Mitsuya Motoyoshi's Approval, Leaving Konoha

The time reached noon.

Uchiha Tunan, having finished his preparations, took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with a paper towel.

Then, he brought the food to the table.

"Let's eat first. I have to leave after we finish.

I've put the rice balls in the refrigerator. Just heat them up when you want to eat them.

They should be enough for you until I get back. Remember to heat them up before eating; it's bad for your stomach if they're too cold.

I've balanced the meat and vegetables in these rice balls. Don't be picky."

"I... sob..." Mitsuya Motoyoshi extended his rough hand, covering his face, and sobbed uncontrollably.

Uchiha Tunan, startled, quickly went to his side, put an arm around his shoulder, and said with concern:

"Grandpa Motoyoshi, why are you crying? Did I say something too harsh just now?"

Mitsuya Motoyoshi waved his hand, shaking his head repeatedly.

It took him a while to recover, and he said with a lingering sob:

"Grandpa doesn't want your money. There's a hidden compartment under my bedroom bed with my life's savings.

You'll need money most when you're out there. Don't save money for Grandpa.

Take good care of yourself and come back safely..."

As he spoke, he started crying uncontrollably again, just like a child.

Uchiha Tunan kept comforting him:

"I have money, I have plenty of money.

Besides, the employer is reimbursing all the expenses for this trip.

You keep your savings for yourself. Saving money is your hobby, after all."

"Then... then... okay..."

Mitsuya Motoyoshi sniffled a few times, still feeling a bit reluctant to part with his money.

"I've thought it through. I've been stingy my whole life, and I can't take this money with me to the grave.

Just remember, this money will be yours from now on. It's about twenty million Ryo.

And that sword in my bedroom, take it with you for self-defense."

Uchiha Tunan picked up the rice bowl and chopsticks, placed them in Mitsuya Motoyoshi's hands, and then returned to his seat.

"I don't need the sword. It's a Chakra weapon, too precious."

Mitsuya Motoyoshi took a moment to compose himself and began to slowly eat his rice, saying as he chewed: "What's more precious than a person?"

Uchiha Tunan shook his head: "As a Genin, carrying a Chakra weapon around would attract too much attention."

"That's true." Mitsuya Motoyoshi nodded.

"Ding, acquired Mitsuya Motoyoshi's Approval."

Uchiha Tunan, who was eating, paused his chopsticks slightly before continuing to eat as if nothing had happened.

When the two were nearly finished, Uchiha Tunan casually said:

"Oh, right. I made a hospital appointment for you a while ago."

Mitsuya Motoyoshi frowned, thought for a moment, and asked in confusion: "Why did you make an appointment for me? My health is fine."

Uchiha Tunan cleaned the bowls and chopsticks as he explained:

"It's a physical examination appointment. I'll take you for a check-up when I get back.

If there are any health issues, we'll catch them early and treat them.

If everything is fine, even better. You'll need to get a physical every six months from now on."

Mitsuya Motoyoshi waved his hand: "That's too much trouble. No, no, cancel the appointment."

Uchiha Tunan stopped washing the bowls and chopsticks and said in a low voice:

"I want you to stay with me always.

After all...

I'm an unlucky person."

A flicker of reluctance crossed Mitsuya Motoyoshi's eyes, and he sighed: "Alright, I'll go for a check-up with you when you get back."

After saying that, he pushed his wheelchair into the courtyard and looked at the neatly trimmed flowers and plants, lost in thought.

A little while later, Uchiha Tunan put on his Ninja Tool Pouch and got ready to leave.

As he passed by Mitsuya Motoyoshi, he gave a final instruction:

"If you have clothes that need washing, just put them aside separately. I'll wash them all when I return."

With that, he strode out of the courtyard.

Mitsuya Motoyoshi nodded, watching Uchiha Tunan's retreating back, and pursed his lips.

Then, he pushed the wheelchair with all his might, chasing after Uchiha Tunan and shouting:

"Kid, be careful out there.

If there's anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask your Team Leader.

Eat well when you're out, don't make yourself suffer."

Before his words had even finished, Uchiha Tunan had already walked out of the courtyard.

At the Village Entrance Barrier.

Uchiha Tunan arrived ten minutes earlier than the agreed-upon time.

Namikaze Minato and Kakashi, however, had already been waiting there for a long time.

Even Kushina had made time to see the three of them off.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Uchiha Tunan said with an apologetic look towards the three, bowing his head.

Namikaze Minato chuckled and scratched the back of his head, saying, "Hahaha, you're not late, no need to apologize."

Kushina walked up to Uchiha Tunan with her hands on her hips and gave his shoulder a firm pat, saying heartily, "Little Tunan, you don't need to be so polite with us, it makes us feel like strangers."

Uchiha Tunan nodded obediently, "I'll keep that in mind next time, Senior Kushina."

Kushina smiled slightly, trying her best to appear gentle and kind, and bent down slightly, asking, "Little Tunan, do you have everything you need for your trip?

Like kunai, shuriken, and Ration Pills."

Uchiha Tunan reached up to adjust his glasses and nodded, "If it's just those things, then I should be prepared."

Kushina straightened up and looked at the three of them with a mysterious expression, taking off the backpack from behind her.

Then, she suddenly unzipped it in front of them.

The contents immediately made Namikaze Minato gasp in shock.

"Ta-da! Look, these are bento boxes I made for you.

It's at least a two-day journey to the Temple of Fire, so you can eat them if you get hungry."

Namikaze Minato's mouth twitched slightly, and he forced a smile, "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."

Kakashi, on the other hand, took two steps back with a look of horror.

Seeing their reactions, Kushina's face instantly fell, like a volcano that had accumulated enough energy and was about to erupt.

"You... you don't like my cooking, do you?"

"No, no!" Namikaze Minato and Kakashi waved their hands repeatedly.

Kushina's cooking used to be too heavily seasoned.

But ever since she met Uchiha Tunan, to accommodate his bland palate, Kushina had developed the habit of not adding salt.

However, for Namikaze Minato and Kakashi, it was simply unbearable.

Ration Pills had no taste, but you could swallow them in one bite.

These bento boxes, however, required chewing with every bite.

With no flavor, they were impossible to swallow.

Just as Kushina was about to explode, Uchiha Tunan's face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands together, "Senior Kushina prepared so many bento boxes for me? Thank you so much."

Kushina's anger instantly extinguished. She shot Namikaze Minato a triumphant glance, zipped up the backpack, and handed it to Uchiha Tunan.

"Tunan is the only one who truly appreciates my cooking."

Namikaze Minato gave an awkward smile and quickly changed the subject, "It's getting late, let's get registered and depart."

And so, the three of them went to the village entrance registration office, presented their Mission Scrolls and Exit Permits, and then left Konoha together.

Behind them, Kushina stood on her tiptoes, waving goodbye incessantly, "Be careful out there, and come back soon."