Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona

The Land of Fire, Kyoto.

The triennial "Takotori Festival" has arrived as scheduled, engulfing this ancient capital in a sea of ​​jubilation and clamor.

The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the crowds were bustling with people. The shouts of various shops and temporary vendors, the laughter of tourists, and the music of the festival intertwined to create a vibrant and grand symphony.

The origins of the "Bamboo Cutter Festival" can be traced back to the distant and ethereal mythological era.

Legend has it that in the chaotic world of ancient times, a brilliant meteor or celestial maiden fell from Takamagahara to the mortal world and landed in a lush bamboo forest.

The goddess was born from bamboo and possessed unparalleled beauty and boundless power to quell chaos and exorcise evil spirits. She was revered by later generations as the "Bamboo Forest Princess" or the "Bamboo Cutter Goddess".

Legend has it that she traveled to various countries, quelled demons, and brought order and peace to the chaotic world.

To commemorate this goddess who brought peace and hope, the Land of Fire established a tradition at the very beginning of its founding.

Every three years, in early May when bamboo groves come to life and new bamboo shoots sprout, the most solemn "Takenori Festival" is held in Kyoto to express gratitude to the gods and pray for peace and prosperity for the country.

At this moment, the open-air plaza, one of the core areas of the festival, was bustling with noise, the sound almost lifting the roof of the temporary colorful canopy.

This is the final venue of the Land of Fire's First Culinary Contest.

Dozens of temporary stoves were neatly arranged, and chefs from all over the country were either focused or nervously handling the ingredients in their hands. Steam, fumes and the aroma of food mixed together to create a powerful heat wave.

On the judging panel, a dozen or so well-dressed and serious-looking judges were moving around, their eyes sweeping over the workstations of each contestant like hawks.

The crowd was packed so tightly that it was impossible to move. Excited discussions, curious glances, and exclamations of surprise as people pointed out a famous chef created a buzzing background noise.

Amidst this bustling noise, the area around the stove where Shinichi Higashino was located seemed to be a world of its own, attracting many surprised and curious glances.

The reason was simple: this contestant was wearing a neat dark ninja combat uniform with a white chef's apron over it, and his headband had been removed.

But his capable demeanor was out of step with most of the traditional chefs around him, who were either burly or sophisticated.

Seriously? Kid, you actually know how to do that?

Somewhere in the stands, Tsunade stared at the student with the peculiar style in the arena, her eyes widening involuntarily.

She initially thought that this guy's participation in the food competition was just a whim of a young man, or that he had some other plan. But after watching him fight his way through the preliminary rounds and semi-finals to the final, she realized... this kid seems to be... serious?

"When Shinichi graduated early last year, he held a thank-you banquet at Aji no Takumi. The owner there, Fujiwara, said that Shinichi was the best chef in their restaurant. I thought he was just joking." Shizune said to Kurenai Yuhi beside her as she watched Shinichi skillfully handling the ingredients.

"I never imagined Shinichi had such a hobby and skill." Kurenai Yuhi gently covered her mouth, a smile spreading across her red eyes as she looked at Shinichi's focused profile, so different from when he was on a mission, and found it quite amusing.

Just then, a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent official robes and with impeccable manners walked through the crowd, went straight to Tsunade, bowed respectfully, and said:

"Your Highness, His Highness the Daimyo noticed you were watching the match here and specially ordered me to come. Please move to the VIP seats above, where the view is better and you will be more comfortable."

Your Highness?!

Shizune and Kurenai turned around instantly, their eyes wide open, staring at their teacher in disbelief.

Tsunade, seeing the two men's shocked gazes, simply waved her hand casually and said to the official, "Please thank the Daimyo for his kindness. I'll just stay here and look around with my students; I won't bother you any further."

The official offered a few more polite words of advice, but seeing that Tsunade's attitude was clear, he did not insist and bowed again before taking his leave.

Once the officials were out of sight, Shizune and Kurenai immediately turned their curious gazes toward Tsunade.

Shizune couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "T-Teacher... are you a princess?"

"Ah, that?" Tsunade picked at her ear and said casually, "It's all old news, nothing serious. It was just an empty title, I don't care about it anymore."

Seeing that she seemed unwilling to talk more, Shizune and Kurenai exchanged a glance.

Although the cat's paws were itching with curiosity, it wisely refrained from asking any further questions.

They turned their attention back to the heated competition, focusing on their teammate who was applying his extraordinary ninja skills to the ultimate cooking.

As time ticked by, the atmosphere in the arena gradually shifted from a flurry of excitement to a tense wait.

One by one, the contestants completed their dishes, carefully plating the creations that embodied their hard work and skills, and presented them to the judges.

The judges looked serious as they appraised each item, exchanging opinions in hushed tones and occasionally making notes on the scoreboard.

The most exquisite and flavorful part of each dish that they consider outstanding is carefully portioned into specially made, exquisite ceramic bowls, which are then carried by waiters on gilded lacquer trays and quickly delivered to the VIP room with the best view and the most luxurious decoration.

There sat the nominal host of this grand competition, who was also the supreme ruler of the country—the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

The judging process was in full swing, with hushed exclamations of admiration frequently emanating from the judges' panel.

"This 'Sea of ​​Clouds Stew' is cooked to perfection, with a rich and flavorful broth—truly a rare find!"

"Amber-braised pork, incredibly creative, with a rich and layered flavor, very good!"

Ultimately, the judges focused their attention on the last two dishes presented.

One bowl is a signature dish of another veteran chef, while the other is from Shinichi Higashino.

Several judges gathered around, carefully observing the color and smelling the aroma, and finally each took a small amount to taste with a specially made spoon.

After a brief silence, the murmur of debate began.

"This 'Golden Dew Under Snow' is impeccable in terms of ingredient selection, knife skills, seasoning, and plating aesthetics. It deserves the championship," an older judge said, stroking his beard.

"But this... Shinichi Higashino's Whale Wave Jade, the exquisite handling of ingredients, the control of heat and timing, and the ultimate freshness and pure taste that is full of vitality are truly amazing! This is not just a dish, but more like a precise art!" Another younger judge was clearly moved by Shinichi's dish, and his tone was excited.

"Hmph, cooking is cooking, what's with all this talk about technique!" The old judge scoffed. "Besides, this person isn't a member of the Culinary Association, he's a ninja."

"If we award the crown of this competition to a ninja and the news spreads, what will the outside world think of the culinary world of the Land of Fire? Do we want the world to think that we, who have studied cooking for decades, are not as good at cooking as a ninja who makes a living by killing? What kind of behavior is that!"

This remark drew nods of agreement from several conservative judges.

For those who regard cooking as a noble traditional art, with its own circles and rules, it is indeed hard to accept that an outsider, especially a ninja who kills with a knife, has won the highest honor.

"But judging solely on the dishes themselves, this Whale Wave Jade is indeed slightly better..." the young judge tried to argue.

"You've only been in the culinary world for a few years! How many storms have you weathered? Do you even know what true depth and heritage are?"

The veteran judge interrupted him, his tone firm: "In terms of seniority, I am..."

Upon hearing this, the young judge immediately fell silent and stopped speaking.