Asuka Guards Her Food, a Young Girl's Fluttering Heart

"Let me see what Asuka's precious son made for her."

The forewoman opened the lunchbox, and a delicious eggy aroma instantly wafted through the air.

"Smells amazing! The steamed egg is so tender, and there are even crab sticks in it! Why haven't I seen this dish before? Does it have a name? Can any of you make it?" the forewoman asked, praising it as she did.

She did not try the dish herself. After all, it was something someone's son had made for his mother. She could look, but she could not eat.

This novel dish smelled wonderful and looked appetizing as well, which was why she asked so curiously.

"No idea... Why not ask Asuka...?" the other female workers chimed in.

"I... I don't know either... Maybe Liuyun learned a new recipe somewhere!"

Faced with everyone's eager questions, Asuka shook her head with a blush.

"Look at this one. It seems like a snack! The taro has been fried, and there's an even, thin coating of sugar on the outside! How did he make this..."

The forewoman picked up a piece of taro.

"Asuka, let me have a piece..." Curiosity got the better of her, and the forewoman took the initiative to ask.

"Sure, come have some, all of you..."

Asuka generously shared the Candied Taro.

"Me, me! Give me some too..."

There were only ten pieces of taro, but far too many workers scrambling for them, so everyone only got half a piece.

The instant the taro entered their mouths, a sweet flavor spread across their tongues. One bite revealed a crisp exterior and soft, glutinous interior. The fried taro burst with an intensely rich fragrance in their mouths, and the blend of sensations made them want to clap their hands in amazement.

"Crisp outside, soft inside, fragrant and sweet—it tastes absolutely incredible!"

It was the first time the workers had eaten such unique food, and astonishment unconsciously appeared on all their faces.

This plain, unremarkable taro looked utterly ordinary, yet it tasted astonishingly delicious!

"Th-This... was really made by my son?" Asuka's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

How could an ordinary wild taro be made so sweet and delicious?

Asuka could not understand how her son had done it, but she resolved to ask him properly after work.

Savoring the lingering sweetness in her mouth, Asuka regretted giving away all the Candied Taro...

Had she known the little treat would be this delicious, she would never have pretended to be generous and shared it with everyone else.

Thinking of that, she hurriedly closed the lunchbox, because there was still another dish inside.

"Hey, hey... Asuka, let me try a bite of that steamed egg too. Just a tiny bite..."

The forewoman called out anxiously, and the other workers joined in as well. They all wanted to taste this food with its different flavor.

"Maybe next time. I haven't eaten yet. If I give it to you, I'll go hungry!"

Asuka clutched the lunchbox tightly against her chest.

"Don't you have your own lunch?"

"Exactly, don't worry about going hungry. I'll trade you some sushi..."

"If that's not enough, I've got shrimp in my lunchbox too. I can give it to you. We're just curious and want a taste, that's all..."

The workers all talked at once, trying to persuade Asuka to take out the new dish and share it. Some were even willing to offer up their own lunches and food, while others had already taken out knives, forks, and chopsticks.

"No. My son made this for me. I don't want to trade," Asuka refused outright.

"Just one little bite. Don't be so stingy. We won't eat much..."

"No! If you want some, have your own sons make it for you!"

Asuka could not stand their pestering any longer. They had kept her from opening her lunchbox to eat for quite a while, and in her impatience, she finally snapped!

"What if we don't have sons?"

"Then go have one! Stop bothering me while I'm trying to eat..."

"Asuka, how can you be like this? You're so selfish..."

"Stingy!"

Looking at her female coworkers' envy and jealousy, and listening to their praise and admiration for Liuyun, Asuka felt immensely proud.

Her son had really made her, his mother, look good today!

Asuka found the food in her mouth extraordinarily fresh, fragrant, tender, and smooth. After a few bites, she had devoured all the Crab Stick Steamed Egg...

After saying goodbye to Asuka, Liuyun did not head home right away. Instead, he ran out into the wilderness not far from home and followed a small river to a secluded patch of woods.

Few people came here. There was water and trees, making it perfect for him to train discreetly.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Liuyun created two Shadow Clones, then began a new stage of Chakra control training.

The so-called water walking!

Liuyun controlled his Chakra beneath the soles of his feet, then lightly stepped into the stream.

With a splash, he sank straight into the water.

The two Shadow Clones paid no attention to the original body. They simply picked up the Kunai and Shuriken on the ground and went aside to practice the Uchiha Clan's distinctive concealed weapon Throwing Technique.

"Awesome!"

The original body did not feel dejected after losing control and falling into the water. Instead, the cool river water filled him with delight.

After soaking beneath the water for a while, he slowly climbed back out of the river.

Onto the bank, into the water, learn from the experience, and try again.

Liuyun kept improving, gradually grasping the key to water walking.

His powerful mental strength granted him exceptionally strong willpower, giving him comprehension far beyond ordinary people. His rate of growth was terrifying.

On the shore.

The Kunai and Shuriken seemed to clash chaotically and without pattern, yet they ultimately struck their targets with astonishing precision!

The Shadow Clones could help Liuyun's original body gain training experience. The accuracy of the concealed weapons in their hands rapidly improved, and they grew increasingly adept.

The river water was cool, and the breeze beneath the shade of the trees was pleasant. On this scorching afternoon, Liuyun immersed himself in the joy of training, unable to pull himself away.

Within the Senju Clan Grounds.

Kushina sat with Mito Uzumaki in a gazebo, studying the obscure and difficult Sealing Technique of the Uzumaki.

She had studied diligently all morning, but by the afternoon, her mind had begun to wander.

"Girl, let's stop here for today. Go play..." Mito Uzumaki said with a kind smile.

She did not force Kushina to continue studying, because learning profound Sealing Techniques required talent, but also the right state of mind.

Kushina was not in the right state at the moment, and she would not be able to remember much.

"Ah... No, no, Grandma Mito, I can keep going..."

Kushina replied with an awkward laugh. She could not slack off, or how would she become a "little teacher" someday and teach someone Sealing Techniques?

"Go have fun. Grandma is a little tired!" Mito Uzumaki stroked her beautiful red hair.

"Alright!"

Only after hearing Mito Uzumaki say that did Kushina leave the gazebo with a clear conscience and run out of the Senju Clan Grounds.

"Liuyun... What's that guy doing right now..."

The lovestruck girl wanted to go find him, but her pride kept her from daring to do so.

She stood at an intersection, torn with indecision. Head lowered, she paced back and forth, unable to make up her mind...

"Right, I wanted to fight him yesterday, but we never got to..."

With a reason to find him, Kushina instantly broke into a smile and strode toward Liuyun's home.