The meat sizzled on the grill, fat splattering up before falling back down.
With his mouth stuffed full of meat, Shin-chan finally quieted down.
He sat beside Jiraiya, cheeks puffed out, holding a piece of meat in his chopsticks while staring at the next one.
Jiraiya took a sip of wine and leaned back in his chair, looking at Tsunade. "Are you going to watch the Chunin Exams this time?"
Tsunade turned over the meat on the grill without even raising her head. "What's there to watch?"
"I heard it'll be quite large this time. Sunagakure and quite a few smaller ninja villages will be sending people." Jiraiya paused. "The daimyo's side will be sending people too."
"Let them come." Tsunade's movements paused for a moment before she continued turning the meat.
"You're not curious who's coming?"
"Not curious."
Jiraiya smiled. "You're still the same as ever."
Tsunade ignored him.
Shin-chan had no interest in any of that.
In his world, there was only the meat on the grill. One piece, two pieces, three pieces—his chopsticks moved at lightning speed.
Kushina sat beside him, watching Shin-chan curiously.
Members of the Uzumaki Clan possessed an innate sensitivity to Chakra. Ordinary people could only sense whether it was "strong" or "weak," but she could feel much more.
This brat's Chakra was warm, like the sun, making people want to get closer without realizing it.
So Kushina leaned over and casually found a topic. "What do you usually eat?"
Shin-chan chewed on his meat and answered indistinctly, "Food."
Kushina waited a moment, only to realize he had no intention of saying anything else.
"What kind of food?"
"Just food." Shin-chan picked up another piece of meat. "Mother makes it."
Kushina nodded and asked again, "What do you like to eat?"
"Meat."
"What besides