Minato and Kushina (Bonus Chapter for Stardust Journal)

Obito did listen to advice; while Taiichi was answering Rin's questions about Medical Ninjutsu, he focused on training on the sidelines.

Indeed, the blow just now was too great for Obito, not only because of the huge gap in strength between them and Taiichi, but also because of the pain of being powerless to help Rin after she was defeated.

Taiichi's warning was right. If such a thing really happened in the future, would he just be able to stand by and rage helplessly? Just thinking about that situation made Obito's head spin.

Time flies when you're focused on training; before you know it, it's almost noon. After saying goodbye to Obito and Rin, Taiichi headed to the market. Food at home was running low, and he needed to go grocery shopping.

In the market, Taiichi, who was selecting ingredients, noticed two other figures buying groceries in the distance and was quite surprised.

The reason was simple: a blond-haired man was pulling a white-haired man along, seemingly trying to persuade him earnestly.

Taiichi naturally recognized the two: Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze. However, their current state was a bit puzzling; what was making Jiraiya so unwilling?

As Taiichi approached, he heard Minato still trying to persuade him, "Jiraiya- sensei, you really can't refuse this time. Kushina has asked me to invite you to dinner three times already. You can't go too far, sensei."

Upon hearing Minato's words, Jiraiya's face immediately fell, as if his soul had been ripped out.

"Jiraiya- sensei, Senior Disciple Brother Minato, you're here too!" Taiichi, who knew the situation, interrupted their conversation.

Upon hearing Taiichi's words Jiraiya was overjoyed. "Haha, Taiichi, you've come at the perfect time! Let's go to Minato's house for dinner with our teacher today!"

"Ah, this isn't very good, Jiraiya- sensei." Taiichi was also a little confused by Jiraiya's words. This request was too sudden. As he spoke, he turned to look at Minato.

Although he himself really wanted to meet the future Fourth Hokage, in this situation, he felt like he was slapping someone in the face.

"What's wrong with that? You're practically my disciple, what's wrong with having a meal at Minato's house?" Jiraiya said, his tone both unreasonable and arrogant. He then turned to look at the gate. "You agree, right, gate?"

Minato, who had been listening with a smile, responded enthusiastically to Taiichi when he heard Jiraiya's question, "It's alright, Taiichi, it's more lively with more people! Come on over!"

Upon hearing Minato's invitation, Taiichi felt an urge to cover his head and chuckle bitterly, thinking to himself, "Minato, oh Minato, Jiraiya doesn't really want to invite me to dinner, he wants me to cook for him. I hope Kushina won't be furious."

Taiichi declined again, but finally succumbed to the persuasion of the two, mainly Jiraiya's "threat," and agreed to go to Minato's house as a guest.

The three walked along the road leading to Minato's house. Jiraiya approached Taiichi and said, "Taiichi, when Kushina is cooking later, go help her out and show off your skills to Minato and the others."

Taiichi to Jiraiya's words, then turned to look at Minato, who was staring at him curiously. He was also embarrassed, thinking to himself, "Jiraiya- sensei, you're being way too blatant."

Minato then realized what Jiraiya meant, but he didn't expose him. He simply nodded to Taiichi and said, "

Taiichi's cooking skills are really good, then Senior Disciple Brother is in for a treat today.

As expected of "Little Sun" Minato, he's incredibly gentle with his own people.

As soon as the three arrived at Minato's house, they saw Kushina already waiting eagerly at the door. Upon seeing them, she couldn't wait to go forward and took the bag full of groceries from Minato's hand.

"Why did it take so long? I thought you'd run off again, Jiraiya- sensei!" Kushina complained, then turned to Taiichi: "And who is this?"

"He is Taichi Matsushita, Lady Tsunade's disciple, and also considered a half-disciple of Jiraiya," Minato introduced from the side. "We happened to see him this time and invited him over."

"Hello, sister-in-law, my name is Taichi Matsushita. Nice to meet you." Taiichi quickly stepped forward and introduced himself with honeyed words.

The word "sister-in-law" made Kushina blush bright red, a blush that perfectly complemented her bright red hair. "Haha, what sister-in-law? Don't talk nonsense."

Despite saying no, Kushina stepped forward and took the bag full of ingredients from Taiichi's hand, pulling Taiichi into the house.

