The Bonds of Team 7

"Yufeng, how should we bring it up later...?"

Uchiha Obito withdrew his worried gaze from Kakashi and spoke to Uchiha Yufeng before Nohara Rin could.

Uchiha Yufeng set down his drink and shook his head.

"There's no way to talk about this. A heart's ailment needs its own remedy."

A trace of gloom flashed through Nohara Rin's eyes at those words.

"All we can do now is come over to Kakashi's place more often, mooch off his meals, and keep him company!"

Seeing the two fall silent, Uchiha Yufeng got up and fetched another bottle of soda.

"Yufeng, how are you so familiar with Kakashi's house?"

Seeing Uchiha Yufeng move so naturally, Uchiha Obito looked at him suspiciously.

"Once, I was fishing by the river when it started pouring. I happened to run into Kakashi, and he brought me here to wait out the rain."

"Oh, so you've been to Kakashi's house before!"

Uchiha Obito suddenly understood. After saying that, he drained the drink in his hand.

"Rin, in a few days, I'll take you fishing too!"

"Okay!"

Nohara Rin replied with a smile.

"The fish is ready!"

As the three chatted, Hatake Kakashi brought out braised fish, pan-fried river fish, and several cold mixed vegetable dishes.

"Wow!"

Nohara Rin and Uchiha Yufeng had long been drawn in by the aroma from the kitchen. When the dishes were brought out, their eyes went wide.

"Kakashi... you're amazing!"

"What is this...?"

They were so excited their mouths were practically watering.

"This is the braised fish Yufeng taught me last time. This is pan-fried river fish, and this is Kaze."

"Let's eat!~"

With that, they all started digging in.

"Kakashi, why is this fish so delicious!~"

"Yufeng, where did you learn to make braised fish? Teach me next time! I'll learn to make it too..."

Uchiha Obito swallowed the piece of braised fish in his mouth, then secretly glanced at Nohara Rin, his face turning red.

Hearing that, Kakashi stood up and found a sheet of paper on the table.

"This is the recipe for braised fish. Yufeng wrote it last time."

After saying that, Kakashi placed it in front of Obito.

"Thanks!~"

Uchiha Obito looked delighted and carefully folded the recipe before tucking it into his clothes.

"Yufeng, I never expected you to know how to develop recipes too. Are you planning to become a chef someday?"

Uchiha Yufeng nearly choked.

"Yufeng, eat slowly."

Nohara Rin handed the soup beside her to Uchiha Yufeng.

Uchiha Yufeng unceremoniously picked it up and drank it down.

"We're going to be ninjas in the future. Why would we become chefs?"

Uchiha Obito chuckled foolishly.

"Right, we're going to be ninjas! Hahaha!"

The laughter made the atmosphere at the table much livelier.

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +2."

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +1."

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +1."

"..."

Before long, the four had finished eating, though it was obvious from their faces that they still wanted more.

Who knew whether it was because the food was delicious or because their companionship was so warm?

"Kakashi, it's getting late. We'll come see you again tomorrow!"

Uchiha Obito let out a satisfied burp. Seeing that it was already dark outside and worrying about his grandmother at home, he stood and spoke to Kakashi.

Kakashi nodded calmly.

"Rin, let's go!"

"Yufeng, aren't you leaving?"

Seeing that Uchiha Yufeng had not gotten up, Rin could not help reminding him.

"It's fine. You go ahead. I can get back on my own."

Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin exchanged a glance before leaving together.

"I'll help you clean up!"

Seeing Kakashi already clearing the table, Uchiha Yufeng got up, carried the dishes and chopsticks into the kitchen, and began washing them.

One cleaned up while the other washed. They worked together seamlessly.

Only after all the dishes from dinner had been washed clean did Kakashi, who had kept his head lowered,

finally say something.

"Thank you."

Uchiha Yufeng turned his head and glanced at Hatake Kakashi.

"What's there to thank me for? You were the one who treated the three of us to dinner. We should be the ones thanking you."

Hatake Kakashi did not respond.

He placed the plates Uchiha Yufeng had washed onto the rack.

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +2."

While washing up, Uchiha Yufeng sharply noticed a flower in one corner of the kitchen.

He could not remember exactly what the flower was called.

But its purpose seemed to be for mourning the dead.

"Kakashi, everyone in class misses you. Come visit the Ninja Academy when you have time!"

Hatake Kakashi's washing motions paused, then returned to normal.

"Yufeng, do you think comrades are more important, or missions?"

"It depends on the situation."

Uchiha Yufeng put away the cleaned rag, sat down on the sofa, and looked at Hatake Kakashi.

"What kind of situation would make someone give up a mission and choose their comrades?"

Uchiha Yufeng looked meaningfully at the cold and indifferent Hatake Kakashi without speaking.

"Why would someone who chose their comrades be misunderstood by those comrades?"

Seeing Hatake Kakashi's emotions begin to fluctuate, Uchiha Yufeng pondered for a moment.

"Then it depends on whether that comrade is worth giving up the mission for!"

Hatake Kakashi's dead-fish eyes immediately turned toward him.

"Yufeng, do you think missions are more important, or comrades?"

Uchiha Yufeng had truly never thought about that question.

"Which is more important? I don't know. But I'd probably choose my comrades."

"Choosing comrades means breaking the rules."

Hearing Uchiha Yufeng's answer, Hatake Kakashi was overcome with complicated thoughts.

A glimmer of tears flashed at the corner of his eye, and he raised a hand to wipe it away.

"Those who break the rules are trash!" Kakashi shouted angrily.

Those who did not cherish their comrades were worse than trash.

Uchiha Yufeng thought of that line from Naruto but did not say it aloud.

He was only a Ninja Academy student now. He had never experienced war, nor had he faced a situation where he had to choose between comrades and a mission.

How could he possibly talk-no-jutsu Kakashi, who had already become a Chunin?

Uchiha Yufeng was not good at talk-no-jutsu.

"Figured it out?"

Uchiha Yufeng stood and handed over the Pacific saury that had been left by the door.

Hatake Kakashi turned his head away, lowered his gaze, and gave a quiet hum.

"These are the fish we brought today. Consider them a token from the three of us. We ate so much of your food, so let these fish be our compensation."

Uchiha Yufeng paused, then turned and walked toward the door.

"Oh, and about what you said about rules... you were right. But I, Uchiha Yufeng, am not someone who follows the rules."

Hearing that, Hatake Kakashi abruptly raised his head, his eyes widening.

Before he could say anything, he saw the door close. Uchiha Yufeng had already left.

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +5."

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +6."

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +3."

"..."

A smile appeared on Uchiha Yufeng's face as he walked down the road. This trip had truly made him rich.

Just one dinner had earned him thirty fragments.

The bonds of Team 7 really were nice!

Whoosh!

A figure suddenly appeared before Uchiha Yufeng with the Body Flicker.

"Uchiha Yufeng, Lord Hokage wishes to see you."