Konoha's Beautiful, Frail, Tragic Superstar (Tactical Lean-Back)

Beside the training ground's rest area,

Minato sat around a gleaming golden hot pot, holding a small bowl as he stared blankly at the bubbling red-oil broth before him. His azure eyes were filled with confusion.

"Fugaku, put in another plate of rice cakes for me."

"Got it, Great Uncle!"

"Gin-grandpa, isn't there a lighter broth? I've been taking care of my skin lately!"

"Wait a moment, Little Mikoto. Grandpa will make you a separate nourishing mushroom soup broth."

"..."

Listening to the lively chatter around him and smelling the spicy aroma of the steaming ingredients in his hands, Minato could not help wondering whether he had fallen under some kind of illusion—one that turned all sorrow and despair into happiness so vivid it felt real.

Hadn't they been fighting just moments ago?

How had it suddenly

turned into a camping hot pot gathering?

"Minato! Can I have that piece of meat?"

A voice suddenly pulled him back to reality. Looking at Choza beside him, who was staring eagerly at the fatty beef roll in his bowl, Minato gave a gentle nod.

"Haha, Minato, you're such a good person!"

With a speed entirely unsuited to his clumsy build, Choza snatched away the beef roll he had coveted for so long and swallowed it in one bite. He chewed blissfully, his already small eyes narrowing into two little beans.

"He's already eaten enough, Minato. Don't spoil him too much."

Shikaku, who had witnessed the scene, sighed. He picked up a piece of tofu skin floating in the pot, savoring the collision between the sweet bean product and the fiery broth while glaring at Choza, whose belly had become round from eating.

"Exactly~ Exactly~"

Inoichi, who was frantically stuffing himself with leafy greens nearby, lifted his head and chimed in resentfully.

Poor