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

Chapter 165 The Chief Quality Control Officer's Ninja Way

At this moment, Ding Zuo was holding a piece of pork belly that had just come out of the oven and was still sizzling with hot oil, and carefully blew on it.

He looked at the tempting caramel color on the steak and smelled its irresistible aroma, his throat bobbing involuntarily.

He opened his mouth and took a big, hard bite.

"!"

"Five ants!"

Ding's eyes widened instantly.

The pork skin was roasted until it was crispy and fragrant, and it made a crisp sound when you bit into it.

Immediately afterwards, the rich fat exploded in his mouth, and the intense aroma of meat mixed with the salty and sweet flavor of the secret sauce instantly took over all his taste buds.

good to eat!

"How's it going, Ding-zu?"

A tall figure cast a shadow; Akimichi Torifu had appeared behind him without him noticing, a smile on his face.

Ding Zuo chewed frantically while giving a vague thumbs-up.

"Hoo...hoot! (So...delicious!)"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Qu Feng laughed heartily and rubbed his son's round head.

"It tastes good, that's all that matters!"

"This is the glory of our Akimichi clan!"

"Remember this taste."

Qu Feng's tone became unusually serious.

"This is the taste of home. We want every Konoha ninja who is risking their lives outside to remember us, the village, and everything they have to protect when they take a bite of this food, especially when they are at their coldest and most exhausted."

"That way, they won't be afraid, and they won't back down."

Ding nodded as if he understood, then looked at the piece of roasted meat in his hand, then at the busy figures in the square, and at the huge rolls in the distance that were packed full.

The boy seemed to understand something.

Choza Akimichi solemnly finished the remaining half of the steak, then wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth, picked up another piece of grilled meat, and meticulously inspected it.

He vowed to make sure that all the ninjas going on the expedition could taste the best barbecue, the kind that tasted like home.

This is him, Akimichi Choza, the ninja who serves as the chief quality control officer.

◆

The Hyuga clan's territory is always quiet.

This tranquility, unlike the peace and serenity of other parts of the village, is more like an order bound by precise rituals, permeating every rooftop, every inch of courtyard, and even the air.

The spring sunlight shines through the delicate paper windows, casting its own colors on the tatami mats.

Hiashi Hyuga was already fully dressed.

He wore a black, practical outfit with a green vest in the Konoha style, symbolizing his identity as a Konoha ninja.

His headband was spotless and neatly tied in front of his forehead, while his long black hair was tied back, making him look clean and tidy.

Without a ninja sword, Hyuga only needs his two hands to fight.

Although the Hokage plans to equip them with some strange weapons, it seems that the research is not yet complete.

Hiashi Hyuga knelt in the center of the room, with several scrolls and a stack of maps neatly arranged on the low table in front of him.

Everything is ready.

He had already selected the tribesmen who would accompany him on the expedition; they were all the most elite young men in the tribe.

The notice has been issued, and they should all be gathered at the clan's central training ground at this moment, waiting for him, the new clan leader of the Hyuga clan.

On this mission, the Hyuga clan will be primarily responsible for long-range reconnaissance and battlefield intelligence early warning of the entire main force; they will be the eyes of the Hokage.

The responsibility is immense.

Hiashi Hyuga's expression remained as serious as ever, revealing little emotion.

Only those pure white eyes appeared deeper than usual, as if they could penetrate this quiet room and gaze towards the distant sea.

The wooden door to the room was silently pulled open.

Hyuga Hizashi walked in carrying a tray.

On the tray was a cup of still-steaming tea and two neatly stacked rice cakes.

"Onii-san".

Hizashi gently placed the tray on the low table and sat down opposite Hizashi.

He looked at his brother's battle attire, at that face that was almost identical to his own, yet appeared exceptionally composed due to the impending responsibility of the family, and his eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

"Let's eat something else before we leave."

Hiashi Hyuga's gaze shifted from the ninja tool scroll to his younger brother's reddened eyes.

He picked up a piece of rice cake and ate it silently without saying a word.

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat oppressive due to the silence.

Hizashi just looked at him, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but then he swallowed it back.

It wasn't until Hiashi finished eating a piece of rice cake and picked up his teacup that Hiashi finally couldn't help but let his voice tremble slightly.

"Onii-san..."

He reached out and grabbed Hiashi's arm as he was about to pick up the second rice cake.

"Let me go with you!"

Hiashi Hyuga stopped moving.

He raised his eyes and quietly looked at his younger brother.

His face was filled with sincerity and reluctance as he held his brother's arm.

"We're brothers! We made a promise when we were kids that no matter what we face, we'll fight side by side!"

"The village is facing war now, and you're going to the most dangerous front lines. How can you leave me alone at home!"

"You know my capabilities!"

Hijiri's voice grew increasingly agitated, and by the end, it almost turned into a growl.

These words had been weighing on his mind for a long time.

From the moment the news of the Hokage's wartime meeting arrived, and from the moment his elder brother was appointed commander of the reconnaissance unit accompanying the army, he was restless.

He didn't want to stand far away and watch his brother face danger alone.

I want to stand by your side.

Hyuga Hiashi put down his teacup and gently covered Hizashi's arm with his other hand.

He shook his head.

"Hizashi."

"no."

"Why?!"

Hishi finally couldn't hold back her tears, which slid down her cheeks.

"Is it because I'm not strong enough? Or is it because... you simply don't believe in me?"

"Neither."

Hiashi looked into those white eyes brimming with tears, eyes filled with grievance and resentment.

He then sighed, grasped his shoulder, and helped him sit up straight.

"Hizashi, look at me."

Rishima sniffed, looked up, and met his brother's serious eyes.

"Do you think the war is only on the other side of the sea?"

Riji's voice was deep and powerful.

"You're wrong. We have more than one battlefield."

He let go, stood up, walked to the window, and opened the paper window.

The autumn sunlight, mixed with the unique atmosphere of the village, poured in.

From here, you can see the resolute face on the Fire Shadow Rock from afar.

And further away, at the other end of the village, the outline of the Konoha Dam.