Although Teuchi had already mentally prepared himself, the level of excitement on-site still exceeded his expectations.
Even with more than a dozen ramen chefs working simultaneously, demand still far outstripped supply.
Fortunately, everyone was busy discussing the recent gluttony competition, so even those waiting longer didn't complain.
After waiting for a while, Yuzuru and Kurenai saw a young girl approaching with two large bowls of ramen.
"Here are your large portions. Please enjoy."
After speaking, the girl glanced at Kurenai and suddenly brightened with surprise. "Big Sister Kurenai, it's you!"
Kurenai smiled. "Ayame, long time no see."
"After today, Ichiraku Ramen's business is going to grow even more."
Ayame scratched her head with a cheerful grin. "That's all thanks to everyone's support."
After saying that, she secretly glanced at Yuzuru beside her.
"Big Sister Kurenai, who is this?"
"You dressed up so nicely today, is it because you're on a date with this big brother?"
Hearing Ayame's teasing, Kurenai quickly covered her mouth.
Only after seeing that Yuzuru showed no reaction did she speak in a serious tone. "Ayame, don't talk nonsense."
"This is Lord Yuzuru."
"Huh?!" Ayame couldn't help exclaiming. "Lord Yuzuru?!"
"Shh!" Kurenai hurriedly reminded her. "Lord Yuzuru doesn't want others to know his identity, so keep your voice down."
Ayame quickly covered her mouth and nodded vigorously.
Then she bowed somewhat nervously. "Hello, Lord Yuzuru."
Yuzuru smiled kindly. "You're Ayame, right? No need to be so formal. Just treat me like an ordinary customer."
Feeling Yuzuru's goodwill, Ayame visibly relaxed.
After hesitating several times, she couldn't resist asking, "Lord Yuzuru, are you and Big Sister Kurenai on a date right now?"
"Ayame!"
Kurenai scolded her with a flushed face, but Yuzuru simply shrugged with a smile.
"So what you should be doing now is stop being a third wheel here."
As if she had discovered some secret, Ayame's face lit up with excitement.
"Then today's ramen is on me. Bye!"
After Ayame left, Kurenai said somewhat embarrassedly, "Lord Yuzuru, Ayame is still young. Please forgive her rudeness."
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Kurenai, tell me, if two people go shopping together, eat ramen together, and go to a hot spring together, does that count as a date?"
Hearing this, Kurenai froze for a moment, then replied in an almost inaudible voice, "I-I guess it does."
"Hahahahaha…"
Yuzuru laughed a few times, quickly finished the ramen in his bowl, then extended his hand toward Kurenai.
"Let's go. We're heading to the hot spring."
"Okay."
Kurenai nodded obediently, allowing her hand to be taken by Yuzuru.
The two disappeared into the crowd like a couple.
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In a hidden spot, Mitarashi Anko's breathing gradually grew heavier, her expression a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Seeing this, Uzuki Yugao couldn't help asking, "Anko, what's wrong?"
Anko snapped back to her senses and took a deep breath to calm herself.
She shook her head lightly. "Yugao, I'm fine."
"Lord Yuzuru has already gone far away. Let's hurry and follow."
Yugao didn't think too much about it, nodded, and vanished from the spot.
After she left, Anko did not move immediately. Instead, she stood there biting her lip tightly with silver-white teeth.
There was no mistake.
The Transformation Technique Yuzuru had used earlier to hide his identity was exactly the same appearance as that pervert who had stolen her dumplings back then.
No wonder she had searched every corner of Konoha for so long without ever seeing that man again.
It turned out that it had been Lord Yuzuru in disguise all along!
For a moment, Anko stomped her foot in embarrassment and frustration.
"Lord Yuzuru, you're Lord Yuzuru, how could you…"
She felt like crying without tears.
If she had never known, it would have been fine. But now that she did, how was she supposed to face him in the future?
————
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The next day.
Yuzuru stepped out of the hot spring inn and stretched comfortably.
A good soak, a massage, and then some exercise—it couldn't have been more refreshing.
Kurenai followed behind him with her head lowered, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.
Seeing this, Yuzuru turned back and said, "Kurenai, after some time, I will personally speak with Senior Shinku and explain everything clearly."
Kurenai nodded slightly. "Then I'll head off first."
After speaking, she directly used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished.
Seeing this, Yuzuru laughed silently.
This girl… really has two completely different personalities between day and night.
After breakfast, Yuzuru returned to the clan grounds.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Pakura accompanying Uchiha Tsuki in the newly built sunroom, basking in sunlight.
Seeing this, Yuzuru stepped forward and picked up Uchiha Tsuki into his arms.
"Pakura, why are you watching Tsuki?"
"Where's Tsunade?"
Pakura thought for a moment before replying, "It seems the village is planning some major action recently. Big Sister Tsunade was called to the Hokage's office early this morning."
Yuzuru nodded, then took Pakura's hand and smiled.
"Pakura, prepare to take your revenge."
Hearing his words, Pakura froze.
"Revenge?"
"Yes. Now that the village's construction is mostly complete, it's time to expand our territory."
"My first target is the Land of Wind."
Upon hearing this, Pakura finally understood Yuzuru's meaning.
The Land of Wind was controlled by Sunagakure, and its current Kazekage was Rasa.
After the Third Great Ninja War ended, Rasa had been chosen as the Fourth Kazekage.
However, because he feared her prestige and strength, he took advantage of a mission assignment to have all her followers killed.
That was precisely why she had defected to Yuzuru.
Although many years had passed, Pakura had never forgotten that deeply engraved hatred.
Now, upon hearing that Yuzuru planned to attack the Land of Wind, gratitude appeared on her face.
"Yuzuru, thank you."
Most of the Land of Wind consisted of barren desert, with scarce resources.
Such a country held little value for invasion.
The fact that Yuzuru had chosen it as the first target was undoubtedly because of her.
For a moment, Pakura felt deeply moved.
"Yuzuru, you've done so much for me. I truly don't know how to thank you."
Yuzuru waved his hand. "You're my woman. There's no need to be so formal."
"If you want to thank me, words are enough."