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Two and a Half Years Later...

In his shop, Akio lounged lazily on a handmade rocking chair, smiling as he watched his two apprentices busy at work.

Over the past two and a half years, following Obito, Akio had taken on a second apprentice—Nohara Rin. On one hand, it was to "create opportunities" for his young disciple Obito; on the other hand, it was to free himself from the endless task of making medicine.

Ever since the shop began selling medicinal pills, business had picked up significantly. Akio had originally started the shop just to keep busy—he certainly didn't want to be trapped behind the counter every day.

Unlike carving, pharmacology wasn't as hands-on once properly taught. Rin, being a careful and diligent girl, had already mastered the basics of pill-making in just over a month and could now handle the daily sales on her own.

Meanwhile, Obito's carving skills had also improved significantly over the past two and a half years. He was now around level four or five in skill, resulting in a number of affordable pieces showing up in Akio's store.

"Master," Obito's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "The ninja academy starts again the day after tomorrow. We're planning to apply for early graduation at the end of this term. We probably won't be coming by as often."

Akio blinked. "Graduating already? Not planning to stay for another couple of years?"

Obito nodded. "I don't want to waste any more time in school."

Akio chuckled, then glanced at Rin. "Why the rush to become ninja? You could both quit and just inherit this little shop. Wouldn't a peaceful life be better?"

Rin responded with her usual warm smile, but Obito's face turned red. He glanced secretly at Rin before shaking his head with great effort. "Master, I want to become a ninja! I want to become Hokage!"

Akio paused, then smiled and shook his head. He had expected this, but still didn't fully understand it.

"Well, give it your best shot," he said, looking at Obito's determined face. "You've got plenty of competition."

Akio thought for a moment. "There's Senju Nawaki, the new clan head of the Senju. Then there's Orochimaru of the Legendary Sannin, and Konoha jonin Namikaze Minato... Oh, right, even your homeroom teacher, Dan Kato, wants to be Hokage."

"Huh? Sensei wants to be Hokage too?" Obito didn't feel much pressure from the others, but the mention of his class teacher made him nervous.

Akio chuckled. The sun was starting to set, and he waved his hand. "Academy starts soon. Head home early. You don't need to come tomorrow either—I'll be closing the shop for a few days."

The two nodded at each other and turned to leave. "See you, Master!"

Akio saw them off and closed the shop door, unable to hide the wide smile on his face.

Everything had been going well these past two and a half years. His two disciples had grown just as expected. Now thirteen years old, their strength had begun to rise rapidly.

Meanwhile, things between Kushina and Minato were heating up. Though Kushina hadn't yet voiced her plan to "marry Minato into" the Land of Whirlpools, Akio knew she wanted more than just Minato—she wanted to take the Nine Tails too.

Aside from all this, the most exciting news had come just yesterday.

"Uchiha Mikoto is finally pregnant. I thought Nawaki was going to die childless."

Akio's investment of ten Witness Points had finally paid off. Over four years after marrying Nawaki, Mikoto was now expecting. Akio could now look forward to the birth of a "monster" combining both Senju and Uchiha bloodlines.

In addition, Uchiha Fugaku had also taken a wife—Uchiha Meiling, whose name was strikingly similar to Mikoto's. That put Akio at ease just a little more.

"All that's left now is to wait."

It had been more than two years since Akio had earned a single Witness Point. He was waiting for the story to advance.

Turning a few corners, Akio arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, ready to enjoy a free dinner.

"Uncle Hagoromo, welcome!" Teuchi greeted him with a broad smile and placed a bowl of ramen in front of him. Just as he'd promised, Akio had been eating for free at Ichiraku for over two years—and Teuchi never complained, always greeting him with a cheerful face.

But today, Teuchi looked especially happy, which gave Akio pause.

"What's the good news?"

Teuchi's grin was almost flowerlike. "Uncle Hagoromo, our new branch in the Land of Fire opens tomorrow! One of my disciples will be stationed there permanently. Also, our shop here will be offering half-price ramen for the day."

"A branch store already?" Akio glanced up at the two-story building. The current Ichiraku Ramen was much larger than in the original story. It looked like their takeout service had made them rich enough to expand.

Akio smiled. "Keep it up. Who knows, maybe you'll open Ichiraku branches across the Land of Fire someday."

Teuchi shook his head. "One is enough for now. Next, I want to open a branch in the Land of Whirlpools."

Akio paused and studied Teuchi's smiling face. Over the years, he'd never found anything suspicious about the man, but every now and then, Teuchi would say something that caught him off guard.

"The Land of Whirlpools? Not many people live there right now."

"There's less competition too."

"Fair enough." Akio nodded and started eating.

The Next Day

A long line had formed outside Ichiraku Ramen—something not seen in quite a while. Ever since it was renovated into a two-story shop, there had been plenty of space, and crowds this large had become rare.

"Half-price ramen is really that attractive?" Akio chuckled. "Then again, Ichiraku was always cheap. Half-price probably makes it about the same as cooking it yourself."

Of course, Akio couldn't resist joining the excitement.

This time, he didn't use the Transformation Jutsu. He was just about to try and skip the line using his "veteran status" when he spotted two familiar faces.

"Jiraiya! When did you get back?"

Akio smiled and walked over. Jiraiya was tugging Minato along, excitedly talking about something.

"Elder Akio, you're here for ramen too? I just got back yesterday. Finally finished my novel... I can't believe Ichiraku's gotten this popular." Jiraiya had been gone for nearly three years and couldn't make sense of all the changes.

"Elder Akio," Minato greeted respectfully.

Akio nodded and glanced at the long line. He didn't really want to "shamelessly" cut in front of Minato.

"Hm?" Akio blinked, then waved. "Jiraiya, Minato—come with me, we're cutting in line."

Near the front of the line, Akio spotted four more familiar faces: Kakashi, Asuma, Guy, and Shizune.

Pulling Jiraiya and Minato forward, Akio squeezed them into the line. The three boys standing there stared in confusion as they were edged out of their spots.

"Thanks for saving our place!"

"Elder Akio, isn't this a little unfair?" Minato said with a wry smile, though Jiraiya seemed perfectly at ease.

"It's fine. They're just kids—they need to learn patience. Let them wait a bit longer."

Kakashi: "..."

Asuma: "..."

Guy: "..."

Shizune: giggled behind her hand.

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