Tsunade looked disdainfully at the person who persistently followed them: "Why are you following us?"
Jiraiya retorted irritably, "That's not fair, I came first. You came after me."
He was referring to his friendship with Tōshirō.
"Do you want a punch?"
Tsunade glared angrily at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya, who began to fear Tsunade's punches, hid behind Tōshirō.
Tōshirō shook his head at Jiraiya's repetitive behavior. He knew well that Tsunade wouldn't resort to violence if he simply apologized. It wasn't surprising that Jiraiya couldn't win Tsunade's heart in the original story.
"Wait here, I'll go prepare the food."
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were left in the living room while Tōshirō went to the kitchen. He chopped the ingredients, heated the oil in the pan, and performed the rest of the tasks smoothly. As a food lover and bachelor, Tōshirō was adept at these things.
While Tōshirō was busy cooking, the three of them sat in the living room, exchanging glances. They felt somewhat awkward as they hadn't interacted much in the past, and their being together was mainly due to Tōshirō.
This awkwardness didn't last long, as Tōshirō returned and broke the silence.
Tsunade asked in surprise, "Are you done cooking already?"
Tōshirō replied, "Not that quickly. The dish needs 15 minutes on high heat. I'll take this time to rest a bit."
Tsunade asked, "Do you always cook by yourself?"
Tōshirō answered, "Of course, I live alone, and eating out is very expensive."
After his grandmother's death, she left him a substantial inheritance, which he planned to use to start a business after graduation. Hence, he lived a frugal life.
The ninja profession is similar to gang organizations in the past life; once you enter, it's hard to leave.
As long as society needs you, you must always be ready.
Otherwise, you will be accused of disobedience, and in severe cases, you may be considered a rogue ninja.
This is not an exaggeration by Tōshirō. When you become a ninja, especially if you are a strong one, you will undoubtedly deal with the village's secrets during missions.
To facilitate management, Konoha will not allow its ninjas to act freely.
Until he was about 16 years old, Tōshirō strategically disguised himself as an ordinary human. Then, when the time was right, he would venture into the world, making a name for himself to support his future competition for the position of Hokage.
As for why the age of 16 and not earlier or later,
it is because, at this age, his body would have nearly completed its growth, and he wouldn't suffer from deficiencies due to age.
Chakra consists of yin and yang, with yang representing physical energy.
Taking an example from the development stages of the three main characters in the anime "Naruto," we can divide it into three main stages: "Book of Softness" (character introduction and development), "Book of Battle" (challenges and fights), and "Book of People" (personal growth and decisions):
Naruto's chakra: 8/8/10
Sasuke's chakra: 4/6/7
Sakura's chakra: 2/3/5
In the Book of Softness and the Book of Battle, there is a clear increase in chakra, but after three years of the Book of People, the chakra progression slows down.
Chakra is like height; it is influenced by training in later stages, but the main factor is talent.
Based on this, Tōshirō can deduce that his body will be nearly fully grown at the age of 16, and there won't be much progress unless he receives extraordinary support.
And this is why Tōshirō plans to venture out when he turns 16, not immediately after graduation to become a ninja, as the ninja profession is high-risk, and venturing out without sufficient preparation is like courting death in his eyes.
While becoming a ninja at a young age allows you to gain experience quickly, the condition is that you stay alive.
Fifteen minutes passed quickly, and Tōshirō placed the salted sour fish dish on the table in front of the three.
The three examined the dish called salted sour fish, and from its appearance, it looked very delicious.
"I'll start."
Jiraiya eagerly grabbed a piece of fish, put it in his mouth, tasted it with the rice, and a look of happiness appeared on his face: "Wow, this salted sour fish is very delicious."
Hearing that, Tsunade and Orochimaru also took a piece of the fish and found it, as Jiraiya said, very delicious, perfect in both appearance and taste.
Quickly, they finished eating the large fish, and Tsunade participated significantly in it, as she eats a lot.
Jiraiya, touching his belly, generously praised: "Tōshirō, you are truly talented. I think you can open a restaurant with your skills."
Tōshirō smiled and said: "I have the same idea. After I finish my studies, I will open my own restaurant."
"You're joking, right?"
Tsunade put down her chopsticks and looked at Tōshirō in surprise, finding it hard to accept his dream.
The ninja profession is respected, and being a ninja is something to be proud of.
Many children in the village want to become ninjas but don't have the opportunity.
The ninja school is very strict in accepting students, and many children are rejected every year.
Additionally, Tōshirō is from the famous Uchiha clan in Konoha and has outstanding talent. Not becoming a ninja, in Tsunade's view, is a waste of his talent.
Even the five-year-old Tsunade understands this; Tōshirō can't be unaware.
Tōshirō understood Tsunade's thought and said: "I have no interest in ninjas. If it weren't for family pressure, I wouldn't have entered this school. And the idea of opening a restaurant is not my real dream; my ultimate goal is this."
Then he made a money-counting gesture with his fingers.
Tsunade understood and said: "Money?"
"Yes, money is the only thing I truly pursue."
"Superficial." Tsunade mocked Tōshirō's greed: "The honor of a ninja cannot be measured by money."
Tōshirō shook his head and said: "Honor cannot be without value. If it is priceless, it is worth nothing."
"Do you know what is the most miserable thing in this world?"
Tsunade thought for a moment and replied: "What is it?"
"To earn money, then die, and have your wife take the money and go to another man."
"My future goal is to marry two women and live a comfortable life. Although a ninja's income is good, I need to stay alive to enjoy it. The ninja profession is high-risk, and I could die at any moment, and my wife would take the money to another man. That's why I don't want to become a ninja."
Tōshirō became enthusiastic and said firmly: "To hell with being a ninja, I will not become a ninja."
Tsunade looked at Tōshirō as if seeing him for the first time, then said: "You are strange."
"I'm just realistic."
Jiraiya added: "A man should have at least two women."
Tsunade left the room angrily.
Tōshirō continued: "Being a ninja is just a job to make money. I think I'll make more money from business than being a ninja. So why risk my life?"
Orochimaru approached him and laughed: "Tōshirō, you have an interesting logic."
Tōshirō made him agree that being a ninja is just a job to support the family, and honor doesn't matter when you die.
Tsunade said: "This meal is on me; I'll compensate you for it."
Then she quickly left.
Later, Tsunade invited Tōshirō to visit her and prepared a meal for him after learning from Grandma Mito.
"Be grateful, this dish is specially for you."
In front of the table, Tsunade, who had put on her apron, placed her hands on her hips and raised her small head like a proud little rooster.
Tsunade looked proudly at the dish she had prepared while Tōshirō looked at the dark substance on the table that emitted a ghostly aura.
The corners of his mouth twitched: "What did I do to make you want to kill me?"
(The End)
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