"What do you mean by 'squatting'? You little rascal really don't know how to talk," Sarutobi Hiruzen retorted.
"As for why I'm here, it's because the mother of my child went to get her hair done tonight, so I had to come out alone to take care of dinner."
Tatsumi responded with a meaningful 'Oh'.
The Third Hokage was indeed a kind person. Although he was known as a 'Hero of the Shinobi,' feared by enemy village ninjas on the battlefield, he was genuinely gentle with the children of Konoha.
Regardless of whether they were from ninja clans or commoners, he never put on airs.
The Third Hokage gave Tatsumi the feeling of a kind old grandpa next door, even though he was only in his thirties.
"What kind of ramen do you two want? It's on me, don't be polite."
After waiting in line for a long time, it was finally their turn. The Third Hokage acted as if he would get angry at anyone who was polite with him.
Kushina looked at Tatsumi.
Tatsumi thought for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the highest point on the menu board.
That was Ichiraku's most expensive ramen. Although Tatsumi had eaten here many times, he had never tried this kind of ramen before.
"Then I'll have the Green Onion Pork Ramen. And add two eggs for me, please!"
"I'll have the same as Tatsumi," Kushina quickly said.
The Third Hokage nodded. After all, Ichiraku Ramen was very cheap. Three bowls of ramen were still within his budget...
What! Sarutobi Hiruzen gasped. This price, it's way too damn expensive!
Why don't they just rob a bank?
"What's wrong, Hokage Uncle? Is it too expensive? Otherwise, we can skip the eggs," Tatsumi said with an understanding look.
"No... no, it's just that I've been having internal heat lately and my teeth are a little sore."
The Third Hokage felt a pang of heartache. After all, his salary was obediently handed over, and he didn't have much pocket money on him.
He kept rummaging through his pockets, finally finding his hidden stash.
This secret stash was what he had secretly saved up.
This money was what he had prepared to buy the newly released adult manga.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared intently at Teuchi's father.
Could he make it a little cheaper?
Unfortunately, the other party couldn't hear his inner cries.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's sincere gaze failed to move the owner's hardened heart. How ruthless!
There was nothing he could do. If things continued like this, his precious treasure...
...he would have to buy one less of the latest action series manga.
Soon, eleven-year-old Teuchi delivered the ramen.
"Hokage Uncle, why didn't you add an egg?" Kushina asked, puzzled.
She saw that there was no egg in the Third Hokage's bowl.
"You two are growing, you need to replenish your nutrition. I don't need it," the Third Hokage replied with a smile.
Tatsumi curled his lip, clearly he just didn't have enough money in his pocket.
"Thank you for the ramen, Hokage Uncle," Tatsumi said.
"You're welcome. This is just a heartwarming exchange between me, the Hokage, and the children of the village!"
"Ah, I see. That's great. I'm so touched. Next time, Hokage Uncle, come find us for an exchange again."
"....."
"Here."
Tatsumi picked up one of the eggs from his bowl and placed it in the Third Hokage's bowl.
The Third Hokage was a little stunned. He looked at Tatsumi, somewhat lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Hokage Uncle," Tatsumi asked, touching his face.
Am I so handsome that I'm appealing to all ages?
"It's not that. I was reminded of your father, Kagami," the Third Hokage said with some emotion.
"In the blink of an eye, Kagami has been gone for so many years. Back then, among our group of old friends, along with our teacher, the Second Hokage, only a few of us are left..." The Third Hokage was lost in memories for a moment.
"Let's not talk about this," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head.
"Ahaha, when you get old, you easily get caught up in memories."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, then casually patted Tatsumi's head. "What dreams do you two have?"
Why is it always this? Do you Hokages like to ask people about 'dreams' all the time?
Kushina excitedly began to speak, "I want to become the first female Hokage of Konoha. Someone is already supporting me, Hokage Uncle."
"Oh oh, then Kushina, you're really great. It seems my position won't last for many years before it's yours," Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed.
"Tatsumi, what about you?" Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his gaze to Tatsumi again.
"I want to protect this village and the companions I cherish, just like my father did," Tatsumi said firmly.
Regardless of whether Sarutobi Hiruzen believed it or not, Tatsumi believed it himself.
At this time, don't say anything about wanting to live forever or become the king of ninjas.
If you don't want to leave Konoha, don't say anything inappropriate. What you need is to maintain a high degree of consistency with the Hokage in thought!
This is equivalent to a political review. The organization hopes that you can earnestly implement Konoha's policies, guidelines, and positions.
Maintain consistency with the Hokage in thought and action. Take the Third Hokage's will of fire as the core theory.
Insist on achieving:
Knowing your limits,
Having discipline in speech,
Taking action in practice.
Sure enough, after hearing Tatsumi's words, the Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction, revealing a look of relief.
"In the future, you will all be the backbones of Konoha, the inheritors of the will of fire. So, you must get along well with Uzumaki Kushina."
"It wouldn't matter even if you became lovers," the Third Hokage said with a knowing smile.
Kushina's face immediately turned red.
"Alright, I've eaten enough, I'm going back. You two should go back early too."
A trace of relief flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. Being in his prime, he couldn't be considered old, but in the world of Hokage, constant wars led to a generally short lifespan. Generally speaking, a ninja living to be forty years old was already considered long-lived.
Therefore, he didn't know when he would die.
As long as there were excellent children, Konoha's future would not fall.
"Third Hokage-sama!" Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just walked out of the ramen shop, was recognized.
The surrounding ninjas all stood up and immediately greeted him respectfully.
"It's nothing, it's nothing," the Third Hokage waved his hand, then walked towards the office, moving slowly, as if he really were an old man.
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