Chapter 121: Ichiraku Seven Nights City
The other party wasn't in a hurry, so Haruko wasn't in a hurry to meet Kagero either.
After eating ramen, Haruko first went to contact the construction team—the construction plan had long been mostly finalized, but it had been delayed because the materials for the Barrier Ninjutsu were not available.
Now that the chakra metal was in place, they could start preparing to begin work.
Returning to his detached house in the evening, he listened to Kin Tsuchi recount the trivial matters that had occurred at school and the shop over the past two days, helped Tayuya check her homework, and had a long-awaited deep conversation with Kaede...
Two days later, after most of the more important matters had been handled, Haruko finally went to meet Kagero according to the address left on the note.
She was still in her disguised appearance—hunchbacked, buck-toothed, and with a sallow complexion.
No expression could be seen on that ugly face: "You've come."
"Since you went out of your way to leave a message, I came to take a look." Haruko sat down opposite her, "What's the matter?"
Kagero stood up and poured a cup of tea for Haruko.
"A few Clan Members and I came to the Land of Fire to perform a mission. We happened to be here when Konoha opened, so we came into Konoha to take a look."
"Hmm."
"You are the only person I am relatively familiar with in Konoha, so I just stopped by to visit."
"...Don't tell me you invited me here just to catch up. Our relationship isn't that good."
Haruko didn't want to listen to her beat around the bush anymore and went straight to the point, "What exactly do you want from me?"
Kagero fell silent, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke as if she had made up her mind: "The Fuma Clan... has split."
"Orochimaru sent people to contact the radicals in the clan and promised them many things. To build a ninja village together, become one of the founding families, and restore the glory of the Fuma Clan... Those people believed him and left with him."
Haruko's eyes flickered, but he didn't interrupt.
'So that's how it is. Konoha, the only one capable of pursuing him, is currently busy with the joint Chunin Exams; it's the perfect time to build a village..."
Although it was a bit earlier than the original work, the wheels of history had still rolled to this point.
"I don't trust that man." Kagero raised her head, a sharp glint flashing in her murky eyes, "I can't forget that look in his eyes, the way he treats people like consumables."
"And the conservatives just want to maintain the status quo, thinking they can live one day at a time, but in reality, they are just waiting for death. So I brought some people out, wanting to see if we have any other options."
She stared at Haruko, leaning forward slightly, with a trace of hope: "I want to know what the current situation in Konoha is like? Can it accommodate us?"
Haruko looked at her and sighed softly.
Even with her disguised appearance and voice, Haruko could feel the exhaustion she could hardly conceal.
'Why does this feel like Uchiha Itachi? Do I have some trait that attracts weary people? Why does everyone come to me for advice?"
"You can confirm the current situation of Konoha with your own eyes." Haruko pointed outside the window, "As for taking in ninja clans from other villages, that's the Hokage's job. You asked the wrong person."
"I know." Kagero lowered her head, "But I still want to ask... if it were you, what would you choose?"
"Me? I was a stray child before, and I just wanted to live a stable life." Haruko tapped his Konoha forehead protector, "Now I think I'm doing quite well."
"However, I don't have any dreams of reviving a clan. Just like I told you last time, Konoha can let you live stably, but it's hard to flourish."
The light in Kagero's eyes dimmed, and her already hunched body seemed to become a few shades heavier.
"Is that so... perhaps it is time..."
Seeing Kagero fall into depression, Haruko didn't intend to say anything more and stood up to leave.
"One last reminder. During the joint Chunin Exams, don't cause trouble." When he reached the door, Haruko looked back at her, "If any 'accidents' happen, it's best to stay away and don't get involved."
"I will keep that in mind." Kagero came back to her senses, lowered her head to thank him, "Thank you for today."
Returning to the Ichiraku Ramen Shop, a dozen or so craftsmen were already gathered near the shop, preparing to start work.
"Yo, young man, we have already marked the parts that need to be demolished." The foreman came over and pointed to the old buildings on the plot of land, "Are you sure you don't need our help?"
"Not for now. You mainly provide technical support and are responsible for the detailed parts."
Haruko said, forming hand seals.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Bang, bang, bang—the white smoke dissipated, and there was a Shadow Clone beside every craftsman.
"Let's start work!"
"Oh!"
Under the direction of the craftsmen, the work of demolishing the old buildings began.
"This wall needs to be torn down."
"Alright!"
Bam!
The Shadow Clone punched it, and the wall shattered like a cookie.
"Uncle, this house, we don't need the whole thing, right?" Another Shadow Clone asked the craftsman.
"Yes..."
"Whoosh—Uncle, step back a bit, be careful not to get hurt."
With a whistle, several Shadow Clones leaped high into the air and jumped directly above the building.
"Tenshu Kyaku."
Rumble—the entire building was crushed like foam and turned into a pile of ruins.
In addition to the demolition team, there was the earthwork team using Earth Release to dig the foundation pit, the transport team responsible for clearing the debris, the structural team assisting the craftsmen in construction, and the material team assisting in processing building materials...
Even with the fences, the huge commotion still made passersby on the street gather around.
"Is this construction? Is the Ichiraku Ramen Shop expanding?"
"Isn't that Haruko who just jumped up... My god! Did he just kick a house to pieces with one foot?!"
"...I forgot to pay for my ramen last month. Is it too late to apologize now?"
Compared to the pure curiosity and surprise of the villagers, the people from other villages mixed in the crowd had expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
"Hey... that white-haired guy just now was a Jonin, right?"
"He should be a guidance teacher leading students on a mission, right? He just looks so young."
"Haruko... is this the reason why you are 'doing quite well'?"
Haruko ignored the discussion outside.
He only wanted to finish expanding the shop quickly and then set up the Barrier Ninjutsu.
By nightfall, the framework of the new shop had taken shape.
Haruko slumped on the rocking chair, and the Shadow Clones were dispelled one after another.
"Ah... damn... Shadow Clones are definitely not suitable for long-term use."
Memories and fatigue flooded back into his main body, and Haruko only felt his head buzzing.
"Dear, you've worked hard." Kaede massaged his temples, "Actually, I could have helped you too."
"No need... just help Dad run the shop. At this rate, it will be finished in a week. I can handle it."
The corners of Haruko's mouth curled up slightly.
Once the renovation is complete, the Ichiraku Ramen Shop will become a fortress.
By then, even if Kumogakure really wants to cause trouble, he won't be afraid.
Meanwhile, in a tavern in Konoha.
"A teenage guidance Jonin? You must be under a genjutsu."
Slap—the leader of Amegakure listened to his subordinate's report and slapped him directly, trying to wake him up.
"It's true! Senior, believe me, many people present saw it."
"...Maybe he just looks young? The Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village also has a baby face." Another Amegakure ninja analyzed.
"Oh, that makes sense."
"In any case, designate that area as a danger zone. Don't get too close these days, just inquire around the periphery."
The leader drew a circle on a simple hand-drawn map.
"Inquire about that guy and his squad's information. If the guidance teacher is this strong, his students probably aren't bad either. If you run into them, be extra careful."
Similar conversations were happening repeatedly in corners of Konoha. Haruko was completely unaware of all this—even if he knew, he wouldn't care anyway.
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