Naruto: All Genders are reversed except for me

Hongle's side arrived early.

The three young apprentices quickly set up their stove stations. But with fifty judges for today's competition, they would need an abundance of broth to go around.

At this moment, Sasuke's mastery of Fire Release became an invaluable advantage for Ichiraku's team, giving them an edge despite their late start. One fireball after another was directed at the stove packed with dry wood, igniting roaring flames almost instantly.

"All stoves are ready, and the bonfires are lit. The competition officially begins!"

Clang!

An elder with considerable seniority struck a copper gong, announcing the start of the contest.

The match commenced.

Ichiraku and Hongle immediately began preparing their broth recipes and determining the perfect water-to-flour ratio for the noodles.

Both were seasoned ramen masters, and their movements were almost in sync.

However, differences soon began to emerge.

Hongle's secret ingredient was still a diluted alkaline solution, while Auntie Ichiraku, inspired by Naruto's demonstration, incorporated salt, eggs, and the food-grade alkaline powder Naruto had obtained from his system.

Combining these three components, Auntie Ichiraku threw herself wholeheartedly into kneading the dough.

Despite being a woman, Auntie Ichiraku's years of experience honing her ramen-making skills had made her exceptionally strong.

Hongle, on the other hand, was a man who had dedicated his youth to perfecting ramen. His foundational techniques were equally refined.

The fluid and masterful movements of the two competitors offered unique insights and learning opportunities for onlookers.

The fifty ramen chefs from Konoha watching the spectacle couldn't help but murmur in astonishment.

"For outsiders, this might just look like entertainment, but for those of us in the field, this is a true display of craftsmanship."

"Is this what it takes to become the reigning champion of Konoha's Taste Enhancement Tournament for three consecutive years? Ichiraku truly lives up to her reputation as a culinary prodigy."

"Indeed, her skill is undeniable. However, we shouldn't underestimate Hongle. He returned with a secret recipe. Without absolute confidence, he wouldn't have challenged Ichiraku to reclaim the title of Taste Enhancement Champion."

"Yes, but what could this secret recipe of Hongle's be? I can't wait to find out."

While Ichiraku's techniques appeared flawless on the surface, the ultimate test in a culinary showdown would always be the flavor.

This time, the competition's theme posed an even greater challenge for the chefs—a five-minute resting period, a veritable chasm of difficulty when it came to ramen.

Naruto, too, stayed busy amidst the tense atmosphere. Surrounded by members of the ANBU and Root divisions keeping a watchful eye, he worked diligently to arrange bowls and utensils, readying everything for the fresh broth.

Meanwhile, as Hongle continued making noodles, his gaze occasionally drifted toward the young apprentice on the opposing team. He couldn't understand why his master had suddenly changed tactics, letting Ichiraku take the lead. Still, his master's skills displayed the previous day had left him deeply impressed.

Though puzzled, Hongle dared not express his doubts outwardly and resolved to inquire later.

"To learn from those who surpass us"—this principle had been a cornerstone of his journey from a humble civilian to one of Konoha's most renowned culinary masters.

Seeing their master's occasional frowns, Hongle's three apprentices worked with extra care, hastily preparing bowls and chopsticks.

Time ticked by, and soon, all the dough had been kneaded to perfection.

Both sides had completed their preparations, and the broth in all five cauldrons was now boiling.

"Hyaaah… let it fly!"

With a low cry, Auntie Ichiraku grabbed two chunks of dough and began pulling and swinging them with both hands, executing a dual-wielding noodle technique.

This secret skill demanded immense arm strength, something Auntie Ichiraku had gradually mastered over years of practice.

All eyes turned to Ichiraku's team.

But just as gasps of amazement spread through the crowd, Hongle refused to be outdone.

"Roar… Twin Dragons Ascend!"

Grasping a chunk of dough in each hand, Hongle spun like a top, his movements accelerating until the noodles in his hands stretched into impossibly fine strands.

It was clear both competitors sought to impress Naruto with their fundamental skills, hoping to earn his admiration as a master.

No one, not even Naruto or Sasuke, could have anticipated this unexpected display of noodle artistry in the midst of a cooking competition.

The atmosphere in the arena reached a fever pitch.

