With the combined efforts of Nawaki and Minato Namikaze, the grill was quickly set up. Shinki lit the firewood and added a generous amount of charcoal. As the flames grew and the coals began to glow, he placed the marinated meat on the grill. Soon, the enticing aroma of barbecue filled the air.
Nawaki and Minato, who were standing nearby to help, couldn't help but swallow in anticipation.
"It smells amazing," Minato said, his eyes lighting up with genuine delight. He glanced up at Shinki with a big smile.
Shinki chuckled, nodded, and then lightly tapped Nawaki on the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Nawaki demanded, rubbing his head in confusion.
"Look at Minato and then look at yourself. No wonder your sister is always scolding you. If you keep this up, all you'll have in your head is 'Shishi'!"
"Shishi?" Minato repeated, not understanding.
Nawaki's face turned beet red. He jumped up, panicking. "Don't! Don't say it out loud! I'll call you 'brother,' okay? Just don't say it."
With Kushina's friends over, it would be mortifying if anyone found out Nawaki had a crush. Minato and Mihui wouldn't have mattered as much, but Uchiha Mikoto being present was a different story. She was his classmate and, more importantly, the one he secretly admired.
"Good to see you can be embarrassed. Now that you know that, cut down on those antics. When you're older, you can act as you like, and no one will care," Shinki said, giving him a meaningful look.
Nawaki was the type to admit his mistakes under pressure but repeat them when the heat was off. Shinki knew how to deal with him.
Leaning closer, Shinki whispered, "You wouldn't want Uchiha Mikoto finding out about your escapades with Jiraiya, would you?"
"....."
*Are you even human?* Nawaki's eyes widened in shock.
Nearby, Minato scratched his head in confusion, glancing between Shinki and Nawaki, trying to understand the conversation. It sounded important, but he couldn't make sense of it.
"I know, I know. I won't do it again," Nawaki said, blushing and gritting his teeth.
Satisfied, Shinki smiled. "Good. Now go inside and get the vegetables and kimchi from the cabinet."
"Okay," Nawaki said, dragging his feet as he walked back into the house, feeling like his secrets were now under Shinki's control. The thought of social embarrassment was worse than anything.
"Shinki, can we eat now?" Kushina's voice rang out as she bounded into the yard, followed by Mikoto and Mihui, who were drawn by the delicious aroma.
"Almost, but first, move the chairs and tables out. We're just about ready to start," Shinki said, smiling.
"Got it!" Kushina shouted, her excitement contagious as she dashed back inside.
Soon, the yard was filled with the sizzling sounds of skewers, grilled fish, and large cuts of meat. Kushina flitted around the yard like a happy butterfly, ensuring her friends were well-fed.
"This is delicious, Meihui. You should have some more."
"Mikoto, try this too. Shinki says it's good for your skin."
"Little yellow hair, eat up!"
"....."
*Can we not call me 'little yellow hair'?* Minato thought, holding a skewer in one hand and juice in the other, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face. Despite not liking the nickname, he accepted it over time because Kushina liked using it.
Sitting next to Minato, Shinki leaned in and asked with a grin, "Kushina must get into trouble often at school, doesn't she?"
Minato's smile turned a bit stiff. "Not too much..."
The memory of Kushina, the blood-red pepper, fighting off classmates came to mind.
*You're lying through your teeth, kid.* Shinki laughed and patted Minato on the shoulder.
Kushina's joy was palpable. Watching her dote on her friends and spread her energy around the yard was heartwarming.
"She's unusually calm today," Tsunade remarked as she joined Shinki, a bottle of wine in her hand. She glanced over at Nawaki, who was sitting quietly eating barbecue, and raised an eyebrow.
Shinki smirked and leaned closer to whisper, "I told him if he kept fooling around with Jiraiya, I'd tell Mikoto everything."
"???"
*That's all it took?* Tsunade turned to look at Mikoto, who was happily chatting with Kushina, and felt a pang of headache. She would have been glad to see her brother interested in someone, but Mikoto was from the Uchiha clan—a family with a complicated history with the Senju.
"Do you think he has a chance?" she asked.
"No, it's just puppy love," Shinki replied with a chuckle.
Tsunade took a sip of her wine and grinned. "Poor kid."
Nawaki, feeling a sudden prickling in his ears, looked up. *Is someone talking about me?* He glanced over at Tsunade and Shinki, who seemed deep in conversation. Shaking his head, he thought, *No way. She wouldn't talk about me behind my back.*
With the barbecue ready, Shinki and Tsunade moved back to the living room, leaving the yard to the children. The table was loaded with grilled meats, vegetables, fruit, and drinks.
"Did you make a decision on the teacher?" Shinki asked.
Tsunade sighed. "I'll go with Jiraiya."
Shinki smiled. "It's the right call. Jiraiya may be eccentric, but he's a good teacher. And besides, Nawaki already idolizes him. It might even turn out well."
"...."
*Can you hear yourself?* Tsunade thought. *What do you mean, 'Nawaki's turning into Jiraiya'?*
Tsunade rolled her eyes and took another drink. Stretching, she leaned back and sighed contentedly. "It's nice not having to go to work and just lying around with good food and drink."
*Is there any hope left for you?* Shinki thought with a resigned smile. He knew changing Tsunade's habits was a lost cause. Better to let her be.
He had pushed for Jiraiya as Nawaki's mentor not because Orochimaru wouldn't have been an excellent teacher—Orochimaru was diligent and thorough—but because he hoped to steer Nawaki away from his tragic fate. Perhaps, under Jiraiya's tutelage, Nawaki would forge a different path.
And who knew? Maybe someday Nawaki and Minato would end up as fellow apprentices.
After the meal, Tsunade retired to her room for a nap, leaving Shinki to supervise the joyful chaos in the yard.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 130 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss