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"I'll come find you again tonight." Kakashi suddenly stood up and then walked out of Ichiraku Ramen.
"Hmm?" Shinji was a little puzzled. What was Kakashi playing at?
However, Kakashi's departure didn't affect Shinji's desire to enjoy his meal. After all, Ichiraku Ramen was something every transmigrator wanted to try at least once.
Just as Shinji was savoring his meal, suddenly, someone sat down in the seat next to him.
Shinji looked around, somewhat puzzled. Besides himself, there were no other customers in Ichiraku Ramen, and his seat wasn't even in the middle. It was rather towards the side. Why sit right next to me? It was like choosing the urinal right next to someone in an empty men's room, wasn't it?
Turning his head, he saw a man dressed in a white kimono, with bandages wrapped around his head, even covering his right eye.
Shimura Danzō?
Shinji looked at this man, who exuded a sinister aura from head to toe, a complete opposite of Hiruzen Sarutobi's presence. If Hiruzen Sarutobi always presented a cheerful image to outsiders, Shimura Danzō was different. Whether internally or externally, Shimura Danzō was always cold and sinister. How could such a person possibly come personally to Ichiraku Ramen to eat?
Meaning there was only one possibility: Shimura Danzō had come specifically looking for him.
"Hello there, Lord Danzō. What brings you to Ichiraku Ramen today?" Shinji observed Danzō's reaction while eating his noodles. This was a deeply cunning old fox; he'd better be on full alert in front of him.
"You know this old man?" Danzō said coldly.
"Lord Danzō, one of the Hokage's Aides. Few people wouldn't know you, right?" Shinji replied calmly. This phrasing seemed more appropriate.
"Hokage Aide... is that so." Danzō looked into Shinji's eyes. That term seemed to sting him somewhat.
"Welcome! May I ask what... you'd like to eat?" Ayame saw someone sitting next to Shinji and quickly ran over as before to ask. However, upon seeing Danzō, she suddenly retreated two steps in fear. To the mere five-year-old Ayame, Danzō's face and aura truly seemed like a charm guaranteed to stop children from crying (out of fear).
"One bowl of Fire Release Super Spicy Ramen, uh... thank you." Danzō felt a little embarrassed by Ayame's reaction. He knew, of course, how terrifying his appearance was; even many children within his own Shimura clan were frightened by his face. Let alone the five-year-old Ayame. He was practically a child's nightmare.
"Dad, one bowl of Fire Release Super Spicy Ramen!" Ayame turned around somewhat fearfully and shouted towards the kitchen.
"Okay! One bowl of Fire Release Super Spicy Ramen!" Teuchi, completely unaware of the situation outside, focused intently on the ramen in his hands.
"Lord Danzō, won't eating something so spicy cause problems now?" Shinji asked while dealing with his own ramen.
"Problems? How could it?" Danzō continuously observed Shinji before him. In his view, Shinji was full of uncertainties, unsettlingly like something slipping out of his control.
"Is that so. By the way, Lord Danzō, have there been any strange rumors lately?" Shinji asked, seeming to hint at something.
"Oh? Strange rumors?" Danzō sat calmly, an air of authority instantly appearing around him.
"Yes, strange rumors. It's said that all three Sannin are planning to leave Konoha," Shinji chuckled lightly. Jiraiya had long been traveling the shinobi world, Tsunade had also left some time ago, and as for Orochimaru...
"How could that be? They're just temporarily traveling. Besides, isn't Orochimaru still in Konoha?" Just as Danzō spoke, Ayame nervously handed him a glass of water.
"Traveling? Truly a convenient reason." In a few quick movements, Shinji finished his Tonkotsu ramen. As expected of the Crown Prince's favorite Ichiraku Ramen, the taste was really quite good.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Danzō frowned slightly. Since becoming a Hokage Aide, very few people dared to speak riddles in front of him.
"Nothing. Is Lord Orochimaru doing well lately?" Shinji stated calmly.
Crack.
