New Ability, God's Tongue!

Suddenly, Shiroishi's eyes shifted as they fell upon Ayame.

The favorability score of 85 displayed above her head was now higher than Uchiha Shisui's initial score of 82. Just a little more effort, and it could reach 90.

On the other side, Ayame noticed Shiroishi's gaze and turned her head towards him.

"Shiroishi, is something wrong?"

Shiroishi shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "No, I just feel a bit emotional. The craftsmanship of Uncle Teuchi remains as flawless and consistent as ever. Every time I come here to eat, I'm never disappointed. No other restaurant can pull that off."

Hearing Shiroishi's compliment, Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, grinned.

"Of course. If I couldn't manage that, what else would I be doing with ramen?" he joked.

Shiroishi chuckled, his eyes flickering to Ayame. "And the tonkotsu soup made by Sister Ayame is amazing, too. It has such a rich aroma."

Ayame smiled softly. "Thanks."

"By the way, Uncle, have you ever thought about opening a branch?" Shiroishi asked casually.

"A branch?" Teuchi raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Shiroishi said. "When I was in school, I used to drop by all the time. But now that I've graduated and taken over the ninja shop, it's not as easy to come by."

He leaned back slightly. "I'm just lucky I wasn't too busy this afternoon. I've been craving your ramen for days."

Shiroishi's gaze sharpened as he turned back to Teuchi. "How about opening a branch closer to Uchiha Station? That way, I could eat ramen every day."

Teuchi laughed heartily. "I see. Well, opening a branch isn't that simple, you know."

Shiroishi nodded, recalling what he knew about earning favor. For Uchiha Shisui, it had been about alleviating his concerns about Uchiha's internal conflicts. Presenting new ideas had increased Shisui's favorability toward him considerably.

Teuchi and Ayame were different. They didn't want grand strategies or philosophical debates. They wanted recognition for their skills.

And when it came to Ayame… well, most girls appreciated a well-placed compliment about their appearance.

"Delicious ramen and a beautiful chef like Ayame—what a perfect combination," Shiroishi remarked with a grin, watching Ayame's face flush a delicate shade of red.

Teuchi chuckled. "I'm satisfied just hearing that from someone like you, Shiroishi. It makes all my years of ramen research worthwhile. And it's not wasted on Ayame, either, who wakes up early every morning to prepare the soup."

Teuchi's tone grew more serious as he added, "But about the branch… Ayame's skills still need a bit of refinement. She's not quite there yet."

Disappointment flickered across Shiroishi's face. "Really? That's unfortunate. I think your standards are a bit too high, Uncle. Ayame's cooking is fantastic—she's easily second only to you."

Before he realized it, Shiroishi had polished off his bowl of ramen, his chopsticks clicking softly against the table as he set them down. He lifted the bowl to his lips and downed the remainder of the soup in one go.

"Delicious!" he exclaimed, satisfied. "That hit the spot."

As he glanced back at Teuchi and Ayame, Shiroishi noticed the numbers above their heads shift. Teuchi's favorability sat comfortably at 78. But Ayame…

"90!" Shiroishi's eyes lit up as he saw the number.

[Ayame's favorability has reached 90. Do you wish to collect?]

"Yes," Shiroishi mentally commanded without hesitation.

[Favorability collected. Would you like to make a request?]

"Not just yet," Shiroishi thought. He knew he didn't have to make a request immediately. The target needed to be in sight for collecting, but requesting could be done at any time.

For now, he'd wait until he returned to the ninja shop. He could handle the rest later.

Shiroishi rose from his seat and stretched. "Uncle Teuchi, Ayame, I've got to head back to the ninja shop now. I'll see you next time."

"Take care, Shiroishi," Teuchi said with a wave.

"See you soon," Ayame added, her smile lingering as Shiroishi left the shop.

When Shiroishi finally arrived at the ninja shop, it was still closed. It was a quiet, out-of-the-way location in the Uchiha district. The shop wasn't exactly bustling with customers, but that was by design—Nekobaa had specifically chosen the spot for its seclusion.

There were only a few buildings nearby, with a road in front, dense woods behind, and a stream beyond that.

"Meow?"

The moment Shiroishi stepped through the door, the ninja cats inside turned their heads towards him, their eyes gleaming. But when they saw his empty hands, their excitement dulled, replaced with disappointment.

