I, Konoha's Sage of Life-Chapter 233 – Madara: Why Did Everything Go So Off-Track?

Chapter 233: Chapter 233 – Madara: Why Did Everything Go So Off-Track?

Kyoichi had only casually brought up the idea of nutritious school meals and had no plans to follow up on it. But when he returned from the forest that morning, he saw two familiar faces waiting for him at Konoha’s gates.

"Kyoichi-sama, the Third Hokage has asked for your presence at the opening ceremony of the new school cafeteria."

"Uh... can’t the school just handle that on its own? I’m not even a formal teacher there. Plus, I have something urgent right now."

Kyoichi immediately sensed something fishy.

That old man—he wasn’t planning to actually make him carry out his own proposal, was he?

"The Third said your contributions to the academy have been tremendous. It’s thanks to your guidance that Konoha’s school has developed to this scale. You missed the opening ceremony before, so he insisted on inviting you this time."

Ishimura Takashige explained with a respectful smile.

Kyoichi was speechless.

Well, damn.

Bringing up the school opening too? You really won’t rest until I show up, huh?

He thought it over.

Forget it... it’s not that big a deal. Worst case, he just eats a meal.

Hakkaku’s cooking wasn’t bad.

Even if it’s a nutritional meal, he probably accounted for flavor to some extent. Kyoichi hadn’t tried it yet, but it should be within edible standards.

—

Inside the ninja academy, the students looked listless and drained of energy.

No one had brought a bento today.

Every household had received word from the Third Hokage: from now on, lunches would be provided at school, and outside food—including snacks and bento—was prohibited.

Even the Akimichi clan had complied.

"My dango..."

Anko sat at her desk, mumbling to herself over and over, her face full of grief.

Hayate Gekkō was at a loss for words.

This girl... She’d been complaining about it since yesterday. Unbelievable.

After hearing her mutter all morning, he finally asked, "Didn’t you go out and buy some dango after school yesterday?"

"I-I..."

Anko pouted, nearly in tears. "I tried to, but just as I turned the corner, I bumped into an adult I knew and got dragged away..."

"Ah..." No wonder...

Hayate sighed inwardly.

No wonder she’s this upset. She never even got to eat it. And what he didn’t mention was—according to Uncle Hayate—it’s said that when Kyoichi makes a move, there’s always a follow-up.

If lunch is mandatory now...

Then breakfast and dinner might follow soon after.

"We’d better get used to it. Kyoichi-sensei usually has a second phase to every plan."

"I just hope the lunch isn’t too bad."

Anko sighed.

All morning, no one had the heart to pay attention in class.

Finally, lunchtime arrived.

And waiting outside the cafeteria was the culprit behind the whole "cafeteria initiative"—

Kanda Kyoichi.

"Kyoichi-sensei!"

The students clenched their teeth in frustration. If looks could kill, Kyoichi would’ve been eaten alive by now.

Inside the cafeteria, the Third Hokage was smiling contentedly.

"That’s right. Since it was his idea, he should be here to follow through. Can’t let this old man take the heat every time."

"Sensei, I really don’t think I need to be here..."

Tsunade was clearly uncomfortable.

She had work—a lot of it. She didn’t have time for this kind of food.

"Oh, come on. It’s good stuff! Let’s all enjoy it together and set a good example."

The Third chuckled.

The food was ready. Hakkaku’s culinary skills were solid, and the nutritional meal had been well-prepared. But even so, compared to normal cuisine, it fell short.

Tsunade hadn’t been drinking lately, but even so, this kind of food wasn’t her thing.

Kyoichi walked in and immediately approached the table.

"This menu was made under my direction. It’s highly nutritious. I eat it myself, so today, I’ll take the first bite."

With that...

He sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and dug in.

He ate with relish!

"Seems decent," the Third thought to himself.

Then he picked up his own chopsticks and took a bite—his expression turned complicated.

It tasted awful!

Worse, in fact, than the version Hakkaku had personally made for him before.

And yet...

Kyoichi was eating it like it was the best thing in the world, face full of bliss.

The others couldn’t believe it, but with no choice, they started eating too.

Kyoichi even went back for seconds.

