In the small and rudimentary thatched hut, it was currently packed with people.
There were also quite a few gifts brought to the door, mostly fruits and vegetables, but under Kyomu's instructions or perhaps coercion, Kakashi brought half a side of beef.
Buying beef made Kakashi feel a bit distressed, staring blankly at his wallet, realizing that not a penny of his monthly allowance remained. Even the money earned from partnering with Kyomu to sell Kakashi's portraits was all gone.
Duy was taken aback. He had expected Kyomu to return today, but he hadn't anticipated Kyomu bringing friends along.
Although they didn't announce their arrival, Kyomu and his group were very polite, not arousing any displeasure. After all, they didn't come empty-handed to freeload for a meal, especially with Kakashi bringing half a side of beef as a contribution, enough for everyone to feast on heartily, with plenty left over.
After standing still for a moment, Duy's excitement couldn't be concealed any longer.
Guy might not have deep sentiments; he was more concerned about finally making friends, especially so many at once.
But Might Duy was different. Despite being a perennial genin, after years of struggling at the bottom, even the most wooden-headed person would have moments of enlightenment.
Small individuals have their own wisdom, and Might Duy was no exception.
Despite Kyomu and his group still being young, they represented the future. Although Kyomu and his companions didn't offer much help to the current Duy, they could greatly benefit Guy in the future!
Let's not talk about distant matters; as long as Guy could integrate into this small circle, although his strength might not skyrocket, his progress would definitely be much faster than it is now.
The learning and training environment can fundamentally change a person!
Moreover, when the future ninja academy graduates, Guy might also bask in Kyomu's glory and be assigned to a good ninja teacher.
Furthermore, when facing future missions or wars, having this connection would greatly increase the chances of survival.
Duy understood this very well, but he also had his pride. He didn't go overboard with flattery, just showed his utmost enthusiasm in entertaining today's guests.
However, Kyomu and his group didn't act condescendingly either, nor did they look down on the poor reputation of the Might family.
Kyomu was also quite astute, making efforts to integrate Kakashi, Might Guy, and Rin into the group.
"Kakashi, let's go to the forest and cut down a few trees to make a big table and some chairs," Kyomu had become the leader of the four-person group, "Obito and Rin, help Uncle Duy. There will be benefits for you later."
The three nodded and busied themselves with their respective tasks.
Of course, the Might father and son weren't idle either.
Taking out what little money they had left at home, Might Duy sent his son to the store to buy some bowls and chopsticks, while he himself, along with Rin and Obito, hurriedly made a fire and cooked.
Not far from the Might family's home, Kakashi chopped down a not-so-big tree. "Kyomu, what are you planning to do this time?"
Kakashi knew Kyomu quite well. Although this friend of his was sincere, his sincerity was conditional, much like how Kakashi chose his friends; he couldn't be bothered with people lacking potential.
This was the principle of birds of a feather flock together, unchanging throughout history, not because of snobbishness or selfishness.
"Just here for a meal!" Kyomu didn't stop his hands, busy dealing with branches. "Uncle Duy is a master, and after eating his stewed meat, you won't find any faults."
"It's not just stewed meat, is it?" Kakashi wielded his kunai-like knife, cutting through the trunk, chatting with Kyomu as they worked.
"Of course, it's not just stewed meat." Kyomu chuckled lightly. "Uncle Duy makes medicinal cuisine, which is good for the body."
"Medicinal cuisine?" Kakashi didn't quite understand. "What's that?"
"In short, it's meat stewed by Uncle Duy. Besides being delicious, it also contains some secret medicine, which is very beneficial for the body and cultivation!"
"Like the secret medicine pills of the Akimichi clan?" Kakashi suddenly understood. "So, that's what you're aiming for."
"You can't say it like that. It's because Uncle Duy is a good person that I got closer and discovered this treasure."
"You've always been lucky." Kakashi shrugged. "I wonder where you get that kind of luck from."
"People who know how to handle themselves don't lack luck."
Kakashi didn't respond because Kyomu was right. Whether you were a good person wasn't for you to decide, but others.
And people who know how to handle themselves can showcase themselves, making others desire to understand them, unlike those who wouldn't even bother. Their situation should be similar to the Uchiha's.
While Kyomu and Kakashi were busy, Guy returned with new bowls and chopsticks and actively joined them in their tasks.
With Guy's addition, the speed naturally increased. The three of them finished making the table and chairs in just over an hour.