In their eyes, Shiroishi must have gone out hunting, and returning with empty hands meant he had failed. One of the ninja cats approached him and rubbed affectionately against his leg, offering silent comfort.

Another cat dug out an old bone from the corner and brought it over, placing it at Shiroishi's feet like a peace offering.

Shiroishi chuckled, kneeling to ruffle the cat's ears. These ninja cats weren't all that different from regular house cats. Their intelligence wasn't fully developed, but their loyalty and quirky behaviors always touched him.

"I'm fine. You guys can keep the bone," he said gently, patting the cat on the head.

Taking a seat in his chair, Shiroishi leaned back, closed his eyes for a moment, and then smiled.

"Make a request."

He had been waiting for this moment ever since he collected Ayame's favorability.

His last request had brought him valuable rewards, so the anticipation of what might come next thrilled him.

[Request sent to all worlds. In the vast universe, countless eyes have turned toward you. An existence named Nakiri Alice has responded to your request.]

[You have received a C-level response.]

In the next instant, a ball of white light appeared in Shiroishi's palm.

"C-level response?" he murmured, eyebrows raising in curiosity.

"Nakiri Alice..."

Shiroishi's mind raced as he recalled the details about Alice Nakiri, a remarkable figure from the world of Shokugeki no Soma. In this culinary realm, chefs were the true heroes, and Alice was celebrated as one of the finest. Born into the prestigious Nakiri family, she was the daughter of its rightful heir and granddaughter of a culinary nation's leader. With a cousin renowned for her "God's Tongue" and her exceptional talents in molecular cuisine, Alice was destined for greatness.

"Since Ayame is a cook, that's why I received Alice's response," Shiroishi mused. The realization sank in that a C-level response paled compared to the A-level response Uchiha Shisui had garnered. Yet, this disparity was expected; Uchiha Shisui was a prodigy capable of unlocking the Mangekyō Sharingan, while Ayame was merely a ramen chef.

"It's Alice, not Erina," he noted, contemplating their familial ties. "Maybe because Erina struggles with her father, but Ayame has a supportive relationship with Teuchi, akin to Alice's."

Curiosity piqued, he wondered what abilities this chosen ninja cat might possess. Shiroishi glanced at the small white cat before him, clutching the shimmering white sphere of light tightly in his hand. As expected, most of the ninja cats were oblivious to its presence—except for one curious little white cat that flicked its paw at the glowing orb, sending it spiraling toward it.

In an instant, the light enveloped the tiny feline, cocooning it in a brilliant glow. As the light faded, a new figure emerged, no longer just a cat but a humanoid dressed in a pristine white chef's uniform and hat, red eyes shimmering with vitality and elegance.

"Alice, my lord," she introduced herself, a vision of youthful vigor.

Beside her, Shiroishi noted the details that materialized:

[Name: Nakiri Alice (cat).]

[Gender: Female.]

[Strength: Genin (can be improved).]

[Weapons: None.]

[Ability: Cooking.]

"A ninja cat who embodies the spirit of a chef," he mused, feeling a mix of disappointment and intrigue. Although he had hoped for favorability from Ayame, the skills of Nakiri Alice still held immense value. With her expertise, the Ninja Tool Shop's neglected kitchen could be revived, which had languished under the care of Nekobaa for years.

"What's the reward?" he pondered, feeling anticipation build.

A voice echoed in his mind, awakening his curiosity.

[You successfully cultivated a ninja cat and received a reward. Do you want to claim it?]

"Receive!" he declared without hesitation.

[You have gained the ability: God's Tongue!]

"God's Tongue…" His eyes widened, filled with realization. A unique trait of the Nakiri lineage, this ability could analyze the nuances of any dish, pinpointing its flaws and suggesting improvements. However, the consequences loomed large; prolonged use could lead to anorexia.

"Fortunately, my God's Tongue differs from Erina's. It's an active ability that I can control, reducing the risk of developing anorexia," he reassured himself.

While he wasn't a chef, Shiroishi understood the potential. The ability to identify flaws in food by mere taste could serve him well, especially in avoiding poison.

"Alice, follow me," he instructed, determination in his voice.

"Yes, sir!" she responded, eager to assist.

Together, they ventured into the Ninja Tool Shop's kitchen—a once-vibrant space now cloaked in dust and neglect. Shiroishi glanced around, noting the debris that cluttered the area.

