I, Konoha's Sage of Life-Chapter 232: You Can’t Trust a Word Kyoichi Says

Yin-Yang Release was incredibly difficult.

It was the product of combining Yang Release and Yin Release.

Just like Wood Release.

There were plenty of people who could use Earth and Water Release, but those who could wield both and fuse them into Wood Release were extremely rare.

Even now—

Despite all of Kyoichi’s efforts to work with Orochimaru on lowering the bar of entry, there were still only a handful of people besides Kyoichi himself who could use Wood Release.

Even Orochimaru couldn’t properly master it.

His version of Wood Release...

Was barely enough to sprout seedlings.

If even Wood Release was this difficult, then Yin-Yang Release was on an entirely different level. Throughout history, the number of people who had grasped it could be counted on one hand—and even in the anime, only a few had truly mastered it.

So for now...

When it came to Yin-Yang Release, Kyoichi was still in the planning phase, with no concrete breakthroughs yet.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, had obtained a great deal of senjutsu knowledge from Kyoichi.

It was a simplified version, distilled from what Kyoichi had gleaned from the two great Sacred Lands—Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave. It didn’t touch any core secrets, but it was enough to serve as a foundation for Orochimaru’s own research.

Kyoichi had made it clear:

There was no shortage of research topics.

However...

Anything that violated the rules was strictly off-limits.

Orochimaru didn’t really mind. He was the kind of person who took everything in stride. Rules were either followed or broken depending on his needs—and right now, following them was more beneficial.

Besides...

Konoha wasn’t such a bad place to be. If he weren’t so bored lately, he wouldn’t even bother leaving to find a new base of operations.

Too much hassle.

So, for now, he silently agreed to follow Kyoichi’s rules.

Before long—

Hakkaku brought in the food.

A full table of freshly cooked dishes, fragrant and mouthwatering—just looking at them made your mouth water.

Hakkaku stood awkwardly to the side.

"Lords, please try it... see if the taste is acceptable..."

"Uh..." Kyoichi didn’t know what to say.

This meal—

It did smell amazing and looked delicious, but wasn’t it a bit too rich? Anyone who ate this might just end up as a happy, chubby shut-in.

After a moment’s thought, he said, "If you’re preparing meals as nutritional food, then best not to cook like this. I suggest you spend some time at the hospital and get familiar with dietary knowledge. I’ll also give you a chance to test your meals at the ninja academy."

"Y-Yes! Of course!"

Hakkaku nodded repeatedly.

Afterward—

Kyoichi discussed nutrition-based meal planning with him.

In short: focus on nutritional balance first, and only then consider taste or flavor. In Kyoichi’s vision, this program would primarily support the ninja academy’s cafeteria.

Hakkaku listened closely, taking it all in. Orochimaru, too, was eating while absorbing the conversation.

By the end—

Hakkaku had already dashed off to start testing things, while Orochimaru chuckled quietly to himself.

"I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m sure the Akimichi clan will hate you. Wasting good food? That’s practically sacrilege to them."

"It’s fine. Sacrificing the few for the good of the many," Kyoichi replied matter-of-factly.

The Akimichi were notoriously hard to please in that regard, but it couldn’t be helped. You couldn’t put one clan’s preferences above an entire plan for the village.

While the whole thing with Hakkaku was a spur-of-the-moment idea, Kyoichi had long wanted to reform the academy cafeteria. Snacks wouldn’t be outright banned, of course...

But if you wanted to sneak snacks?

You’d better be prepared for counter-intelligence missions with your teachers.

Same went for skipping class.

The academy’s responsibilities couldn’t fall entirely on the Third Hokage.

Hakkaku, for his part, clearly recognized the opportunity.

The next day, he went straight to the hospital to start learning about dietary science. The man was nothing if not sharp.

However...

For the kids at the ninja academy, that wasn’t exactly good news.

The academy was undergoing a full overhaul.

Originally located in the heart of the village, it had now been relocated to Konoha’s outskirts—right next door to the Police Force.

Patrol intensity had shot through the roof.

Which meant...

"Quit staring. You’re not getting out. Just focus on your training and getting stronger," said Hayate Gekkō with a soft cough.

His condition had improved significantly. Though he still coughed occasionally, both his body and complexion were visibly healthier.

Anko Mitarashi, however, wasn’t giving up.