Seemingly using a bit too much force, Danzō looked at the water glass in his hand, which now had some cracks. Why did his composure seem a bit weak?
"Of course. Orochimaru is top-tier combat power in our Konoha," Danzō took a deep breath, trying to calm his breathing.
"Is that so."
"You've asked so many questions, shouldn't it be my turn to ask now?" Danzō chuckled lightly. A spicy aroma approached; Ayame had brought over the bowl of Fire Release Super Spicy Ramen.
"Of course. Lord Danzō, feel free to ask anything," Shinji picked up his ramen bowl and gently sipped the Tonkotsu broth.
"What exactly is your intention in establishing this All-Purpose Shop?" Danzō picked up his chopsticks and slurped down a mouthful of the spicy ramen.
"Intention? Hehe, Lord Danzō must be joking. I'm just an honest businessman. How can you speak of intentions?" Shinji chuckled. He didn't believe Danzō would come here rashly without investigating him at all. The information about his predecessor was quite complete. He was someone who came here when Konoha was founded. And Shinji was the same age as Inoichi Yamanaka and the others, a completely legitimate Konoha citizen. It was just that a few years ago, due to some incidents, Shinji was the only one left in his family. But all of this was traceable. Meaning, Shinji's existence in Konoha was legal and reasonable, and all this information was already attached to Hiruzen Sarutobi's file. Danzō must have seen it already.
"An honest businessman? Hehe." Danzō didn't believe a single word Shinji said. Could an honest businessman attract so many people to visit the All-Purpose Shop? Moreover, he had been around the shop; his sensory abilities indeed couldn't perceive what was happening inside. But there was one thing Danzō could confirm. Shinji showed no chakra reaction, and based on perception, Shinji wasn't some ninja transformed using the Transformation Technique.
"By the way, would Lord Danzō like to patronize my business?" Shinji drank the last sip of soup and satisfyingly wiped his mouth with a nearby napkin.
"Business? What would I need to ask you?" Danzō said, somewhat amused. What could he possibly need to ask? Ask how he could become Hokage? Truly, somewhat laughable.
"Since there's nothing, then I'll be leaving first, Lord Danzō." Shinji stood up, placed his hands behind his back, and casually departed.
Watching Shinji's retreating figure, Danzō's eyes narrowed slightly. What a strange person.
"Lord Danzō, shall we proceed to the next step?" A Root ninja suddenly appeared beside Danzō.
"Not for now. We have more important matters at hand. How are the preparations for that matter?" Danzō finished the last bite of his Fire Release Super Spicy Ramen, then stood up calmly and asked.
"Preparations are almost complete. With just your order, this information will quickly spread throughout Konoha," the Root ninja said, bowing slightly.
"Good. Prepare, wait for my command."
"Yes! Lord Danzō!"
"Hehe, Hiruzen, let's see how you handle this." A playful glint flashed in Danzō's remaining eye. His next moves were all aimed at tripping up Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, he held a powerful weapon in his hands. He needed to use these things to exchange for even greater benefits for himself.
Just as Danzō was sneering inwardly, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Lord Danzō! Lord Danzō!" Danzō turned around to see Ayame running out excitedly from behind the Ichiraku Ramen counter.
"What is it?" Danzō thought Ayame was a fan and was already preparing to give her an autograph.
"Lord Danzō, you haven't paid yet," Although Ayame was very afraid of Danzō, for the sake of Ichiraku Ramen's revenue, she still rushed out from behind the counter without hesitation.
"Didn't pay?" Danzō's gaze immediately shifted to the Root ninja beside him, wondering inwardly how this Root member could be so thoughtless, not even paying for him?
"Lord Danzō, I paid," The Root ninja jolted upon feeling Danzō's gaze, then quickly explained himself. He had placed the money for one bowl of Fire Release Super Spicy Ramen on the counter when Danzō stood up.
"Little girl, I already paid," Danzō said, somewhat confused.
