"That voice… if I'm not mistaken, it must be him."
Uchiha Hayato turned his head to see a strange young man in a green bodysuit. His thick brows, bowl haircut, and a yellow scarf around his neck were unmistakable.
Hayato's eye twitched. Though he'd seen this eccentric look in the manga, seeing it in real life made him want to cover his face.
"Who is this guy? His outfit is so weird," Kushina Uzumaki whispered as she sidled up to Hayato.
"Might Duy, the genin," Minato Namikaze replied.
Indeed, the bushy-browed ninja before them was none other than Might Duy, a genin who had already gained some notoriety in the village.
Despite being a ninja for three years, Duy was still a genin because he could only use taijutsu, not ninjutsu or genjutsu. While his peers had risen to chunin rank, Duy was relegated to simple tasks like catching stray cats and dogs, earning the disdain of many.
"You know me?" Duy asked, his eyes widening before flashing a bright, toothy grin. "Looks like my youth is finally being recognized! Hahaha!"
No, it's just because your reputation precedes you, Hayato thought. If this were the normal timeline, Duy would remain a genin for twenty years before using the Eight Gates to defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in a moment of heroic sacrifice to protect his son.
Hayato admired Duy's unyielding belief in himself and hoped to change his fate if given the chance.
"Might Duy, what brings you here? Were you watching our training?" Hayato asked with a scrutinizing look.
Duy scratched his head awkwardly, laughing. "Sorry, I saw your training while I was exercising, and I was moved by your youthful spirit!"
A few moments earlier…
Duy had been going through his usual training routine, hopping like a frog and walking on his hands around the village.
Though many doubted his abilities, he firmly believed that mastering the Eight Gates Technique would one day earn him the village's respect.
As he hopped forward— "987, 988, 989…" —he noticed movement in the woods ahead. Curiosity led him to peer into the training grounds, where he saw Little Blaze using Ember against Nono.
His brows furrowed at the seemingly dangerous training, but when he overheard that there were preparations to heal injuries, his tense expression softened. Ah, they're like me, embracing the spirit of youth, he thought, eyes brimming with tears.
"What fiery and passionate training! I've decided—100 laps on my Hands running around the village!"
"I see. Well, let's call it a day for training," Hayato said, shrugging. "We'll leave Nono and Ruri be; it's not like I invited them in the first place. How about everyone comes over to my house for dinner? I'll cook something nice."
"Dekai, you and Might Duy are welcome to join us too," he added.
"Me? Really?" Dekai's face lit up, thrilled that Hayato's attitude toward him had softened. Perhaps if he worked hard enough, he could truly be friends with everyone.
"Ahaha, I'll pass," Duy declined, clenching his fists. "My youth isn't over for today—I need to finish my training!"
Growl.
His stomach betrayed him, protesting loudly. Training on a meager budget left Duy constantly hungry, but the idea of eating at someone's house on a first meeting was too much for him.
"Come on, Duy. Hayato's cooking is something special, and it's been a long time since he made a meal himself," Minato chimed in with a smile, extending a friendly invitation.
"Then… I guess I'll join you!" Duy agreed, trying to hide his excitement.
Hayato's true purpose in inviting everyone wasn't just to get to know Duy or strengthen bonds but also to test a new reward from his system.
[Ingredients for Spicy Sausage Curry acquired: Consuming it increases Pokémon affection and grants experience based on the dish's quality.]
Adapted from Pokémon Sword and Shield's camping system, in this world, the curry boosted both Pokémon attributes and ninja chakra.
"Hayato, need any help?" Kushina asked, a hint of nervousness in her tone as she watched him don an apron.
She felt a sense of urgency—Hayato was already strong and now showed impressive cooking skills. How could she find a way to support him?
"No need, Kushina. Just wait in the living room," Hayato replied, disappearing into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, sausages sizzled, curling as their golden surfaces glistened with oil. Hayato carefully sliced bright red berries, Cheri Berries, their translucent skin gleaming like gems. He added the berries to the pot, blending their spicy and fruity aroma with the sausages.
Pouring in a rich curry sauce, Hayato stirred gently, ensuring every bite would burst with flavor. Tasting it, he smiled in satisfaction as the spice danced on his tongue.
"What's he making in there?" Kushina asked curiously.
Minato shook his head. "Not sure. Hayato doesn't usually make spicy food, but whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be amazing."
"No matter what it is, my burning youth won't lose to a mere dish!" Duy declared, his fiery spirit unwavering.
"It's ready!" Hayato announced, bringing out plates of spicy sausage curry. "Here, Little Blaze and Pikachu, these are for you too."
The two Pokémon eagerly devoured their portions, their delighted squeals filling the room.
"This… this is amazing!" Duy exclaimed, tears streaming down his face as he shoveled the curry into his mouth. "Your cooking burns brighter than my youth!"
As Duy felt a warmth spread through his body, he paused, realizing something unusual. "Wait… I feel lighter."