Naruto scanned the audience and instantly understood—the two competitors had likely never showcased these techniques in front of their peers before. Otherwise, the crowd wouldn't be so astonished.

Sasuke's expression reflected her shock.

She never imagined that ordinary individuals could hone their craft to such a degree. Her Sharingan, with its single tomoe, had activated unconsciously, meticulously recording the competitors' every move.

"This level of difficulty is no less than a complex ninjutsu… Truly, appearances can be deceiving."

Her voice was low, but Naruto heard her.

"In this world, we should never underestimate anyone or any profession," he replied.

"Hmm, that's true," Sasuke nodded thoughtfully.

Amid the buzz of shocked murmurs, both Ichiraku and Hongle shouted simultaneously:

"Prepare the serving dishes!"

"Yes!!"

Ayame on Ichiraku's side and Hongle's three apprentices responded with enthusiasm, swiftly organizing fifty sets of bowls and chopsticks. Naruto joined Ayame, assisting in her tasks.

The sound of boiling broth and the aroma of freshly made noodles filled the air as the final showdown drew near.

Fifty clean bowls and chopsticks were arranged neatly in a row, waiting for the freshly cooked ramen to be served.

Given the large number of judges—fifty in total—and the specific requirements of the competition, both contestants instinctively chose to serve the noodles first. Once all fifty bowls of ramen had been filled with noodles, they would add the flavorful broth as the final touch.

"Add the secret flavor-enhancing broth!"

"Include the special seasonings!"

With these commands, the two lead chefs shouted in unison, spurring their teams into action.

Gurgle... gurgle...

Eight people, four on each side, moved with practiced efficiency to add broth and sprinkle in the secret ingredients and garnishes. Before long, both entries were fully prepared and ready for presentation.

The two sides completed their dishes almost simultaneously.

At this moment, the presiding elder struck the bronze gong again and announced, "The cooking phase is over. After a five-minute waiting period, fifty ramen chefs from Konoha will taste and evaluate the entries to determine the winner. The victor will earn the title of Konoha's Number One Flavor-Enhancing Ramen Master!"

"The five-minute countdown begins now!"

The elder flipped an hourglass, and fine sand began to trickle down.

The fifty ramen chefs, who had been waiting impatiently, surged forward, crowding around the two serving tables to scrutinize the ramen dishes.

From a purely visual standpoint, the ramen from both Ichiraku and Hongle seemed nearly identical. In such a short time, it was impossible to determine which was superior without tasting them.

Naruto squatted on the ground, watching the scene before him with a faint smile playing at his lips.

Everything was proceeding according to his plan. If there were no unforeseen mishaps, Ichiraku Ramen would gain significant fame in Konoha due to the MSG and other modern seasonings he had introduced.

If he handled this correctly, he wouldn't have to worry about money for a while.

As the sand in the hourglass continued to fall, subtle changes began to appear in the two ramen dishes.

First was Hongle's ramen. Since the noodles had been soaking in the boiling hot broth for an extended period, their originally translucent and elastic texture began to turn slightly pale.

This was the result of the noodles losing their firmness and elasticity.

Upon seeing this, Hongle's expression darkened slightly. He was well aware of the dangers of using too much lye water, especially after the experiments conducted yesterday by their young master. Because of this, he had been cautious not to add too much lye water during today's competition.

And yet, an awkward scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.

The five-minute waiting period, a rule proposed by Hongle himself, now worked against him. To everyone's surprise, Ichiraku's secret ramen showed no signs of swelling or discoloration over the five minutes, whereas Hongle's ramen began to falter first.

"Master, this…"

"How could this happen? How could our ramen be inferior to Ichiraku's?"

Hearing his disciple's murmurs, Hongle gestured for him to remain silent.

With the last grains of sand in the hourglass slipping through, another resounding gong echoed through the venue.

"Time's up!" the elder declared solemnly.

"Judges, you may now begin tasting Hongle's ramen. Each judge has two votes to allocate. The final winner will be determined by the total score!"

The elder's voice took on a weighty tone.

"This ramen duel concerns the honor of being named Konoha's Number One Flavor-Enhancing Ramen Master. I urge all you passionate culinary artisans to score fairly and impartially!"

"The tasting begins now!"

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