Once he settled those two ramen masters, Ichiraku and Hongle, Naruto would not only transform from passive to active in the future, but he could also shift behind the scenes to pull the strings and control everything.
"Hmph, I don't even know what you're happy about."
Following Naruto around for two days without gaining any real improvement in her own strength left Sasuke somewhat depressed.
"What on earth are you trying to achieve by going to such lengths to unite Ichiraku and Hongle?"
Listening to Sasuke's complaints, Naruto first closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings.
He discovered that the sudden appearance of the ANBU and Root members this time truly wasn't targeting him, but rather arose from worry that a bunch of Konoha's ramen masters might hatch some scheme against Konoha under the guise of the competition.
Feeling entirely relaxed now that no one was monitoring him, Naruto chuckled at Sasuke's skepticism. "A tall building rises from the ground, Sasuke; you're just too impatient."
Clearly, Sasuke was very unreceptive to Naruto's preaching.
"Hmph, if my strength doesn't see a substantive improvement within a month..."
Hearing this, Naruto looked at the Twin-Tailed Girl Sasuke with interested eyes and asked, "How about it?"
Seeing that Naruto still didn't take her demands seriously, Sasuke gritted her teeth and said, "Then we're breaking up! I won't be your temporary girlfriend anymore, hmph."
Although Sasuke, transformed into a girl, remained as aloof as ever, the expression on her face right now carried a heavier dose of tsundere pride.
Naruto forced a wry smile and continued, "Then... before we break up, can you take me to visit your house?"
As soon as these words dropped, Sasuke immediately looked at Naruto with heightened vigilance.
"Why go to my house? I advise you not to harbor any crooked ideas; we're only in a temporary cooperative relationship, and I'm merely your temporary campus girlfriend for three months."
"Good grief, just how mature are your minds at such a young age?" Naruto rolled his eyes massively at Sasuke. "Don't tell me I'm not that kind of person; even if I were, that function of mine hasn't even activated yet!"
"What function?" Sasuke retorted upon hearing Naruto's remark.
"Sigh... No, nothing. Anyway, you don't learn this kind of knowledge at the Ninja Academy."
"Hmph, I hate it the most when you're this stingy."
Seeing Naruto dangle her curiosity again, Sasuke puffed out her cheeks in irritation and turned her head away.
As the two walked along the footpath, after a short while they arrived at a secluded corner of Konoha.
Looking out into the distance, the vast Uchiha Clan Compound lay pitch-black, resembling the maw of a giant beast, as though entering it meant being swallowed entirely by the darkness.
Seeing Naruto subconsciously slow his pace, Sasuke intentionally teased, "Yo, you aren't scared of ghosts, are you?"
Naruto turned his head to give Sasuke a sidelong glance and blurted out, "Am I scared of your sister?"
"Hmph, if you're not scared, then follow me."
Before you continue