Chapter 172: Ichiraku Ramen
With Nawaki and Mikoto's marriage settled and Konan's medical ninjutsu training under Tsunade coming to an end, Masahiko packed up with his two disciples and embarked on the road back to the Land of Whirlpools.
"Mito, we're leaving."
"Goodbye, Grandma Mito!"
Masahiko and his two disciples bade farewell to Mito, and the three set off on their return journey.
Mito watched the three walk away, then turned and went back into the house. Sensing slightly, she showed a helpless expression. "Great-Uncle, stop hiding and come out."
Masahiko's figure emerged from the ground, deactivating Kaguya's Will Mode.
"The Nine-Tails' sensing ability is even stronger than mine." Masahiko had thought Mito wouldn't be able to sense him if he entered Kaguya's Will Mode.
Mito shook her head. "I didn't sense you. It's just that the chakra volume of the one who left just now was wrong; it was obviously a Shadow Clone."
Masahiko's expression stiffened, then he sighed in relief. To make the Shadow Clone realistic enough, he had split a full fifty percent of his chakra. Except for Mito, no one else should be able to tell, not even his two disciples.
"Don't tell anyone that I stayed in Konoha," Masahiko instructed.
Mito nodded. "You want others to think you've left Konoha, right? Is it to deal with that Akatsuki?"
"That's right. Nawaki and Mikoto's wedding is in a year and a half. I'm worried something might go wrong during this time," Masahiko replied. However, that wasn't his only purpose.
Besides worrying about Akatsuki's actions, he was also concerned about what measures Hiruzen and Danzo might take. More importantly, Teuchi of Ichiraku Ramen intrigued him greatly. The timing of his appearance was too coincidental, and he had even spoken a few words to him.
"Transformation Jutsu!" Masahiko formed seals and transformed into another appearance under Mito's gaze—the same ordinary old man he had disguised himself as when watching the commotion earlier.
"During my stay in Konoha, I will keep this appearance. It's enough that you know; don't tell anyone else."
Mito nodded. Masahiko activated Kaguya's Will Mode again, slipped out of the Senju clan grounds, and deactivated it in an unmanned corner of a Konoha street.
"Now then, let's go check on Ichiraku Ramen."
Several days had passed. With the startup funds supported by Masahiko, Teuchi had successfully acquired a shop in a bustling district of Konoha and was working hard on renovations, transforming it into a ramen shop.
Seeing Masahiko arrive, Teuchi hurriedly came out to welcome him.
"You're here! Thank you for your help. Otherwise, I'm afraid it would have taken many years before I had the chance to open a ramen shop."
Masahiko nodded and glanced inside. Various timber lay scattered about, and a counter was vaguely taking shape.
"How can you handle all this by yourself? Why not hire a few carpenters?" Masahiko asked with a smile.
Teuchi smiled bitterly. "Acquiring this shop has basically used up your aid and my savings. If I hire carpenters, I'm afraid I won't even have money to buy ingredients."
Masahiko was startled. He hadn't counted the money when he gave it to Teuchi; there should have been quite a lot, right?
After a moment of silence, Masahiko felt his chest pocket, and his face went stiff.
"Where did all my money go?"
Ever since he won all of Madara's money from Hashirama more than twenty years ago, Masahiko had never been short of money. Unexpectedly, feeling his pocket now, there wasn't a single penny left.
After pondering for a moment, Masahiko cursed inwardly.
"Damn Kakuzu! I gave him most of the money when I asked about the Akatsuki base location. Afterwards, he said he didn't know, and I actually forgot to take it back..."
"I was thinking about the Akatsuki at the time and was negligent for a moment. No wonder Kakuzu left so hurriedly." Thinking of this, Masahiko gritted his teeth.
"Are... are you okay?" Teuchi asked in confusion from opposite him.
Masahiko deflated and shook his head helplessly. "It's nothing. I just remembered something unrelated to you. Continue with your work."
Masahiko didn't plan to lend a hand; he prepared to go to the Konoha Casino to "withdraw some money."
"Uncle, wait." Teuchi chased after him. "After receiving so much help from you, I still don't know your name."
He paused, then continued, "My name is Teuchi."
Masahiko paused, then revealed a mischievous smile. "My name is Hagoromo. Hagoromo Otsutsuki."
Teuchi showed no strange reaction and nodded in reply. "I'll remember it!"
Masahiko waved his hand and turned to head for the casino.
Using the name of the Sage of Six Paths was intended to test Teuchi's reaction, but the result was unsatisfactory.
"Maybe I really am overthinking it. It might just be a coincidence."
"I might have been misled by the netizens from my past life..."
Time flew by, and half a month passed in a flash. Masahiko became a rich man again, while simultaneously, many people in the village became poor.
Since Masahiko planned to hide in Konoha for a year and a half, he couldn't just wander the streets forever. With money in hand, he had a sudden idea and acquired a shop right next to the soon-to-open Ichiraku Ramen. He hadn't decided what to sell yet, but having nothing else to do, he started renovating it himself.
"Uncle Hagoromo, what are you doing?" Hearing noises from next door, Teuchi came to check.
Masahiko smiled. "I also want to open a shop here. We'll be neighbors from now on."
Teuchi hesitated, then smiled. "You're not opening a ramen shop too, are you?"
Masahiko shook his head. "How is that possible?"
Actually, he was somewhat tempted. He wanted to see how Teuchi would react if he drove Ichiraku Ramen out of business, but later thought that bullying an ordinary person like that was too unreliable.
Thus, without deciding what to sell, Masahiko hammered away and roughly renovated the shop. His speed was naturally much faster than Teuchi's, but Teuchi had started half a month earlier than him.
Just as Masahiko had a few finishing touches left, Teuchi came over.
"Uncle Hagoromo, my Ichiraku Ramen opens tomorrow. You should come and have the first bowl. From now on, come whenever you want to eat. You can bring people too; it will always be free for you!"
Masahiko was startled, then nodded with a smile.
"Opening tomorrow? I'll be there!"
Sending off the beaming Teuchi, Masahiko's heart stirred. "Ichiraku Ramen opening... there will probably be Witness Points. I almost forgot about that."
Konoha Village wasn't big; in modern terms, it was like a large residential complex. Two shops renovating simultaneously in the bustling district had long aroused the curiosity of most villagers.
Early the next morning, as Teuchi hung up the Ichiraku Ramen sign, a large crowd of villagers immediately gathered.
"So it's a noodle shop. I wonder how it tastes..."
"The prices are quite cheap..."
"The place is so small..."
There were all kinds of discussions. Masahiko was already sitting inside the shop, waiting for Teuchi's first bowl of noodles.
At the same time, the word's flashed before his eyes as expected: *Witnessed and significantly changed the Naruto world Main Story: Ichiraku Ramen. Received 50 (5) Witness Points.
Masahiko was stunned, then overjoyed.
"There's actually this much! Ichiraku Ramen really is a pivotal place in the Naruto world."
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