Living Expenses?

Time was nearing noon.

Renye checked the time, figuring Tobirama Senju would be back soon.

He simply dragged a chair out and sat in the yard, waiting for the other to return.

As for why Renye wasn't cooking?

No other reason—there was no food left in the house.

Last night, Tobirama Senju said he'd go buy groceries today, but from the looks of it, the guy had apparently forgotten.

"Who knows what that Old Man is busy with every day? Always leaving early and coming back late..."

Renye propped his chin on his hands, muttering in boredom.

He'd moved here three days ago, and aside from mealtimes, he'd barely seen Tobirama Senju at all. The other seemed to be deliberately keeping his distance.

"Heh, you really think I want to live with you?" Renye grumbled under his breath.

The Uchiha Elder and Hashirama Senju had both given the order.

If he had a choice, how could he possibly be willing to live with Tobirama Senju?

Before long, Tobirama Senju's figure appeared at the door.

Seeing Renye sitting in the yard, he paused slightly and asked, "Little Brat, is lunch ready?"

Renye shot him a glare and said irritably, "There's no food in the house. How am I supposed to cook?"

Hearing this, Tobirama Senju finally remembered the matter of buying groceries.

This morning, he'd been too focused on persuading his Elder Brother and had forgotten all about it.

Meeting Renye's resentful gaze, he coughed dryly and explained:

"I've been busy lately. I forgot about it."

"Heh, you're just the Hokage's brother, not the Hokage himself. What's there to be busy about... Bet you just crawled out of some kunoichi's futon, huh?" Renye curled his lip, looking thoroughly displeased.

After training all morning, he was already starving.

He'd planned to cook a nice meal to reward himself, but when he got to the kitchen, he found there was no food in the house.

He was just a Little Brat with no source of income and no money to buy groceries, so he had to endure the hunger and wait for Tobirama Senju to return.

Seeing Tobirama Senju acting like nothing was wrong, Renye naturally felt resentful. Who knew where that Old Man had been gallivanting off to?

Tobirama Senju's mouth twitched. Suppressing his anger, he said, "We're not cooking today. I'll take you out to eat."

It was too late to cook now, and if he let this Little Brat make the meal, who knew what outrageous things he might say?

He, Tobirama Senju, had lived a clean and upright life for decades, only to have this Little Brat slander him. No one could take that.

Renye's eyes lit up, but he still forced a calm expression. "Well, if that's the case, I guess it can't be helped... I want grilled meat."

Tobirama Senju: "..."

Konoha Village's commercial street.

Before long, Tobirama Senju brought Renye to a grilled meat restaurant wafting with enticing aromas.

The shop was filled with a mouthwatering scent of meat, making Renye's eyes gleam as he involuntarily swallowed.

He'd been transported to the ninja world for a few months now. His living expenses only covered basic meals, and they were the simplest kind of food. He had no spare money to go out for grilled meat.

To be honest, he'd been craving this for a long time.

Tobirama Senju led Renye to a seat in the corner. The enthusiastic owner quickly came over and handed them a menu.

Tobirama Senju tossed the menu to Renye and said, "You order."

Renye took the menu and, without holding back, ordered over a dozen plates of grilled meat: Signature Beef, Tender Pork Belly, Pork Kidney... and finally a few plates of Vegetables.

Tobirama Senju stared blankly at the scene and asked in surprise, "Ordering that much—can you finish it all?"

"Don't worry, I can finish it," Renye said.

What he'd ordered was about the amount three adults would eat.

He'd thought about ordering a few more plates, but decided against it. It would be a waste if he couldn't finish it. He could always order more later.

Seeing Renye's confident look, Tobirama Senju said nothing more, but he was intensely curious—did Uchiha have such big appetites?

Before long, the sizzling grill was brought to the table. The bright red slices of meat instantly curled and changed color upon contact with the high heat, grease splattering and the aroma growing richer.

Tobirama Senju picked up his Chopsticks and methodically flipped the meat slices.

Renye, meanwhile, crossed his arms and watched with interest, occasionally throwing in a comment.

Despite his calm exterior, he was actually ravenous.

Watching the fragrant grilled meat, Renye discreetly swallowed his saliva.

Even if he was starving, he couldn't show it. That was how a proper Uchiha acted!

"The heat's about right." Tobirama Senju picked up the cooked meat and placed it on Renye's plate.

"I can pick it up myself," Renye said, then picked up a slice of meat and put it in his mouth.

As the grilled meat entered his mouth, Renye immediately wore a look of satisfaction.

This grilled meat was way too delicious!

At that moment, he cast aside all Uchiha pride, stuffing slice after slice into his mouth, occasionally letting out a satisfied hum.

Tobirama Senju silently observed Renye's every move. When he saw Renye devour all the grilled meat on the table at an astonishing speed, his face filled with shock.

And it didn't end there. Renye, still not full, waved his hand grandly and ordered several more plates of meat from the owner.

Tobirama Senju: "???"

How had he never noticed before that this brat could eat so much?

"Burp~ I'm full." Renye patted his belly, looking completely satisfied.

This meal of grilled meat had thoroughly satisfied him.

Meat really was the best.

Tobirama Senju instinctively glanced at Renye's slightly bulging stomach.

This was too absurd, wasn't it?

How did this brat's stomach manage to hold all that food?

In one sitting, Renye had eaten enough for five people.

And mind you, he was just a six-year-old kid!

Tobirama Senju was starting to question life itself. Was this really a child?

It seemed he'd need to study this thoroughly tonight—why this kid could eat so much...

Renye, unaware of Tobirama Senju's thoughts, was happily savoring the lingering aroma of the grilled meat.

If only he could eat grilled meat often.

"Uncle White Hair, time to pay the bill." Renye noticed Tobirama Senju still staring at him and spoke up to remind him.

Hearing this, Tobirama Senju snapped back to reality and called the owner over to settle the bill.

Then the two left the grilled meat shop together.

Just as they stepped outside, Tobirama Senju suddenly remembered something. He pulled out a stack of cash and handed it to Renye, saying flatly, "This is your living expenses. I have things to do, so I'm leaving first."

With that, his form flickered and vanished on the spot.

Leaving Renye staring at the thick wad of bills in his hand, silent for a long time.

After a while, he stuffed the money into his pocket, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as he murmured, "Heh, this Old Man is pretty interesting."

He really hadn't expected Tobirama Senju to give him pocket money.

This cash had definitely solved his urgent problem. Now he could eat whatever he wanted, no more scraping by.

"Whatever. I'll go easy on the chili when I cook from now on."

With that, Renye trotted off on his short little legs.

Only after Renye's figure had completely disappeared did Tobirama Senju step out from the corner. Staring at Renye's retreating back, he said in a cold tone, "Don't get the wrong idea, brat. That's your Experiment Fee..."

He, Tobirama Senju, couldn't bring himself to freeload off an Uchiha brat.

That money was simply payment for Renye serving as his test subject.

Poor Renye had no idea about this. When he eventually learned the truth, who knew what expression he'd have?

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