The Temptation of Gourmet Food

"..." Uchiha Houka felt aggrieved. What kind of bad luck was it to be hit by a stray bullet while just sitting there? He was lying down and still got shot!

Especially since he had just been lectured by Shin Kiyono for over an hour, and now this again?!

"Uchiha Houka, although you were born into the Uchiha Clan, you haven't applied your talent to your training. You slack off in class all day, fidget, fail to get along with your classmates, and cause trouble everywhere. During Kakashi's graduation exam, you even spouted nonsense and, in the end, overestimated yourself by challenging Kakashi, becoming a laughingstock for the whole school and even all of Konoha. You've completely disgraced your teacher!"

Shin Kiyono wasn't lying. Throughout the past vacation, he had been stopped by teachers from other classes more than once to be teased about Uchiha Houka in his class, which made him lose a lot of face.

If Houka weren't from the Uchiha Clan, Shin Kiyono would have used his authority to kick him into another class long ago.

"Teacher Shin Kiyono, it's not like that at all!" Uchiha Obito suddenly stood up and roared with righteous indignation, "Houka trained desperately during the vacation; he is definitely not a laughingstock!"

As soon as he finished speaking, whispers broke out in the classroom.

"I heard that this idiot Houka practiced Taijutsu and ended up in the hospital. I heard even his medical bills were covered by the doctor," a kid from the Hyuga Clan said with a smirk. His name was Masamune Hyuga, a member of the Branch House who knew a few moves of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist, making him somewhat of a popular figure in the class.

"To be a member of the Uchiha Clan with a powerful Kekkei Genkai, yet unable to awaken his eyes and forced to learn Taijutsu?" Asuma Sarutobi glanced back at Houka before looking away as if nothing had happened.

"What a disgrace."

"Hehe, he's just an idiot."

The other background characters in the class had long been dissatisfied with Houka, and now that they had the chance, they didn't hold back, kicking him while he was down and expressing their contempt.

Houka scanned the room. He wasn't a bad person, but he wasn't a saint who would turn the other cheek either. He memorized everyone in the classroom who was insulting him and added them to his blacklist.

This blacklist included most of the class, and naturally, it included Mizuki, that jealous kid.

However, Kurenai Yuhi, Ibiki, Tobitake Tonbo, Rin, and others remained silent, not joining the crusade.

As expected of the important characters from the original story, their character was indeed different.

At this moment, Shin Kiyono waved his hand to stop the discussion, looked at Uchiha Obito, and then at the silent, indifferent Houka, suddenly feeling a strange sensation.

If it were the old Houka, he would have jumped up to argue back against such slander, but today... had he changed his personality?

"No one who works hard should be slandered!" Shin Kiyono spoke up. "Uchiha Houka trained hard during the vacation, and regardless of his purpose, it is worthy of affirmation. I hope you can keep it up in the future! But regarding your previous performance, I am very disappointed!"

Although his tone still carried a hint of annoyance, Shin Kiyono had actually affirmed Houka's vacation training, which surprised Houka a little.

But after a second thought, he understood. After all, this class included the "Fire Second Generation" Asuma Sarutobi, the son of the White Fang of Konoha, Kakashi, as well as talented children like Kurenai Yuhi. The Third Hokage wouldn't send a mediocre person to be their homeroom teacher.

Is he the same type of teacher as Naruto's teacher, Iruka?

Afterward, Shin Kiyono said a few more things, arranged the afternoon training session, and left the classroom.

At this moment, the crisp sound of the bell rang outside the classroom.

The morning classes were over.

The Ninja Academy instantly transformed from a peaceful sanctuary into a bustling market. The chattering of countless little brats filled every classroom, then spread to the cafeteria, the playground, and even further away.

"Kurenai Yuhi, I brought a delicious bento. How about we go to the rooftop to eat together?" Asuma Sarutobi, living up to his "Fire Second Generation" status, used his wealth to launch an offensive toward Kurenai Yuhi with two bento boxes.

Kurenai Yuhi blinked her innocent, adorable eyes and nodded cutely. Her chubby cheeks trembled slightly; she was a total little girl.

"Obito, I brought a bento. Let's eat together." Rin also ran over to talk to Uchiha Obito.

Uchiha Obito was stunned, then looked at Houka, his expression hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Rin asked curiously. Obito had never shown such an expression before.

