Glowing Cuisine

"Don't worry, I won't leak your secrets either. We're going to be family someday!"

Nawaki forgot the pain the moment he recovered and sprang to his feet.

The Senju Clan really was built tough. Anyone else their age would still be lying on the ground after what Eiji had put them through, but Nawaki had already recovered.

"But you're seriously amazing. If I could do what you do, I'd get myself a whole bunch of girlfriends. I mean—ow!"

Before Nawaki could finish, Kushina stomped hard on his toes. He clutched his foot and hopped around on one leg.

"Okay, now that we know you're healthy, Eiji, let's go play! We have loads of fun things at home. Let's play Chinese chess first!"

Ignoring Nawaki's cries, Kushina pulled Eiji toward the Ancestral Home. Tsunade glanced at Nawaki and covered her forehead in exasperation.

She really needed to do something about her little brother. How was he ever going to find a wife with that personality?

Kushina and Eiji had a wonderful time. Eiji also got a taste of what it felt like to have money to spare.

He had to admit, the relaxed, confident way rich people in his previous life carried themselves made perfect sense.

Money broadened your horizons. He felt it just from staying in someone else's house, so how much more must the truly wealthy feel?

Sitting cross-legged on the Tatami and watching Kushina's eager expression, Eiji was in high spirits. He had finally found himself a rich little girl to rely on!

Money and a cute girl—his happy future was practically within reach.

Sorry, Minato. I'll teach you the Rasengan early to make it up to you!

Once Nawaki realized how formidable Eiji was, he immediately started currying favor, bringing him every tasty treat he could find.

Nawaki believed connections were the most important thing in the Shinobi World. He might look a little foolish, but he knew he owed his comfortable life to his sister Tsunade and Grandma Mito.

Once Grandma Mito was gone, he would have only Tsunade to rely on. But she didn't seem all that dependable... She couldn't even find a boyfriend!

He wouldn't dare say that to Tsunade, of course. He was afraid of her Monster Strength Fist.

And with another pillar of support rising before his eyes, he had to latch on.

Mito Uzumaki usually cooked the Senju Clan's meals herself. She wasn't used to being waited on. Even when Hashirama was alive, she had always cooked for him personally.

But before dinner, Eiji offered to cook for everyone, catching Mito by surprise.

She didn't give it much thought before agreeing. Kushina had said Eiji was a good cook, after all, so he probably wouldn't make anything disastrous.

Kushina followed Eiji into the kitchen. This was the perfect chance to watch how he cooked. She planned to learn his tricks and surpass him.

At the kitchen counter, Eiji washed his hands with practiced ease, took vegetables and meat from the cupboards, and picked up a gleaming kitchen knife.

Even the kitchen in a wealthy home was top-notch. Eiji had no intention of wasting such good equipment and ingredients.

He planned to show what he could do. He didn't want to eat their food for free, and since he had this skill, he ought to put it to use. Otherwise, they might think he was living off them!

That wouldn't do. How could the future strongest person in the Shinobi World live off someone else? He had to stand on his own two feet!

He let out a long breath, then began chopping with his full attention on the task.

Strangely enough, he was bound to the Satoru Gojo Template, yet when he cooked, he was like Little Chef. Sliced vegetables flew into the air and then dropped neatly onto a plate. Had he been born with a Little Chef Template too?

Kushina watched his outrageous display, her eyes trembling and her mouth hanging open.

H-how am I supposed to learn that!?

Waaah, I'm definitely going to lose. Kushina felt she might never surpass Eiji.

No wonder he had looked down on her that day. At this rate, she might never set foot in a kitchen again!

Kushina could almost see the words "Kushina Forbidden Zone" written across the kitchen entrance.

Tsunade and the others outside the kitchen were just as stunned.

"Is he even human?"

The apple Nawaki had just put in his mouth rolled onto the table. He stared in amazement at Eiji's godlike cooking.

Mito Uzumaki's eyes widened too. Kushina had only said Eiji was a decent cook, but... was this merely decent?

Tsunade nearly fell off the sofa. It seemed a shame for this boy not to become a chef.

A wild thought occurred to her.

What if the Kekkei Genkai in his eyes exists so he can cook?

That power that keeps things away from him stops people from disturbing him while he cooks.

That long-range pulling force lets him grab ingredients faster.

Teleportation and flight let him serve customers quickly.

And the new Ninjutsu Eiji said he wanted to develop—could it be "Food Release"?

If the Sage of Six Paths exists in this world, Eiji must be the reincarnation of the Cooking Sage, Tsunade thought.

Eiji's first dish was Golden Fried Rice, inspired by the food Little Chef made in the first episode. He was confident he could make it as well as Liu Mao Xing.

He tossed the pan with one hand, sending the rice and eggs flying before catching them neatly again, drawing another round of gasps.

In truth, he could make a good living as a chef. But Eiji had no intention of doing that.

The Six Eyes were excellent for cooking. They let him control the heat with precision and select the best ingredients, effectively replacing Blazing Flame Yaxuan's control over fire and Little Chef's extraordinary sense of taste. But using them only to cook would be a terrible waste.

Once the food was ready, Eiji quickly plated it and covered it with a lid.

After all, for a Cooking Master Boy dish, that final step was essential!

By the time Eiji brought the covered fried rice to the table, Tsunade and Nawaki had long since grown impatient. They were already seated and waiting.

"Eiji, why did you put a lid on it?"

Nawaki looked puzzled.

"So it can glow, of course."

"Huh?"

Eiji lifted the lid. Golden light spilled through the gap and swiftly dazzled everyone. They cried out at the blinding sight, and even Kushina, who had been beside him the whole time, stared in amazement.

Why was this different from what I ate that day? It can actually glow! No wonder Eiji didn't seem impressed back then.

"W-wait... what kind of Ninjutsu is this!?" Nawaki asked.

"It's not Ninjutsu. A dish gives off light when it reaches a certain level of perfection."

"You're kidding, right? How could anything that ridiculous happen?"

Tsunade didn't believe him, of course. But the extraordinary aroma kept tempting her, and she couldn't resist taking a spoonful.

"Mmm—!"

As soon as everyone tasted the fried rice, even the usually dignified Mito Uzumaki couldn't help digging in.