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

Chapter 325 Jiraiya's Teaching

"Wow!"

Yahiko's eyes almost sparkled as he scribbled furiously, "Core argument: The quality of tonkotsu broth is a key indicator of the degree of peace and stability!"

"This means we must become stronger! How strong? Strong enough that the old Tsuchikage of Iwagakure has to wait in line and get a number if he wants to eat our Konoha ramen! Strong enough that the Kazekage of Sunagakure has to place an order a week in advance if he wants to buy our chashu pork!"

Jiraiya became more and more excited as he spoke, opening his arms as if to embrace the whole world.

"This is my way of peace! To defend the dignity of every bowl of ramen with absolute strength! This is called Ramen Pacifism! Remember this, it'll be on the test!"

Yahiko's pen tip was practically sparking on the paper.

Konan's table corner was already filled with a row of Jiraiya paper figures in various poses, while Nagato remained quietly watching, though there seemed to be a barely perceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.

Madara Uchiha, standing outside the window, no longer knew what expression to wear in the face of all this.

absurd.

That was the only thought in his mind.

How can such a serious and grand issue as peace be reduced to the life or death of a bowl of ramen?

However, looking at the children in the classroom, at the genuine smiles on their faces filled with longing for the future, Ban couldn't bring himself to say the word "stupid."

His thoughts drifted uncontrollably back to the distant past.

In that era of war and chaos, he and Hashirama had discussed peace countless times. Their discussions were always accompanied by bloodshed, death, the survival of their clans, and the balance of power. For them, peace was a word so heavy it was suffocating, a cold concept built upon the bones of countless clansmen.

They never imagined that peace could be so warm and inviting.

It could also be... the taste of a bowl of ramen.

His fingertips seemed to still retain the warmth of last night's bowl of tonkotsu ramen.

"That orange-haired kid has a kind of silliness that rivals Hashirama's."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but smile.

To be compared to Hashirama Senju by Madara is probably the highest praise Yahiko could receive.

"His name is Yahiko. He is a war orphan from the Land of Rain."

Hiruzen explained softly, "He yearns for peace more than anyone else, and he's more...energetic than anyone else."

Madara's gaze then turned to Nagato.

That quiet, red-haired boy reminded him of many things. He thought of Izuna, and of the Uchiha clan members who had perished young in the cycle of hatred.

This child is just like them. Quiet and reserved.

But unlike others, this child has no enemies around him, only companions. His future is not destined to be one of wielding swords, but rather one of picking up a paintbrush.

A complex mix of emotions, difficult to describe, surged within Ban. It was a sense of relief, envy, and even jealousy.

I envy these children who are born in the sunshine.

Just then, inside the classroom, Jiraiya's lesson was finally coming to an end.

He cleared his throat, struck what he considered his coolest pose, one hand on his hip, the other pointing to the ceiling.

"Alright! That concludes today's lesson! Remember, to protect peace, you must first protect the bowl of ramen around you! This is the true essence of the Will of Fire!"

"get out of class dismissed!"

Jiraiya's booming voice pierced through the walls, carrying a sense of self-righteous absurdity, and drifted outside the window.

Madara Uchiha's cheek twitched almost imperceptibly again. He withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, turned his head, and his Rinnegan calmly stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, remaining silent for a long time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't urge him; he simply waited quietly.

He knew that for the living legend before him, the impact of what had just happened in the classroom was far more intense than any earth-shattering battle.

"Ramen... Peace..."

Ban's voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of bewilderment he himself was unaware of, "That white-haired guy... he's an idiot."

"But he's a fool who can make kids laugh from the bottom of their hearts," Hiruzen Sarutobi responded gently.

Ban did not refute.

He couldn't refute it. Because he had seen it with his own eyes: the orange-haired boy named Yahiko had a light in his eyes that was no less than the light Hashirama had given when he promised peace; the girl named Konan had used her nimble hands to fold hope into a concrete shape; and the black-haired boy named Nagato, whose taut back seemed to relax slightly at the end of the class.

These children genuinely believed in that white-haired idiot's ramen pacifism.

They believe that the future is bright and worth fighting for.

"Let's go."

Ban suddenly spoke, his tone devoid of emotion, "The village is very large, I'd like to take another look."

"it is good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, led him away, leaving the noise and energy of the classroom behind.

That afternoon, in the Hokage's office.

Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, making the interior bright and warm.

The heavy smell of gunpowder was gone from the air; in its place was the scent of documents and ink, and a faint aroma of tea.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, with several of Konoha's most core high-ranking officials in front of him.

Danzo Shimura stood with his arms crossed, his face as resolute as ever, but the gloomy aura around him had faded considerably, replaced by the demeanor of a seasoned pragmatist.

Sakumo Hatake sat quietly to the side, the short sword symbolizing "White Fang" no longer at his waist, replaced by a hard-covered notebook whose cover had been worn smooth by countless hands.

Nara Shikaku lay listlessly on the table, looking like he might fall asleep at any moment. Clearly, he had been severely stimulated by Akimichi Torifu and Hatake Sakumo, the two "magic kings," and was mentally exhausted.

"Everyone is here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, drawing everyone's attention. "I've gathered everyone here today to discuss something."

He looked around, his voice steady and powerful.

"The war is over, and things in the village are back on track. But I think that's not enough."