Senba led Minato to the same BBQ shop he dined in with Mikoto.
At this hour, there were only a handful of people inside, but it was still lively. The aroma of charcoal fire and the sizzling sound of fat intertwined, working up one's appetite.
The two found a seat further inside and sat down. Minato picked up the menu and hesitated for a moment. "Senba... how much should I order?"
Senba rested his chin on his hand. "Order as you see fit. We can add more if it's not enough."
Minato gritted his teeth as if making a big decision and called the waiter, "Give me two stacks! Ribs! Two bowls of rice! And..."
The waiter recorded the orders quickly with a smile plastered across his face.
Senba raised an eyebrow slightly. Was Minato starving like Naruto in his childhood?
After waiting for a while, all the ordered plates were filled across the table.
As the two started eating, Minato giggled and occasionally touched the envelope on his lap to confirm it was still there, looking very much like a little squirrel guarding its pinecones.
Senba looked at him and curled his lips slightly. "Eat slower; no one is fighting you for it."
Minato coughed awkwardly and slowed down his eating pace.
An hour later, the plates on the table were stacked high.
Minato rubbed his round belly and let out a satisfied sigh. "Whew! So full..."
Senba leaned against the back of his chair, also showing a rare expression of satiation.
The waiter came over and handed them the bill.
"Gentlemen, that will be twelve thousand Ryo in total."
Minato took the bill and paid the money from the envelope. Although his face showed a bit of pain at the cost, it was mostly a sense of pride that he could finally afford to be extravagant for once.
Senba looked at him and suddenly said, "Pack one serving to go."
Minato was stunned. "Huh?"
Senba stood up and said, "I want to take some back to eat if I get hungry at night."
Minato realized and quickly had the waiter take five orders of barbecue, which were packed after being grilled in the shop, costing another five thousand Ryo.
When the two walked out of the barbecue shop, the streets were empty, with only a few shops still lit.
They walked side by side in silence until the intersection where they would part ways.
"Senba, today... thank you so much!" Minato said, holding the envelope. "I never thought I could earn so much money all at once..."
Senba interrupted him, "That's what you earned yourself."
He paused, remembering something. "Tomorrow morning, I'll bring you two Ninjutsu scrolls."
Minato was taken aback. "Scrolls?"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu, and another C-rank Wind Release Jutsu. Didn't you want to learn more Ninjutsu?"
Minato's eyes instantly went, "R-Really?!"
"Mm."
"But..."
Minato hesitated slightly. "These are your clan's Ninjutsu, right? I-I'm not a member of the Uchiha Clan; is it okay for me to learn them?"
Senba glanced at him and said plainly, "These were left behind by my parents. I'll teach whoever I want."
Minato was dazed for a moment before bowing his head. "Thank you! Senba!"
"Don't act too sentimental." Senba clicked his tongue and walked toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.
After walking a few steps, Minato's voice rang behind him.
"See you tomorrow!"
Senba didn't look back and just raised his hand in acknowledgment.
...
Uchiha Clan Compound.
Senba didn't go straight home but instead turned into a secluded alleyway.
The alley was deep, with mottled walls on both sides and moss growing on the bluestone slabs underfoot. At the end of the alley was a slightly dilapidated small courtyard.
Senba stepped forward and pushed the door open directly.
The door wasn't locked. The courtyard was desolate, overgrown with weeds, and the stone path covered in withered leaves. In the corner was a water well, its windlass already rotted away.
The door to the main house was ajar, with a dim yellow light peeking out from inside.
Senba stood in the courtyard and called out, "Uncle."
A moment later, the door to the main house opened, and a middle-aged man walked out. He was about forty years old, tall but somewhat thin.
His long black hair was loosely scattered, with a few strands of white mixed in. His features were sharp and well-defined.
Uchiha Setsuna.
Twenty years ago, he participated in a failed coup. At that time, Senju Tobirama was still the Hokage and suppressed all dissenters. He was thrown into prison and held for several years.
Over ten years ago, Hiruzen became the Hokage and granted amnesty to a group of prisoners, and he was among them.
But amnesty did not mean acceptance. The people of Konoha did not trust him; who would dare trust someone who once wanted to rebel?
The Uchiha Clan was also wary of him. The reputation of the radicals was too foul, and no one wanted to be associated with them.
He lived alone like this in this secluded small courtyard, like an old object forgotten in a corner.
At this moment, Setsuna looked at Senba standing in the courtyard, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes before he returned to his usual cold indifference.