Although a bit rudimentary, it was good enough for a meal.
Meanwhile, good news came from the Might household; dinner would be ready in another thirty minutes.
However, Kyomu and Kakashi seemed impatient, drawn by the aroma of meat, they ran to the cooking area, eagerly eyeing the steaming pot.
"Come, each take a piece, taste it first," Might Duy was quite fond of Kyomu and Kakashi, picking out two pieces of meat from the pot and handing them to the two.
Kakashi, busy at the stove, looked up, unable to help but swallow his saliva at the tantalizing aroma.
Before he could speak, Kyomu offered him a piece of meat from his own hand, gesturing for Kakashi to have the first bite.
But Kyomu then glanced at Rin standing nearby and, when Kakashi took the meat, he let go.
"You and Rin can share this piece."
Immediately, Kyomu looked towards Kakashi, but he had underestimated him. Kakashi, sensing Kyomu's intention, swiftly moved away.
And he didn't mind burning his tongue, as by the time Kyomu chased after him, Kakashi had already licked each piece of meat in his hand.
"Here, you can have half." Kakashi grinned mischievously.
"You bastard!"
Kyomu couldn't bear to let it go. He caught Kakashi's collar and shook him, wishing he could tear him apart and use him as firewood.
"Then don't blame me." Kyomu lifted his face mask, teasingly feeding Kakashi, "Ah, it's a pity if you don't eat. It's so delicious!"
Seeing Kyomu's smug look, Kakashi felt an itch in his teeth, but he didn't let him drool for too long. Might Duy came out carrying a large pot, followed by two little helpers, stepping briskly out of the room.
"Dinner's ready!"
Kyomu and Kakashi couldn't afford to fool around anymore. They ran over and sat down obediently.
"Kakashi, go wash your face; it's all dirty," Kyomu said.
"I washed my hands," Kakashi sat down without moving, "the dirt on my face doesn't matter; it won't affect me eating meat later."
"Since when did you start using your brain?" Kyomu tilted his head. "If it were before, you would have fallen for it."
"You said it yourself, that was before." Kakashi grinned, "Don't think I don't know; by the time I go wash my face, you'll have nearly finished all the meat."
Kyomu glanced helplessly at Kakashi and shrugged, indicating he had no solution.
"Then let's rely on our own abilities." Kyomu spoke lightly, with a hint of severity in his eyes, "Agreed in advance, no standing up to grab, pay attention to table manners."
"Agreed," Kakashi nodded.
With that said, the four of them wielded their chopsticks, ready for the feast that was about to be laid out before them.
When the lid of the large pot was lifted, the tantalizing aroma of meat filled the air. Kyomu was the first to reach out, expertly grabbing a piece of meat and stuffing it into his mouth.
Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and the others didn't hold back either, joining the fray at the same moment.
At this moment, even Might Guy couldn't resist joining in the excitement, forgetting his timidity and happily joining Kyomu and the others in the scramble for food.
Duy didn't sit down but watched the five of them fighting over the food with a grin, feeling a sense of accomplishment in his heart.
No matter who cooks, they all hope that their dishes will be treated like this.
Slurp.
As the last drop of soup was swallowed, Kyomu rubbed his round belly, belching in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Kakashi sat on a chair, lost in thought. He wasn't the only one; Obito, Rin, and the others were in the same state.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Guy asked quietly, "Did you eat too fast and have digestion problems?"
"Guy, do you eat like this every day?" Kakashi asked softly.
As Kyomu had said, after this meal, not only were Kakashi's taste buds satisfied, but his physical exhaustion and deficits were also swept away.
Even if it wasn't as thorough, the value of this meal was no less than that of the secret medicine of the Uchiha clan.
"Well, not every day, but twice a day." Guy was blissfully ignorant. His answer made Kakashi grind his teeth in frustration.
"You're really lucky." Obito couldn't help but envy him. "Uncle Duy's stewed meat isn't just delicious; it's also astonishingly effective."
"In that case, why wait?" Kyomu cleaned his teeth and stood up, stretching his muscles, "After digestion, how about another round of training?"
"Of course!" I'm full of energy now!" Obito looked at Kakashi. "What about you, White-Haired Kid?"
Casting a sidelong glance at Obito, Kakashi stood up silently, and even Obito became spirited, ready for another session of training.
In a world filled with youth, there is no concept of night. Charge!
(End of this chapter)