Naruto and the others devoured piece after piece of grilled meat, unable to hide the bliss written all over their faces.
No one dared snatch meat from around Nagi's side of the grill.
But anywhere else?
Whoever grabbed it first, won it.
Sasuke and Naruto were long accustomed to fighting over food, their chopstick techniques swift and precise. Sai and Shin relied on pure hand speed. Even Shikamaru had shed his usual laziness—his sharp eyes analyzed the battlefield, waiting for the perfect opening while others clashed.
The other two tables, however… were in misery.
Choji drooled openly. After smelling the meat Nagi grilled—and witnessing the expressions at that table—his own platter suddenly felt tasteless.
Kakashi and the other teachers had long lost interest in conversation. That aroma was intoxicating; the flavor must be unbelievable. They sat there drinking, pretending composure while breathing in the scent.
Sakura, Ino, and Karin eventually gave up grilling.
"It smells so good… I lost. I actually lost in cooking to a guy—and Sasuke's eating it so happily!" ×3
They knew better than to offer their own grilled meat to Sasuke now. The comparison would be devastating. With no comparison, there's no harm—but this was brutal.
Reluctantly, they ate their own food while stealing glances at Naruto's table.
Even the surrounding diners stared.
"Judging by the way they're eating, that meat must be incredible…" ×n
But Naruto's group had no intention of sharing. They barely had enough for themselves.
Under countless envious gazes, they finished the first round.
Then—
Nagi calmly laid out a fresh batch of meat.
This time, Shikamaru proactively volunteered to fetch ingredients.
Before long, another fierce yakiniku battle began.
Aftermath
That afternoon, Sai, Shin, Shikamaru, and the others walked out of Yakiniku Q with satisfied, distended stomachs.
The restaurant owner offered them a significant discount. After all, the fragrance from Nagi's grilling had drawn crowds from the street, bringing a surge of customers. He had even wanted to waive the bill entirely, but Nagi insisted on paying—so the owner accepted only a symbolic amount.
Choji and Kakashi watched Naruto's group leave with complicated expressions.
"Next time, we're sitting at Nagi's table." ×n
They had eaten several bowls of rice just from inhaling the aroma alone—but not tasting the meat itself would haunt them for days.
Live Reactions
[Kushina Uzumaki: It looks so delicious…]
[Minato Namikaze: It is. Nagi's cooking is exceptional.]
[Tsunade: Is it really that amazing? It seems a little exaggerated.]
[Jiraiya: Tsunade, you wouldn't understand.]
[Hashirama Senju: Haha! Exactly, Tsuna! Nagi's cooking is unmatched.]
[Tsunade: …Wait. Great-Grandfather, you've been visiting Nagi's house a lot lately. Don't tell me—]
[Hashirama: Cough! Tsuna, what are you implying? I was guiding my grand-disciple's training. And… incidentally discussing culinary arts.]
[Tsunade: Heh. So you've been sneaking off for good food this whole time.]
[Mei Terumi: Ara ara… handsome, powerful, and skilled in the kitchen? Impressive.]
[Atsui: Of course! My brother-in-law's cooking is the best in the world! I still remember that dreamlike meal at his place!]
[Samui: ...]
(You sure call him "brother-in-law" naturally.)
(You didn't exactly stop me.)
(I did! You just didn't listen!)
[Might Guy: Indeed! Nagi's cooking ignites my youthful spirit!]
[Kakashi Hatake: Sigh… If only I'd known about Nagi's culinary skill back then…]
[Mabui: Mm. I still remember the taste of that Buddha Jumps Over the Wall dish.]
[Gaara: Nagi's cooking feels… comforting.]
[Kankurō: Yeah, Nagi-sennin's cooking is on another level.]
[Temari: Wait—Gaara I understand, but Kankurō? When did you eat it?]
[Kankurō: When Gaara and I visited Nagi. You wanted to visit Konoha's hot springs, remember?]
[Temari: ...]
(I missed out.)
Root Training Grounds
Some time later, at Root's training field—
Nagi and Sasuke were sparring.
Nagi used the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance. Sasuke felt his Mangekyō Sharingan struggling to track the speed, so he manifested the ribcage of Susanoo, then coated it in black flames using Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi.
Nagi appeared behind him instantly.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage."
A high-density compressed wind sphere blasted forward, exploding upon impact with the skeletal Susanoo. The violent pressure dispersed the black flames and shattered the ribcage entirely, sending Sasuke flying.
Sasuke quickly stabilized midair, channeling chakra to his feet and landing against the inner wall of the Root facility.
"Susanoo."
This time, he poured greater amounts of Yin Release chakra into it, activating the Second Stage Susanoo.
"Susanoo: Pierce!"
The armored form drew a bow and fired.
"Amplify."
The arrow's speed doubled instantly.
Nagi responded in kind, activating his own Second Stage Susanoo. With precise control, he caught the incoming arrow and extinguished the black flame before it could detonate.
Then—
Nagi's Susanoo vanished in a flash and reappeared before Sasuke.
A single punch.
Bang!
Sasuke tried to defend—but Nagi's strike shattered his Susanoo outright.
Sasuke crashed to the ground, gasping, unable to rise.
Nagi walked over and applied medical ninjutsu.
"Sasuke, your control over the Second Stage Susanoo has improved significantly. But if you activate the Third Stage, your Yin Release chakra will drain at an extreme rate."
Sasuke nodded.
"I understand. But with the Second Stage, I can now amplify a single attribute efficiently. If I amplify multiple aspects—or exceed a threefold increase—the chakra consumption rivals the Third Stage."
"I see."
Sasuke looked around quietly.
"Nagi… I feel my final battle with Itachi isn't far off."
"Is that so? Itachi's body likely won't hold much longer. Rather than dying painfully from illness, perhaps falling by your hand would grant him peace."
Sasuke's eyes hardened.
"I will. I'll teach my foolish older brother a proper lesson."
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