In the end, Mei Terumi made her decision and headed to Pakura first.
She could see Pakura's anger toward Kiyoshi in her eyes. Presumably, she would not give up directly like Kumogakure had.
Night fell.
The glow of a campfire appeared outside the rocky hills near the downstream riverbank. Flames burned through the wood, crackling from time to time.
By nightfall, little of the dew from the day remained. Even slightly damp wood could be used, and a single Fire Release from Kiyoshi was enough to ignite it.
Kiyoshi's group and the three from Hyuga Natsu's group had gathered here.
Firelight flickered across everyone's faces as Kiyoshi sprinkled seasoning over a grilled fish.
Every training ground exercise lasted five days, and during that time, they had to find their own food.
Having planned ahead, Kiyoshi had prepared some seasoning and handed it to Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up. She immediately took it, blew on it, and took a huge bite.
"It's so hot, but it's delicious."
Kurenai Yuhi puffed out breaths as she declared it delicious.
She loved fish.
The Death Forest could be called a primeval forest, with an extremely primitive ecosystem.
The fish in the river were one hundred percent wild. Their meat was far fresher and more tender than the farm-raised fish outside.
Kurenai Yuhi wondered whether those fish also had traces of Chakra in their bodies, honing their flesh to such tenderness in order to adapt to life in the primeval forest.
"Kiyoshi, what about mine?"
As Kurenai Yuhi sampled the grilled fish, Asuma Sarutobi looked toward Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi tossed the seasoning bottle to Asuma Sarutobi and had him season his own.
There were still quite a few fish in the crude basket woven from wooden strips.
With Kiyoshi's perception, he caught fish