Naruto: All Genders are reversed except for me

Seeing Hong Le's pale, ashen face, Naruto seized the moment to speak casually, "Don't worry. As long as you behave yourself… not only will I ensure this matter stays a secret, but I might even teach you higher-level cooking techniques, including the true essence of ramen."

Initially, upon learning that Hong Le was competing with Ayame's father, Teuchi, for the title of Konoha's top seasoning master, Naruto had considered directly providing Teuchi with spices to obliterate Hong Le's chances.

However, once Naruto discovered Hong Le's recent activities and noticed the alkaline stones in his possession, his strategy shifted immediately.

This man, if utilized properly, could serve as a perfect cover for the vast amounts of money Naruto intended to funnel out of Konoha.

As expected, after Naruto deliberately emphasized the risks of alkaline stones, Hong Le grew visibly frightened.

Of course, raw alkaline stones, when crushed and boiled into water, inherently carry significant risks, even if the effects aren't immediately apparent.

Given this world's primitive level of chemical refinement, food-grade alkali was impossible to produce. Industrial-grade alkali, on the other hand, was extremely dangerous. Consumption could severely harm the human body—its corrosiveness was nearly on par with sulfuric acid.

Such a hazardous material, if mishandled even slightly by an inexperienced apprentice, could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Thus, Hong Le's claim that refined alkaline substances were toxic was not an exaggeration in the least.

Still, Naruto, being only seven years old, knew that directly threatening a fanatical chef was unwise. Offending someone this obsessive, bordering on the deranged, could lead to numerous complications later on.

It was akin to forbidding Orochimaru from conducting experiments—a scenario with severe consequences.

Hong Le might be just a chef, incapable of outright assassination, but at the very least, it would force Naruto to reveal his true strength—something he wanted to avoid.

Therefore, Naruto coaxed him instead: "As long as you behave, I'll even teach you the true essence of cooking."

Hearing this, Hong Le's eyes immediately lit up with fervent anticipation.

If a seven-year-old had dared to say this to him earlier, he would've slapped the child without hesitation.

But after witnessing the toxic properties of alkaline stones firsthand, he believed it—completely and utterly.

Neither he nor the reclusive culinary master who dwelled deep in the mountains had managed to fully understand the various properties of alkaline stones, yet this seven-year-old child had surpassed them both in comprehension.

"The true essence of cooking and ramen…" Hong Le fell to his knees, looking up at Naruto with reverence.

"That's right," Naruto said with a confident smile. "I'll use these alkaline stones, combined with a secret blend of spices, to create legendary ramen!"

Ding! You have received 30 shock points from a Konoha villager!

Hearing this, Hong Le exclaimed in shock, "But isn't that stuff poisonous? How can it be used to make ramen?"

Naruto chuckled. "Of course, it can't be used directly. I'll employ a series of complex processes to refine and eliminate all the harmful components. Only then can it be incorporated into cooking."

Ding! You have received 30 shock points from Hong Le!

Hong Le stared blankly at Naruto, his mind reeling. "Can it really be done?"

"Hmph, when have I ever lied to you?"

"Master! Please accept me as your apprentice!"

From the very beginning, Hong Le had noticed this child—his ever-present confident smile that never wavered.

Naruto, however, feigned reluctance, shaking his head. "Take you as my apprentice? Do you… even deserve to be my disciple?"

Hong Le's expression darkened.

He was nearly forty years old, yet his culinary skills were inferior to both Teuchi and this seven-year-old. What qualifications did he have to become anyone's disciple?

"Of course," Naruto continued with a sly smile, "nothing is absolute. If you prove obedient enough, I might consider grooming you after all."

Hong Le, who had almost given up hope, suddenly saw a glimmer of light and kowtowed fervently. "Master! I swear I'll obey you without question! Whatever you ask of me, I'll do!"

Giving hope after despair—that was Naruto's method for securing loyalty. If he had taken Hong Le under his wing too readily, the latter might not have felt the weight of his authority.

