Konoha
"Hello, hello, hello, can you hear me?"
"Boss, this is a megaphone made of paper, what are you testing?"
"Oh, I almost forgot! Everyone, come quick! Come quick! Come quick! Boss Huang He is bringing his sister-in-law... oh wait, I mean, Konoha One Bag of Rice Restaurant is grandly opening today! One bag is only 2,000 taels, buy two bags get one free, and we offer delivery service to your door and upstairs. You carry it up as many floors as I can, and I'll carry it up as many floors as I can!"
Before dawn, the silence of the early morning was shattered by a voice like a quack's. Hongshi was standing in front of a rice shop, holding Hongshi paper megaphone and loudly hawking his wares.
" Hongshi! It's only 5 a. m., are you trying to summon a ghost?! Shut up!"
"The rice dishes in the store are also exceptionally delicious. Buy a bag of rice and get a free detox pill. This offer is only valid for one day, so don't miss out!"
Hongshi's voice carried extremely far, even alerting the Anbu. After they surrounded him and found there was no danger, they retreated.
The two brothers, Bōsetsu Bakushō, dressed in chef's uniforms, stood on either side of the doorway. Their faces were menacing, their forced smiles revealing large, yellow teeth. They looked more like doormen or guardians. "Boss, it seems we opened the door too early. Look, these people are throwing eggs at us!"
"What are you waiting for? Catch it!"
"Alright, boss!"
The layout of this shop looks extremely bizarre. Three terrifying humans stand at the entrance, and bags of rice are stacked in the entryway. Inside, the shop has been transformed into a restaurant, whose mascots are a talking Katsuyu and a white snake.
"Yeah! I feel so energetic now!"
"Tch, how boring, why are you getting involved, Katsuyu?"
Inakusa happily helped her father and grandfather with washing and chopping vegetables, keeping herself busy and having a great time.
Grandpa Inakusa and Ahao skillfully prepared the ingredients, and the aroma of meat began to waft from the pot.
Gyokucha sat to the side. She had been forcibly dragged over by Hongshi to act as a waitress. She was dressed in a white kimono with her red hair draped over her shoulders, and she didn't look like a waitress at all.
Looking at the busy Inakusa, Gyokucha smiled beautifully, " The Inakusa is so energetic!"
"Yes! Because it was our master who bought this shop for us! I can't let him down!"
Following Hongshi's outburst, a considerable crowd gathered outside the shop, mostly there to hurl insults. But the rich aroma of meat wafting from inside made everyone swallow hard. "It smells so good! It really does look delicious!"
So, some people began to overcome the fear brought by the three fierce-looking door gods at the entrance and walked inside. After a few steps, it was as if they had stepped into a new world.
After a three-minute silence...
"My goodness! This broth! It's so delicious! And it's made with such ordinary ingredients! Grandpa, your cooking is truly superb!"
Hearing this, the group, whose faces hadn't even been washed, began to hesitate. Moreover, the aroma of meat in the air grew stronger over time, and eventually, their cravings took over Rao's mind, leading him to gradually enter the store.
"What! What is this taste! Mine, it's so delicious!"
The shop started to get noisy; the fact that the meat soup was selling so well so early in the morning speaks volumes about its taste.
Hongshi was about to shout something when Gyokucha poked her head out, "Boss, we're full. Come in and help."
Considering the physical condition of head chef Inakusa, Hongshi decided to buy thirty servings of stewed meat soup for each dog.
The Lord God: "With only two cooks, why bother with a head chef?!"
Hongshi entered the store, everyone stopped talking.
Before long, Gyokucha kicked out the three ugly-looking gatekeepers, Hongshi.
Hongshi patted the footprints on his leg and muttered, "Why does Gyokucha never wear shoes? But she looks really good, hehehe..."
Ever since Gyokucha was taken in as a younger sister by Hongshi, she has had a peculiar habit: she doesn't wear shoes.
"Hey! Hongshi, up so early!"
An aged voice came from afar. Looking over, Hongshi saw that it was none Genin eternal Maruboshi Kosuke, and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hongshi went to greet him, " Kosuke, Lord Third."
The Third Chakra received the Hongshi's chakra and was full of energy, looking almost like a forty-year-old. Kosuke, on the other hand, was hunched over, and both of them wore kind smiles.
As a master of stewing, Kosuke exclaimed in surprise upon smelling the aroma wafting from the restaurant, "Oh! This smells wonderful!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep breath. "It's quite good, but is it really okay to eat such oily hot soup so early in the morning?"
Hongshi laughed, "Hehe, this broth has my special seasoning. Not only will it not harm you, it can also heal injuries and strengthen your body. Grandpa Kosuke, don't you have any missions today? Would you like to come in and have a bowl? I'll cook for you."
Kosuke smiled. " Hongshi, I've already retired."
"Huh? Ninjas have the concept of retirement?"
Kosuke said softly, " Lord Tobirama thinks I'm too old and won't let me do missions anymore."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, " Lord Tobirama is just concerned about you. Of all his students, you've had the hardest life. You've protected Konoha for fifty years; it's time for you to rest. The world is young, after all."
While organizing ninja files, Tobirama saw Kosuke, who had been Genin and had performed well in the campaign against the Land of Rice Fields. With mixed feelings, Tobirama's spirit flew out to see Kosuke and told him to stop taking on missions.
"Oh, I understand, I understand. Kosuke, what are your plans for the future? How about you come work as a chef at my shop?"
Kosuke thought for a moment, "Oh, cooking is what I like best, it's quite interesting."
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly said, " Kosuke, aren't you going to rest?"
Kosuke smiled and said, " Lord Third, I've been busy my whole life, I can't stop. From now on, I'll entrust the protection of Konoha to Hongshi."
Hongshi patted his chest. " Kosuke, don't worry, I will carry on your Will of Fire."
Hiruzen Sarutobi his hands. "This is yours!"
Kosuke gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a thumbs-up. "Hehe, this is the last mission I've done for Konoha, hahaha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Perfect!"
Hongshi: "(°ー°). Hmm? I think I've been tricked."
Kosuke patted Hongshi's thigh. "Young man, you still have a lot to learn. You two chat, I'll go check on the kitchen. Oh, it smells better and better."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the dazed Hongshi: "Actually Kosuke always hoped that you could protect Konoha, which is why he agreed to do this."
Hongshi didn't really care; his ideal of upholding the Shinobi World also included protecting Konoha: " Lord Third, just say what you want to say, don't try to trick me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard. "Information has come back that the Akatsuki has begun their operation. Lord Tobirama intends to have you and Sakura Naruto form a team to protect them."
"They have my Chakra within them, what's there to be afraid of?"
"What?"
"No, no, please continue."
"The Akatsuki's target is the Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts in each village. Sakura and Naruto both have Tailed Beasts within them, so you're the only one protecting them without their knowledge."
"Wait a minute!" Hongshi realized something was wrong and quickly interrupted, "How did you know that Sakura has Tailed Beast inside her?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed, "We also found out that you were the one who captured the Three-Tails. Did you really think the Lord First and Lord Tobirama knew nothing? You're too naive. But how did you do it? We really can't figure it out. Why don't you come with me?"
"It's all a trick! It's all a trick!"
Before leaving, Hiruzen Sarutobi specifically instructed Hongshi: "Remember to pass on your Nuclear Ninja Style Senjutsu to them."
"You guys know that too???"