When Natsuro opened his eyes, his face had already changed. He hurriedly said, "Sage Fukasaku, today's training is over. I have something urgent at home, so I need to leave now."
"Alright." he replied, though puzzled by his sudden urgency and how he knew there was something at home. Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement.
Natsuro sighed in relief and deactivated the Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
Not long after he left, Sage Shima came over with a large bowl full of exceptionally plump bugs. Upon seeing Sage Fukasaku and looking around, she asked, "Where is Natsuro? Although the medicinal pills can replenish his energy, they can't compare to the taste of food."
"Natsuro said he had to leave early because of something at home." Sage Fukasaku said. He guessed that he had felt Shima approaching and had hurriedly left to avoid him.
Fukasaku found it amusing. Was it really that scary? The bugs were quite delicious. He popped one into his mouth, taking a bite. It was juicy and extremely tasty. He really didn't understand why he didn't enjoy it!
"He left early, huh." Shima said, disappointed. Then, he noticed the remaining fruits and asked, "What are those?"
Fukasaku looked at the fruits and replied, "It seems like Natsuro asked Gamachū to bring these fruits."
Shima's expression changed dramatically. "How outrageous! He refused to eat the bugs I painstakingly selected for him. I spent hours picking them! I think he left early just to avoid eating them!"
Fukasaku sighed, realizing that it might indeed be the case. It was better not to upset his wife further.
Shima, clearly displeased, left in a huff.
The next day…
Natsuro looked at the bowl of bugs with a bitter expression and then at the fuming Sage Shima.
"Natsuro, this meal was carefully prepared by me. It took me several hours today to make it." She said.
Although Sage Shima didn't explicitly say so, her demeanor made it clear that if Natsuro refused again, she would be very angry.
Natsuro, looking at the bugs, was already struggling not to vomit, let alone eat them.
Shima's face grew darker as he remained motionless.
"Natsuro, it's really delicious." Fukasaku said, taking a bug from the bowl and demonstrating by eating it with a satisfied expression.
He sighed and said to Shima, "Sage Shima, I'm sure your cooking is excellent, and seeing how much Sage Fukasaku enjoys it proves that."
Upon hearing this, Shima's expression softened a bit and she said, "Then you should eat quickly. It's very tasty."
"Well, Sage Shima, our species are different, so bugs are not part of the human diet. Our taste buds are different, so it's not that I don't want to eat them; I just can't." Natsuro explained earnestly.
Sage Shima's face darkened. "Jiraiya can eat them, so why can't you?"
He was at a loss for words.
"In the end, you just don't want to eat them. What's so good about the fruits you call 'fruit'?" She was about to get angry but held back when she saw 7-year-old Natsuro, who was at the adorable age. Instead, she asked.
"Alright, dear, he doesn't want to eat them, so don't force him. After all, as he said, our species are different, and our food might not suit them." Fukasaku intervened.
Shima still looked displeased but gave a cold snort and didn't insist on Natsuro eating the bugs. She turned and left, though it seemed she wouldn't be very friendly to him in the future.
"Thank you." Natsuro said to Fukasaku.
"You're welcome. But are you sure you don't want to try them? They're really good." Fukasaku said.
"Honestly, I can't. It's a physiological issue. Sage Fukasaku, you must have things you absolutely can't eat, even if they won't harm your body." He explained.
"Oh, I understand now." Fukasaku said, acknowledging that he too had disliked certain things.
"So bugs are like that for me." Natsuro said helplessly. He'd rather eat cilantro, which he just disliked, rather than bugs, which he genuinely couldn't eat.
"Alright, I'll let my wife know. Let's continue with the training today." Fukasaku said.
Indeed, the reason Shima had blocked Natsuro was because his training wasn't finished yet, and she had come to interrupt, leaving him no chance to escape.
The third day, she came again.
Natsruo approached with a resigned expression and a determined look. If it came to that, he'd have to give in since this was their territory…
But instead of finding bugs, he noticed that the bowl this time contained cut fruit. Though it didn't look very appetizing, at least it wasn't bugs!
"Hmph, can you eat this now?" Shima asked, glaring at Natsuro. If he refused again, even though she found him cute, she would definitely be upset!
Natsuro looked at her. Actually, she wasn't that bad; she just wanted to prove her cooking skills…
This time, he didn't say much. He picked up the bowl and began eating with chopsticks. The fruits from Mount Myoboku not only looked good but also tasted much better than those from outside.
Seeing he finally eat her cooking, her expression softened, even if she wasn't skilled in this area.
"Mmm, it's very delicious. Sage Shima's cooking is indeed great, even if it's the first time making human food!" He praised. "If this were sold outside, people would definitely rush to buy it!"
He wasn't lying; fruit like this wasn't available elsewhere.
Shima's eyes lit up, and she beamed with joy. "Of course, my skills are renowned far and wide. However, people outside can't easily get my cooking!"
Fukasaku, curious, took a piece of fruit from his bowl and shook his head, saying, "I still prefer the bugs."
"Go away. You're a toad, so you can't compare with Natsuro. Your taste buds are different." She retorted, using Natsuro's earlier comment to lecture Fukasaku. She then smiled at him and said, "I'll bring more of my cooking tomorrow. It will be even better."
Fukasaku, amused, was happy to see the situation resolved. He was relieved that his wife and Natsuro had smoothed things over.
After all, Fukasaku thought it important to build a good relationship, especially since Natsuro would need to use the Sage Arts, Amphibian Technique in the future. He was initially worried but now felt reassured.
As he ate the fruit, he thought and said, "If it's not too much trouble…"
But before he could finish, he saw her expression change, so he quickly amended, "Please do prepare it for me. I really enjoyed it. It would be even better if I could have it often!"
Shima left with a delighted expression.
Natsuro finally relaxed. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to eat bugs again…
Honestly, this was even more exhausting than training!
Check out the patreon and get 39 chapters in advance
---------
For those who'd like to find another naruto fanfic, try out Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home.
Premise: The MC gets transmigrated to the Narutoverse, specifically to the Rain Village around the later part of the 2nd Shinobi War, where he meets the Sannin and goes to Konoha. But the MC doesn't want to be there, his sister is ill and he needs to pay the medical bills so that she'll get treatment to live back on Earth. So the MC is willing to do what it takes to go back to Earth, survival is #1. He is desperate, prioritises himself and his survival most of the time. Currently has 57 chapters.
Heads up! No system and spoiler cheats btw. This is a darker story that most fanfic and probably more accurate to the world of Naruto in terms of the cruelty mentioned and hinted at passing when the older ninjas mention how bad it use to be.