Maruboshi Kosuke Has a Knack for Cooking (Skip if no substance)

Maruboshi Kosuke led the three children into the Hokage Building.

The lobby on the first floor was bustling with people. Staff sat behind the counter, heads down, writing something, the pens scratching on the paper.

Maruboshi Kosuke walked to the far end of the window, took out a mission confirmation slip from his pocket, and handed it in.

The Staff behind the counter took the form, glanced at it, and said, "Mr. Kosuke, it's still a D-rank mission, right?"

The question was asked casually, but the tone implied "I understand." In all his years in Konoha, Maruboshi Kosuke had never accepted a mission of C rank or higher.

"Yes, Rank D." Maruboshi Kosuke nodded.

The Staff didn't say much, just stamped the form, counted out a few bills from the drawer, and handed them over.

Maruboshi Kosuke took the money, stepped aside, divided it into three portions, and handed them to the three men.

"Uncle, what about yours?"

"I didn't," Maruboshi Kosuke said with a smile. "I just showed you the mission process; I didn't do anything."

Shin-chan took the money and exclaimed, "So much money!"

"The rewards for a Rank D mission aren't much."

"That's way more than the allowance my mom gives me." Shin-chan held up the money. "Uncle, you're really generous!"

Maruboshi Kosuke was taken aback. "What?"

"Thighs," Uchiha Toru explained from the side, "Meaning very generous."

Maruboshi Kosuke paused for a moment, then said, "This money wasn't given by me; it was given by the person who commissioned the mission."

"That client is incredibly powerful."

"Let's go, let's take on another mission." Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head.

The second task was to help a grocery store move goods.

The boss received a new batch of goods, which were piled up at the store entrance and were about to be moved into the warehouse.

The three children spent more than half an hour moving things, running back and forth many times, before finally managing to move all the boxes into the warehouse.

"So tired." After moving the last box, Shin-chan sat down on the steps, rubbed his stomach, and his stomach growled in agreement.

Maruboshi Kosuke emerged from the general store, holding a quest receipt in his hand. "Go back now, you can leave after turning in the quest."

Shin-chan didn't move.

"What's wrong?" asked Maruboshi Kosuke.

"Uncle," Shin-chan looked up, "I'm hungry."

Maruboshi Kosuke pointed to the iron pot behind him. "Let's find a place to eat."

"Uncle, are you going to cook?" Shin-chan's eyes lit up immediately. "What are we eating?"

What would you like to eat?

"Fried Shrimp!" Shin-chan shouted first.

Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head. "No shrimp."

"What about the steak?"

"No."

"Curry rice?"

"No."

Shin-chan's face fell.

Maruboshi Kosuke found an empty Training Ground, set up the pot, and took out a small cloth bag from his pocket, which contained various seasonings.

Shin-chan squatted down and watched for a while before handing over the money he had just received.

Maruboshi Kosuke was taken aback. "What are you doing?"

"Money for groceries," Shin-chan said. "My mom always has to spend money to buy groceries, so you must have to spend money to buy ingredients for cooking, right?"

Kakashi paused for a moment, then took out his money and placed it next to Shin-chan's wad of cash.

Uchiha Toru glanced at the two of them, sighed, and took out his money as well.

Three stacks of money were neatly piled on the stone.

Maruboshi Kosuke stared at the three stacks of money in silence for a long while.

Generally speaking, Genin) keep the money they receive after completing a mission; who would take it out to treat their teacher to a meal?

Moreover, this "teacher" was merely someone who guided them through the task process; he wasn't even a formal instructor.

Maruboshi Kosuke sighed and put the money away. The reward for a D-rank mission wasn't a large sum, but it was enough to buy ingredients for a meal.

"Wait for me a moment." Maruboshi Kosuke turned and left.

Shin-chan- chan called out from behind, "Uncle, where are you going?"

"Buying groceries."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No need, you guys watch the pot."

About ten minutes later, Maruboshi Kosuke returned, carrying two bulging cloth bags. He placed the bags on a rock and took things out one by one.

Eggs, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, beef...

Shin-chan's eyes followed the food as it moved, and his mouth slowly opened.

"Uncle, would you like some steak?"

"It's not steak, it's beef noodles."

"Beef noodles!" Shin-chan's eyes lit up even more.

Maruboshi Kosuke didn't reply, but instead chopped the vegetables neatly and the tofu into squares.

Shin-chan squatted down beside him and asked, "Uncle, were you a chef before?"

"No."

"Then how come you're such a good cook?"

Maruboshi Kosuke paused for a moment, then continued cutting.

"If you live long enough, you'll know a little bit about everything."

When the beef is sliced thinly and fried in a pan, the oil splatters, and the aroma immediately fills the air.

Shin-chan twitched his nose and leaned forward, but was blocked by Maruboshi Kosuke.

"Don't get too close, the oil will splatter."

"It smells so good."

"Even incense must wait."

Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

The remaining oil in the pan was used to Stir-fried Green Vegetables. The moment the greens hit the pan, they sizzled, white smoke rose, and the aroma became even stronger.

After the noodles were cooked, Maruboshi Kosuke scooped them out and filled four large bowls with them.

The noodles are topped with pan-fried beef, and next to the beef are Stir-fried Green Vegetables and a few pieces of pan-fried tofu. Finally, a spoonful of sauce is poured over it.

He added a poached egg to each bowl of noodles, the yolk half-cooked and trembling.

"Eat."

Shin-chan was the first to rush forward, grab a piece of beef, and stuff it into his mouth.

"Uncle."

"Um."

"You're just like Kakashi."

Maruboshi Kosuke was taken aback.

"Your cooking is even better than Mom's." After saying that, Shin-chan picked up a big mouthful of noodles and slurped them down.

The wind blew across the Training Ground, carrying the scents of grass and earth, as well as the aroma of beef and sauce.

Kakashi finished eating, placed the bowl on the stone, and looked at Maruboshi Kosuke.

"Teacher, did you cook for yourself when you were on missions before?"

"Sometimes."

"In the wild?"

"Hmm." Maruboshi Kosuke nodded. "Do whatever you need."

Kakashi nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Shin-chan patted his round belly and let out a burp.

"Uncle, can we eat this every day from now on?"

You wish!

"So, you should eat it every other day?"

Maruboshi Kosuke glanced at the three bowls, all of which were completely empty, not even a drop of soup was left. "I don't have that much money."

"Then I'll give you all the money from now on."

"No need," Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head. "You should save it yourself."

Why save them up?

"Buy what you want."

Shin-chan thought for a moment and said, "I want Chocolate Stick."

Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head, put the pot away, and slung it behind his back.

Let's go.

Where to?

"The Hokage Building," Maruboshi Kosuke said, "Turn in the quest slip and receive a new quest."