Grilled Meat

Konoha at dusk had a charm all its own.

After months of suffering through battlefield rations and Ration Pills, when the sizzling sound of fat dripping onto charcoal reached his ears again, Nishikawa Tetsu felt that this was the sound of truly being alive.

Yakiniku Q was one of Konoha's two most famous barbecue restaurants. The other belonged to the Akimichi Clan.

Yakiniku Q specialized in high-end grilled meat. Today, in one of the private rooms usually reserved for important figures—

"Go ahead and order. Don't hold back."

Uchiha Fugaku sat cross-legged in the seat of honor. Though he still wore that poker face, his casual clothes made him seem less murderous and more like a refined young nobleman.

"Since I said I'd treat you, I won't go back on my word. There's no limit to today's budget. Eat as much as you want."

"That's awesome! Long live Fugaku-senpai!"

Nishikawa Tetsu and Namikaze Minato cheered, their joy entirely genuine.

For boys still growing and consuming enormous amounts of Chakra, meat was justice.

However, the meal did not consist of only the three of them.

Beside Fugaku sat a young woman in a pale purple kimono.

She had long, silky black hair, fair skin, and a gentle, water-like softness in her features.

She looked about Fugaku's age, perhaps fourteen or fifteen.

Yet she lacked the sharp aura of a ninja. Instead, she seemed more like a well-bred young lady or the kind older sister next door.

"Let me introduce her."

Fugaku cleared his throat awkwardly, his gaze wandering as though he did not dare look directly at the young woman beside him.

"This is Uchiha Mikoto. She's... ahem, from the same clan as me."

"Just from the same clan?"

Nishikawa Tetsu's gaze traveled back and forth between them, and a knowing smile tugged at his lips. "I think she's your future 'clan leader's wife,' isn't she?"

"Pfft!" Minato, who had been drinking tea, nearly spat it out.

Fugaku's face instantly turned red to the tips of his ears. He slammed a hand onto the table. "Nishikawa Tetsu! Eat your meat! Why do you have so much nonsense to say?"

Mikoto was not angry at all. Instead, she covered her mouth and laughed softly, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents.

She generously bowed to the two of them. "Hello, I'm Uchiha Mikoto. I often hear Fugaku mention you. He says there's a genius in his team as warm as the sun, as well as a strategist who is always spouting strange theories. Now that I've met you, you really are both outstanding people."

"No, no, you flatter me, Sister Mikoto." Minato scratched his head sheepishly.

Tetsu secretly thought, So this is Sasuke and Itachi's mother? She really is the typical virtuous wife and loving mother. No wonder she can put up with a brooding, tsundere man like Fugaku.

"Sister Mikoto, Fugaku-senpai really took good care of us on the battlefield." Tetsu took the opportunity to give him a push.

"Even though he never says it, he always charges to the front whenever there's danger."

Mikoto turned to Fugaku, her eyes filled with tenderness. "I know. He's just too kind."

Tetsu's expression turned a little strange. Kind... and Uchiha? Could those two words really go together?

Fugaku grew uncomfortable under her gaze and could only stiffly pick up the tongs. "The meat's done. Eat."

As several slices of grilled meat went down their stomachs, the atmosphere gradually became livelier.

With gentle Mikoto acting as a buffer, much of Fugaku's unapproachable aura faded away.

They chatted about amusing things from the battlefield, deliberately avoiding the bloody and heavy topics.

Just then, a commotion came from the corridor outside the private room.

"Is that... Lord Hatake?"

"Oh my god, it's the Konoha White Fang! He came here for grilled meat too?"

"Look, that child is so cute..."

Upon hearing that name, all four people in the private room paused.

"White Fang?" A glint of admiration flashed in Minato's eyes. "Is that Lord Hatake Sakumo?"

He was a powerhouse even Jiraiya-sensei admitted he could not compare to.

"It should be him."

Fugaku set down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious. It was instinctive respect for a powerful man. "In Konoha right now, he's the one in the greatest spotlight. They say his battlefield achievements have even surpassed the Sannin."

"And he just had a son. I heard he treasures him dearly." Mikoto added with a smile. "He only returned from the front lines a while ago, and people have often seen him carrying his child around the village for walks lately."

As they spoke, the curtain over the private room entrance was blown open at one corner by the wind.

Through the gap, Tetsu saw the main hall outside.

A man with long silver hair, dressed in a kimono, entered the restaurant while holding a silver-haired little dumpling who had only just learned to walk.

Though the man looked somewhat weary, his gaze was gentle as he teased the child in his arms.

Hatake Sakumo, and... the child version of Kakashi.

Tetsu's heart stirred.

At this time, Hatake Sakumo was at the peak of his life.

His strength was said to surpass that of the Sannin. The Chakra short blade in his hand flashed with chilling white light, making him the nightmare of ninja from every enemy nation.

"The Konoha White Fang..." Minato sighed. "I heard his mission completion rate is one hundred percent, and he values his comrades deeply. His prestige in the village is extremely high."

"His strength is indeed formidable," Fugaku commented. "Even those arrogant elders in the clan say that if they only considered swordsmanship and instant-kill ability, the White Fang was Konoha's number one."

"But..."

Tetsu withdrew his gaze, looked at the tea in his cup, and said softly, "Sometimes, the higher you stand, the harder you fall. Reputation is a double-edged sword."

"What do you mean?" Mikoto asked curiously.

"Nothing." Tetsu shook his head and said no more.

He knew very well that according to the original course of history, this hero at the height of his glory would soon be driven to a dead end by the village and comrades he had protected because of one decision—to abandon a mission and save his companions.

The despair of being devoured by public opinion was sharper than the blades on a battlefield.

Fugaku deeply understood that feeling. "I haven't even earned much military merit yet, but just opening my eyes has already put me in this situation."

"Come on, Fugaku-senpai, don't worry. Isn't Minato and I here for you?" Tetsu could not stand the sight of him like that and tried to comfort him.

"That's right, senpai. Besides, doesn't Che already have an idea?" Minato nodded in agreement.

Fugaku looked surprised. "Oh? Che, you brat, do you have a solution?"

Tetsu smiled faintly. "Come on, senpai. This isn't the right occasion to talk about that. We'll discuss it after we eat."

Fugaku thought that made sense. Mikoto was still here, after all.

He raised his teacup toward the other three.

"No matter what, being able to return alive and sit here eating meat is thanks to everyone."

"To this grilled meat without regrets!" Minato raised his drink.

"To... the future clan leader's wife." Tetsu raised his cup with a wicked grin.

"To the hard-won peace." Mikoto gently raised her cup.

The four cups clinked together with a crisp sound.

On this night filled with the warmth of everyday life, the future Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha clan leader, a genius scientist, and Sasuke's gentle mother enjoyed this brief and precious peace.

Next door, young Kakashi lay in his father's arms, curiously observing the world.