Kapitel 668: This Is What It Means to Be an ANBU Ninja!
Aoba looked at Teuchi with astonishment. He hadn't expected Minato's election as Hokage to make Teuchi so happy, but it made sense upon reflection.
Teuchi and Minato had a great relationship.
Ever since Aoba first arrived in the ninja world, he noticed how much Minato loved Ichiraku Ramen and frequently visited Teuchi's shop.
Now, if Minato became Hokage, it would mark a new beginning for Ichiraku Ramen, with potential support from the village leadership.
This was a rare and valuable opportunity!
Unlike those with political agendas choosing sides, Teuchi's longstanding friendship with Minato was like a special investment that had naturally paid off.
It was certainly worth celebrating.
"Teuchi, you should calm down a bit. Someone might notice," Aoba said with a smile.
For some reason, seeing Teuchi's smile made Aoba genuinely happy. Over time, the burdens he carried felt lighter.
Reflecting on his journey in this world, it felt almost like a dream.
Unbeknownst to him, he had upended Konoha's political landscape and altered the entire ninja world's dynamics.
In the original timeline, the Third Great Ninja War would not have ended this way, and the Third Hokage would not have stepped down at this point.
All these changes were due to his presence.
He was like a butterfly whose fluttering wings set off a chain of events.
"Today is indeed a day worth celebrating."
Teuchi's face still held a smile. Though he always seemed cheerful, today he was exceptionally exuberant. Anyone entering the shop could sense his great mood, which was impossible to hide.
"Aoba, stop pretending. I know you're even happier than I am about Minato becoming Hokage."
"There aren't many who can truly call themselves Minato's friends in Konoha..."
"And you're definitely at the top of the list."
"Once Minato becomes Hokage, you'll likely take on a very important role."
"You won't have to stay in the dark ANBU anymore."
Teuchi leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Aoba, speaking in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.
He had watched the bond between these two grow over time.
He understood how close Aoba and Minato were.
Moreover, he knew that Minato wouldn't make Aoba do anything he didn't want to do, which was quite significant.
It was important to realize that no ninja could easily change their fate.
Every ninja was a war machine.
Ninjas were meant to unconditionally follow orders and be ready to sacrifice at any moment.
In this harsh world, no one could easily change their life's path; they were all part of the swirling vortex, just going with the flow.
No one was an exception.
As the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi was well aware of the struggles among ninjas, having seen countless faces come and go and heard many stories.
He knew that once Minato had the power, he could help Aoba break free from the ninja lifestyle and turn his life around.
At least, that's what he thought.
He believed Minato wouldn't forget Aoba.
So, seeing Aoba, he decided to bring it up to lift his spirits.
"I don't want to take on any more important roles," Aoba said calmly.
There was no hint of excitement on his face.
This statement came from the heart! After all, in this world, Minato and Teuchi were the only ones he could truly call friends.
Aoba wouldn't share everything with Teuchi. Everyone had their secrets, and he was no exception, especially since his secrets were significant and couldn't be easily revealed.
But...
Aside from his big secret.
He could share other thoughts openly.
If he had to wear a facade even in front of Teuchi and Minato, he felt life would lose its meaning.
"I don't want to take on any major roles in Konoha. Keeping things as they are is fine for me," Aoba added with a slight smile.
Taking on a higher role would only mean more responsibilities, without any real benefits.
Aoba had accomplished many surprising feats in the ninja world, but they were not entirely out of his own volition. He had been swept along by the tides of the times.
When he first arrived in Konoha.
The village was in turmoil.
As an interrogation department ninja during such a chaotic time, he couldn't just ignore everything and do whatever he wanted.
If he had to choose, he would prefer a quiet life with a stable job.
The interrogation department's job was perfect! He was quite satisfied with it.
Though interruptions were frequent, he managed those nuisances.
Entering Konoha's leadership and dealing with village affairs would be a thankless job, offering him no meaningful returns.
If he wanted to influence Konoha's direction, he didn't need Minato to provide a position. He could do it through his own abilities.
It wasn't a difficult task.
It was a matter of willingness.
For him, maintaining Konoha's day-to-day affairs would be a tedious and high-profile job, leaving no room for mistakes, not aligning with his desire for a low-key life.
What he desired most was to be a regular employee.
Minato's becoming Hokage could fulfill this wish.