Jiraiya and Minato, who remained where they were, exchanged bewildered glances, both thinking to themselves: Is Taiichi really that popular with girls?

Inside, Kushina looked at the seated group and instructed Minato, "Minato, you stay here and take good care of everyone. I'll go cook now."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya, who had his back to Kushina Jiraiya, frantically winked at Taiichi.

Seeing Taiichi, Taiichi had no choice but to stand up and walk over to Kushina. "Sister-in-law, I happen to know a little about cooking. Let me help you cook. It'll be faster if two people cook together. I see it's getting late, Jiraiya -sensei is quite hungry."

Kushina stared at Jiraiya suspiciously. "Really? Are you that hungry?"

"Yes, yes, Kushina, let Taiichi help you. I'm starving." Jiraiya was unusually cooperative, urging the two to hurry up and cook.

Although Kushina looked puzzled, she couldn't resist Jiraiya's urging and went to the kitchen with Taiichi.

Watching the two figures disappear into the kitchen, Jiraiya exaggeratedly wiped non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, while glancing at Minato with eyes full of sympathy.

"Jiraiya -sensei, there's no need to exaggerate like that. Kushina's cooking isn't that bad!" Minato said, speechless, after receiving a look from Jiraiya.

Jiraiya didn't believe Minato's nonsense. Men in love probably think their girlfriends smell good everywhere. He was tricked by Minato into eating Kushina's food, and now he can't get away even if he wants to.

Jiraiya and Minato chatted casually, and occasionally the sounds of rapid chopping and Kushina and Taiichi exchanging cooking tips could be heard from the kitchen.

More than half an hour later, as dish after dish was served, even Minato was stunned by the delicious-looking and fragrant food. Could it really have been prepared in such a short time?

"Alright, all the food is here. These ladies are the main force today; I'm just helping out." Taiichi placed the last dish on the table and said to Jiraiya and Minato, who were already seated at the table.

Hearing this, Kushina blushed and said, "Haha, don't listen to Taiichi. Everyone, come and try it. Taiichi who made the most of today's meal." She then sat down at the table and invited everyone to eat.

The rising steam from the dining table, carrying a fragrant aroma, filled his nostrils, causing Jiraiya to swallow hard. He tremblingly picked up a piece of golden, glistening Fried Shrimp Tempura, the batter flakes falling in tiny gold flakes between his chopsticks, and seaweed crumbs swirling and landing on the porcelain plate with the steam.

A crisp "crack" suddenly broke the silence. Jiraiya's eyes widened abruptly as the crisp sound of his teeth pounded against his eardrums, the springy texture of the shrimp meat bursting with sweet juice on his tongue. He froze as if struck by Lightning Style, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air, motionless for a long time.

"What's wrong, Jiraiya- sensei?" Kushina asked anxiously, seeing Jiraiya standing there in a daze.

"It's so delicious!" Jiraiya exclaimed exaggeratedly.

"This dish was fried by my sister-in-law. I only added some sauce. I tasted it when it came out of the pan, and it was crispy and fragrant. She definitely mastered the cooking time perfectly," Taiichi praised from the side.

"Ha~ha~Come on, everyone, let's eat something else, try it all." Kushina was quite proud of herself. This dish was indeed her main dish, so she felt especially comfortable hearing the praise.

As everyone tried more and more dishes, even Minato began to doubt whether Kushina really made them. Although some of the dishes weren't exactly gourmet, they were worlds apart from her usual cooking skills.

Kushina beamed with joy at receiving everyone's praise. "Haha, it's all thanks to Taiichi!" Kushina humbly pointed out the best dishes without taking credit, explaining that Taiichi had made them.

Jiraiya and Minato both laughed upon hearing this. They had already made such great progress, so what more could they ask for?

The four of them enjoyed the meal immensely, especially Kushina, whose enthusiasm for Taiichi made even Minato a little jealous.

After the meal, everyone sat down to chat, and the conversation eventually turned to Taiichi's cultivation. When they mentioned that Taiichi was learning to One-Handed Seal, Minato immediately extended an invitation to Taiichi.

"I've recently been studying One-Handed Seal and have gained some insights. Taiichi, if you have time, we can discuss it together."