Since he was already three bowls behind…
Yuto burped and voluntarily stopped. Based on the current situation, he could not out-eat Madara.
His surrender made Terumi Mei, Uchiha Obito, and the two others in the background perk up.
Of course, the truly relieved one was the ramen cook.
"Is it finally over?"
Looking at his slightly trembling hands, the man felt like crying.
After making dozens of bowls of ramen in one sitting, he felt utterly hollowed out.
Madara glanced at the defeated Yuto with a look of pride, letting out a soft hum.
Four more bowls than Yuto.
A complete victory!
"Not bad."
Madara looked up at the exhausted cook and offered a flat compliment.
"Father, it's over."
Ayame whispered quickly.
The man swayed slightly, letting out a heavy sigh.
Sitting beside him, Yuto immediately caught the smugness in Madara's gaze and couldn't help but purse his lips.
"Have you found the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Madara's face was cold as he spoke calmly.
"We have."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is currently in Konoha's rear, protected by a group of Leaf shinobi still resisting."
Uchiha Obito stepped forward and quickly relayed the intelligence he had gathered.
Sasuke remained silent, though hatred faintly burned in his eyes as he looked toward Yuto.
That subtle murderous intent was well-hidden, but with Yuto's powerful perception, how could he miss it?
Yuto simply didn't care.
Who worries about an ant's hatred?
After Obito finished describing the Jinchuriki's approximate location, he also stole a subtle glance at Yuto, finding the man apparently unconcerned.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Obito's eyes.
It seemed Yuto had no interest in the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Naturally, Yuto had no interest – he had obtained the Nine-Tails' chakra long ago.
Moreover, before the war began, Madara and Yuto had already discussed the Jinchuriki's ownership.
This was why Madara could sit here calmly eating ramen with Yuto.
"Does Konoha still have resisting forces?"
Madara frowned slightly at this.
He stood and turned toward the exit.
The meal was done, and he now knew the Jinchuriki's location. Madara had no intention of waiting further.
Obito and Sasuke also rose and followed.
Just as Madara was about to reach the door, he paused and turned to look at Yuto, still seated.
"Is this your idea of unification?"
"In some ways, you're as foolish as Senju Hashirama."
Madara's tone was dry, a hint of mockery in his voice.
With Konoha already fallen, a pocket of resistance still remained.
In Madara's view, this was nothing short of foolish indulgence.
Facing Madara's mockery, Yuto merely yawned, his expression unchanged.
"The concept of unification is not foolishness."
"And I know you'll deal with them for me, won't you?"
Yuto did not even turn his head, responding with a light smile.
If Madara intended to seize the Jinchuriki, he would inevitably clash with Konoha's remaining resistance.
So Yuto didn't need to lift a finger – Madara would handle them easily.
"Hmph!"
Madara snorted at Yuto's words.
"Since I lost, put the meal on your tab."
He suddenly remembered something, speaking in an unhurried tone. By the time he finished, his figure had already exited Ichiraku Ramen.
A short while later, the three's auras vanished from Yuto's perception.
Only then did Yuto realize that Madara had eaten without paying!
Yuto looked up at the mountain of empty bowls on the table, his mouth twitching violently.
After Madara and his group left, Terumi Mei and Haku rose and walked behind Yuto.
"I had planned to launch the full assault at midnight, but with Madara handling it, our Mist forces have it much easier."
Terumi Mei brushed a strand of auburn hair from her forehead, chuckling softly.
"I had my suspicions, but I didn't expect Madara to win in the end."
Yuto's eyes flickered, a note of reflection in his tone.
Through his exchange with Madara and the unmarked state of Madara's body, Yuto had roughly guessed that Hashirama had been worn down to death.
Izanagi?
As expected, a troublesome ability.
But something else had caught Yuto's attention.
During his previous battle with Hashirama, using Kotoamatsukami had unexpectedly awakened the Asura chakra within Hashirama.
This time, Madara and Hashirama's battle apparently did not trigger the appearance of Indra and Asura's chakra.
Thinking of this, a flicker of confusion crossed Yuto's eyes.
Normally, whether Indra or Asura's chakra reincarnates, only one person per era should carry it.
