Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 316 The Returnee

"here,"

Madara Uchiha spoke, his voice dry and rough, as if polished by sandpaper, due to the long silence.

"It's no longer the village that Hashirama and I used to live in."

His voice was soft, yet it seemed to carry the weight of a century, slowly dissipating in the damp air after the rain.

Uchiha Kagami straightened up, the moonlight outlining his gentle features, his attitude still one of deep-seated respect.

"Senior, it's still the same village as before."

"It's just getting better and better under the leadership of the Third Hokage."

Ban did not comment on this statement.

He remained silent, his gaze shifting from the depths of the village back to the excessively young junior before him.

Uchiha Kagami's mind tightened slightly.

He felt an invisible force scrutinizing him, an ancient and powerful force, like an undercurrent in the deep sea, causing his proud Mangekyou Sharingan to throb uncontrollably.

It was like a fledgling bird meeting a hawk.

"Do not be nervous."

Seemingly noticing his stiffness, Ban lightly withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.

"Let's go."

"Yes, senior."

The two walked one after the other on the Hokage Avenue late at night.

Madara Uchiha's steps were not fast, in fact, they were very slow, as if he were measuring this familiar yet unfamiliar land inch by inch with the soles of his shoes.

His gaze swept over every object on both sides of the street, like a harsh monarch surveying his territory.

The customers at the Akimichi BBQ restaurant had all left, but a faint aroma of oil and charcoal still lingered in the air, stubbornly clinging to the damp, cold air.

That idiot Hashirama would definitely love the smell here.

In the window of a flower shop in the mountains, several bouquets of flowers whose names I don't know quietly exude fragrance under the moonlight, creating an atmosphere of unbelievable tranquility.

Then, he stopped walking.

My gaze was fixed on the signboard of a shop—Uchiha Dessert Shop.

The familiar round fan emblem was printed on a cute wooden sign with a cartoon version of three-colored dumplings, and next to it was written in delicate handwriting "Today's Recommendation: Red Bean Daifuku".

dessert?

The aroma, a blend of the sweetness of red bean paste and the fragrance of glutinous rice flour, seemed to transcend time and space, leaving him feeling dazed.

Along the way, they occasionally encountered a patrol of ninja guards.

Those young Uchiha juniors would stop the moment they saw Uchiha Kagami, bow deeply from afar, and look at him with pure reverence in their eyes.

Then, their gazes would fall curiously on this uniquely charismatic white-haired old man, their eyes clearly showing some shock.

All of this was completely different from Madara Uchiha's anticipated return.

Like a lost soul that had wandered for too long, he silently returned to a home that had become almost unrecognizable.

Finally, Uchiha Kagami stopped in front of a small shop.

The storefront is small, with three words written in simple handwriting on a faded blue cloth curtain: Ichiraku Ramen.

A rich, overpowering aroma, a blend of bone broth and wheat, persistently wafts out from the gaps in the curtains, carrying a comforting warmth.

"here,"

Uchiha Kagami said softly, "It's a very popular shop in the village."

Madara Uchiha looked at the simple curtain, remained silent for a moment, and then walked straight inside.

The store is not very spacious, with only one row of bar seats.

A middle-aged man was wiping kitchen utensils when he saw the visitor and immediately gave him a warm smile.

"Welcome! What would you two like to eat?"

His voice was loud and sincere.

He clearly recognized Uchiha Kagami, smiled and nodded at him, then cast a curious glance at Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Kagami spoke up: "Boss, two bowls of tonkotsu ramen."

"Okay! Please wait a moment!"

The boss readily agreed and turned to immerse himself in his own little world.

Madara Uchiha sat down at the bar and looked at the man in front of him named Tetsuya.

Shake off the water, scoop out the noodles, slice the meat, arrange on a plate, pour the soup over...

The movements were fluid and natural, without any fluctuation of chakra, yet they were filled with focus and love for the food itself.

Soon, two steaming bowls of tonkotsu ramen were placed in front of the two of them.

On the milky white broth, glistening oil floats, and the marbled char siu slices gleam enticingly. The soft-boiled egg is cut to perfection, and emerald green scallions adorn the dish.

The rich fragrance was like a warm hand brushing against his cheek.

Uchiha Kagami picked up his chopsticks but didn't move them, simply waiting quietly.

Ban looked at the bowl of noodles in front of him.

His entire life was spent fighting, scheming, and pursuing that grand yet cold dream.

They had eaten soldier's rations, gnawed on dry rations, and also enjoyed the most luxurious feasts after victories.

But he never truly savored this bowl of food, which was simply meant to fill his stomach and keep him warm.

He slowly picked up his chopsticks.

These hands have been marked with the seal of world destruction, and they have also held the hands of dearest friends.

At this moment, however, he awkwardly picked up a small amount of noodles.

He blew on the steam rising from it, then put it in his mouth.

The noodles are chewy and smooth, with a rich and mellow broth clinging to them.

The next second, a rich and delicious flavor gently exploded on his long-dormant taste buds.

That warmth flowed slowly and steadily down the esophagus into the stomach, then transformed into countless tiny warm currents that spread to every part of the body.

It dispelled the chill of the rainy night.

It also seemed to dispel the coldness that had accumulated in his heart for nearly a century.

He didn't speak.

They just ate in silence, bite by bite.

The speed wasn't fast, but the focus was incredibly strong.

It was as if this was not a bowl of noodles, but a ritual that required his full attention.

The bowl of noodles was quickly emptied.

He even picked up the bowl and drank the last drop of soup.

Yu Bojing looked at him without saying a word to disturb him.

"despair."

Madara Uchiha gently placed the empty bowl on the bar, making a crisp, soft sound.

He picked up the napkin next to him, wiped his mouth, then leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and seemed to be savoring something.

a long time.

He slowly opened his mouth and uttered his first assessment after returning to Konoha.

"smell……"

Madara Uchiha's voice was soft, but no longer so dry, carrying a hint of relief and nostalgia that no one could understand.

"It's much better than Hashirama's grilled fish."