"Grandma, are we deceiving Kushina by doing this?"
Tsunade's voice carried a hint of guilt. The pretense of being too upset to fulfill her promise was just that—a calculated move to push Kushina into taking the initiative. But was it fair to manipulate a child this way?
"Do you have a better way to help her release the grief in her heart and let down her guard against the village, to truly become a part of Konoha?" Uzumaki Mito's gaze sharpened as she looked at her granddaughter.
Tsunade hesitated, then sighed. "No, you're right."
Mito's eyes softened as she leaned back in her chair, closing them briefly. If Tsunade had a better idea, there would be no need for an old woman to meddle.
"But aren't you worried that something could happen? What if Kushina gets deceived or hurt?" Tsunade pressed on.
"Do you doubt Hyuga Shinki's reliability?" Mito's voice was calm but left no room for argument.
Tsunade knew better than to argue further. Rolling her eyes, she held her tongue, not wanting to risk a lecture on proper decorum or how a lady of Konoha should behave. She muttered under her breath, "There's no way I'd pick someone unreliable..."
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"The door is open. Come in," Shinki said from where he rested on the sofa.
The door creaked open, revealing Kushina with a large bag in her arms. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and she looked exhausted but triumphant.
"Shinki-kun, Tsunade-sister couldn't come today, so I helped her get groceries for you! I wasn't sure what you liked, so I bought a bit of everything," she said, placing the bag on the floor with a proud smile.
Shinki stood up slowly, momentarily speechless. Though he couldn't see, his heightened perception told him how full and heavy the bag was. Kushina had put a lot of effort into it.
"You really went all out, Kushina. Thank you. What did you buy?" Shinki's smile was warm, appreciating her effort.
"Potatoes, beef... The beef vendor said it's cheaper if you buy more, so I bought a lot," she said, beaming as if she'd uncovered a great secret.
Shinki chuckled. "That's true for most things. But you did great. How about we make some barbecue together?"
"Really?" Kushina clapped her hands, then hesitated. "But Grandma Mito said it's not right. Your eyes... it must be hard for you to move around."
"Then let's do it together. I'll guide, and you help. Sound good?" Shinki proposed.
Kushina's eyes lit up, and she agreed, her initial worries forgotten. She wanted to make something herself and prove she could help.
"First, cut the beef into large pieces. Yes, just like that. Now, we'll marinate it," Shinki instructed. After marinating, he handed Kushina a small hoe. She blinked in confusion.
"Why do we need to dig in the yard?"
"You'll see," Shinki said with a smile.
Kushina, though puzzled, obeyed. When she wrapped the marinated beef in lotus leaves and clay and placed it into the fire, her confusion only deepened. Yet, Shinki's calm confidence reassured her.
When the "beggar's beef" emerged from the coals, Kushina's eyes widened in amazement. The outer clay was cracked open, revealing perfectly tender meat inside. She took a bite and gasped.
"It's so good!" she exclaimed, devouring it eagerly.
Shinki chuckled. "Cooking can be fun and delicious."
The mood lightened as they ate. Kushina's joy was infectious, and even with her clothes smudged from the day's activities, she didn't care. She was happy, truly happy.
Between bites, they talked. Shinki shared stories about the strict rules of the Hyuga clan, how the main house exerted control over the branch families. Kushina listened, eyes wide in disbelief.
"So strict? That's awful," she said, comparing it to the freedom she once had in the Uzumaki clan.
"Yes, but the village keeps them in check now. The main house can't punish us without reason, and things are better than before," Shinki said, a faint smile on his lips.
"Those people in the main house sound horrible!" Kushina's indignation flared up, fueled by the empathy she felt for her new friend.
"Kushina, don't worry about me," Shinki said, patting her head gently. "I've passed the medical ninja exam and started working at the hospital. With Tsunade looking out for me, the main house won't dare bother me."
Kushina's face brightened at his reassurance. "I'm glad."
Shinki's indifference to the clan's pressures surprised her. Unlike most ninja who clung to the honor of their family name, he seemed detached, almost as if family pride meant nothing to him. And in truth, it didn't. Shinki was a time traveler; the politics of clan honor were irrelevant to him.
Kushina shared stories of her own, about how she ended up in Konoha and how lonely she felt being away from her homeland. They talked until the sun began to set, and Kushina knew it was time to go.
"Shinki-kun, I should go now. I'll visit again soon," she said reluctantly.
"Anytime, Kushina."
Kushina left, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. She returned to the Senju ancestral home with a smile that radiated joy.
"Mito-san, Tsunade-san, Nawaki-san, look! I brought some of the beef we made. It's delicious, and I helped make it myself!" she announced proudly, placing the dish on the table like a trophy.
>>>>>
Gimme Power Stones or give me death, or something like that