"Nothing, nothing. I just happened to remember that Sakumo sometimes came here to Ichiraku Ramen, and he recommended it to me many times. Thinking about it made me crave some," Hiruzen Sarutobi said outright. Words like these came to him without effort.
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Sōkyū Hatake could barely resist rolling his eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi really did love playing the family card.
"Grandpa Hokage, the food here really is good. Back when Father was still around... he used to bring Kakashi and me here too." Since you want to play the family card, Hiruzen Sarutobi, I won't hold back either.
With that thought, Sōkyū Hatake immediately switched into family mode.
He even established a persona for himself.
His father had brought him here.
And that had been back when his father was still around.
He wanted to see just how his esteemed opponent would respond when he used this move.
"Yes, before we knew it, Sakumo has been dead for a year. I've truly missed him this past year." Hiruzen Sarutobi's face visibly twitched at Sōkyū Hatake's words, but he quickly smoothed things over.
"Lord Hokage, your chashu ramen." Just then, Teuchi brought out Hiruzen Sarutobi's chashu ramen, set it directly in front of him, and left.
It was clear that Teuchi did not even want to exchange another few words with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Slurp, slurp.
After that, the only sounds left in the ramen shop were Sōkyū Hatake and Hiruzen Sarutobi eating their ramen. At some point, Ayame had left the register and headed toward the kitchen.
"I'm full! Thank you for the meal!" Sōkyū Hatake finished his noodles first, then pressed his palms together as he spoke.
"Since you're full, little Sōkū, why not take a walk with me to help digest our food? My digestion isn't so good now that I'm getting old." Seeing that Sōkyū Hatake had put down his chopsticks, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately spoke up too.
He had come to find Sōkyū Hatake today with a specific purpose.
"Sure, sure." With that, Sōkyū Hatake hopped straight off his chair and headed outside.
"What a good child." Watching Sōkyū Hatake's actions, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
"Um... Lord Hokage, you haven't paid yet." Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to leave, Teuchi stepped out at precisely the right moment.
"Ah, well..." Hiruzen Sarutobi froze for a moment. Since when did he have to pay for his meals?
But then he remembered that he was out in public, and that many people came to Ichiraku Ramen to eat. Not paying really would... easily damage his image.
He took out his money and paid for Sōkyū Hatake's share as well, then quickly went outside. Fortunately, Sōkyū Hatake was still there waiting for him.
"Grandpa Hokage, why did it take you so long to come out?" As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged, Sōkyū Hatake stepped forward to ask.
Of course, everything that had happened inside had been picked up by Sōkyū Hatake's Mantra, one of the abilities granted by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
It was a power that keenly sensed surrounding presences, allowing the user to detect enemies outside their field of vision or even predict an opponent's movements. Known as "Mantra" on Sky Island, it was a form of mind reading, or what could also be called "the power to hear."
"It was nothing. Come on, let's take a walk over there." There was no way Hiruzen Sarutobi would reveal what had happened, so he could only laugh it off and change the subject.
What else could he say? That the great Hokage had tried to skip out on his bill, only to get caught and have no choice but to pay?
No matter how he put it, that would hardly sound reasonable.
"Okay." Sōkyū Hatake did not refuse and instead walked off with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Neither spoke. They simply walked forward.
"Grandpa Hokage, did you need something from me?" Sōkyū Hatake brought it up after all. Why did this little old man seem to have no intention of speaking?
"Ah, little Sōkū, I really would have forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. I came to see you about something today." Hiruzen Sarutobi pretended he had suddenly remembered. Just then, they reached a junction with hardly anyone around.
"Go ahead, Grandpa Hokage," Sōkyū Hatake said directly.
"Well, you know Konoha's current situation. Three villages have declared war on Konoha at the same time. You know about that, don't you?" Hiruzen Sarutobi stared into Sōkyū Hatake's eyes as he spoke in a seemingly casual tone.
"I do, Grandpa Hokage." Still unsure what that old schemer Hiruzen Sarutobi was trying to do, Sōkyū Hatake could only go along with him for now.
"Yes. With all the pressure from outside, and with no one having formally succeeded the Hatake Clan's position, our internal Council of Elders Meetings keep ending in tied votes, which has led to..."
This was Hiruzen Sarutobi's true objective: to obtain the Council of Elders seat in Sōkyū Hatake's hands!
After all, Kakashi was currently away fighting, giving Hiruzen Sarutobi the perfect opportunity to successfully manipulate the five-year-old Sōkyū Hatake!
As long as Sōkyū Hatake signed a series of documents, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be able to take control of the Hatake Clan Council of Elders seat.
Of course, the seat would still belong to the Hatake Clan, but Hiruzen Sarutobi would have Sōkyū Hatake sign documents authorizing the Hokage to temporarily make all decisions on the Hatake Clan's behalf. That would maximize Hiruzen Sarutobi's own power!
The Council of Elders currently had eleven seats in total, each held by the head of a clan.
For example, Tsunade represented the Senju Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi represented the Sarutobi Clan, Shibi Aburame represented the Aburame Clan, and Shikaku Nara represented the Nara Clan.
Senju, Uchiha, Hyūga, Aburame, Nara, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Sarutobi, Shimura, and Hatake-the Council of Elders consisted of the leaders of these ten clans!
However, the Senju Clan's and Uchiha Clan's Council of Elders seats existed in name only. Tsunade was always away from the village, while the Uchiha Clan had long since been excluded from the center of power!
In other words, all these years, it had actually been the decisions of the nine clans on the Council of Elders that could influence those of the Hokage and the Hokage Advisors!
Generally speaking, the Hyūga, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Sarutobi, and Hatake stood with the Hokage's faction.
The others were either neutral or tacitly stood behind Shimura Danzō!
Therefore, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were eager to secure the Hatake Clan's seat as backing for themselves!
That was also why Hiruzen Sarutobi had specifically come to see Sōkyū Hatake today. Another Council of Elders meeting was about to begin, and no matter what, he needed more support!
Before you continue