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"Two bowls of Miso-Honey Pork ramen," Hiruzen called toward the counter.
"Coming right up!!" Kakuzu's eyes curved into a smile above his mask.
He went into the kitchen, and the two boys sat in the quiet restaurant. Since everyone in Konoha was talking about the Hokage election—they soon found themselves discussing it as well.
"Hiruzen, has the Sarutobi Clan decided who they're supporting?" Danzō asked.
Hiruzen scratched the back of his head. "My father already gave the order. The whole clan is voting for Lord Hashirama."
"What about the Shimura?"
"I'd rather support Lord Madara... His ideas make more sense to me, but my clan also decided on Hashirama. I have to follow their choice." Danzō admitted.
Things had turned out differently in this version of history, and Danzō's life had changed too.
With Manji as Konoha's founder and First Hokage, he had never grown up seeing the Uchiha as an evil clan. That argument wouldn't have made much sense when the village itself had been built by two generations of Uchiha leaders.
"I see..." Hiruzen gave his friend an encouraging pat on the arm.
"Once we're old enough to vote, we can choose for ourselves." Neither of them was old enough to vote yet, so their clans decided for them.
Behind the counter, Manji listened without interrupting. So much for the idea that every citizen's vote really mattered.
Most people just went along with their clan's choice instead of thinking about what they wanted.
Danzō turned toward him. "Shopkeeper, who are ordinary civilians voting for?"
He wondered about the biggest group in Konoha. The clans had most of the political power, but civilians were the majority. Their votes could decide the whole election.
"People who run restaurants don't understand politics. We'll follow the crowd." Manji waved a hand. "As long as the next Hokage lets us work in peace and keeps food on everyone's table, I don't care whether it's Lord Hashirama or Lord Madara."
Hiruzen's eyes lit up. He grabbed the glass of Cola beside him and raised it toward Manji.
"Well said! I'll drink to that!"
Danzō laughed under his breath.
Civilians cared about simple things. They wanted enough to eat, safe streets, and enough money to live comfortably.
Clan members had a lot more to consider—
The Senju led one of the biggest groups in Konoha, and the Uchiha still had a lot of influence since they helped build the village. Choosing a side meant thinking about alliances, interests, and what the election could mean for the clan's future.
"Ramen's ready! Eat it while it's hot." Kakuzu emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming bowls and set them on the table.
The restaurant filled with the smell of rich broth and Miso-Honey Pork. Thick slices of Chashu covered the noodles so much that you could hardly see the broth underneath.
"..." Hiruzen and Danzō stared.
"THAT SMELLS AMAZING."
"Look how much meat they put in it! No wonder the First Hokage liked this place." Both boys picked up their chopsticks and took a bite.
Their heads snapped up at the same time.
"HOLY CRAP, THIS IS GOOD!"
"IT REALLY IS!"
They leaned over their bowls and ate quickly, almost like they were afraid someone would take the food from them.
Manji watched them demolish Kakuzu's ramen, then glanced toward the kitchen.
"Kakuzu, did you put drugs in the broth?"
Kakuzu failed to notice the joke. "Old man, we run an honest business. I like money, but I earn it properly."
Kakuzu sounded so serious that Manji had to laugh.
"Shopkeeper, this sweet drink is amazing too." Hiruzen took another sip of his Coke. "Can I buy a few cups to take home?"
"Of course, but it's limited to two per customer."
Hiruzen's excitement faded for a moment, but then he remembered who was sitting next to him. He turned toward Danzō and put on his most pleading expression.
"Danzō... you'll buy me two, right?"
Danzō stared at him. Seeing Hiruzen lower his head and ask for a favor was something Danzō might never witness again.
A smug smile almost appeared on his face, but he held it back and sighed as if the request was a huge burden.
"Fine. Go buy them." Danzō took out the money and placed it on the table.
..............
After the boys finished eating and left with their drinks, Kakuzu opened a bottle of Coke for himself. "The storeroom is full of these. Why limit customers to two?"
"Scarcity creates demand. It's basic business." Manji clasped his hands behind his back.
Kakuzu took another drink, still puzzled.
"You controlled Konoha's finances for decades and served as Hokage. You should already be rich. Why are you counting every coin in a small restaurant?"
Manji chuckled.
"You still don't understand, Kakuzu." He turned around with a calm look, like someone about to share some old wisdom. "Have you forgotten my famous saying?"
Kakuzu waited.
"Those who seek public office should abandon all dreams of wealth."
Kakuzu paused, then nodded. "I think I read that in an old newspaper."
..............
Madara and Hashirama stood side by side atop the First Hokage's stone face, looking down over Konoha.
Neither had spoken for some time.
"Madara, about the election—"
"There's nothing to discuss." Madara folded his arms and kept his eyes on the village. "Becoming Hokage is your dream, and it's mine. We'll compete fairly and let the people decide which of us they want."
Hashirama nodded, then offered what he believed was a perfect solution. "If I win, I'll serve for a few years, then step down and let you take over. We'll take turns."
"..." Madara's expression darkened.
Hashirama was genuinely trying to be fair. Somehow, that made it even more infuriating.
'If I win?' Hashirama sounded awfully certain Madara would lose.
And then he planned to 'give' him the position?
Uchiha Madara had spent his entire life refusing to accept charity from anyone. What made Hashirama think he needed the Hokage title handed to him out of pity?
Take turns being Hokage...
Did Hashirama think being Hokage was some street stall where they could swap places behind the counter whenever they felt like it?
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