With a swift, deft turn of words, Ruichi deflected the question right back.
"Of course, this isn't a simple either–or problem. You can choose both. Or neither. Or even find other paths altogether."
"Other paths?"
"The Third Hokage, Danzo, Fugaku, the Uchiha shinobi, the Uchiha civilians… do you really know what every party involved is thinking?"
Itachi Uchiha fell silent, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
"You still have time. Talk to more people. Maybe you'll find other answers. This has never been a one-man show. No matter what outcome you want, you'll need someone to work with you."
The illusory world seemed half-submerged in water, its colors and sounds collapsing back into reality. Ruichi glanced at the teacup—it had gone completely cold.
Itachi said nothing more. He quietly finished a bowl of hot soup noodles, and the haze in his eyes seemed to fade a little.
"…Thanks."
He left a banknote on the table, stood up, and disappeared into the night.
Find a few more people you can talk to—and then stay away from me. That would be a real blessing.
Ruichi looked at the money and shook his head.
After withdrawing from the genjutsu, he clearly felt something stir inside his body.
Perhaps because the Sharingan's genjutsu belonged to Yin Release, his body had retained residual sensations after being exposed to such a large amount of Yin chakra.
Didn't Itachi like leaving genjutsu marks on people? I'll have Hinata Hyuga check me when I see her. I should also start preparing countermeasures against genjutsu…
Just as Ruichi was thinking this through, the shop curtain was lifted again.
"Sorry, we're already closed—?"
The newcomer was a middle-aged man in plain clothes, utterly unremarkable, the kind you'd never notice in a crowd.
"Please have mercy, boss. Every restaurant on this street is closed."
He wore an apologetic smile, yet walked straight to the counter and sat down, clearly intent on eating there no matter what.
Ruichi's eyes narrowed for an instant before he slipped back into his usual lazy shop-assistant demeanor.
Though the man tried his best to hide his presence and act like a weary office worker after hours, there was a faint scent of blood clinging to him—the kind carried by those who lived their lives in the shadows.
The shadows… or the Roots?
Ruichi was certain this man had come because of Itachi.
He really wanted to throw him out, but that would only invite trouble. In the end, he decided to satisfy the man's curiosity.
"We're out of ramen. I can only make some simple hot soup noodles. Eat and leave."
Ruichi sighed and began cooking.
"Thank you very much."
The ninja appeared to be waiting for the noodles, but his eyes were subtly sweeping across the shop.
"That kid who just left—he looks familiar. He was pretty pale. Did he get dumped by his girlfriend?"
A blatant probe.
"Don't even mention it." Ruichi slammed a bowl onto the counter, launching into a rant, his face full of irritation. "That regular of ours—the Uchiha clan's eldest son—he's under insane pressure. Came here whining about how one of his friends died."
"Shouldn't he talk to his family about that? I'm not his mom. What's the point of dumping it all on me every time? Don't you think so?"
"Maybe he thinks you're easy to talk to," the ninja said, lifting a mouthful of noodles. "You two close?"
"Not really. Not distant either. Just shop owner and regular customer. We were classmates once, but he graduated a year later and went on missions."
Ruichi leaned in, lowered his voice, and added conspiratorially:
"Hey, don't you think he's kind of stupid? What's the point of risking your life every day at that age?"
"Oh? What did he say?"
Ruichi rolled his eyes. "Responsibility. Bonds. That sort of thing. I don't get it at all. Cooking noodles and counting money every day—that's life to me!"
The image of an ambitionless civilian was painted perfectly.
The ninja stared at Ruichi for a few seconds.
Judging by his eyes… just a useless nobody. No threat.
He chuckled softly and lowered his head to eat. "A peaceful life is better. A peaceful life means you live longer."
After finishing his noodles, the man paid and left quietly, just as he had come.
Ruichi washed the bowls and chopsticks with Water Release and let out a soft sigh.
"That got us through… but we need an escape plan."
The fact that even conversations like this were being monitored meant Konoha's situation had grown extremely murky.
If Shisui Uchiha was truly dead, then the night of the clan's annihilation wasn't far off.
He had warned Itachi several times already, but judging by Shisui's outcome, it was hard to say how much effect it had.
When that day came, Konoha would be violently reshuffled. Ruichi had already been dragged into it—he had to prepare for the worst.
As an ordinary man with no backing, someone who only wanted to lie low and live comfortably, being caught between such monsters meant one careless step could grind him into dust.
Looks like I'll need to make a trip to the northern part of the Land of Fire.
He didn't know whether the other party would accept him, but blood ties still meant there was a chance.
If Konoha truly became unlivable, that place might serve as a safe haven.
Of course, there were still things he needed to do before that.
…
"This is the entire process of contacting the target."
"I understand. You may leave."
The Hokage's office was thick with smoke.
"Cooking noodles and counting money every day…" Danzo Shimura snorted coldly. "A worthless nobody with no ambition."
"Itachi associating with trash like that, people who only know how to idle away their lives, will weaken his resolve."
Danzo turned to the old man across from him. "I propose eliminating this variable named Ruichi immediately. At the very least, forbid Itachi from ever entering that shop again."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Danzo, you're pulling the string too tight. Itachi is still just a child. If you strip away even his last place to breathe, that sword will break in our own hands before it ever strikes the enemy."
"A weak excuse!" Danzo snapped. "Even if Ruichi looks like a nobody, a few words are enough for him to influence Itachi. That makes him a hidden danger! For the village's sake, all uncontrollable risks must be eliminated!"
"He's just a genin-level ramen shop worker," Hiruzen replied calmly. "Having someone to listen to him helps stabilize Itachi's mental state."
He tapped the ash from his pipe, his tone gentle yet firm.
"As long as Itachi is carrying out missions and living in this village, he needs a place where he can feel that he's still alive. This matter ends here."
Danzo's chest rose and fell several times before he finally stood.
"Hiruzen. You'll regret this."
Without looking up, the Third Hokage answered:
"Danzo. I am the Hokage."
Bang!
Danzo swept his sleeve, slammed the door, and left.
Silence returned to the room. Hiruzen picked up the border report and the returned Chūnin Exam registration form.
"Talented… but lacking motivation," he murmured. "Let's observe him a little longer."