Naruto meticulously prepared the evening meal. First, he evenly distributed the pre-cooked rice on a serving plate, then elevated its flavor profile with a sprinkle of white vinegar, sugar, salt, and black sesame seeds. With practiced hands, he molded the seasoned rice into spherical onigiri, carefully wrapping each one in a sheet of roasted seaweed before adorning them with a flurry of bonito flakes. A platter of these delectable rice balls now graced the dining table.
Not wanting to stop there, Naruto turned his attention to a few ripe tomatoes. A gentle sprinkle of sugar transformed the ordinary fruit into a sweet and tangy treat, which he presented on a separate plate. Finally, he repurposed the remaining rice into a savory fried rice, creating a colorful and appetizing spread.
"Can this guy possibly finish all that food?" Sasuke observed the culinary masterpiece before him, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. Onigiri and tomatoes were among his cherished food items, and Naruto had expertly catered to his tastes. A cold sweat began to trickle down Sasuke's temple as he realized Naruto had actually picked up two pairs of chopsticks, a clear invitation to join the meal.
"How did he find me?" Sasuke's mind raced. Cornered and exposed, he opted for a nonchalant approach, striding into the room and feigning indifference. "Quite impressive that you managed to locate me. Your training seems to be paying off."
Naruto's reply was swift and direct. "Damn right. I improved so much that I could even hear you salivating from here."
"…"
Sasuke's composure faltered. The corners of his mouth twitched as he struggled to maintain his stoic face. Naruto's cheerful demeanor was quite different from Sasuke's internal turmoil.
"Hurry up and sit down," Naruto urged. "I can't possibly finish all this by myself."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Sasuke yielded and took a seat. "Did you prepare all this knowing I'd be here?" he asked, his gaze shifting between Naruto and the food. His appetite warred with his suspicion.
Naruto didn't offer a direct answer. Instead, he gazed out the window with saddened eyes, "Eating alone can be quite lonely. Even the most delicious food loses its appeal."
Sasuke understood the sentiment all too well. He had endured countless solitary meals in the darkness of his own home, a reminder of his isolation.
Even if he had bathed his home in the brightest light and indulged in the most exquisite onigiri, the gnawing emptiness within his heart would have remained an unrelenting tide. Countless nights, Sasuke found himself mesmerized by the vacant doorway, his mind weaving intricate fantasies. He imagined his parents and brother materializing on the threshold, their faces etched with warm smiles as they inquired about his well-being.
"Sasuke, why are you squatting by the door? Are you hungry?" they would ask, their voices filled with a comforting familiarity. These illusions sustained him until the bleak reality of dawn shattered his dreams. Alone in the quiet of night, his silent sobs echoed through the empty house, unheard and unanswered.
The feeling of sadness at that moment instantly hit Sasuke's heart. He looked at Naruto in front of him and suddenly felt that he seemed to be able to empathize with him because Naruto was also alone like himself.
When Naruto offered those words, he must have experienced the same loneliness as him on lonely nights.
The sense of distance between the two disappeared in an instant, and at this moment they were just two children who had lost their parents and families.
Naruto's voice, gentle and reassuring, broke through the somber atmosphere.
"Eat up! Nourishing oneself is crucial. I believe our parents would want us to eat well and live fulfilling lives." As a conclusion to his words, he took a bite of the onigiri, his expression one of pure enjoyment. "Try it. Even the Saiyans could bite their fingers when devouring my cuisine!"
"Saiyans?" The mention of Saiyans left Sasuke puzzled, but he attributed it to the enthusiastic praise of a satisfied customer.
With a hesitant hand, Sasuke picked up an onigiri and took a bite. The familiar taste exploded on his palate, triggering a cascade of memories. He was transported to a time when he had shared similar onigiri with those he loved.
The Uchiha clan was a sprawling entity, encompassing far more than the world of ninja warriors. Many clan members pursued civilian occupations, operating shops or engaging in various trades, carving out their unique paths in life.
Not far from the village's security department stood an unassuming establishment: the Uchiha Pancake Shop. At its helm was Tesho Uchiha, a middle-aged man with a thinning hairline, and his wife, Kengi Uchiha, a woman perpetually clad in a thick coat and a tidy bun. Their shop held a special place in Sasuke's heart.
During his childhood, he would often be carried on the shoulders of his brother or father, his young face alight with anticipation as they approached the shop. There, Tesho would greet him warmly, and a plate of Sasuke's beloved onigiris would soon grace the table.
However, a sharp pain pierced through Sasuke as a vivid memory surfaced. He shook his head vigorously, attempting to dispel the haunting image. The horrific night of the Uchiha clan massacre had become a relentless specter, invading his thoughts at the most inopportune moments. He yearned to escape the clutches of this torment, but the path to liberation seemed surrounded in an impenetrable fog.
Bereft of family and friends, Sasuke was adrift in a sea of desolation. The wounds of the past had carved deep furrows into his soul, confining him to an emotional abyss. A question echoed in his mind, a silent accusation: "Brother, why did you kill them too?" The specter of Tesho and Kengi, victims of the same tragedy, materialized before his eyes.
Naruto's voice, a lifeline amidst the turmoil, pulled Sasuke back to the present. "Sasuke, could you do me a favor?"
Sasuke replied absently, "Go ahead."
Naruto elaborated, "Eating alone can be a dreary experience, even with the finest food. Would you consider joining me more often?"
Facing the invitation, Sasuke's initial temptation was quickly suppressed, replaced by a mask of indifference. "I merely happened to be passing by and decided to eat here. Don't expect me to become a regular," he retorted.
"It's okay, you can come again if you have any ideas in the future." Naruto's expression was very relaxed, with a smile.
Sasuke's demeanor was as frosty as the rice ball he was devouring.
Burp!
A sudden, explosive burp shattered the tranquil atmosphere. His face turned the color of a ripe tomato as he instinctively glanced out the window.
The silence was deafening. And then, it happened again.
BURP!!
Another, even louder burp echoed through the room. Naruto, composed but his lips tight to let a laugh escape, pushed a glass of water across the table. "Drink something," he offered.
"You s-hiccup!" Sasuke stammered, his embarrassment reaching new heights. Grabbing the water, he gulped it down in one go before making a hasty retreat through Naruto's window.
"Sasuke… he is one hell of a shameless guy," Naruto remarked with a fond sigh as he watched his friend disappear. Turning his attention back indoors, he contemplated the upcoming graduation exam. "I wonder what the test questions will be..."
Every Ninja Academy student was required to pass a rigorous final exam before earning the coveted forehead protector and the title of ninja. According to upperclassmen, the exam typically assessed a student's proficiency in E-rank ninjutsu and their overall physical abilities. Given the random nature of the test, students were expected to be well-rounded in their skills.
"I've been focusing on physical training lately, but my ninjutsu might be a bit rusty," Naruto mused. "Hopefully, I can bluff my way through it."
While his mastery of the basic transformation technique was lacking, Naruto had developed a unique ability inspired by another world. He could transform into not only people, but also animals, plants, and even inanimate objects. Similarly, his proficiency in the clone technique was unconventional. Instead of creating a single clone, he had perfected a technique that allowed him to produce four identical copies of himself simultaneously.
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