"Eat more. The cafeteria gives out plenty of protein blocks."
"If you can't finish them, take them back. They last a long time—just get a bit hard. But don't waste food."
Qi Shu spoke while stuffing food into his mouth, even picking up stray grains of rice from the table.
He had known hunger.
The kind that left your body weak, your mind blank, craving anything—dirt, bark, even rotting flesh.
He never wanted to feel that again.
Most of the workers here were refugees who had barely survived their way to Konoha.
They had seen starvation.
Seen death.
So they cherished food like their lives depended on it.
Every plate—clean.
No exceptions.
Uchiha Madara ate silently, observing everything.
The cafeteria was packed.
Noise filled the air—talking, chewing, laughter.
The workers were exhausted, drenched in sweat—
But their expressions weren't numb.
Completely different from the civilians he had seen on his journey here.
…This is good.
—
Konoha Streets.
"Where should we eat?"
"It's your first meal with me—your choice."
Uchiha Ren left work fifteen minutes early.
For him—
That was already impressive.
He had delegated everything to Nara Shikaku.
Execution wasn't his problem.
In a world ruled by strength—
He could afford to be a hands-off leader.
If something went wrong—
Interrogate.
Genjutsu.
Truth extracted instantly.
Efficient.
Very efficient.
"I'm fine with anything."
Orochimaru didn't care about food.
Even a nutrient injection would suffice.
"Same here…"
Jiraiya still acted timid.
"I want to go to the place Grandma went for her birthday banquet!"
Tsunade declared excitedly.
"…Lady Mito's birthday banquet?"
Ren raised a brow.
Didn't invite me?
Cheap.
Fine.
Next time I'll invite her—
And collect gift money.
Much more profitable.
Soon—
They arrived at a luxurious restaurant.
"Perfect choice."
—
"Lord Hokage! Welcome!"
The manager rushed over instantly.
"Same as usual. Rooftop private room."
"Put it on my tab."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Ren frowned slightly.
"I don't like that expression."
"Go back to your arrogant one."
"…Understood."
The manager immediately straightened, returning to a dignified posture.
"Much better."
Ren nodded in satisfaction.
—
Soon—
The table was filled with dishes.
Ren didn't know their preferences—
So he ordered everything.
Plenty of food.
Enough for ninja appetites.
And indeed—
They finished everything.
"Burp… so good…"
Jiraiya loosened his clothes.
Orochimaru wiped his mouth elegantly.
"…Not bad."
Tsunade?
Still eating.
"Another two plates!"
Ren glanced at the bill.
Same as always.
Definitely not for the poor.
—
Training Ground.
Ren lay under a tree, resting.
Orochimaru read quietly.
Jiraiya lay in the grass, sneaking glances at Tsunade.
Hopeless.
Tsunade rested her chin on her knees—
Staring at Ren.
…He's not as bad as Grandma says.
From this angle—
He actually looks kind of handsome.
Her thoughts were complicated.
Admiration.
Curiosity.
A strange, unfamiliar feeling.
Ren sensed her gaze.
…Why is she staring?
And why is she blushing?
Tsunade quickly looked away.
Ren scoffed.
Just a kid.
Not his type.
—
"Get ready."
"All three of you—attack me together."
No need to waste time.
Three at once.
Efficient.
"Let's go!"
The trio coordinated quickly and charged.
"Too slow."
Ren moved effortlessly.
Dodging.
Countering.
Analyzing.
"…Interesting. Sealing technique? No—your strength's off."
"Mito taught you?"
"Still not enough."
With his three-tomoe Sharingan—
Everything was transparent.
Jiraiya?
Completely overwhelmed.
Knocked out in one hit.
Tsunade?
Impressive.
Strong chakra.
Good recovery.
But—
No chance to heal.
Orochimaru?
Now that was surprising.
Perfect reactions.
Avoiding eye contact instinctively.
Clearly trained.
"…Darkness Technique?"
So even that had been taught.
Tobirama…
You really went all out.
Darkness fell.
Ren's vision blackened—
For a moment.
Then—
Broken instantly.
But that moment—
Was enough.
Orochimaru struck.
And got kicked away.
The fight ended.
Defeat.
Complete.
Ren woke Jiraiya.
All three stood there, battered.
Waiting.
"You did better than I expected."
"Jiraiya—you're durable. Your reactions aren't bad."
"No need for the academy anymore."
"Tsunade—your punches lack speed and killing intent."
"Mito trained you well."
"Orochimaru—you were the best."
"That bastard taught you everything about countering Uchiha, didn't he?"
"I'll deal with him tonight."
Then—
He began proper instruction.
Tsunade and Orochimaru—
No need to worry.
They had foundation.
Experience would come.
Jiraiya—
Still a blank slate.
Basic chakra control wasn't even mastered.
Water walking.
Tree climbing.
Still incomplete.
Ren sighed.
Guess I'll have to teach him properly.
—
Konoha Factory.
Madara followed the workers to his station.
Assembly line.
Simple.
Repetitive.
No skill required.
Just speed.
"Don't stop working."
"Fall behind—you lose pay."
Qi Shu reminded him before leaving.
Madara began.
"…Simple."
Half an hour.
Bored.
One hour.
Still bored.
Two hours.
Hashirama definitely couldn't do this better than me.
With his physique—
This workload was nothing.
He could go all day.
Easy money.
Even while working—
He was still attempting to awaken the Rinnegan.
No effort required.
Just occasional thoughts of Hashirama.
Normal.
"Slow down, old man!"
"You're too fast!"
"Damn—that's insane!"
The workers were stunned.
They had worried he'd slow them down.
Instead—
He carried the entire group.
Madara smirked internally.
Even in factory work—
I have no equal.
Hashirama… you might be worth competing with.
Time passed quickly.
Dinner approached.
The supervisor arrived.
"Group one—qualified."
"Group two—qualified."
"Group three—good."
"Group four—barely passed."
Then—
"…Excellent?"
He stared at Madara's group.
Unbelievable.
Achieving "Excellent" required nonstop effort.
Most couldn't sustain it.
Only chakra-enhanced workers managed it.
And yet—
This group…
With an old man leading?
Something was very wrong.
And for the first time—
Someone began to seriously wonder—
Who exactly… this "old man" was.
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