"I don’t believe it! One day, I will escape this place—and when I do, I’ll eat all the dango I want!"

She cheered herself on.

Nearby, a quiet voice muttered, "There’ll be a chance later."

"Why?" Anko turned to look at Ibiki—and blinked in surprise.

This blockhead...

Had a clever idea?

"Class is over."

"Uh..." Hayate’s lips twitched.

Even if you’re going to tell bad jokes, at least read the room. Saying something like that to Anko right now? You’re just asking for a beating!

Sure enough—

A second later, Anko lunged.

Ibiki didn’t back down either.

The two began sparring, but it didn’t take long before Ibiki was on the losing end.

"The Third Hokage is here!"

Hayate coughed lightly and slipped away—he didn’t want to get dragged into their mess.

Ever since the school had moved and the Third Hokage had become the principal...

Things were getting real.

Kids were getting caught left and right. Attending class now felt more like completing a mission.

Exhausting!

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Anko and Ibiki a glance.

"You’re not running drills or practicing tools. What are you doing over here watching the patrols? You want to spend a few days inside the Police Station?"

"No, no! Not at all, Lord Third. We were just sparring! Right, Ibiki?"

Anko shot Ibiki a pleading look.

The guy was famous for being weird—if he suddenly blurted out the truth right now, she’d be spending the next two days in the school’s detention room.

That...

Would be unacceptable.

"Mhm."

Ibiki nodded.

The Third Hokage chuckled but didn’t press the issue. Instead, he clapped his hands and signaled for everyone to gather.

Soon, the students assembled.

Teachers included.

Two classes were training in the field, and now all of them had come over.

Hiruzen cleared his throat and said, "You’ve all been here for a few days now. Let’s not dwell on the past. From now on, focus on your classes. Also, given the distance from the village, we’ve arranged a cafeteria."

"Cafeteria?"

Anko’s bad feeling intensified.

"That’s right. Starting now, the school will provide meals during class hours. As for payment... well, for now we’ll just charge at-cost."

"Huh?!" The entire training field erupted in confusion.

A cafeteria!

Under normal circumstances, that might sound like a great idea—but ever since Kyoichi took over the school’s reform and restructuring, no one trusted it anymore.

They’d said the new campus would be nestled beside a lake, with forests and private training grounds. Scenic and serene—an ideal location.

Everyone had been excited.

The result?

The Police Force was next door. If you skipped class and jumped the wall, chances were you’d find ninja dogs or parasitic insects waiting for you outside.

Then—

You’d be "invited" to visit the Police Department.

So now, this cafeteria...

Dangerous!

Anko panicked.

"Lord Third, can we bring our own lunches? We don’t mind the hassle!"

"Heh... no."

The Third smiled and clasped his hands behind his back. "That’s final. The chef will arrive tomorrow. From then on, please follow the rules. If the results are good, we may even require all three meals to be eaten here."

"Huh?!" Everyone stood frozen in disbelief.

What kind of nonsense was this?

Mandatory school meals?

That couldn’t mean anything good—otherwise, it wouldn’t be foisted on them.

"It’s definitely that Kyoichi-sensei’s doing! Ugh! If only I’d graduated early last year! I might be a Chūnin by now and wouldn’t have to suffer through this! Lord Third, I want to graduate early!"

Anko wailed.

Her poor dango dreams!

The Akimichi kids, on the other hand, didn’t seem too fussed. For them, as long as there was food—and it tasted good—it didn’t matter where they ate.

They just hadn’t realized the gravity of the situation yet.

The Third Hokage said nothing more.

Hakkaku had already learned several nutritional meal plans from the hospital’s research department and would start testing them tomorrow.

And then...

They would all learn what that food really meant.

Hiruzen had already tried it.

Nutritional content? Top notch.

Flavor?

...Well, that depended on your palate. For him, it was barely edible.

The worst part?

That rascal Kyoichi had suggested—no, insisted—he be the first to try it in front of everyone. To lead by example. Maybe even pretend to enjoy it.

Was that even human?!

Why didn’t that brat come eat it himself?

As he walked off, Hiruzen suddenly paused and narrowed his eyes.

"Right! Why didn’t I think of that earlier? This little punk pushed for this whole setup—how could he not be the first to taste it? Yes. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone escort him here personally. Let’s see him try to worm his way out with some sudden mission excuse."

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