"The one sitting next to you just now didn't pay," Ayame stated righteously. Shinji and Danzō had talked for so long just now; the two must know each other.
"This..." Danzō looked incredulously at the spot where Shinji had just been sitting. Had someone just freeloaded off him???
Night fell before Shinji returned to the All-Purpose Shop. Coincidentally, Shisui and Itachi had just brought Deidara and Karin back. Seeing the sleeping Karin and the sweat on her face, it was clear that today's training had really exhausted her.
"I'm going upstairs to experiment with my clay!" Deidara finally returned to the All-Purpose Shop. Right now, all he wanted was to go back to his room and work on his clay bombs.
"Go ahead, go ahead. But remember to close the room door properly," Shinji said calmly.
"Okay!" Deidara replied without turning his head. Today, he had spent most of his time watching Shisui train Karin. Only at the very end did Shisui let him step in to demonstrate his basic taijutsu.
Shinji picked up Karin and carried her back to her room.
"Sit down, Shisui. Sit, Itachi," Returning to the living room, Shinji saw Shisui still standing aside.
"Thank you," Itachi said softly before sitting down.
"Shisui, how are those two?" Shinji looked at Shisui and Itachi, beginning to skillfully prepare the tea set.
"Karin is very promising. Deidara, needless to say, has a very good foundation," Shisui praised directly. Deidara was the first person with such good talent he had seen since Itachi. Although Deidara was two years older than Itachi, his taijutsu was really quite good for his age. Meanwhile, Itachi beside them clearly looked a bit unconvinced. Itachi was still quite young now, and facing Deidara, who had received systematic training, he had been defeated. However, he still made Deidara feel it was a tough match.
"Thank you so much today, Shisui, and Itachi." Shinji smiled lightly. He knew asking Shisui to come out and teach Karin and Deidara was asking a bit much.
"It's no problem, Boss Shinji. Teaching one is teaching anyway, right Itachi?" Shisui looked at Itachi with a smile. Itachi's life had always been too smooth; having Deidara come along to keep him in check was a good choice.
"If only you hadn't forbidden me from using the Sharingan, otherwise..." Itachi said, sounding a bit unconvinced. Being only 5 years old, some childish emotions inadvertently surfaced. However, looking at the unconvinced Itachi now, Shinji suddenly remembered. According to the historical timeline, the first time Deidara met Itachi, their first battle nearly caused Deidara to self-destruct! In that case, did this count as getting revenge for the original Deidara and letting him vent a bit? Both were representative geniuses of their respective villages, the only difference being Deidara was two years older than Itachi.
"Itachi, the Sharingan is a trump card. It's best not to use it during normal sparring," Shisui smiled gently, feeling somewhat happy inside seeing the defiant expression on Itachi's face. It really was rare to see such an expression in Itachi's eyes.
"I know." Itachi realized he was being a bit petty and quickly replied. In his eyes, Shisui was like an older brother figure.
"By the way, Boss Shinji, there's something that's been puzzling me lately," Shisui suddenly turned to look at Shinji, his gaze indicating he was serious.
"Oh? What is it? Tell me," Shinji smiled. Konoha had recently fallen into a strange atmosphere. Although the New Year was approaching, the villagers still felt an impending sense of war.
"Deidara, if I'm not mistaken, he's from Iwagakure, right?" Shisui stated calmly.
"Yes, indeed he is." Shinji didn't think Deidara could hide his identity from everyone. After all, as Ōnoki's student, Deidara already had a certain degree of fame in the shinobi world.
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> Check my: [email protected]/ShixT9 for extra 60 Chapters
> Each 50 Spirit Stones I will release an extra chapter
> If a member joins my p@treon
> Tier 1 = 20 Advance Chapters +1 Extra Chapter + Shoutout
> Tier 2 = 40 Advance Chapters + 2 Extra Chapters + Shoutout
> Tier 3 = 60 Advance Chapters + 4 Extra Chapters + Shoutout
A review will also be greatly appreciated ^•^