NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: 7
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Sage Jutsu training was exactly as slow as Huang Ryome had warned, but Kenichi didn't mind.
His daily routine was set—selling ramen by day and practicing Sage Jutsu by night.
Every seven or eight days, Huang Ryome would reappear to check on his progress and ensure he wasn't making any mistakes.
However, Kenichi noticed something unsettling.
The number of shinobi customers visiting his shop was decreasing.
"The situation is getting serious..."
But at least, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru still visited from time to time.
As they came and went, they became familiar faces.
"Boss! The usual!"
Jiraiya burst into the shop, grinning widely.
Kenichi smiled back.
"Oh, it's Jiraiya."
Tsunade followed closely behind, her hands in her pockets.
"Boss, I'll have the cold noodles today."
Trailing behind them was Orochimaru, his eyes scanning the menu.
"Boss, any new flavors today?"
Kenichi chuckled.
"Actually, yes! We have a new dish—Flame Fried Noodles. Want to give it a try?"
"Flame Fried Noodles?"
Orochimaru's interest was immediately piqued.
"That sounds intriguing. I'll take one."
"Great choice! Give me a moment, I'll prepare everything."
Kenichi stepped into the kitchen, pulling back the curtain as he got to work.
Meanwhile, the three found their usual seats and began chatting among themselves.
Jiraiya glanced around, frowning slightly.
"Hey, Orochimaru, have you noticed that the boss's shop is quieter than usual?"
Before Orochimaru could answer, Tsunade scoffed.
"Idiot Jiraiya."
Jiraiya blinked. "What?"
Tsunade sighed.
"The boss's main customers are ninja. But recently, the village has been deploying more and more shinobi on missions. Of course, business is quieter."
Jiraiya stared at her in realization.
"So… the village is gearing up for something big?"
"Obviously," Tsunade muttered.
Jiraiya leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head.
"Man, I really want to graduate and become a full-fledged ninja already!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Forget it, Jiraiya. Even if you become a ninja, you'll just screw up the mission."
Before Jiraiya could protest, Orochimaru spoke up.
"I think Jiraiya will become a great ninja someday."
Jiraiya beamed.
"Hahaha! Tsunade, did you hear that? Even Orochimaru believes in me!"
Tsunade just shook her head.
"You three—your ramen is here!"
Kenichi approached, carrying a tray with three steaming dishes.
Jiraiya's signature tonkotsu ramen
Tsunade's cold noodles
Orochimaru's flame fried noodles
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with curiosity as he observed his dish.
The noodles were coated in a deep red sauce, releasing an aromatic, spicy scent.
"Is this… Flame Fried Noodles?"
He took a deep breath, his expression fascinated.
"Just the smell alone feels like it's igniting my senses."
Kenichi smiled.
"Go ahead—give it a try. The recipe is still being fine-tuned, so I'd love your feedback."
Orochimaru nodded. "I'll do my best."
Jiraiya, watching from the side, smirked.
"Another new dish? Orochimaru, you sure love trying new things."
Orochimaru smiled enigmatically.
"Don't you think it's interesting? There are so many unknown things in this world waiting to be discovered."
Jiraiya paused, as if thinking deeply.
But then, he shrugged.
"Meh. I think the things we already know are more interesting."
Kenichi, listening from nearby, chuckled to himself.
"It's so obvious—Jiraiya and Orochimaru are already on different paths."
One was destined to chase after the Child of Prophecy, while the other would pursue science and immortality.
But for now, they were just three friends sharing a meal.
"Tsunade-san, can I ask you something?"
Kenichi's sudden question made her blink in surprise.
"Boss, just call me Tsunade. What do you want to ask?"
Kenichi cleared his throat.
"I've been hearing rumors… that Lord Hokage isn't in good health. And that other countries are preparing for war against the Fire Nation."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I'm just a civilian, but I worry about Hokage-sama. How is he doing?"
The air grew heavy.
Tsunade fell silent.
Even Orochimaru and Jiraiya stopped eating and looked at her.
After a moment, Kenichi raised his hands.
"If it's inconvenient to answer, just forget I asked."
But he already had a good idea of the answer.
If Hashirama were fine, he would have publicly addressed the rumors.
Instead, neither he nor Tobirama had made any statements.
Meaning…
"The situation is worse than anyone realizes."
After a long pause, Tsunade finally sighed.
"It's not a secret."
She looked down at her bowl.
"I haven't seen my grandfather in a long time. I tried to visit, but my second grandfather wouldn't let me. Neither would my grandmother."
She clenched her fists.
"They said he was at a critical moment and couldn't be disturbed."
Kenichi nodded thoughtfully.
"So it's true. Hashirama's condition is serious."
His presence had kept the ninja world in check.
If he was truly dying, then war was inevitable.
Later that night, Kenichi sat in his room, staring at his dwindling earnings.
"It's happening. Hashirama is gone. The war is about to begin."
He glanced at the 19,000 ryo he had saved over the past ten days.
He needed power.
And for that—
"System, get out here. I'm recharging my account."
[Oh my, isn't this my dear master? How much are we recharging today?]
Kenichi smirked.
"As usual—the maximum amount for a ten-draw."
[Of course, my dearest master.
Kenichi rolled his eyes.
"You treat money as your real master."
[Oh, come now! Without you, where would the money come from?]
As they spoke, the Ryo in Kenichi's hands vanished—converted into coupons.
Without hesitating, he activated the highest-tier lottery draw.
"System, let's begin. The highest prize pool—ten consecutive draws!"
[Ten-draw sequence initiated!]
A golden roulette wheel materialized before him—
And began to spin.
End of the Chapter.
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