In this era, the reincarnates should be only Naruto and Sasuke.
Yet Hashirama had possessed Asura's chakra – that was baffling.
If such a situation occurred, the only explanation was…
Asura's chakra had transferred from Naruto's body into Hashirama's for some reason!
And this time, Hashirama had died without ever triggering Asura's chakra again, meaning it had returned to Naruto!
"It can transfer on its own?"
"Interesting. More and more interesting."
A sharp gleam flashed in Yuto's eyes as he murmured.
If before he had believed Asura and Indra's reincarnate chakra was simply a power…
Now that assumption was completely overturned.
Now, no matter what, Yuto refused to believe these two streams of chakra were merely inherited power.
Chakra was the union of spiritual energy and cellular energy, meaning it contained the host's spirit or consciousness!
Orochimaru had exploited this through Curse Marks, achieving infinite revival and playing spectacular tricks.
Yuto now understood why Asura's chakra had suddenly awakened when he used Kotoamatsukami on Hashirama.
Kotoamatsukami could override another's will and forcibly alter their consciousness!
Therefore, the Asura chakra within Hashirama must have sensed a threat, forcing it to awaken and break through Kotoamatsukami's power.
"Lord Yuto, is something wrong?"
Seeing Yuto muttering to himself, Terumi Mei asked with some confusion.
"Nothing. Just thought of something interesting."
Yuto snapped back to attention, chuckling at Terumi Mei's question.
He then straightened his expression and looked at her.
"With Madara's help, we need to speed up our side."
"After all, with Konoha destroyed, the Fire Daimyo won't stay silent. The other great nations' Daimyo, including our own Water Daimyo, will likely have many objections."
Yuto's lips held a faint, cold smile as he spoke softly.
The shinobi world was not merely the great villages. Behind each village, the Daimyo's estate was a force that could not be ignored.
Though shinobi held extraordinary power, they were few.
In any world, ordinary people were the vast majority!
The high-end power of shinobi, no matter how one viewed it, must have filled ordinary people with fear and wariness.
Since they felt wary, they naturally imposed restrictions and limitations.
Behind every Great Shinobi War, the various nations' Daimyo had exerted considerable effort.
This battle for Konoha had been underway for nearly half a month, but the Daimyo had taken no action.
Not because they were unaware – they simply watched with approval.
In these Daimyo's eyes, this war was like the usual conflicts: it would drag on for a while and then end on its own.
But now, having reached this point, the Fire Daimyo had likely realized this war was different from the past!
"We must prepare immediately. Before the Fire Daimyo reacts, we settle this matter completely."
Terumi Mei's expression turned grave, her tone serious.
Yuto nodded gently and looked to Haku: "Where is Hyuga Neji?"
"He's been notified. Based on the time, he should arrive shortly."
Haku responded respectfully at Yuto's inquiry.
"In that case, you two go prepare."
Terumi Mei and Haku showed no hesitation. They turned and left, vanishing from Ichiraku Ramen in a blink.
Before long, the shop's bell chimed again.
Hyuga Neji entered from outside, spotted Yuto waiting, and hurried over.
"Lord Yuto, sorry to keep you waiting."
Neji bowed as he reached Yuto's side, speaking respectfully.
"It hasn't been long. Let's go."
Yuto smiled at Neji, dismissing the apology.
Hearing Yuto's words, Neji realized something. His body trembled slightly, excitement flooding his face.
Yuto rose from his seat and reached into his pocket, producing his wallet.
"I don't know if this is enough."
He emptied all the money from his wallet onto the table, a hint of hesitation on his face.
The father froze for a moment, clearly not expecting this seemingly high-ranking Mist shinobi to actually pay.
"It's enough. It's enough."
He didn't bother counting how much money lay on the table, speaking quickly.
"Enough? I thought it wouldn't be."
"As expected of Ichiraku Ramen – affordable and filling."
Yuto's eyes brightened at the father's words, and he praised with genuine sincerity.
Yuto seemed to remember something and looked at the father: "If you're interested, you could open a shop in the Hidden Mist Village too."
Without waiting for the father's stunned reaction, Yuto turned and left with Hyuga Neji.
[
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