Sara's residence has a spacious and elegant courtyard, which retains the stone carvings and greenery characteristic of Rōran, while also incorporating the warm style of the Land of Fire.
The central open space was cleared out, and a traditional stone barbecue grill was set up.
Chiyo personally started the fire and prepared the charcoal, his skillful movements leaving the women nearby in awe.
" Lord Chiyo... you can do this too?"
Juan stared wide-eyed as the man who could decide the fate of the Shinobi World with a wave of his hand was now rolling up his sleeves and carefully adjusting the position of the charcoal fire, his focused expression as if he were planning an important battle.
"I know a little bit about it."
Chiyo smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.
He possesses memories from another world, a cultural imprint of "food" that is far more profound than that of this war-torn Shinobi World.
The ingredients were the freshest beef tenderloin, pork belly, chicken thigh meat, and various seasonal vegetables, all prepared in advance.
But what happened next truly plunged the women present into a state of sustained shock.
Chiyo magically produced several small jars containing a secret sauce that he had specially prepared in the kitchen based on his memory.
Its complex flavor, a blend of soy sauce, sake, mirin, fruit juice, and various spices, is a taste unlike any other in the Shinobi World.
He used a brush to evenly spread the sauce onto the thinly sliced meat, his movements fluid and rhythmic.
As soon as the slices of meat touched the scorching hot grill, they sizzled with a delightful crackling sound, releasing a rich, caramelized aroma that mingled with the sweet fragrance of the sauce, filling the entire courtyard.
"It smells so good... it smells so good!"
Sara couldn't help but gasp, instinctively covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling.
Pakura took a deep breath, a look of ecstasy on his face.
"I've never smelled anything like this before; it instantly whets my appetite."
Although Yugito's expression remained calm, the subtle movement of her Adam's apple betrayed her anticipation.
Mei Terumi made no attempt to hide her curiosity, moving closer and staring intently at Chiyo's movements with her emerald green eyes.
The slices of meat flew through Chiyo's hands, the timing was perfect, each side was grilled to a crispy golden brown, the edges slightly curled, locking in the juices inside.
He sprinkled some crushed nuts and special spice powder on top, then plated it and handed it to the first "judge".
My mouth is already watering at the sight of the roll.
"Try it."
Juan almost reverently took the plate, picked up a piece of roasted meat that was still trembling slightly, blew on it, and carefully put it into her mouth.
The next second, her eyes widened suddenly, and she seemed to be frozen in place, her face filled with disbelief and shock.
"W-How is it?"
Sara asked eagerly.
Juan swallowed the meat in his mouth with difficulty, letting out a satisfied sigh, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Delicious! What... what is this flavor?"
It's so delicious! The outside is crispy, and the inside is tender and smooth. The flavor... the flavor is so rich!
Sweet, salty, fragrant... with a hint of fruitwood!
I've never eaten such delicious barbecue before! Teacher! Lord Chiyo is amazing!"
She excitedly grabbed Pakura's arm and shook it.
Seeing this, Pakura couldn't wait to take a bite, and then her beautiful eyes lit up with amazing light.
" Chiyo! You... you actually have this kind of skill? This is even better than the best Barbecue Restaurant in Sunagakure..."
No, it's ten times more delicious than anything I've ever had anywhere else! The sauce goes perfectly with it, it's amazing!
Sara and Yugito also tried it, and their reactions were exactly the same—they were instantly captivated.
Sara ate with her eyes squinting, looking as happy as a kitten.
" Chiyo, you always bring surprises... This is amazing."
Yugito gave a soft "hmm," a brief but clear "hmm" that revealed how highly she regarded the piece.
Mei Terumi's curiosity grew even stronger as she observed the reactions of her seniors.
She also tried a piece, and immediately, the distinct, assertive yet harmonious flavors assaulted her taste buds.
She looked up at Chiyo, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
This man, whose strength is unparalleled in the Shinobi World and whose methods are swift and decisive, has now even surpassed... his culinary skills.
Are they all so shocking?
How many unknown aspects of him are there?
" Lord Chiyo."
Mei Terumi couldn't help but speak, her tone filled with genuine amazement.
"Are you really... omnipotent?"
Chiyo simply smiled.
"No, not either."
"Huh? Is there anything that Lord Chiyo can't do?"
