Days off were pleasant, and Asuka rarely allowed himself such a break from his usual obsession with training. After all, the high-intensity combat at the border had left him both mentally and physically exhausted.
Walking through the streets of the Hidden Mist Village, Asuka noticed that many of the surrounding shops looked somewhat desolate because of the war. The people on the streets moved quickly, their expressions tense.
As he walked, Asuka spotted a newly opened ramen shop by the roadside. Compared to the empty stores nearby, this ramen shop was surprisingly lively. Customers constantly came and went, and the place was buzzing with activity.
Thinking, Since I'm already here, Asuka joined the line with interest.
After finally getting inside, a familiar voice suddenly called out:
"Boss Asuka! Boss Asuka!"
He immediately recognized the voice as Hōzuki Mangetsu. Turning his head in surprise, he said,
"Mangetsu? Why do I run into you everywhere?"
Mangetsu walked over and grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Boss Asuka, what kind of tone is that? Do you really dislike seeing me that much?"
The surrounding diners were drawn to Mangetsu's loud voice and began looking over. Asuka helplessly covered his face and pulled him down into a seat.
"Can you keep it down? And what are you doing here?"
Mangetsu responded bluntly,
"What do you mean, what am I doing here? Boss Asuka, are you looking down on me? Isn't it normal for me to be here? This shop is very famous—it's a newly opened chain store. I've wanted to try it for a long time."
Hearing that, Asuka's expectations rose. He knew Mangetsu was extremely picky about food. If this place satisfied him, it must be good.
A waiter approached their table with a smile and asked what they would like to order.
Asuka ordered the Signature Ramen, while Mangetsu chose Tonkotsu Ramen.
While waiting for the food, the two began chatting.
"Boss Asuka, it's rare to see you so relaxed. Normally you'd definitely be training right now."
"It's called balancing work and rest," Asuka replied. "Even I need to relax sometimes. By the way, how's your clan's secret technique training going?"
Mangetsu sighed.
"I still haven't mastered it. Lord Gengetsu's secret technique is too difficult. The chakra control required is unbelievably precise. I haven't reached that level yet."
Asuka patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"It's fine. If Lord Gengetsu's technique were that easy to learn, someone else would have mastered it long ago. With your talent, you'll succeed eventually."
The secret technique Mangetsu was studying was none other than the technique created by the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu—Jōki Bōi.
This technique first appeared during the Fourth Shinobi World War, when Gengetsu was resurrected through Edo Tensei by Yakushi Kabuto and fought the Shinobi Alliance.
The principle of the technique was simple yet terrifying.
A clone composed of oil and water was created. This clone moved at incredible speed, rapidly heating up and expanding as it moved. Once it reached its limit, the clone triggered a massive steam explosion. After exploding, it cooled down quickly before repeating the process again.
In other words, the technique could create continuous explosions.
When Gengetsu used Jōki Bōi together with his giant clam summon—which could not be detected by sensory ninja—he managed to take down the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, in a mutual kill.
The technique had left a deep impression on Asuka.
Because of that, after becoming familiar with Mangetsu, Asuka suggested that he abandon his pursuit of the Seven Ninja Swords for the time being and instead focus on mastering Jōki Bōi.
Mangetsu accepted the suggestion and poured most of his effort into researching the technique.
Unfortunately, his progress so far had been slow.
Their ramen finally arrived.
As soon as he tasted it, Asuka's taste buds were completely satisfied. Looking at the bowl in front of him, he suddenly thought that one day he should visit Konoha and try Ichiraku Ramen.
He had long been curious about the cooking skills of Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku.
---
After finishing the meal, Asuka rubbed his full stomach and lazily walked down the street with a toothpick in his mouth alongside Mangetsu, looking no different from him.
"By the way, Boss Asuka," Mangetsu said lazily, "is it really okay for you to be this relaxed? This doesn't really match your reputation as a 'training maniac.'"
"I told you—it's about balance," Asuka replied. "Besides, I haven't had much inspiration for training recently. Resting a little might help me make better progress."
Mangetsu nodded seriously.
"That makes sense. You can only train better after resting properly. That black-bellied girl Murasaki calls me lazy every time she sees me resting!"
As the two chatted, they suddenly noticed Miyagawa Ryosuke and Sato Kenta sneaking toward a narrow alley.
Asuka and Mangetsu exchanged glances and immediately broke into mischievous smiles. They quietly followed the two into the alley.
Suddenly, Mangetsu shouted in a deep voice,
"Don't move! What are you two doing sneaking around? Are you infiltrating spies? Hands up!"
Startled, Ryosuke and Kenta froze and quickly raised their hands.
"Brother, it's a misunderstanding! We're ninja from the village too—did you make a mistake?"
As they turned around to explain themselves, they saw Asuka and Mangetsu and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Then Sato Kenta angrily shouted,
"Mangetsu! So it's you! I thought that voice sounded familiar. You really deserve a beating!"
Ryosuke added,
"Exactly! Mangetsu deserves a beating. And Captain, why are you joining him in causing trouble?"
Asuka shrugged and teased them.
"Why are you two so nervous? Sneaking into an alley like this… you wouldn't happen to have some scandalous secret, would you?"
The two immediately denied it.
"Haha, Captain, what are you talking about? What secrets could we possibly have?" Ryosuke said hurriedly.
"Yeah, exactly! We're just taking this alley because… because…" Kenta stammered, suddenly getting stuck.
Ryosuke quickly added,
"Because this alley is a shortcut to the newly opened hot spring inn!"
"Right! Right! We're just taking a shortcut to the hot springs!"
"Really?" Asuka asked skeptically.
"Really! If you don't believe us, Captain, my treat. Let's go to the hot springs together!"
After saying that, Kenta grabbed Asuka's arm and started pulling him forward. Ryosuke pushed Mangetsu along as well.
---
Soon afterward, the scene changed.
Four men sat in a hot spring pool with towels on their heads.
At the same time, they all let out a long, satisfied sigh.
"Sss—!"
Warm spring water surrounded them, relaxing their muscles completely.
No one spoke for a while as they quietly enjoyed the comfort of the hot spring.
A few bottles of shochu rested by the edge of the pool, and they occasionally lifted their cups for a sip.
In this peaceful atmosphere, Asuka's heart also settled into a long-lost sense of calm.
---------------Author---------------
Read 10 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
U can read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$
Every 50 power stones= 1 chapter
Every 5 reviews = 1 chapters