"Very well. Your first task is…"

Naruto laid out his carefully constructed plan. As he spoke, Hong Le's emotions fluctuated between astonishment, excitement, and anxiety, only for him to repeatedly pat his chest in assurance.

The two conversed privately in the Ichiraku Ramen shop for a full ten minutes before stepping out together.

When they emerged, Hong Le looked rejuvenated, his gaze toward Naruto filled with awe and respect.

Meanwhile, Naruto donned his ANBU mask again, appearing as nonchalant as ever.

Outside the shop, a crowd awaited them with bated breath.

Hong Le's three burly apprentices exuded confidence, while Teuchi and Ayame looked visibly tense.

Only Sasuke scrutinized the two of them with a furrowed brow.

"Master, how did it go?"

"Yeah, did this kid give you a satisfactory answer?"

The three apprentices rolled up their sleeves and approached Naruto menacingly.

"How dare you!"

Hong Le shouted in fury, startling his apprentices. To him, this blond-haired boy was now both a benefactor and a future master. His dreams of culinary greatness depended entirely on this young genius—how could he allow his apprentices to disrespect him?

Hong Le roared and proceeded to give the three a sound beating, their cries for mercy echoing in the street.

Only when Naruto said nothing did Hong Le breathe a sigh of relief.

"Although I lost in the preliminary round," Teuchi's wife declared bravely, "I will give my all in the finals to defend the title of Konoha's top seasoning master."

Hong Le laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Very well. Since you lost the preliminaries, I'll set the time, location, and rules for the finals."

Teuchi and Ayame exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

Recalling Naruto's instructions, Hong Le carefully crafted his next words. "The finals will take place tomorrow night by the Xiangshui River. I'll invite all of Konoha's ramen chefs to participate."

Hearing this, Teuchi's wife paled visibly. Still, having lost the preliminaries, she could only nod reluctantly.

"What's the topic and the rules?" she pressed.

"Hmph, it's simple: time delay."

Hong Le smirked confidently. "Tomorrow, we'll all make our secret recipe ramen. After it's prepared, the ramen will sit undisturbed for five minutes. Only then will the judges taste it. The ramen with the chewiest noodles and the freshest broth will win."

Teuchi's wife felt a chill run down her spine.

For Hong Le to propose such a rule, he clearly had confidence in his recipe. Her own ramen, left to sit for five minutes… she couldn't even guarantee its quality.

In the end, she gritted her teeth and nodded. "I accept!"

"Excellent!" Hong Le laughed, glancing subtly at Naruto before leading his apprentices away.

After they left, a somber mood enveloped the Ichiraku Ramen shop.

"It's over. It looks like the title of Konoha's top seasoning master is as good as lost," Teuchi's wife lamented.

"Mother, I believe you can defeat Hong Le," Ayame consoled her anxiously.

Teuchi's wife shook her head. "He left Konoha with his apprentices years ago, traveling far and wide. He must have acquired some kind of secret recipe."

Seeing their despondent expressions, Naruto removed his mask and smiled. "Auntie, I believe you can defeat Uncle Hong Le and keep the title of Konoha's top seasoning master."

Teuchi's wife could only manage a weak smile. Something seemed to occur to her as she turned to Naruto. "Little Naruto, tomorrow's finals will require a lot of hands for the judges. Ichiraku only has Ayame and me…"

"No problem, Auntie," Naruto replied confidently. "You've helped me so much in the past. Tomorrow after school, I'll bring her along to assist you."

As he spoke, he grabbed Sasuke by the arm with a grin.

---

Enjoying the story? Want to read ahead?

Get early access to 40+ Chapters and faster updates by

joining the Naruto Membership tier for just $5! You can choose to support me on :

Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/KZ478

Your support helps keep this story alive, and I deeply appreciate every contribution

Thank you for reading and supporting my work.