"Well, Rin, the bento you make is indeed delicious, but, but..." Uchiha Obito was conflicted. For one, his bento was still with Houka, and for another, throughout this vacation, he had eaten at Houka's house from breakfast to dinner. He had long since grown accustomed to Chinese cuisine—from sour and spicy Chinese cabbage, mashed potatoes, and stir-fried mushrooms with greens, to later, with the support of Yakushi Nonō, high-nutrition dishes like garlic steamed shrimp, Kung Pao Chicken, and chopped chili fish head. These dishes were so good that Uchiha Obito almost swallowed his own tongue!

"Rin, why don't we eat with Houka today?" Uchiha Obito looked at Rin pitifully.

"Eh, why?" Rin tilted her head, confused. Like most of the class, Rin found Uchiha Houka a bit annoying, but she had a kind nature and chose to "out of sight, out of mind."

"Because the food he makes is really delicious!" Uchiha Obito swallowed his saliva, and his stomach let out a very honest growl.

At the same time, Houka had already picked up the bento he prepared in the morning and looked at Obito.

In the end, Rin nodded and agreed.

After all, she was only six years old, and Rin was a gentle person; she had no reason to refuse Obito's sincere invitation.

The three of them didn't pick a spot and just ate in the classroom.

Rin's bento was very simple, consisting of rice balls filled with seaweed, meat floss, and greens, which looked very pleasing to the eye.

Beside them, Uchiha Obito couldn't wait to open a bento box containing rice and the dishes Houka had made that morning: sour and spicy Chinese cabbage and mashed potatoes. Although they were already cold, the taste hadn't changed in the slightest. Especially the sour and spicy Chinese cabbage; even cold, a sour and spicy aroma wafted out. Some classmates couldn't help but sneeze when they smelled it, but after sneezing, they couldn't help but want to smell it again.

"It smells so good!"

"Yeah, it's sour and spicy; my mouth is watering!"

"Whose bento is that? It smells amazing."

Uchiha Obito couldn't help but shovel rice into his mouth, eating ravenously.

Beside him, Rin looked at Uchiha Obito's bento in surprise; that sour and spicy aroma was drifting from this very box.

Subsequently, Houka also opened his bento, and the sour and spicy scent became even stronger.

Gulp.

Rin couldn't help but swallow her saliva, her eyes filled with a hint of anticipation.

Seeing this, Houka pushed the bento over and said indifferently, "Want to try some?"

"Huh?" Rin was startled. Seeing Uchiha Houka, her subconscious reaction was to refuse, but that sour and spicy aroma was too alluring. After a cute frown, she couldn't help but nod. Once she took a bite of the sour and spicy Chinese cabbage, an expression of surprise couldn't help but appear on her face.

It's so delicious! To be able to make such a tasty bento, Houka must have a kind heart! Rin thought to herself.

"How is it?" Uchiha Houka asked, knowing the answer.

Rin nodded vigorously: "Delicious, it's so delicious! It's sour, spicy, and fragrant all at once—the flavor is amazing!"

At this moment, the other students were also drawn over by the scent.

Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi, who had just been preparing to head to the rooftop, also gathered around. The latter, with her round, cute face, even wore a look of longing; she was clearly a little foodie.

"Ah, it's so good!" Uchiha Obito shouted while eating, looking extremely satisfied. When he saw Rin eating as well, he couldn't help but laugh out loud: "How is it, how is it? Good, right? This is a dish Houka made himself, though it's already gone cold, so the flavor has dropped quite a bit."

"Hmph, what's the big deal? Isn't it just adding a bit more vinegar and chili? How childish!" a white-haired kid said with a look of disdain.

Uchiha Houka looked up and smiled. It was actually Mizuki. This guy, his jealousy was way too intense, wasn't it? To be this jealous just because he made some sour and spicy Chinese cabbage?

If I were to make two hearty main courses, wouldn't you be jealous enough to kill someone?

"I think so too. I could make this kind of dish, and it would definitely taste better than what Uchiha Houka made!"

Quite a few students who had previously looked down on Uchiha Houka chimed in to support Mizuki, then left the classroom looking rather unwilling.

"Kurenai Yuhi?" Asuma Sarutobi looked at Kurenai Yuhi, who was still unwilling to leave, his face showing some hesitation.

"Um, excuse me, can I have some too?" Little Kurenai Yuhi saw Rin eating with such relish and finally couldn't resist the temptation of the food.

Asuma Sarutobi slapped his forehead and sighed helplessly.

In the end, Uchiha Obito, Rin, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yuhi all sat beside Uchiha Houka to enjoy the meal.

But, hey, you guys are eating way too fast! Where does that leave me, the owner of this bento! (To be continued)