Sarutobi Family's Secret Recipe

The final exams were over.

The students of the Ninja Academy had welcomed a month-long summer vacation.

Classmates chatted loudly about their plans for the break.

"Finally on break." Renye was in a good mood.

Without having to get up early for school, he'd have more time to devote to training.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kagami Uchiha, and Danzō Shimura found Renye.

"Renye, let's go grab a meal together." Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

"It's not every day we get a break—sure you don't want to come eat with us?" Kagami Uchiha chimed in.

"Yeah, training gets dull. You've gotta loosen up now and then."

"That's right, balance work and rest..."

The two played off each other, coaxing him.

They'd invited Renye plenty of times before, but he always said he had no time. Surely this time he'd be free?

As for Danzō Shimura, he had a dark look on his face.

Did they really have to invite that arrogant bastard along?

Renye listened and figured they had a point.

This past year, it had been nothing but training after training. It did get boring. Time to relax a little...

"Fine." Renye nodded in agreement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also invited Yuki Hyuga and Motoya Nara.

What surprised Renye was that Yuki Hyuga actually agreed!

That was a real shocker.

Not that Renye's surprise was unwarranted.

Over the year of getting to know him, he'd found Yuki Hyuga to be a training maniac—even more diligent and hardworking than Renye himself during practice.

The group of six left the school.

Summer cicadas chirped through the cracks in the Hokage Rock. The commercial street of Konoha Village bustled with people coming and going.

"King of Show-offs, what are you doing here?" Renye asked, curious.

Yuki Hyuga was already used to Renye's nickname for him. He said, "Kagami Uchiha's right—balancing work and rest is important..."

Ever since he could remember, his father had made him train.

"You're the main house of the Hyuga. The clan's future rests on you!"

Under the expectations of his father and the elders, Yuki Hyuga trained hard.

He'd awakened the Byakugan at just five years old, earning a reputation as a prodigy throughout the Hyuga clan.

Yuki Hyuga carried the clan's future on his shoulders, so he couldn't afford to slack off even for a moment.

When faced with the group's invitation, Yuki Hyuga rarely refused.

The final exams were over. He wanted to give himself half a day off.

"Tomorrow... I'll train twice as hard." Yuki Hyuga muttered under his breath.

"King of Show-offs, what did you just say?"

"Nothing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, walking ahead, turned his head. "What does everyone want to eat?"

"I'm fine with anything." Renye and Yuki Hyuga said in unison.

"Making choices is the worst. You guys handle it." Motoya Nara said.

"Hiruzen, I'll go with whatever you pick." Kagami Uchiha smiled.

Only Danzō Shimura hadn't spoken. Everyone's eyes fell on him.

Under their gazes, Danzō awkwardly looked away. "I don't care either way."

"In that case, how about grilled meat?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"No problem." x5

The barbecue shop owner spotted Renye and the others from afar and hollered out a greeting:

"Hiruzen, kid! The beef tongue just came in today! Sure you don't wanna come try some?"

Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a regular at this place.

"This shop's grilled meat is really good. I come here all the time." Hiruzen Sarutobi explained.

He rubbed his hands together excitedly, his nose already hooked by the aroma of charcoal and sizzling fat, and stepped into the shop first.

The barbecue shop.

Six people sat around the table.

The meat slices on the grill sizzled, sparks of oil flying up and illuminating their faces.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a wooden fan and gently fanned the flames, the rich aroma growing stronger and making several of them swallow hard.

Renye stared at the grilled meat, his eyes gleaming.

He hadn't had barbecue in quite a while.

This smell was absolutely incredible!

Even without tasting it, he knew the flavor would be top-notch.

"Check out my secret sauce!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi mysteriously pulled out a small porcelain bottle and dripped a few drops of green liquid into his dipping sauce.

"I made this from herbs I found in the forest. Guaranteed delicious. Want to try some?"

"Is it actually good?" Renye asked, looking skeptical.

That stuff was green and weird-looking—could it really taste good?

"Of course it's good. This is the Sarutobi clan's exclusive recipe!" Hiruzen Sarutobi swore, thumping his chest.

Hearing this, the others felt a bit tempted, curious what this exclusive recipe tasted like.

Danzō Shimura's eyelids twitched violently. "Don't tell me it's another one of your weird experiments. Last time, that dark cuisine gave me diarrhea for a whole day."

That was exactly what Hiruzen had said last time.

After eating it, they couldn't stop running to the toilet...

"Forget it, I'll pass." Renye gave an awkward laugh.

The others nodded in agreement—they didn't want to end up with an upset stomach.

"Don't listen to Danzō. Last time was an accident... This time it'll definitely be good!" Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly defended himself.

But no one was willing to try.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly and stared at Danzō with a resentful look.

If Danzō hadn't butted in, everyone could have tasted his special dipping sauce.

"Ah, you've got no luck with food." Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a piece of grilled meat, coated it in the sauce, and popped it into his mouth, squinting with satisfaction.

"Mm, it's really delicious. Are you sure you don't want to try?"

"If it's good, eat up." Renye picked up a piece of grilled meat and put it in his mouth.

This restaurant's ingredients were very fresh, and the taste was excellent.

Everyone began to dig in heartily.

As they ate, Motoya Nara suddenly lowered his voice. "Did you know? I heard Lord Tobirama is going to take on Disciples at the academy!"

"Clatter—"

The sound of chopsticks hitting the floor rang out.

Renye suddenly understood, finally realizing why Tobirama Senju had said this exam was so important.

So he was planning to take on Disciples.

Barring any surprises, his Disciples would be chosen from the top ranks of Class A.

Renye remembered that in the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō Shimura, Kagami Uchiha, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were all Tobirama Senju's Disciples.

And the top ranks of this exam, aside from Yuki Hyūga, were all...

Unless something unexpected happened, Tobirama Senju's Disciples would still be these people.

It seemed the history of the ninja world hadn't changed because of his arrival.

"Motoya-kun, is this true?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked excitedly.

Danzō Shimura's breathing grew heavy, his eyes fixed on Motoya Nara.

Kagami Uchiha looked hopeful. "If only I could become Lord Tobirama's Disciple."

Yuki Hyūga's expression remained calm as he kept eating his barbecue, unconcerned.

Motoya Nara nodded. "The Hokage-sama personally told my father. The information is absolutely accurate."

"What are the criteria for Lord Tobirama to take on Disciples?" Danzō Shimura had lost all his usual composure.

If he could become Lord Tobirama's Disciple, he would definitely grow stronger, surpassing Hiruzen, Yuki Hyūga, Uchiha Renye, and Kagami!

"I don't know the specifics either." Motoya Nara shook his head.

At that moment, everyone's gaze unconsciously fell on Renye.

If they remembered correctly, Renye seemed to be living with Lord Tobirama, didn't he?