Barbecue

The Konoha under the twilight had a unique charm.

After months of being ravaged by canned battlefield rations and Ration Pills, when the sizzling sound of fat hitting charcoal once again echoed in his ears, Nishikawa Tetsu felt it was the sound of being alive.

"Yakiniku Q," one of Konoha's two most renowned barbecue restaurants, the other being the Akimichi clan's.

Yakiniku Q specialized in high-end barbecue. Today, in a private room usually reserved for important figures.

"Order whatever you want, don't be shy."

Uchiha Fugaku sat cross-legged at the head of the table. Though his poker face remained, his casual clothes diminished some of his killing aura, adding a touch of aristocratic flair.

"Since I said I'd treat, I won't go back on my word. Today's budget has no limit, eat to your heart's content."

"Awesome! Long live Fugaku-senpai!"

Nishikawa Tetsu and Namikaze Minato cheered, their joy stemming from the bottom of their hearts.

For teenagers who were growing and whose Chakra consumption was immense, meat was justice.

However, the dinner today wasn't just for the three of them.

Beside Fugaku, a young girl in a pale purple kimono was kneeling.

She had smooth, long black hair, fair skin, and a gentle, watery aura radiating from her eyes and brows.

She looked about the same age as Fugaku, probably fourteen or fifteen.

But she lacked the sharpness of a ninja; instead, she seemed more like a well-bred young lady or a friendly older sister.

"Let me introduce you."

Fugaku cleared his throat unnaturally, his gaze drifting, seemingly hesitant to look directly at the girl beside him:

"This is Uchiha Mikoto, she's my... cough, clan member."

"Just a clan member?"

Nishikawa Tetsu's eyes darted between the two, a knowing smile playing on his lips, "I think she's the future 'Clan Head's Wife', right?"

"Pfft!" Minato, who was drinking tea, almost spat it out.

Fugaku's face instantly turned red to his ears, and he slammed the table hard: "Nishikawa Tetsu! Eat your meat! Why so much nonsense!"

Mikoto, however, wasn't angry. Instead, she chuckled, covering her mouth, her beautiful eyes curving into crescent moons.

She gracefully bowed to the two: "Hello, I'm Uchiha Mikoto. Fugaku often mentions you. He says he has a genius in his squad who is as warm as the sun, and another who always speaks strange theories, a strategist. Meeting you today, you are indeed both very outstanding people."

"Not at all, Mikoto-nee-san, you flatter us." Minato scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

Nishikawa Tetsu secretly thought, This is Sasuke and Itachi's mother? She truly is the typical virtuous wife and loving mother type. No wonder she can put up with a tsundere and proud man like Fugaku.

"Mikoto-nee-san, Fugaku-senpai took great care of us on the battlefield." Nishikawa Tetsu played his part and assisted.

"Even though he doesn't say it, he always rushes to the front lines whenever there's danger."

Mikoto turned to look at Fugaku, her eyes full of tenderness. "I know. He's just too kind."

Nishikawa Tetsu's expression turned a bit strange. Kindness... and Uchiha? Can those two words even go together?

Fugaku felt uncomfortable under her gaze and could only stiffly pick up the tongs. "The meat is cooked, eat up."

As a few slices of grilled meat went down, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

With Mikoto's gentle presence acting as a lubricant, Fugaku's aloof aura was dispelled by more than half.

The group chatted about interesting battlefield anecdotes, deliberately avoiding the bloody and heavy topics, of course.

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

"Is that... Hatake-sama?"

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

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

Hearing the name, the actions of the four people in the room paused.

"White Fang?" Minato's eyes flashed with admiration. "Is it Hatake Sakumo-sama?"

He was a powerhouse that even Jiraiya-sensei admitted he couldn't compare to.

"It should be him."

Fugaku put down his chopsticks, his expression becoming serious, a natural respect for a strong individual. "He's the most talked-about person in Konoha right now. It's said his war achievements on the battlefield even surpass those of the Sannin."

"And he just had a son, who he apparently dotes on very much," Mikoto added with a smile. "He returned from the front lines not long ago, and you can often see him walking around the village carrying his child these days."

As they were talking, a corner of the door curtain was blown open by the wind.

Nishikawa Tetsu saw through the gap into the lobby outside.

A man with long silver hair, wearing a kimono, was walking into the shop carrying a silver-haired baby who had just learned to walk.

Though the man looked a bit tired, his eyes were gentle as he playfully teased the child in his arms.

Hatake Sakumo, and... a young Kakashi.

Nishikawa Tetsu's heart stirred.

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

His strength was hailed as surpassing the Sannin, and the chakra short sword in his hand flashed with a chilling white light, the nightmare of all enemy ninjas.

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

"His strength is indeed formidable," Fugaku commented. "Even the arrogant elders in the clan say that if we're talking solely about swordsmanship and instant-kill ability, White Fang is number one in Konoha."

"But..."

Nishikawa 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," Nishikawa Tetsu shook his head and didn't say more.

He knew very well that according to the original historical trajectory, this hero at the height of his glory would soon be pushed to a dead end by the village and comrades he protected, due to a choice to "abandon a mission to save a comrade."

The despair of public opinion turning against him was sharper than any blade on the battlefield.

Fugaku felt this deeply, "I haven't accomplished much yet, and just awakening my Sharingan has put me in this situation."

"Hey, Senior Fugaku, don't worry, aren't you and Minato here!" Nishikawa Tetsu couldn't stand his dejected look and comforted him.

"Yes, Senior, and Tetsu has an idea," Minato agreed with a nod.

Fugaku was somewhat surprised to hear this, "Oh? Tetsu, you brat, do you have a plan?"

Nishikawa Tetsu smiled slightly, "Oh, Senior, this isn't the place to talk about such things. Let's talk after we eat."

Fugaku thought that was reasonable, Mikoto was still here.

He raised his teacup and addressed the three of them:

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

"To the unregretted yakiniku!" Minato raised his drink.

"To... the future clan head's wife," Nishikawa Tetsu added with a sly smile, raising his cup.

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

The four cups clinked together with a crisp sound.

On this lively night filled with the aroma of food, the future Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha clan head, the genius scientist, and Sasuke's gentle mother enjoyed this brief and precious tranquility.

And next door, a young Kakashi, in his father's arms, curiously observed the world.