Living Expenses?

It was nearing noon.

Renye checked the time and figured Tobirama Senju would be back soon.

He simply moved a chair out and sat in the courtyard, waiting for him to return.

As for why Renye was not cooking?

The reason was simple: there were no ingredients left at home.

Tobirama Senju had said last night that he would buy some today, but judging by this, he seemed to have forgotten.

"I wonder what that old man is so busy with every day? Always leaving early and coming home late..."

Renye propped his chin in both hands and said listlessly.

He had moved here three days ago, yet aside from mealtimes, he had barely seen Tobirama Senju. The man seemed to be deliberately keeping his distance.

"Heh, as if I wanted to live with you," Renye muttered under his breath.

Both the Uchiha Grand Elder and Hashirama Senju had given the order.

If he had a choice, why would he ever want to live with Tobirama Senju?

Not long after, Tobirama Senju appeared at the gate.

When he saw Renye sitting in the courtyard, he paused in surprise and asked, "Brat, is lunch ready?"

Renye rolled his eyes at him and said irritably, "There are no ingredients at home. How am I supposed to cook?"

Only then did Tobirama Senju remember that he was supposed to buy ingredients.

He had been so focused on persuading his elder brother that morning that he had forgotten all about it.

Seeing Renye's resentful gaze, he gave a dry cough and explained,

"I've been busy lately, so I forgot."

"Heh, you're only the Hokage's younger brother, not the Hokage himself. What could you possibly be busy with... You probably just crawled out of some female ninja's bed, didn't you?" Renye curled his lip, clearly displeased.

After training all morning, he was already starving.

He had planned to cook himself a delicious meal as a reward, only to discover upon entering the kitchen that there were no ingredients left.

He was just a little brat with no source of income. He had no money to go out and buy ingredients, so he could only endure his hunger and wait for Tobirama Senju to return.

Seeing Tobirama Senju acting as if nothing had happened, Renye naturally felt resentful. Who knew where that old man had been enjoying himself?

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

There was no time to cook now. If he made this brat cook, who knew what outrageous nonsense he would say next?

Tobirama Senju had kept himself clean and upright for half his life, only to be slandered by this brat in the end. Anyone would find that unbearable.

Renye's eyes lit up, but he still pretended to remain calm. "If that's the case, then I suppose we have no choice... I want barbecue."

Tobirama Senju: "..."

Konoha Village's commercial district.

Before long, Tobirama Senju brought Renye to a barbecue restaurant filled with drifting fragrance.

The tempting scent of meat permeated the restaurant, making Renye's eyes shine as he involuntarily swallowed.

He had been in the Shinobi World for several months. His living expenses only covered everyday meals, all of them the most basic food. He had no spare money at all for barbecue.

Honestly, he had been craving this for a long time.

Tobirama Senju led Renye to a corner table. The enthusiastic owner soon came over and handed them a menu.

Tobirama Senju tossed the menu to Renye. "You order."

Renye took the menu and, without the slightest hesitation, ordered more than ten plates of barbecue: Signature beef, tender pork belly, pork kidney... and finally several plates of vegetables.

Tobirama Senju stared blankly at the scene and asked in surprise, "You ordered so much. Can you finish it?"

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

What he had ordered was roughly enough for three adults.

He had originally wanted to order a few more plates, but decided against it. It would be a waste if he could not finish them. He could always order more after eating everything.

Seeing how certain Renye was, Tobirama Senju said nothing else, though he was extremely curious. Did Uchiha really eat this much?

Soon, a sizzling grill was placed on the table. The bright red slices of meat curled and changed color the instant they touched the heat. Grease splattered, and the aroma grew even richer.

Tobirama Senju picked up his chopsticks and calmly turned the meat slices over.

Renye, meanwhile, sat with his arms folded, watching with great interest and offering a comment or two now and then.

Though he looked composed on the surface, he was actually starving out of his mind.

Renye stared at the fragrant barbecue and silently swallowed.

Even if he was starving, he could not let it show. That was what made a qualified Uchiha!

"The heat's about right." Tobirama Senju placed the cooked meat onto Renye's plate.

"I can serve myself." As he spoke, Renye picked up a slice of meat and put it into his mouth.

The moment the barbecue entered his mouth, Renye revealed a satisfied expression.

This barbecue was way too delicious!

At that moment, he could no longer care about an Uchiha's pride. He stuffed slice after slice of barbecue into his mouth, occasionally letting out a satisfied hum.

Tobirama Senju silently observed Renye's every move. When he saw Renye rapidly finish all the barbecue on the table, his face filled with shock.

And that was not the end. Renye still did not feel full, so with a grand wave of his hand, he had the owner bring several more plates of barbecue.

Tobirama Senju: "???"

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

"Burp~ I'm full." Renye patted his stomach with a satisfied look.

This barbecue meal had thoroughly satisfied him.

Sure enough, meat was the best.

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

This was too outrageous.

How could this brat's stomach hold all that food?

Renye had eaten enough for five people in a single meal.

And he was only a six-year-old brat!

Tobirama Senju was beginning to doubt life itself. Was this really a brat?

It seemed he needed to study tonight why this kid could eat so much...

Renye had no idea what Tobirama Senju was thinking. He was happily savoring the lingering taste of the barbecue.

It would be great if he could eat barbecue often.

"White-Haired Uncle, you can pay the bill now." Noticing that Tobirama Senju was still staring at him, Renye spoke up to remind him.

Only then did Tobirama Senju snap back to his senses and call the owner over to settle the bill.

The two then left the barbecue restaurant together.

As soon as they stepped outside, Tobirama Senju suddenly remembered something. He took out a thick stack of money and handed it to Renye, saying flatly, "This is for your living expenses. I still have something to do, so I'm leaving first."

With that, his figure flashed, and he vanished from the spot.

Renye was left alone, staring at the thick stack of bills in his hand for a long while without saying a word.

After a while, he tucked the money into his pocket. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he murmured, "Heh, that old man is pretty interesting."

He truly had not expected Tobirama Senju to give him pocket money.

This money had indeed solved his urgent problem. From now on, he could eat whatever he wanted and no longer had to live such a miserable life.

"Forget it. I'll use less chili when I cook from now on."

With that, Renye walked away on his short little legs.

Only after Renye had completely disappeared into the distance did Tobirama Senju emerge from around the corner. Looking at Renye's retreating back, he said coldly, "Don't misunderstand, brat. This is your experiment fee..."

Tobirama Senju could not bring himself to freeload off an Uchiha brat.

He considered the money payment for Renye's role as an experimental subject.

Poor Renye knew nothing about this. If he learned the truth someday, what kind of expression would he make?

If you enjoy this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it next time.