"This kitchen hasn't been used in ages. Let's clean it up this afternoon," he suggested, rolling up his sleeves.

"Sir, I'll handle it," Alice insisted.

"No, let's work together! I want to try your handiwork tonight, Alice," Shiroishi replied, excitement bubbling within him.

Shinji Hirako, an elite Jonin, soon joined them, enhancing their efficiency. Despite their smaller sizes, Shinji and Alice proved formidable in their tasks, tackling the clutter with surprising strength.

Outside, curious ninja cats gathered, drawn by the commotion, peeking in to observe the flurry of activity.

"Ah, sneeze!" exclaimed a tabby cat, wrinkling its nose before scampering away, leaving behind a trail of laughter.

At that moment, Shiroishi felt a rush of hope. With Alice by his side, the Ninja Tool Shop would soon transform, not just into a place of tools, but a heaven for culinary adventures.

Shiroishi and Alice exchanged glances, laughter bubbling between them as they swept the last remnants of dust from the kitchen. However, beneath the light-heartedness, Shiroishi's mind churned with a pressing question: who would be the next target for increasing his favorability?

He had scoured Uchiha Station and the bustling streets of Konoha, but no one seemed particularly inclined to warm up to him. The favorability he had gained from Ayame was commendable, yet he yearned for a powerful ninja cat—one that could bring him even greater rewards.

Shiroishi pondered his limited options. His personal connections felt sparse, and his family was long gone. His classmates had scattered to the winds, and Uchiha Shisui stood as his only friend.

"In all of Konoha, the one with the highest opinion of me is Uncle Teuchi," he thought, but quickly dismissed that line of thought. "Collecting favorability from him wouldn't lead anywhere significant."

His mind drifted to the Uchiha clan. "The highest opinion among them is undoubtedly Itachi Uchiha. However, winning his favor would be a daunting task."

Then it struck him. "Itachi is too independent in his thinking, making it challenging to improve his favorability. But what about his younger brother, Sasuke?"

Personal connections function like a network; starting from one point, connections spread outward. "If Shisui is my friend, then Itachi is connected to me through him. But I can also consider Itachi as a new starting point—this leads me to Sasuke and Izumi."

"Sasuke Uchiha," he thought, a glimmer of excitement igniting in his chest. The prodigy had unmatched talent, likely the strongest of the Uchiha clan—perhaps even surpassing Itachi and Shisui. "I need to find a way to reach out to him."

As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, Shiroishi and Alice finally finished cleaning the kitchen, restoring it to its former glory. Yet, they faced a new challenge: the kitchen still lacked essential utensils and ingredients.

"Alice, Shinji, let's go shopping," Shiroishi declared, determination evident in his voice.

"Yes, sir!" Alice chirped, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Together, the trio departed from the Uchiha residence, making their way to Konoha's vibrant commercial street.

"Alice, please tell me what kitchen utensils we need. I'm not well-versed in this," Shiroishi instructed as they walked.

"Of course, my lord," Alice replied, leading the way.

Under Alice's guidance, they quickly acquired everything on their list. Along with essential kitchen tools, they stocked up on spices and various ingredients. The haul proved too hefty for a single person to carry, so Shiroishi decided to utilize a small cart for transport.

He pulled it from the front while Shinji Hirako pushed from behind. Alice perched comfortably atop the cart, surveying their bounty with satisfaction.

Suddenly, a familiar figure caught Shiroishi's attention. A pair of wide, curious eyes were fixed in their direction.

"What are you looking at, Sasuke?" came a voice from the side.

Uchiha Sasuke pointed toward Shiroishi. "That guy over there."

Uchiha Itachi followed his brother's gaze, recognition flashing across his face. "Senior Shiroishi."

"Brother, do you know him?" Sasuke asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

"Yeah, Shiroishi-senpai is a friend of Shisui-senpai," Itachi replied, a hint of fondness in his tone. "He's inherited Granny Neko's ninja shop. When I have some free time, I can take you there, Sasuke. Most of our Uchiha ninja tools come from that shop."

"Sounds good," Sasuke replied, a spark of interest igniting in his dark eyes.

As the three continued on their shopping adventure, Shiroishi couldn't shake the feeling that fate was aligning in unexpected ways. The connection to the Uchiha brothers might just be the key he needed to unlock new paths ahead.