"I'm heading out!" Uchiha Madara wiped his mouth with a napkin after finishing his meal, then stood up with the help of his cane.
Recently, the food had been bought by Tobi from outside, since neither of them knew how to cook. Living in a cave for so long, who needed culinary skills?
Now that they were eating normal meals again, it was really...
He had gained two pounds!
Moreover, the food at Uzushiogakure's canteen was quite good. Even Tobi, who didn't need to eat, had started enjoying the food!
"Madara-sama, do you need me to accompany you?" Tobi asked while cleaning up.
Lately, Madara-sama had been going out every day and returning very late at night.
Where exactly was he going?
"Don't you have work today?" The elderly Madara asked, leaning on his cane.
"It's a day off today," Tobi scratched the back of his head. "It's the weekend, so most workers in Uzushiogakure are resting."
He wasn't entirely sure what this "day off" meant, but the supervisor had told him he didn't need to work today and could rest.
"Ridiculous!" Madara's face twisted in anger. "Ninjas actually get a day off every week?"
"Ah, but Madara-sama, most of them are ordinary people," Tobi explained. "I heard this rule was set by Lord Jun!"
However...
"Unreasonable, absolutely unreasonable!" Madara paused for a moment, then shook his head and walked out. At the door, he turned back to look at Tobi. "Since that's the case, you can rest today."
"Eh~" Tobi watched Madara's retreating figure and scratched his head, muttering, "But I don't feel tired at all."
Still, since Madara-sama didn't want him to follow, then...
"What should I do now?" Tobi frowned. He had no idea what to do. Normally, during this time, he'd be underground working on his art. Now that he was free, he didn't know how to spend his time.
Should he go draw?
"Maybe..." Tobi's eyes suddenly lit up as if he had thought of something. "I'll go to the shopping street again?"
They were out of candy at home, especially the milk candies Madara-sama loved. He should go buy some.
And maybe see if there was any tofu pudding left. That soft, delicate food was perfect for someone like Madara-sama, who didn't have teeth...
...
"Work starts at 7 AM and ends at 10 PM, with one day off per week." Uzumaki Jun suddenly felt like a ruthless capitalist.
This schedule was even harsher than 996. Fortunately, the people of the ninja world wouldn't curse him for it—they'd even be grateful. If this were his original world...
His employees would have roasted him alive!
"Thankfully, people in the ninja world generally have strong constitutions," Uzumaki Jun sighed. "Otherwise, they'd have died from exhaustion long ago."
Right now, Uzushiogakure had no choice but to enforce such hours due to the severe labor shortage. Increasing working hours was the only way to boost production.
As for Uzumaki Hibiki's suggestion to cancel days off...
Uzumaki Jun outright ignored it. After all, he was still a kind-hearted person at his core.
"That old man has been going to Shijō's place every day and hasn't wandered around elsewhere," Uzumaki Hibiki said, checking his notebook. "Should we summon Shijō for questioning?"
"No need," Uzumaki Jun smiled faintly. "As long as nothing unusual happens, leave him be."
Perhaps this was Shijō's opportunity.
There was no need for him to interfere.
Who knew? Maybe there'd be a pleasant surprise...
As for whether Shijō might be tricked by Madara into becoming a terrorist...
Uzumaki Jun wasn't worried. After all...
Both sides of the law were under his control!
At worst, Shijō would just be transferred from headquarters to a branch.
"Understood." Uzumaki Hibiki nodded. Lord Jun's meaning was clear: continue ignoring the situation. Though he didn't fully understand why, as a ninja with a strong sense of duty, he didn't press further. Checking his memo, he added, "The research institute has made a new discovery. The elder hopes you'll visit."
"A new discovery?" Uzumaki Jun stroked his chin thoughtfully. "What could it be?"
Had they made progress in chakra extraction?
Uzumaki Jun's eyes lit up. He turned to Uzumaki Hibiki and said, "I'll head over now!"
Perhaps...
Uzushiogakure was about to enter a new energy era!
...
"Old man!" Shijō had just opened a can of meat when he saw Madara arrive again. He greeted cheerfully, "Have you eaten?"
Over the past few days, under this old man's guidance, he had learned a great deal about taijutsu. Before, he had been figuring things out on his own—after all, Uzushiogakure's taijutsu research was...
Shijō sighed inwardly. Uzushiogakure lacked strong taijutsu specialists, so he was deeply grateful to this old man for teaching him.
"Kid!" Madara looked at Shijō's attitude and nodded approvingly. The kids in Konoha were so unlikeable, all fawning over Hashirama. Didn't they know Uchiha Madara was also a kind-hearted person?
Why did no one in Konoha like him?
"You're eating this?" Madara glanced at the pile of canned food beside Shijō and frowned. "Taijutsu users need several times—no, hundreds of times—more nutrients than others. If you eat this while training intensely..."
"Your body won't keep up!"
Don't end up weak at such a young age!
"I'm used to it," Shijō said. "Keita-nii is on duty today, so I'll just make do. Old man, want some?"
He pulled out a can with a cow printed on it.
"Beef stew—my favorite. Just heat it up a little, and it tastes even better. Want to try, old man?"
Uchiha Madara glanced at the can and smirked disdainfully. Back when he was the leader of the Uchiha clan, was there anything he hadn't eaten?
Especially during his travels across the ninja world with Hashirama to collect the tailed beasts—they'd sampled all kinds of delicacies. The only problem was neither of them knew how to cook, so... well, let's just say the results were... less than ideal.
"I have no interest in—"
Before Madara could finish, the heated beef stew released a rich, tantalizing aroma.
Ahem. Madara cleared his throat and said calmly, "Since you're offering, I'll humor you."
What exactly was in this thing?
It really did smell amazing.
Madara sat down beside Shijō, eyeing the can warming over the fire with curiosity. I just ate, so why am I hungry again?
"Uzushiogakure's specialty—braised beef," Shijō carefully picked up the heated can and sighed. "This is the last one."
Then, he handed it to Madara...
"Here, try it!"
He smiled warmly at Madara. "Thank you for teaching me these past few days."
"Hmph!" Madara snorted. "My teachings are worth far more than a mere can of food." He took the can, picked up a piece with chopsticks, and slowly brought it to his mouth...
Mmm! His eyes immediately narrowed in satisfaction.
"It's really..."
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