No Ifs in Life; Nothing a Barbecue Can't Solve

The next day at noon, the sun shone brightly.

Chiyo Uchiha stood outside the Barbecue Restaurant. After confirming he had the right place, he pushed open the door and walked in.

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of grilled meat.

There were not many customers, but the atmosphere was cozy.

He chose a seat by the window, ordered a cup of green tea, and quietly waited for Tsunade to arrive.

Before long, Tsunade appeared at the entrance.

She had changed into casual clothes today. Her pale green kimono made her skin look as white as snow.

Her long golden hair was casually tied behind her head.

She had lost some of her battlefield sharpness and gained a touch of softness.

"Have you been waiting long?"

When Tsunade saw Chiyo Uchiha, she strode over to the table with a slight smile.

Chiyo rose and pulled out a chair for her.

"I just got here. Please, sit."

Tsunade raised a brow.

"You're quite the gentleman."

Chiyo smiled but did not reply, merely pouring her a cup of tea.

Tsunade accepted the teacup, her gaze lingering on Chiyo's face for a moment.

The Chiyo before her was calm and composed. Even in conversation, he carried a maturity beyond his years, which made her curious.

"Are you always like this?"

Tsunade suddenly asked.

"Like what?"

Chiyo asked in return.

"Like... an old man. So serious all the time."

Tsunade teased.

"Maybe it's because I've been through a lot. War forces people to grow up early."

At that, Tsunade's eyes dimmed slightly.

She lowered her head and took a sip of tea without saying another word.

The server brought over the grilled meat, sake, and side dishes. The warmth of the charcoal fire gradually livened up the atmosphere at the table.

Chiyo skillfully laid slices of meat across the grill. The fat sizzled, and the fragrance spread through the air.

"Try this. The meat here is very fresh."

Chiyo picked up a cooked slice and placed it on the plate before Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded, picked up the meat, and put it in her mouth. Its tender texture made her eyes light up.

"It really is good."

"I'm glad you like it."

Chiyo placed several more slices on her plate, his movements as natural as though it had been a habit for years.

Watching him, Tsunade felt an unfamiliar sensation stir within her.

As the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, the "God of Shinobi," and the Princess of the Land of Fire, she was respected by others every day.

Yet she had rarely experienced being cared for so thoughtfully.

"Do you... often take care of people like this?"

Tsunade could not help asking.

Chiyo looked up at her. Her nearly flawless face held a trace of curiosity.

Her skin was as fair as snow, glowing with a healthy rosy sheen, delicate and flawless like fine porcelain.

"I just thought you should relax properly. What's happened lately must have exhausted you."

Tsunade froze for a moment.

"Is it that obvious?"

"You hid it well, but your eyes can't lie."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"Nawaki... and the other companions who died in this war. It really has made it hard for me to breathe."

Chiyo did not rush to comfort her. Instead, he poured her a cup of sake.

"Sometimes, drinking a little helps."

Tsunade took the cup and drained it in one gulp.

The burning heat of the alcohol spread from her throat to her chest, seemingly easing the pressure in her heart for the moment.

"You know?"

She set down her cup, her voice somewhat low.

"I've kept thinking that if Nawaki's squad had had a Medical Ninja back then, maybe he wouldn't have..."

"There are no ifs in life."

Chiyo interrupted her, his tone gentle yet firm.

"What we can do is make sure the same tragedy never happens again."

Tsunade looked up at him blankly, her expression complicated.

She had expected comfort along the lines of, "It wasn't your fault," but Chiyo's answer was so direct and mature.

"You're right."

She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

"That's why I have to push forward the Medical Ninja Training Program. We can't let more people die for nothing."

Chiyo nodded.

"The Medical Ninja Training Program is indeed imperative. I'll support you with everything I have. Whatever you need, just tell me."

"By the way, speaking of that, after supporting me at the meeting yesterday, didn't your Clan Members blame you when you went back?"

Chiyo shrugged.

"I was called in for a talk, but it wasn't a big deal.

The Uchiha need to change. I merely took the first step early."

Tsunade looked at him thoughtfully, unable to help feeling impressed.

"You're far more capable than I imagined."

"Same to you."

Chiyo smiled.

"You're the first person I've seen dare to slam the table at a meeting."

Tsunade was amused by his words and could not help laughing aloud.

"You little brat!"

The atmosphere between them immediately became much more relaxed.

After several rounds of drinks, the topic gradually shifted to the current battle situation.

"Amegakure is coming in fiercely this time. That old man Hanzō is no easy opponent."

Tsunade's brows furrowed slightly.

"Konoha is under enormous pressure."

"Because of Hanzō?"

"Yes."

Chiyo pondered for a moment, recalling what he knew about Hanzō from the Hokage series.

"Hanzō, hailed as the Demi-God, is proficient in Poison Jutsu, Water Release, and Fire Style. The first two are the most threatening and lethal."

As he said this, Chiyo's expression turned utterly serious.

"As long as Konoha can counter his poison and develop an antidote, Hanzō's threat will be greatly reduced.

In addition, we need some targeted medical supplies, such as Gas Masks and Oxygen Masks. That should reduce some casualties."

"Objectively speaking, that's about all there is to it.

Hanzō's strength truly cannot be underestimated, but Konoha is not without a chance of winning.

The rest depends on whether we can unite and bring out our greatest strength."

"Unite?"

Tsunade sneered.

"Konoha's internal conflicts are more troublesome than its external enemies right now."

Chiyo did not argue. He merely said softly.

"That is precisely why we need to work even harder.

You're from the Senju Clan, and I'm from the Uchiha. If we can join hands, perhaps we can become the turning point that changes this war."

Tsunade stared at him, an unusual emotion flashing through her eyes.

"You really are special, Chiyo Uchiha."

Chiyo smiled faintly.

"I merely did what I believed was right."

Their gazes met in the air, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

The fragrance of the barbecue and the warmth of the charcoal fire wrapped around them, as though temporarily shutting out the troubles of the outside world.

"Enough talking. Eat!"

Chiyo Uchiha calmly held the tongs and turned the meat again, placing the cooked pieces into Tsunade's bowl.

"You eat too!"

Tsunade did not put on airs and immediately started eating.

The two ate for more than forty minutes.

"It's getting late. I have a mission tomorrow, so I should get going."

Chiyo stood up.

"I'll walk you out."

Tsunade shook her head.

"No need. I can manage on my own."

Chiyo did not insist and simply nodded.

"Then see you tomorrow."

Tsunade turned around, seeming to remember something.

She took Chiyo Uchiha's coat from the bag she had brought.

"Your coat!"

She placed it beside Chiyo Uchiha.

Then she left briskly, her figure casting a long shadow beneath the setting sun.

Chiyo watched her leave. Only after she disappeared around the street corner did he withdraw his gaze.

He sat back down at the table, poured himself a cup of sake, and drained it in one gulp.

Chiyo was quite satisfied with today's conversation.

He could clearly tell that Tsunade no longer held much guard against him, and their relationship had grown much closer.

Chiyo's gaze fell upon the table.

Eating barbecue was quite an intimate affair too, with cups raised and returned, back and forth...

There was a saying.

Nothing a barbecue can't solve.

If there is, then have two.

"The first step toward stealing Tsunade away has been taken, I suppose..."

A hint of amusement flashed through his eyes.

"Success in stealing her away is still far off. I must continue working hard!"

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