MSOC: Chapter 115

"Brother, you boiled the water. What are you making? Miso soup?" Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but ask. "Ayame came by earlier..."

Seeing Itachi's hesitant expression, Kai chuckled dryly. "I heard you. Hazuki-san, do you have any noodles?"

Noodles?

Hazuki's face showed embarrassment. During the latter stages of the war, business had been terrible. Most of their food had been sent to the front lines. Flour prices had skyrocketed, and she and Izumi mostly ate vegetables and coarse grains.

"None?" Kai frowned, surprised that Konoha, even in wartime, had such shortages. It highlighted the plight of the lower classes.

"Kai, I have some money. I'll go buy some..." Hazuki rummaged through her purse, handing some coins to Izumi.

Kai touched his nose helplessly. "No need. Someone will deliver some soon."

"Let's finish this soup first..."

"Someone will deliver?" Hazuki and the others were surprised.

Uchiha Itachi was even more impatient. "Brother, who's sending it? I can get some. We have plenty at home..."

Kai sighed. Why had the usually clever Itachi become so naive around him? In the original story, Itachi was independent due to Fugaku's strict upbringing. Now, with Kai, he had a reliance. It seemed he needed to fix this "older brother complex."

Saying they had plenty of rice in front of poor people was insensitive.

"No need. Just watch," Kai said, lifting the pot lid.

An enticing, refreshing aroma wafted up with the steam.

"Mom, aren't those the peaches we picked a few days ago?" Uchiha Izumi exclaimed. "Aren't those herbs? Why are we using them to cook? And they smell delicious."

"They're the main ingredient. Peach Chicken Soup," Kai smiled warmly, adding the sliced chicken to the pot.

"Peach Chicken Soup" wasn't a real peach. It was a mulberry plant.

Kai quickly added various ingredients, his speed astonishing.

"Sesame oil, ginger, scallions..." Kai listed ingredients, leaving Hazuki and Izumi speechless. They thought cooking was simple; just cook it until edible.

Seeing their bewildered expressions, Kai decided to prepare the ingredients himself.

Outside Ichiraku Ramen, the Third Hokage removed his hat, sighing.

After the Third Great Ninja War, he'd retired, passing the Hokage position to Namikaze Minato. But he still felt confident in his abilities.

Recent events, however, had left him exhausted. The Nightmare Eater's explosion, the charred Danzō... it was all painful.

"Hokage-sama, you seem troubled," Teuchi said, pulling back the curtain. "What kind of miso ramen today?"

The Third Hokage looked at the menu, sighing. "Chashu ramen?"

"My appetite isn't good. I want something different... no... never mind."

The attacks from the four Great Nations, the rise of Kai, and Danzō's reckless actions had left him exhausted and with no appetite. The greasy miso ramen and the image of charred Danzō were overwhelming.

"Father, I told you Hokage-sama would want chashu ramen."

"Hokage-sama, it's extra special today."

Ayame brought the chashu ramen. Greasy broth, with extra fatty chashu pork floating on top.

The Third Hokage sighed. He should have canceled his ramen order.

But seeing Ayame's eager eyes, he picked up his chopsticks.

"Hokage-sama, is our ramen the best?" Ayame asked eagerly.

"Ayame, that's rude!" Teuchi scolded. "Hokage-sama, please forgive her. She heard Uchiha Itachi say Kai could make food better than Ichiraku Ramen, so she's upset. Please forgive her."

The Third Hokage was surprised, then shook his head with a smile. "I heard that kid cooks. But Ichiraku Ramen is famous throughout the shinobi world. He can't compare."

"Hokage-sama is right," Ayame smiled, her anger dissipating.

"Haha... I was just stating facts..." The Third Hokage chuckled dryly.

But a refreshing aroma wafted over. The herbal chicken soup was fragrant.

The three inhaled deeply. The Third Hokage's fingers twitched. His appetite was piqued!

"Hokage-sama..." Ayame's voice rang out.

The Third Hokage and Teuchi snapped out of their reverie. This aroma was different from their rich broths.

Remembering his earlier reaction, and seeing Ayame's expression, the Third Hokage coughed. "Ahem... this aroma... it's... delicious..."

Ayame snorted, looking towards Hazuki's shop. The aroma reminded her of Kai.

"No way, he didn't make this," Ayame shook her head. "Father, did you secretly make a special dish? That's not fair!"

Teuchi was helpless. Saying this now was like rubbing salt in the wound. But seeing the Third Hokage's gaze, he shook his head. "No, I've never smelled this aroma before. It makes me hungry."

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