Mirai Uchiha sat in the restaurant, glancing around and thinking the atmosphere was actually pretty nice.
The place wasn't big and was tucked away in a quiet corner, but the interior decor had a unique charm.
Back in her previous life, she'd probably call this place a 'hole-in-the-wall joint.'
It wasn't dinnertime yet, so the restaurant wasn't crowded.
Not long after Mirai sat down, she saw Madara Uchiha wearing an apron and carrying dishes as he walked out from the kitchen.
Seeing this sight, Mirai couldn't help but smile. "Oh! Isn't this the former ultimate killer of Konoha—Madara Uchiha?"
"What kind of look is this?"
Hearing Mirai's teasing words, Madara merely gave a soft grunt without responding.
That tsundere expression combined with the apron he wore…
If not for his extremely muscular build, he'd practically pass for a drag queen.
Hashirama Senju smiled and said, "Mirai, real peace has now been achieved across the ninja world. The goal I've pursued together with Madara has finally been realized, so we opened this little restaurant to pass our time."
"Madara's cooking skills are excellent. Try some."
Picking up her chopsticks, Mirai took a bite and discovered the taste truly was amazing. She couldn't help complimenting, "Madara, you really have a talent for cooking."
"But I guess no one would ever imagine that two great warriors who once reshaped the Warring States era and established the village system would end up running a small restaurant like this."
After hearing Mirai's words, Madara spoke calmly, "All that belongs to the past."
"In today's era, our powers are practically insignificant."
For Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, who occasionally visited Orochimaru's lab complex, they had learned quite a bit about the projects conducted there.
Techniques like Wood Release and Mangekyo Sharingan were just the beginning—now even Rinnegan and [the power of Shinra Banshō] could be obtained through genetic engineering.
In fact, if Mirai wished, she could mass-produce warriors surpassing beyond Kage-tier.
Under these circumstances, their power—which once towered above an entire generation—had become rather ordinary.
Noticing the slightly melancholy expressions on their faces, Mirai said, "Power isn't the only standard for measuring true strength. Unyielding willpower often unleashes unexpected wonders."
"Even in this era, you two still stand at the very top of the pyramid of power."
Hearing Mirai's praise, Madara couldn't help the slight upward curve of his lips.
Receiving acknowledgment from Mirai—who they themselves deeply respected—brought genuine joy.
Thinking about this, Madara spoke lightly, "If you ever need us to lend a hand, just come find me."
Mirai Uchiha smiled. "Rest assured, that day will come."
As the group chatted casually, a tall, muscular white-haired man walked in.
"Boss, bring me some special dishes and a bottle of sake..."
Before he could finish speaking, his voice abruptly stopped.
He stared at Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and asked, "Are you really the First?"
Hashirama nodded. "That's right."
"Then… you're not really Madara, are you?"
Madara gave the man a cold look. "Indeed it is me."
Hearing their answers, the man sucked in a breath.
Then he turned his gaze to Mirai Uchiha. "Lord Emperor?"
Mirai smiled. "Jiraiya, it's been a while."
Jiraiya downed the wine in his cup, sighing emotionally. "Never thought I'd see the legendary First Hokage and Madara Uchiha running a small restaurant together. Guess it's time I settled down too."
Mirai asked curiously, "Aren't you supposed to be searching for the so-called Child of Prophecy? Why return now?"
Jiraiya sighed again. "Actually, that was just an excuse to avoid facing reality."
"The Great Frog Sage's prophecy has already changed. I just didn't want to return to Konoha."
"Oh?" Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Jiraiya looked at Mirai and snorted. "Why else? Obviously because of Tsunade!"
"I never expected Tsunade would actually become your woman!"
"You know how many years are between you two, right?"
Mirai shrugged. "Relax, her body has stayed in its mid-twenties condition. I don't mind."
Is that what I meant?!
Mirai's answer made Jiraiya clench his teeth in frustration.
The goddess he had pursued for decades, and you still dared to turn her down?
Seeing Jiraiya's expression, Mirai comforted him, "Jiraiya, a person shouldn't hang themselves on just one tree forever."
"There are plenty of fish in the sea."
Hearing this, Jiraiya sneered, "So this is your justification for maintaining inner quarters?"
Mirai wore a helpless expression. "I don't want to either, but I can't bear seeing the girls who love me get hurt. You simply don't understand my pain."
Jiraiya nearly spat out blood.
Pain?
He desperately wished someone would let him experience that kind of 'pain'!
Having teased Jiraiya a bit, Mirai felt refreshed and turned the conversation to serious matters.
"So Jiraiya, what brings you back this time?"
Jiraiya replied slowly, "Just dodging some debts."
"Debts?" Mirai Uchiha asked confusedly, "Did you gamble too?"
"Not exactly," Jiraiya shook his head, "I'm dodging a favor debt."
"What do you mean?"
Jiraiya poured himself a cup of wine and began with growing interest, "Back when I was young, I explored the ninja world. I met a woman in a place called Ayame Mura."
"At that time, the woman issued me a challenge. With nothing better to do, I accepted it."
"After defeating her, I found out the rule was: whoever gets defeated must marry the winner..."
"Since my heart already belonged to Tsunade back then, I rejected her without hesitation."
"But since I also bore some responsibility for what happened, I made an agreement with her. We decided our disciples would have a match later on."
"If my disciple loses, he will return to Ayame Mura and live there with her disciple. If hers loses, she will marry mine..."
In other words, that marriage was practically guaranteed!
Mirai Uchiha couldn't help but make this sarcastic comment.
However, as Jiraiya continued telling the story, Mirai gradually understood the whole situation.
If his memory wasn't wrong, that woman's disciple should be Ayame Shizuka.
In the original story, Ayame Shizuka once came to Konoha to challenge Naruto Uzumaki, but was eventually rejected by him.
When he saw that plot back then, Mirai couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss.
After all, in terms of looks and physique, Ayame Shizuka was among the top beauties in the entire ninja world.
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