"Incredible."

After the meal, Tsunade gave Kyoichi a thumbs up.

She’d finished her portion too, and acted like she enjoyed it, but... go for seconds?

No thanks.

It was terrible!

Eating was supposed to be a pleasure, not torture. But Kyoichi wasn’t wrong—the food was highly nutritious and helped replenish what was lost through training.

"How was it?"

"The food was fine. Just... don’t invite me again next time."

She paused for a moment.

"You really thought it tasted good?"

"It didn’t. But it wasn’t awful either. And thinking about how I made everyone else eat it with me—well, that was oddly satisfying."

Kyoichi smiled.

This was nothing.

The food back in his past life’s school cafeterias was way worse. That stuff was barely edible—meat was dry, vegetables tasteless, oil so greasy it killed, and anything healthy tasted like cardboard.

Compared to that, Hakkaku’s meals were practically gourmet.

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. "Definitely better than soldier pills. That alone makes it worth considering."

Everyone left the cafeteria in a complicated mood.

They were full and energized... but something about the meal just didn’t sit right.

"Don’t tell me the cafeteria’s just the beginning?"

"Of course not. First, we implement closed training programs, then gradually transition to a full boarding system. Ninja academy students will be managed like a military unit."

Kyoichi explained.

All these steps were just groundwork for a fully residential academy system.

But that wasn’t even his final goal.

His endgame was a comprehensive education structure—merging ninja academy, young ninja development, and elite jōnin training into one system.

Every ninja in Konoha would have to pass through this program to ensure a basic level of knowledge and competence. He couldn’t allow another Obito or Naruto situation to slip through the cracks.

The consequences of poor education were terrifying.

Naruto, at least, had a good heart and didn’t go astray.

But Obito...

That was a whole different story.

Right now, he was training under Might Guy, and Kyoichi was seeing worrying signs—

His taijutsu had skyrocketed, and he was obsessed with unlocking the Eight Gates. Meanwhile, he barely cared about his Sharingan anymore.

Kyoichi was... cautiously pleased.

But someone else was not.

"That brat... he’s focusing on taijutsu now?"

"Yes..."

"Ugh..." Madara didn’t know what to say.

After failing to manipulate Itachi, he had temporarily instructed White Zetsu to take four or five Uchiha children to raise in secret, waiting for them to mature before trying again.

But Obito?

He hadn’t fully given up on him either. He’d planned to pursue both paths in parallel.

And now?

Obito didn’t even care about ninjutsu or the Sharingan.

What the hell kind of mindset was that?

A disgrace to the Uchiha!

Madara sat back and took a deep breath, then asked, "What’s going on with Kakuzu?"

"His Earth Release heart was destroyed by Kanda Kyoichi."

"Troublesome. Looks like they can’t be relied on anymore. I’ll need a new plan..."

Madara closed his eyes and fell into thought.

He didn’t understand.

Where had things gone so wrong? First Nagato, now Obito and Kakuzu—anyone he set his sights on was intercepted by Kanda Kyoichi.

Was he cursed by the Senju?

"Kakuzu and Sasori—don’t contact them for now. I suspect Kyoichi may have already placed a tracking jutsu on them. That brat’s as cunning as Tobirama."

Madara paused, then continued:

"If it comes to it... after I die, just force Nagato to use Rinne Rebirth and bring me back."

"You’re preparing to leave?"

"Not yet."

Madara shook his head, thinking.

"I need to figure out how to eliminate Kanda Kyoichi. If not, I fear I won’t just die—I’ll be humiliated on the way out."

"Understood. But your current body..."

"Yeah, I know. That’s why I need a plan. His strength is no joke. If I can’t recover to my peak, I won’t stand a chance. Let’s bump the tailed beast project up the schedule. Worst case, I’ll use one of them for testing."

"Yes."

Black Zetsu merged into White Zetsu’s body and slipped back underground.

Madara closed his eyes again in contemplation.

He needed to invent a jutsu—something that could temporarily restore him to peak form.

Otherwise...

Facing Kanda Kyoichi like this might just end with him becoming nothing more than a stepping stone for someone else’s legend.

***************************

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