Naruto, starting with immortality, I'm going to buy up the ninja world!

Chapter 17 The Suspicion of the Third Ninja

Chiba Ramen Shop reopened after the war ended.

However, business after reopening was not as good as Tetsuya had imagined.

"Ah, as expected, war only brings suffering, even to the winners."

Looking at the few customers left in the shop, Tetsuya let out a sigh.

Although Konoha won World War II, and under Tobirama's leadership, they managed to extract a large sum of money from the Cloud Shadow at the negotiating table.

However, the ninjas who died in Konoha could never return.

In this war, Konoha lost a large number of ninjas, and now the remaining ninjas in the village are only able to maintain the normal operation of the village.

However, it's estimated that things aren't much better for the Cloud Shadow side either, since in addition to their war with Konoha, Kinkaku and Ginkaku have also started a civil war.

To be precise, no ninja village gained an advantage in this Shinobi World War.

Four of the second-generation Kage from the five villages died, and the only survivor was one he had saved.

"Boss! You're finally open! I've been missing your ramen so much! Quick, quick, give me a bowl of your signature tonkotsu ramen!"

Before anyone could be seen, Jiraiya's boisterous voice came from outside the shop.

"It's Jiraiya. It's been a long time."

"Boss, it's been a long time."

"Long time no see, boss."

Tsunade and Orochimaru followed Jiraiya in.

"It's been a long time, what would you two like?"

Tetsuya asked with a smile.

"I want mixed ramen, and give me a plate of flaming fried noodles."

"Okay, please wait a moment, you three."

Jiraiya and the others found a place to sit down.

Orochimaru, however, kept his eyes fixed on the direction where Tetsuya was.

"What's wrong, Orochimaru? Why are you staring at Chiba-sama for so long?"

Jiraiya noticed Orochimaru staring intently at Tetsuya and couldn't help but wonder what he was looking at.

Orochimaru shook his head.

"It's nothing. It's just that I haven't seen Mr. Chiba for quite a while, and I feel that his demeanor has changed a bit."

"Huh? Really? Why does it seem like Mr. Chiba hasn't changed at all?"

Jiraiya scratched his head and immediately stood up, looking in the direction of the kitchen.

"Idiot Jiraiya, why are you overreacting?"

Seeing Jiraiya making such a big fuss, Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

She noticed it too. Although Tetsuya's smile remained the same as before, there was a moment when his gaze towards others clearly changed.

Although they were just minor changes, they were all ninjas, and naturally more sensitive to such subtle changes.

"I'm just curious, but I really don't see any changes. Could it be that you haven't seen the boss in a long time, so you think that way?"

Jiraiya sat down, feeling somewhat aggrieved. He couldn't see anything different about Chiba-sensei.

"The feeling just now only lasted for a moment. If I was the only one who felt that way, then it might be an illusion. But since Tsunade noticed it too, it's unlikely to be an illusion."

Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, as if seeking confirmation.

Tsunade nodded in agreement.

"It's not my imagination. I feel that Mr. Chiba's eyes have become much colder when he looks at people."

"You're right. Although Mr. Chiba doesn't seem to have changed much, he always gives me a feeling, how should I put it, that he has a very strong aura of menace."

Orochimaru thought for a moment and then explained.

"The last time I felt this way was by an Anbu ninja under the Second Hokage."

"What are you two talking about? Mr. Chiba is just a ramen shop owner."

Jiraiya was a little confused about his two companions; what were they doing?

His eyes were cold and his aura was menacing.

Could it be that Boss Chiba's true identity is a ruthless and powerful ninja?

How could that be? Chiba's chakra level is not even as good as his.

"You three, your noodles are ready."

Tetsuya walked out of the kitchen carrying three bowls of ramen of different flavors on a tray.

Tsunade immediately gave Orochimaru a wink, and Orochimaru knew that Tsunade meant for him to test the waters with Chiba.

Zhe also placed three bowls of ramen on the table.

"Please enjoy your meal, gentlemen."

Orochimaru picked up his chopsticks and casually spoke.

"Boss, is something wrong at home? When I came in just now, you seemed a little unhappy."

"My home?"

Tetsuya was puzzled for a moment, then remembered what had just happened.

"Hi, nothing's wrong at home. It's just that the shop reopened today, but business isn't as good as before, so I'm a little worried."

"I see."

Orochimaru said with a smile.

"You don't need to worry about the boss. It's probably because you just opened your business today, and nobody knows yet."

After all, you have skill and a good reputation. If you stay open for a couple more days, once the rest of the village finds out, they'll naturally start coming to eat here.

"Haha, thank you for your kind words. However, it may be difficult to restore it to its previous state."

Why do you say that?

Seeing Orochimaru ask this question, Tetsuya simply sat down to the side and said.

"The key reason why my shop used to do well was that the ninjas in the village liked to come here. After all, although my ramen is not expensive, it is not something that ordinary families can afford to eat often. Only the ninjas have the financial means to come here regularly."

But...

As he spoke, Tetsuya sighed and looked at the few pedestrians passing by outside the door.

"War has taken away too many lives."

Orochimaru was deeply moved upon hearing this.

"Yes, life is so fragile."

Tsunade, standing to the side, retorted.

"Although many people sacrificed their lives, everyone's sacrifice was meaningful. It is because of everyone's sacrifice that we have peace!"

Upon hearing Tsunade's words, Tetsuya narrowed his eyes and nodded in agreement.

"Tsunade is right. Life may be fragile, but those who sacrificed their lives bloomed a brilliant flower, and that flower is called peace."

Therefore, we must cherish this hard-won peace.

"What are you talking about? Aren't you going to eat? The noodles are going to get soggy if you don't eat soon."

Jiraiya shoveled noodles into his mouth, clearly not paying attention to what they had just been saying.

After the three of them finished eating, they left the ramen shop. Only after they had walked a distance did Tsunade ask them a question.

"Orochimaru, how do you feel? Is there anything wrong with Chiba-sama?"

Orochimaru shook his head.

"I don't know, there doesn't seem to be any problem. Perhaps it's just that the war has taken too many lives, which has made Mr. Chiba a little depressed. After all, many ninjas used to be Mr. Chiba's loyal customers."

Perhaps it was the thought of never seeing those loyal customers who praised his craftsmanship again that made Mr. Chiba's condition somewhat off.

Tsunade nodded as well.

"I think you're right. Mr. Chiba is a peace-loving person. Perhaps we're overthinking it."

"Hey, what are you two thinking about?"

Jiraiya casually picked his nose and said.

"Next time, we can bring Sarutobi-sensei along for noodles. Sarutobi-sensei can tell at a glance whether Chiba-sensei has a problem or not."

Orochimaru and Tsunade were both taken aback when they heard Jiraiya say that.

"Wow, Jiraiya, when did you become so smart?"