Chapter 164: Triple Play? Truly Devious

Mikoto couldn't believe what she had just heard. For a moment, she even doubted her own memory of Takuya's age.

But no, she was right—Takuya was only ten years old, not even eleven yet. And now he was being asked to be a jonin instructor?

This arrangement from the village…

Mikoto was at a loss for words.

Takuya counted on his fingers while he complained, "So, I've got one from the Hyūga main family, one Uchiha—named Uchiha Ryoji—and another so-called civilian genius named Aida Sui. I don't even know why these specific students were given to me."

He could understand the push to support civilian ninja—that was part of the village's policy. But giving him an Uchiha student?

Fine, he could overlook that. But a main family member from the Hyūga clan? Was Sarutobi Hiruzen pulling his leg?

"Ryoji?"

The name caught Mikoto's attention, and her expression changed immediately.

"What? Is there something wrong with Uchiha Ryoji?" Takuya asked, surprised at her reaction.

"It's not him that's the problem. He's a decent kid, just a bit arrogant. But his grandfather..." Mikoto raised her hand, gesturing vaguely.

"He's one of the people you particularly dislike."

"One of the people I dislike?"

Takuya mentally ran through his list of people he couldn't stand in Konoha. There were plenty of them behind closed doors, mostly those old fossils in the higher-ups.

But publicly, that list was short—really just a couple of those old-timers in the Uchiha clan.

"Well, now things are getting interesting," Takuya said, a smile creeping onto his face.

Was the Third Hokage doing this on purpose?

He could see it now—Sarutobi trying to provoke him into holding a grudge against Uchiha Ryoji, hoping it would exacerbate the existing tension between him and the Uchiha clan.

Meanwhile, Hyūga Rinon's inclusion was meant to tie Takuya's hands, preventing him from taking any reckless actions. If something happened to someone from the Hyūga main family, it would cause a massive headache.

As for Ryoji, the Hokage probably hoped he would clash with Takuya, leading to even more friction between him and the Uchiha clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly had no faith that Takuya would ever reconcile with the Uchiha if things got worse.

It was a cunning move, Takuya realized. The Third Hokage was playing dirty, targeting him from all angles.

Before, Takuya had suspected that the Hokage wasn't as altruistic as he seemed. Now, after thinking it through, it was clear the old man had pulled a devious trick.

"Ryoji better keep his arrogance in check," Takuya muttered. "Otherwise, he's going to regret it."

But were there even any Uchiha who weren't arrogant?

When Mikoto considered that, she had nothing more to say. Her hopeful idea that Ryoji wouldn't cause problems seemed far-fetched. She figured it was more realistic to hope that Takuya wouldn't bother giving him the time of day.

And so, a simple little hotpot restaurant quietly opened its doors on the luxurious streets of Konoha.

Since they didn't do any advertising, the restaurant didn't see much business at first, making Kushina's clan members and Sayuri Uchiha, who had been helping out, a bit anxious.

Once again, Takuya found himself yanked out of bed at the crack of dawn, dragged by Kushina to sit with her at the restaurant.

She claimed she was too nervous to handle the grand opening alone and needed someone to keep her company.

Looking around at the empty dining area and seeing the worried faces of Kushina's clan and Sayuri Uchiha, even Kushina started to lose confidence.

Tugging on Takuya's sleeve, she whispered in his ear, "Takuya, don't you think we should do some advertising?"

"Nope," Takuya replied with a big yawn, showing no concern. "The village's economy has taken a hit because of the war. It's not like during peaceful times. Advertising right now might send the wrong message."

He stretched and added, "Take it slow. If the food is good, word will spread. Besides, we're in the fanciest part of town. It's not like there won't be customers eventually."

"I'm just nervous," Kushina admitted. She wasn't worried about losing money—what could a little hotpot restaurant really cost her? It was more about the expectations of her clan members and Sayuri Uchiha.

"Relax. Once people start talking, business will pick up."

"Hokage-sama?"

Right as they were talking, someone walked in. Kushina's jaw practically hit the floor.

Even Takuya was surprised.

It was none other than the Third Hokage.

"I heard that Kushina and Takuya had teamed up to open a hotpot restaurant, and since I'm off today, I thought I'd bring my wife and son to check it out," Hiruzen said with a warm smile. Behind him were his wife, Biwako, and his son, Sarutobi Asuma.

"Hokage-sama, please, come in! It's on the house today—everything's free, my treat!" Kushina was over the moon, thrilled that the Hokage himself had come to support their opening. She immediately offered them a free meal.

"Well then, I won't refuse," Hiruzen said with a chuckle as he led his family upstairs to one of the private rooms.

"Was that really the Hokage?"

"He came here to support their hotpot restaurant?"

"Maybe that means the food here is really good."

"Let's give it a try!"

Seeing the Hokage's visit, people passing by started murmuring in curiosity. Soon, several onlookers decided to come in and try the place for themselves.

Hotpot did exist in the ninja world, but its flavors were… hard to describe.

Takuya shuddered just thinking about it.

Imagine boiling meat in plain water and then dipping it in wasabi. The taste would make anyone's soul ascend. Or worse, you might get a milk hotpot, where everything tasted overwhelmingly like dairy.

After experiencing that once, Takuya had sworn off this world's version of hotpot.

But with the Hokage's arrival, it was like they had been given free advertising. More and more villagers and ninja started pouring in, eager to try the food. Soon, the place was buzzing with activity.

Despite most customers opting for simple bone broth, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with people leaving stuffed and satisfied.

"What exactly are you up to?" Biwako shot Hiruzen a suspicious look.

Feeling her gaze, Hiruzen cleared his throat, a bit uncomfortable under his wife's scrutiny. "Well, Mito-sama asked us to keep an eye on Kushina. I figured supporting her restaurant was a good way to help out—and maybe advertise it a bit."

But of course, Hiruzen's real reason had little to do with Kushina.

He had come to gauge Takuya's reaction after handing him that peculiar mix of students. Would Takuya be furious? Angry enough to come asking for replacements?

It turned out Hiruzen had overestimated things. Takuya was entirely unfazed, as though nothing had happened.

Maybe I was overthinking it, Hiruzen mused.

In truth, the restaurant's location on Konoha's most luxurious street would have guaranteed business sooner or later. As long as the food was good, they would eventually build a reputation, and the restaurant would be a hit.

The Hokage's impromptu visit had simply sped things up.

After helping out for a day, Takuya was more than happy to let Kushina and Sayuri Uchiha handle the restaurant on their own. He had no real interest in managing a business. That time could be better spent resting or training to grow stronger.

Having an advantage didn't mean Takuya slacked off. Even with his natural talent, he worked hard to improve, never wanting to rely solely on his luck.

About ten days after Takuya returned to the village, the last of the forces from the Rain Country finally made their way back.

The village held a grand welcome ceremony for the returning heroes, with the Third Hokage personally meeting them at the gates.

As cheers erupted, even Tsunade found herself overwhelmed with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes.

***************

Good job on reaching 2000 power stones! You will now get a new chapter every 1 hour so six chapters. Your next goal is 2500 power stones.