Probably because this was a long-lost family reunion dinner, tonight's spread at the Chiyo household was richer than usual.
Considering Hii Kōri had just walked in, and the dishes' excellent presentation, only one conclusion remained—
"You've got skills like this, old man?"
Peeking toward the kitchen, sure enough, Matazaburō and Mataza were working inside, a picture of father, son, filial piety, warmth and harmony.
Literally. No signal axes here, thank you very much.
"Hmph, your old man here travels, known as the Wind Wanderer. Naturally, I've got a few specialties to be proud of~"
Hearing Hii Kōri's remark, Matazaburō's nose nearly pointed to the sky.
Clearly, he was quite proud of his skills. Wind Release? Just something he inexplicably mastered—no big deal.
The favored act with impunity—true words never spoken.
"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever you say. As long as I don't have to cook, you're absolutely right."
Hii Kōri retreated to change clothes, not bothering to retort. Just sat at the table, ready to eat.
As a jōnin household, the Chiyo home certainly didn't lack quality ingredients. But the desert only produced a few types. After three years of cooking, he'd truly be at his wits' end.
Lamb and beef. Then more lamb and beef. Onions and potatoes. Then more onions and potatoes.
No wonder grilled meat was popular in desert regions—vegetable variety was sorely lacking. These were even specially improved and bred strains developed over generations to withstand desert climate.
Fruit quality here was excellent—but you couldn't live on fruit alone.
This impressive spread probably relied heavily on ingredients from Matazaburō's bags.
Ah, speaking of which—old man's travels weren't just personal preference and intelligence gathering. There was also the mission to find crops suitable for wide cultivation in Wind Country... That sea buckthorn patch I saw earlier came from seedlings he brought back...
Leaning back, staring at the khaki ceiling, this thought suddenly surfaced in Hii Kōri's quadruple-calculation brain.
Tough life, desert kids.
"Speaking of which, I heard besides Rasa, a few others are graduating early, getting solo instruction from jōnin. Are jōnin really that leisurely lately?"
Soon, the final dish arrived. The family of four gathered around the table, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
After some eating, Hii Kōri casually brought this up.
"That? Chew chew chew—it's modeled after Konoha's team leader system. Chew chew... Testing pilot operation with a few talented students. Next summer, we'll try with a batch of graduates to see the effect."
Chiyo, eating like a hamster, swallowed and explained intermittently, stuffing more food in between. "If the effect is good, jōnin will rotate into team leading. No dangerous missions, plus teaching subsidies—pretty good deal."
"Ha... Konoha's system."
Not surprised each village had spies in others—mercenary organizations in competition without spies would be surprising.
What amazed Hii Kōri was Konoha's foundation. Villages, systems—all transformation in the ninja world seemed to originate from that fertile land.
Rather, precisely because those two founders dominated their era, they could claim that land and continuously snowball.
Back in the day, the First Kazekage practically threw tantrums to secure Sunagakure's territory, nearly getting surrounded and kicked by the other three Kage.
That Reto escaped unscathed, even securing land, owed not only to Hashirama's mediation but also Wind Country being pure wasteland—conquering it brought no gains, possibly losses.
That frozen great nation didn't kill the mustache guy using winter climate advantage?
Natural defensive advantage.
Of course, who'd willingly live in the desert if they had any choice?
If we could build our village in Konoha, we'd gladly beat up other villages.jpg
"But you little brat takes the initiative asking about this..."
At this, Chiyo suddenly flashed a mischievous grin. "Let me guess—is it because of Pakura-chan~"
"Eew—your tone's disgusting, old hag!"
Hii Kōri's eyes instantly went dead fish, Chiyo's laughter giving him goosebumps.
But he didn't deny it. This old hag had been playing matchmaker for days, so she'd definitely know before him.
"Eh... why don't you graduate too early, brat?"
"No way. Graduating means constant missions. Way less comfortable than school. Skip class to study whatever, spar whoever I want. Village funds me—what's the rush?"
Hii Kōri remained unmoved. Only real working people appreciate campus life. With money no issue, of course he'd keep learning.
Not only would he stay until normal graduation—he'd stay in school to take postgraduate entrance examinations, study for a Ph.D., keep adding degrees!
"Haha, you think you get a choice? Too late, brat! Your graduation application's already submitted—you'll be under me! Hahahaha!"
Chiyo slammed the table with wild laughter, leaving Hii Kōri no choice.
"Also signed you up for next summer's chūnin exams! Get ready to work under me!"
Original family ruins my doctorate dream!
"Yah! You mean old hag! Come fight me now!"
Hearing this, Hii Kōri couldn't take it. He slammed the table, retrieved a gauntlet like a gauntlet from his wrist scroll, and leaped, punching at Chiyo.
But the longtime elite jōnin wouldn't be hit so easily. Chakra threads shot out, tying Hii Kōri, dragging him out the door.
"Ah,I'll go check on my little brother and mom!"
Seeing this, Mataza dropped his utensils and chased after them.
"?"
Matazaburō looked at the nearly cleared table, dishes waiting to be washed. He felt like he'd been tricked.
***
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