Mei Terumi's curiosity was piqued, and she looked at Chiyo timidly and asked.
"I can't have children."
Mei Terumi was stunned.
When he saw the smile on Chiyo's lips, he immediately realized what was going on.
Mei Terumi's face turned red.
" Lord Chiyo, what you said is extremely rude!"
Mei Terumi forcibly suppressed the fluttering in her heart.
He lowered his head and continued what he was doing, placing more slices of meat and vegetables on the grill.
"Good food can make people feel happy, especially now, so it's worth putting in some effort."
Don't just stand there, eat as much as you like, there's plenty.
The atmosphere was completely ignited by the delicious food.
Sara stood up with a smile.
"Wait, how can such fine meat be served without wine?"
She trotted into the house and brought out a small jar of clear sake and several small sake cups.
The sake was poured to the brim, and the grilling continued.
Alcohol and good food are the best lubricants.
Soon, the atmosphere in the courtyard became more relaxed and lively.
Even the usually aloof Yugito had a faint blush on her cheeks and seemed to say a few more words.
Pakura was naturally straightforward, and after a few drinks, he became very talkative.
When it is mentioned that Pakura was once a hero of Sunagakure.
She held up her wine glass, gazing at the flickering flames, her eyes somewhat unfocused.
" Sunagakure, heh heh..."
She suddenly chuckled softly, a hint of self-mockery and bitterness in her voice.
Do you know the heroes of Sunagakure?
They once held me in such high esteem. " Pakura of the Scorch Release, the pride of the village..."
Her voice trailed off, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the glass.
"But what happened next? For the so-called interests of the village, for the agreement with Kirigakure... they were sacrificed without a second thought."
Those high-ranking officials who once smiled kindly at me could turn around and send me to the enemy's blade with a cold expression...
Heroes? They're worthless in the face of power, just a more useful tool...
The sorrow and despair in those words instantly cooled the lively atmosphere.
Juan looked at her teacher with concern and gently tugged at her sleeve.
"Teacher..."
Sara was moved by the emotion; she sat closer, took Pakura's other cold hand, and softly comforted him.
"It's all in the past, Pakura- nee. It's fine here now, no one will hurt you anymore."
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, or perhaps it was the result of suppressing his emotions for too long, Pakura gripped Sara's hand tightly as if she were clinging to a piece of driftwood.
"Yes... it's all in the past... thankfully... thankfully I met Chiyo..."
She raised her head, her eyes blurry with drunkenness, and looked at Chiyo, who was turning the grilled meat, her gaze filled with dependence and relief.
Sara's words stirred up her own thoughts, and with the effects of the alcohol, her eyes reddened slightly.
"Me... me too."
Sister Pakura, do you know?
Before... I was just a little Princess who knew nothing...
But my mother was killed by that Mukade, and he put me on the throne.
They just want to use me as a puppet to control the entire Rōran... I live like a puppet every day, not knowing what tomorrow will bring."
She became more and more emotional as she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.
"At that time, I was kept in the dark and thought that the man was doing the right thing, obeying the orders of the man who killed my mother."
Until Chiyo appeared like a ray of light, he told me the truth, defeated the Mukade, saved me, and also saved my people when the Dragon Vein was destroyed.
It gave me a new life, new hope.
Two women who were both tricked by fate and saved by the same person.
At this moment, fueled by alcohol, a powerful resonance was found.
They talked and comforted each other, and then almost simultaneously turned their heads, their two eyes, misty with tears and a hint of intoxication, gazing intently at the silent man.
The next second, before anyone could react, Pakura and Sara stood up almost simultaneously, each grabbing Chiyo's arm and pressing their burning cheeks tightly against his arms, as if they had found the safest haven, muttering incoherently.
"Thank you, Chiyo..."
"Don't leave me, Chiyo..."
This sudden turn of events left both Maki and Mei Terumi stunned.
Yugito's hand, holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air, her eyes flickering slightly.
Chiyo looked at the two "drunkards" clinging to him and smiled helplessly.
He could feel the slight trembling in their bodies and the deep vulnerability hidden in their words.
He put down the tongs and, with his free hand, gently patted each of them on the back, his voice deep and reassuring.
"Alright, it's all over now. You're safe now, this is your home."
