It was noon.
After making a huge mess, Uchiha Tunan took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with a tissue.
Then he brought the food to the table.
"Let's eat first. I'll have to leave once we're done.
I put the rice balls in the refrigerator. Just take them out and heat them up when you want to eat them.
There should be enough to last until I get home. Make sure to heat them before eating; food that's too cold is bad for your stomach.
I made sure these rice balls had a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, so remember not to be picky."
"I... sob..." Mitsuya Motoyoshi raised his rough hands to cover his face, weeping uncontrollably.
Frightened, Uchiha Tunan hurried to his side, wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and asked worriedly,
"Grandpa Motoyoshi, why are you crying? Did I speak too harshly just now?"
Mitsuya Motoyoshi waved his hand and repeatedly shook his head.
It took him quite a while to calm down. Even then, his voice remained choked with tears as he said,
"Grandpa doesn't want your money. There's a hidden compartment beneath the bed in my bedroom, and inside are my life savings.
You're the one who needs money most when you're away from home. Don't try to save it for Grandpa.
Take good care of yourself, and come back safely..."
As he spoke, he began crying again, just like a child.
Uchiha Tunan kept comforting him.
"I have money. I've got plenty of money.
Besides, the employer will reimburse all the expenses for this trip.
Keep your savings for yourself. After all, saving money is your hobby."
"Then... then... all right..."
Upon hearing that, Mitsuya Motoyoshi sniffled a few times, still somewhat reluctant to spend money.
"I've figured it out. I've pinched pennies my whole life, but I can't take this money into the grave.
Just remember, all this money will be yours someday. There's probably twenty million ryo.
And take the sword in my bedroom with you for protection."
Uchiha Tunan picked up the rice bowl and chopsticks, placed them in Mitsuya Motoyoshi's hands, then returned to his seat.
"There's no need for the sword. It's a Chakra weapon, after all. It's too valuable."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi paused, then slowly began eating. As he chewed, he said, "How can a sword be more important than a person?"
Uchiha Tunan shook his head. "I'm just a Genin. Walking around outside with a Chakra weapon would draw far too much attention."
"That's true." Mitsuya Motoyoshi nodded.
Ding, obtained Mitsuya Motoyoshi's Approval.
Uchiha Tunan's chopsticks paused slightly as he ate, but he immediately resumed as though nothing had happened.
Once the two had nearly finished eating, Uchiha Tunan spoke as if casually,
"By the way, I booked you an appointment at the hospital some time ago."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi frowned. After thinking for a moment, he asked in confusion, "Why did you book an appointment for me? There's nothing wrong with my health."
As Uchiha Tunan cleared away the dishes, he explained,
"It's for a physical examination. When I return, I'll take you for a checkup.
If there's something wrong, it's better to discover it early and get treatment early.
And if there's nothing wrong, that's even better. From now on, you'll need a checkup every six months."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi waved his hand. "That's too troublesome. I'm not going. Cancel the appointment."
Uchiha Tunan stopped washing the dishes and said in a low voice,
"I want you to stay with me forever.
After all...
I'm an unlucky person."
A trace of pity flashed through Mitsuya Motoyoshi's eyes. He sighed and said, "All right. When you come back, we'll go for the checkup together."
After saying that, he pushed his wheelchair into the courtyard. Looking at the neatly trimmed flowers and plants, he seemed lost in thought.
A short while later, Uchiha Tunan put on his ninja gear bag and set out.
As he passed Mitsuya Motoyoshi, he gave one final instruction.
"Put any clothes that need washing aside separately. When I get back, I'll wash them all at once."
With that, he strode toward the courtyard gate.
Mitsuya Motoyoshi nodded, watching Uchiha Tunan's retreating figure with pursed lips.
Then he forcefully pushed his wheelchair after him and called out,
"Kid, be careful.
If there's anything you don't understand, boldly ask your team leader.
Eat more when you're outside. Don't make yourself suffer."
Before his words had even finished, Uchiha Tunan had already left the courtyard.
At the Village Entrance Barrier.
Uchiha Tunan arrived ten minutes ahead of the appointed time.
Yet Namikaze Minato and Kakashi had already been waiting there for quite a while.
Kushina had even made time to come see the three of them off.
"Sorry for the wait." Uchiha Tunan bowed deeply to the three of them, his face full of apology.
Namikaze Minato scratched his head with a foolish grin. "Hahaha, you're not late. There's no need to apologize."
Kushina put her hands on her hips, walked up to Uchiha Tunan, and gave his shoulder a firm slap.
"Little Tunan, you don't have to be so polite around us. It makes you seem like an outsider."
Uchiha Tunan nodded obediently. "I'll keep that in mind next time, Senior Kushina."
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Kushina's lips. Trying her best to look gentle and kind, she bent down slightly.
"Little Tunan, did you bring everything you need for the trip?
Like kunai, shuriken, and Ration Pills."
Uchiha Tunan adjusted his glasses and nodded.
"If that's all, then I should be fully prepared."
Kushina straightened up and looked mysteriously at the three of them as she took off the backpack behind her.
Then, right in front of them, she yanked open the zipper.
The sight of what was inside instantly made Namikaze Minato's face change drastically.
"Ta-da! Look, I made bento for you all.
It'll take at least two days to reach the Temple of Fire from here, so you can eat these when you get hungry."
Namikaze Minato's mouth twitched as he forced a smile. "You really didn't have to go to so much trouble."
Kakashi, meanwhile, took two steps back with a horrified expression.
Seeing their reactions, Kushina's face immediately fell. She looked like a volcano that had stored up enough energy to erupt at any moment.
"You two... do you think my bento tastes bad?"
"No, no." Namikaze Minato and Kakashi repeatedly waved their hands.
Kushina's cooking used to be overly strong in flavor.
But after meeting Uchiha Tunan, she had developed the habit of not adding salt in order to accommodate his light taste.
To Namikaze Minato and Kakashi, though, it was simply unbearable.
Ration Pills had no flavor either, but they could be swallowed in a single bite.
These bento, however, had to be chewed bite by bite.
With no flavor at all, they could not even force themselves to swallow them.
Just as Kushina was about to erupt, Uchiha Tunan clasped his hands together, his face filled with delight.
"Senior Kushina prepared so much bento for me? Thank you so much."
Kushina's anger instantly vanished. She shot Namikaze Minato a smug glance, zipped up the backpack, and stuffed it into Uchiha Tunan's arms.
"Tunan's the only one here with taste."
Namikaze Minato smiled awkwardly and hurriedly changed the subject.
"It's getting late. Let's register and head out."
And so, the three of them went to the registration post at the village entrance, presented their Mission Scroll and Exit Permit, then left Konoha together.
Behind them, Kushina stood on tiptoe and kept waving goodbye.
"Be careful, okay? Come back soon."
Before you continue