At noon the next day, Class A's classroom once again welcomed the familiar "tribute" procession.
Just as everyone was about to place their bento boxes on Ryoko's desk and quickly slip away as usual, they were stopped by Ryoko's voice.
"Wait, don't leave yet. I have an announcement to make."
Everyone paused, turning around with doubt, their hearts racing with anxiety.
What is this guy up to now?
Does he think the food in the bentos isn't lavish enough and wants to warn us?
Under their apprehensive gazes, Ryoko cleared his throat and announced, "Listen up. From today on, none of you need to send bentos anymore. Everything from before is wiped clean."
These words were like a sudden thunderclap, causing an uproar among the crowd.
Shock, suspicion, ecstasy, annoyance... all sorts of expressions instantly surfaced on their faces.
The bullies were overjoyed, the protected students were worried, and the Uchihas were furious.
Uchiha Tekka folded his arms, maintaining a haughty posture, and frowned unpleasantly. "Akimichi Ryoko, what kind of trick are you playing?"
Uchiha Inabi tilted his head up, wearing an "I've already seen through you" expression, and said proudly, "Hmph, could it be that you're afraid of our next challenge and want to use this method to escape?"
"Let me tell you, there's no way. We will definitely defeat you and wash away the shame of our defeat."
They subconsciously assumed that Ryoko had seen the results of their hard training and, out of fear, wanted to ease the relationship by waiving the bentos.
Ryoko picked his ear with his pinky and replied lazily, "If you guys want to keep sending them, then keep sending them. Anyway, you Uchihas have deep pockets and don't care about a few bentos."
"As for the others, forget it. You don't need to send me bentos anymore. But let me put the ugly words first: if I ever find out someone is bullying a classmate again,"
He shook his fist, his dominance leaking out as he said, "I'll beat you every time I see it!"
Hearing that they could continue sending them, the Uchiha Brothers' expressions softened slightly, and they even cast a somewhat smug glance at those who were "pardoned."
That look seemed to say: See, we are different from you trash.
After all, they had investigated the reasons why these guys were sending bentos some time ago.
They were just trash who bullied the weak and feared the strong, unworthy of being associated with the Uchiha.
Now that these people were not allowed to send bentos, it made the Uchiha Clan appear even more noble and great.
The other students, after repeated confirmation, realized Ryoko was truly letting them off. Each one was so excited they almost jumped, feeling as if they had been given a new lease on life.
"Great, finally liberated!"
"Waaa... I can finally eat the bento made with love by my mom at school!"
"Oh my god, I don't have to train on an empty stomach anymore. I swear I'll never bully anyone again!"
"Me too. I didn't realize being bullied by others felt so painful."
...
Everyone chattered away as if they had escaped a sea of suffering, expressing their determination to turn over a new leaf.
In reality, they had no choice but to change; Akimichi Ryoko would truly catch them and beat them mercilessly.
Seeing their tearful gratitude and reform, Ryoko gave himself a thumbs-up in his heart.
Sigh, I really am too kind, forgiving them so easily.
A great person like me, who wins people over with virtue and educates lost lambs, is truly rare in this world.
However, after the satisfaction passed, practical problems followed.
Without the free lunches sent by these people, he would have to solve his own meals from now on.
This meant spending money to buy more ingredients and spending time starting a fire to cook... the mere thought was a huge hassle.
Ryoko slumped his head mournfully. His whole being seemed drained of energy as he collapsed into his seat, looking utterly dejected.
If only I had some free labor to help me handle these chores...
He subconsciously cast his gaze toward his classmates in the room again, his eyes searching.
The students caught in his line of sight felt their hair stand on end. Each one wished they could shrink their heads into their desks, desperately trying to lower their presence.
From their time together, they had already figured out a pattern.
When Akimichi Ryoko looked at people with that "evaluating goods" gaze, nothing good was about to happen.
Ryoko looked around and found they were all just little runts with thin arms and legs; he probably couldn't count on them. Ultimately, he could only sigh helplessly.
"Eh, forget it, forget it. Better to rely on myself. At worst, I'll just walk a bit more and do it myself. I'll treat it as pre-meal exercise..."
After all, the ingredients he needed to buy weren't just a bag or two.
Ring ring ring—!
As the school bell rang cheerfully, the students rushed out of the classroom like birds and beasts released from a cage.
Ryoko, however, unhurriedly packed his schoolbag. Today he didn't go to the Naka River to fish or hunt, but instead turned toward the Konoha Commercial Street.
Looking at the bustling street and the crowds coming and going, he kept his head down and walked straight ahead.
"I need rice, I need flour, and I should get some vegetables too. I have to buy a lot and prepare more for the future," Ryoko calculated in his head.
After passing through the busy main street and making several turns, he entered a quiet alley.
Calling it an alley, it actually wasn't small.
The buildings here were no longer flashy shops but large warehouses arranged in neat rows.
Workers coming and going were carrying various goods, occasionally mixed with the fragrance emitted by a blend of foods.
This was an auxiliary street of the Konoha Commercial Street, housing warehouses that stored large quantities of commodities and food.
Following the mixed aroma of various ingredients drifting in the air, Ryoko stopped in front of a large warehouse entrance.
On the warehouse door, the crest of the Akimichi Clan was carved. It was precisely an industrial warehouse of the Akimichi Clan, specialized in the wholesale and transport of various ingredients and supplies.
Ordinary people couldn't buy ingredients here, but Ryoko was different. As a member of the Akimichi Clan, he enjoyed the clan's welfare benefits.
Here, Ryoko could buy ingredients at cost price, which was much more cost-effective than buying them outside.
The reason for such measures was that the members of the Akimichi Clan were all big eaters; every time they bought food, it was a significant expense.
If they bought groceries at market prices, the amount spent would be astronomical.
Buying ingredients at cost in their own warehouse was relatively much more economical, and the burden wouldn't be so heavy.
"Is Uncle Koji here?"
Ryoko stepped into the warehouse entrance and called out with practiced ease.
The warehouse was piled high with all kinds of ingredients, from fresh vegetables to bagged grains; everything one could need was there.
However, unlike the loose packaging outside, everything here was counted by the sack. A single purchase would be dozens or even a hundred catties.
"Coming, coming!" A middle-aged man with half-white hair and a stout build emerged in response.
When he saw clearly that the visitor was Ryoko, his eyes widened, and he said in surprise, "Ah, so it's Ryoko!"
Akimichi Koji was once a Ninja. He retired after being seriously injured during a mission and now managed this warehouse.
Regarding this talented junior of his clan who could eat so much, Akimichi Koji wasn't afraid like the other clansmen.
After all, he lived alone and spent most of his time in the warehouse, so he hadn't experienced being freeloaded on by Ryoko.
Moreover, because Ryoko could buy many ingredients every time, helping him clear out some stagnant inventory, he was quite welcoming toward Ryoko.
Ryoko looked familiar and greeted him with a smile, "Uncle Koji, I'm here to get some grain. Same old rules: prioritize cheap and large quantities, you know!"
"You've come at just the right time!" Uncle Koji clapped his hands. "A batch of coarse grains just arrived from the Land of Fire yesterday. The price is cheap. Do you want to take a look?"
Ryoko nodded and followed Uncle Koji into the depths of the warehouse, while calculating in his heart how many meals this batch of grain could last.
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