Even if his position remained unchanged, his new superior would ensure no one disrupted his peaceful life. This was his ultimate goal, achieved through his efforts.
"Don't you want to live in the light?"
Teuchi asked, puzzled, staring at Aoba. In his view, ANBU always operated in the shadows, handling secretive tasks, even if they were heroes, they were unsung.
Especially in the Third Great Ninja War, many ANBU died without anyone knowing their identities or their contributions.
That's the life of an ANBU ninja! Many went unrecognized until their last moments.
Some were suited to be regular ninjas, while others fit the ANBU role. Those unfit for ANBU lacked the temperament to stay hidden. Yet, some ANBU preferred remaining in the shadows.
Aoba was such a ninja! "This is fine," Aoba nodded with a smile. His current life met all his needs. As a transmigrant, he didn't want to engage in endless battles or feel a special allegiance to any village. All he wanted was a peaceful life here.
"The higher-ups in Konoha are more suited for those who can excel in those roles. They can better use their abilities than I can. Everyone has their place, and I'm clear about mine. Those positions don't suit me."
Aoba spoke casually, sharing his true thoughts rather than just placating Teuchi.
Those higher roles weren't for him. They would only burden him with constant responsibility. While he could occasionally strategize on a grand scale, as he had done since arriving, he lacked the precision for such tasks.
So far, his plans had generally followed his desired path, but the specifics often varied.
Only the outcomes remained consistent.
These were small personal plans, having no broader impact. But managing Konoha on a large scale would be another matter.
As a village leader, any plan needed extremely precise execution.
Any deviation could have significant consequences.
Though he might achieve his desired results, Konoha could suffer unforeseen losses.
That would pose serious problems.
Operating on such a scale could lead to irreparable harm.
This was not something he wanted. He knew that if things went wrong, even Minato couldn't save him, and Minato himself might be implicated.
Why take such risks?
Living a quiet life as an ordinary worker was much better, wasn't it? Aoba's goal was simple: to live normally, while more capable people managed Konoha's affairs. If a crisis arose, Hokage would handle it. He just wanted to enjoy the stability created by others.
Unless that peace was threatened.
Then he would step up to protect it.
But he wouldn't do so openly, which would disrupt his peaceful life. He'd only act through his shadow clones.
"Your ramen is ready."
Teuchi placed a steaming bowl of ramen in front of Aoba, its aroma filling the air. The taste seemed better than usual, reflecting Teuchi's good mood. A cook's mood often influences their dishes.
"Thanks."
Aoba thanked Teuchi, looking at the ramen with anticipation. Good food always brightened his mood. Sometimes, even when not hungry, the sight of a delicious dish could make him crave it.
Aoba felt this way now. The recent events hadn't drained him much because he had used real memories, not fabricated ones, thanks to his mind-reading abilities.
After acquiring these memories, he made some modifications.
This was easy for him.
These memories were imprinted in his mind, readily accessible, especially those known only to Danzo, Orochimaru, or both. Slight adjustments could implicate the Third Hokage, maintaining a consistent narrative.
Without playing Orochimaru and Danzo himself, he couldn't have orchestrated this. He couldn't have convinced them to comply.
But since he was playing both roles, it was simple.
Since this task didn't strain him, Aoba wasn't really hungry. He came to Ichiraku Ramen to see Teuchi's reaction and gauge the general mood.
But now, seeing the steaming ramen and smelling its delicious aroma, he felt a surge of joy and satisfaction.
"Let's eat."
Aoba blessed the food and picked up his chopsticks, savoring the ramen while listening to the surrounding conversations.
Gradually, he realized everyone believed Minato would be the next Hokage, seeing no suspense in the decision.
Everything awaited the final formalities.
Aoba was very satisfied with this, indicating his plan had succeeded perfectly, positioning Minato as Hokage.
Although naturally, Minato would have eventually become Hokage, it would have taken years.
And by then, Minato would inherit a mess, with no trusted allies, surrounded by the Third Hokage's loyalists, under constant scrutiny.
The current situation was far better. Securing Minato's position now was no small feat.
Eating his ramen, Aoba's expression softened, satisfied with his decisions and proud of his accomplishments.
"Delicious!"
Aoba exclaimed, providing Teuchi with feedback, which made Teuchi even happier, enhancing his good mood.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
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