Chapter 31: A Riverbank Meal
Evening, by the river.
This was a quiet spot in Konoha and also a place Haruko frequently visited to fish.
But today, it was filled with the atmosphere of a home-cooked meal.
Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji had arrived early.
"You're so slow, Big Brother Haruko! The fire is about to go out!" Naruto said, poking the campfire on the ground listlessly with a stick.
Haruko arrived carrying a large bag of meat, with cooking utensils and tableware strapped to his back.
"What's the rush? Good food is worth the wait."
"Come to think of it, why aren't we going to the Yakiniku Q?" Naruto asked, stunned.
"You can't bring your own ingredients to the Yakiniku Q," Haruko said matter-of-factly. "Don't worry, my cooking skills are no worse than theirs."
He opened the package, revealing marinated meat and various vegetables.
"Wow! This looks even better than Yakiniku Q! I've been craving Big Brother Haruko's secret grilled meat for so long!" Choji was already drooling uncontrollably.
"You just want to save money, right?" Shikamaru teased. "But... since you're doing it yourself, it should be pretty good."
"That's a way to put it. For the same meat, the price of a few plates at the Yakiniku Q... my sourcing method lets you eat until you're stuffed. It's not that we can't afford the Yakiniku Q, it's just that doing it yourself is more cost-effective."
While speaking, Haruko had already used Earth Release to create a set of tables and chairs, and set up charcoal and an iron plate on the table.
"Fire Release: Barbecue."
Under Haruko's control, the charcoal heat became just right, evenly distributed across the entire iron plate.
Sizzle—
The moment the meat slices hit the iron plate, the sound of fat bursting rang out, and the aroma of meat instantly swept across the entire riverbank.
"As dexterous as ever. Using Ninjutsu for barbecue is truly extravagant." Shikamaru's eyes twitched as he watched.
"Isn't Ninjutsu just meant to make life more convenient?" Haruko flipped the meat, speaking nonchalantly. "If you can't even cook a good meal, what's the point of having power?"
"Well said! As long as it tastes good! Nom..."
Choji didn't care about the details; he picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth, wearing an expression of pure bliss.
Naruto was also eating with his mouth full of grease, not forgetting to shout indistinctly: "Big Brother Haruko, teach me that Ninjutsu from just now too. It feels so cool."
"Which nature transformation can you use?"
Naruto choked. He couldn't even perform the Three Basic Techniques well yet.
The group chatted as they ate, the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable.
Haruko spoke seemingly casually: "By the way, I heard some gossip at the border this time."
"What gossip?" Shikamaru glanced at him.
"They say there was an internal conflict in the Hidden Mist, and the Kaguya Clan seems to have been wiped out."
"Taketori?" Naruto and Choji were both blank-faced.
Shikamaru, however, was indifferent: "That was just that branch in the Hidden Mist. Actually, there is still a branch within the Land of Fire, but those people are very low-key and rarely show themselves."
"There's one in the Land of Fire too?" Haruko feigned surprise.
"Yeah, in the north of the Land of Fire, near the border of the Land of Hot Springs, there is a Taketori Village. You can find it on the map."
"Uh... my map isn't that detailed."
Haruko smiled awkwardly and stopped asking.
'If I had known, I wouldn't have had to ask Hinata. It doesn't matter though; if it's on the map, it's clearly not important intelligence. I'll just go to the bookstore and buy a copy later."
Haruko continued to grill the meat skewers, appearing carefree on the surface.
But the feeling of being watched, which had been present since the picnic began, made it impossible for him to relax and enjoy the food.
'At first, I thought it was Anbu watching Naruto, but it's more than that..."
That faint sense of being watched was like a pair of eyes hanging above his head.
'Telescope Technique? Third Elder?"
Haruko understood, but didn't plan to do anything; just acting naturally would be fine.
A civilian Genin with no ambition, who only wants to use Ninjutsu to cook and occasionally gossip—isn't that the most reassuring persona?
...
On the crystal ball, the scene by the river was reflected, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face wore a complex expression.
"Using Earth Release to make tables and chairs, Fire Release to control temperature, Water Release to wash dishes... This brat, he's really playing around with Ninjutsu."
As a Professor of Ninjutsu, he saw the trick at a glance.
Daily-life Ninjutsu wasn't that complicated; Jonin or even Chunin could use them after practice.
But simple techniques are the best indicator of basic skills. Haruko was only 13 years old, yet he had mastered all five nature transformations, and his control over Chakra even exceeded some Jonin.
More importantly, it was his imagination and creativity in applying Ninjutsu to daily life.
"No wonder several Jonin are willing to teach him... This talent is truly worth cultivating."
He recalled Haruko's file.
An orphan adopted by Teuchi, no Bloodline Limit, no background, just an ordinary child.
Lazy personality, but well-liked, with good relationships with children from several clans.
Perhaps he could also find an opportunity to teach him a few moves.
Even...
Rumble—
The sound from his stomach brought the Third Elder back to reality. He silently stood up and retracted the Telescope Technique.
"I should have dinner too. Let's go to Yakiniku Q for a change."
...
As night fell, an unexpected guest arrived at the Ramen Shop—Hyuga Natsu, whom he had met before, the maid of the Hyuga Clan.
"Mr. Haruko, sorry to disturb you so late. Miss Hinata is not convenient to go out at night, so she specifically ordered me to bring this to you."
As she spoke, she took a sealed envelope from her bosom and handed it over with both hands.
"Oh, thank you. Sorry to trouble you for coming all this way so late."
Haruko took the envelope and, without avoiding her, opened it right in front of Natsu.
Inside was a neatly folded letter, and what caught his eye were lines of elegant and neat handwriting.
After a quick scan, it contained information about the Kaguya Clan in the Land of Fire.
And on the back of the letter was a hand-drawn map.
Mountains, rivers, villages, and even roads were drawn with fine lines; the level of detail was a hundred times better than the mass-produced ones on the market. It was clear that a lot of thought had been put into it.
'This girl..."
Haruko felt a warmth in his heart.
Compared to Shikamaru's "Why not look at a map?", this heavy gesture of care was clearly much more precious.
"Thank you for your trouble, coming all this way so late. Please thank Hinata for me; this thing is a huge help."
"This is my duty," Natsu replied respectfully, then prepared to take her leave. "Then I will..."
"Please wait a moment, I'll go get something."
Haruko turned and walked towards the back kitchen, leaving Hyuga Natsu stunned in place.
In less than half a minute, Haruko came out carrying two paper boxes.
"Snow Skin Daifuku, wrapped with fruit and cream inside. One box is a thank-you gift for Hinata, and the other is for you."
"Thank you, Mr. Haruko. But I..."
"It's a trial product of a new dessert in the shop; it hasn't been put on the menu yet," Haruko shoved the two boxes into her hands without giving her a chance to refuse. "Please let me know your thoughts after tasting them."
"It was like this before too... Thank you, Mr. Haruko. I will pass it on to the Young Miss."
Hyuga Natsu bowed, and as she turned to leave, her footsteps seemed a bit lighter than when she arrived.
Watching her back disappear into the night, Haruko stretched and prepared to return to the kitchen.
Suddenly—
"Brother Haruko~!"
Ayame let out a sharp, explosive shriek from the back kitchen.
Yes, the Snow Skin Daifuku Haruko had given away as a gift was originally a late-night dessert he had made for Ayame and Kin Tsuchi.
He had intended to make another batch and put it back before they noticed, so no one would be the wiser, but he hadn't had the chance to make it before being discovered.
'Sigh, this is going to be hard to smooth over..."
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