His reassurance seemed to work; Pakura and Sara gradually calmed down, but their arms around his showed no sign of letting go. Instead, they snuggled closer as if they had found the most comfortable pillow, seemingly about to fall asleep.
Chiyo glanced at their drunken state and knew that the barbecue party was doomed to fail.
His gaze swept across the scene, first landing on Juan, who was still secretly picking at some meat.
"Roll."
"Ah? Yes! Lord Chiyo!"
Juan looked like a primary school student being called on by the teacher; he almost jumped up, quickly swallowed the meat in his mouth, and stood up straight.
"Your teacher has had too much to drink. Help her back to her room to rest."
Chiyo gestured to Pakura, who was tightly holding her left arm.
"Okay!
Juan quickly stepped forward and carefully tried to pry open Pakura's hand.
"Teacher? Teacher? Shall we go back to our rooms to sleep?"
Pakura muttered a few words of dissatisfaction, but under Chiyo's gentle gaze and with Juan's support, he finally let go of her hand and, half-leaning, half-supported by his disciple, staggered towards the guest room.
Having dealt with one, Chiyo's gaze naturally turned to Mei Terumi.
Mei Terumi was sipping her drink, watching this scene, pondering the complicated relationship, when she suddenly felt Chiyo's gaze fall on her, and her heart tightened for no reason.
"Come here!"
Mei Terumi had no idea what she was supposed to do.
He felt a deep contempt for Chiyo in his heart.
But he still put down his glass, stood up, and walked over, his movements even a little flustered.
Chiyo's voice was calm.
"Please, Sara, go back to her room to rest."
"... yes."
Mei Terumi responded and walked to Sara's side.
Seeing the queen, who was gentle and dignified during the day, now clinging to Chiyo like a child, she felt a little conflicted, but still gently supported Sara's shoulders.
"Lady Sara? Let's go back and rest."
Sara seemed even more drunk than Pakura. In her dazed state, she let go of Mei Terumi Mei Terumi's hand with a little force and leaned softly against her, being helped away from the courtyard.
Fortunately, Sara's accommodation had enough rooms to accommodate the two drunk ladies.
The lively courtyard suddenly quieted down, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire in the oven and the lingering aroma of meat and wine in the air.
Chiyo picked up the sake cup, drank the remaining sake in one gulp, and then looked at the last Yugito Nii left.
She remained seated, turned sideways to him, gazing at the fire. Her profile was somewhat blurred in the flickering Hokage, possessing a serene and detached beauty.
Chiyo got up and sat down next to her.
Yugito's body tensed up almost imperceptibly.
Chiyo didn't speak, but simply reached out and gently stroked her long, light brown hair in a very natural and gentle way. The strands of hair slipped through his fingers, carrying a cool touch.
Are you getting used to it?
He spoke, his voice even lower and softer than before.
"Life here after leaving Kumogakure."
Yugito neither avoided his touch nor answered immediately.
She remained silent for a moment before turning her head slightly to meet his deep, calm eyes.
The firelight danced in his eyes, but the emotions beneath remained unreadable.
"... There's nothing to be used to or not used to."
Her voice still carried its usual coldness, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a subtle softening.
"It's the same everywhere."
only...
Are they really the same?
She asked herself silently.
In the Cloud, she is a weapon, Jinchuriki, a force that needs to be controlled and guarded against.
And here.
Although her position is awkward, it seems...
No one looked at her with that fearful or instrumental gaze.
Sara's generosity, Pakura's occasional help, and the man before her...
Chiyo Uchiha once walked into his heart and led him away from Kumogakure!
Chiyo looked at her without asking any further questions. He simply withdrew his hand, picked up the wine pot, and slowly filled the empty wine cup in front of her.
You'll get used to it.
He said it casually, as if it were just a very ordinary greeting.
Yugito watched the clear liquid swirling in the cup, reflecting the Hokage and also revealing a faint outline of the man beside her.
Only the two of them remained in the courtyard, so quiet they could hear each other breathing.
A subtle and indescribable atmosphere quietly spread amidst the lingering aromas of wine and meat.
" Chiyo!"
A voice suddenly came out, muttering as if to oneself.
The girl's impulsiveness ultimately overcame her reserve.
She threw herself into Chiyo's arms.
"I also want to thank you..."
"Meeting you made me understand what it feels like to like someone!"
" Chiyo, from now on you will be my light!"