The next day.
It is difficult to distinguish between day and night in the Underground River space, but the biological instinct and the blurring of the passage of time Sensing still make Uchiha Hikari realize at a certain moment that "night" has passed.
After adequate rest and food, the body regained some strength.
Although Chakra's stagnant feeling and the sealing bandage on her eyes still reminded her of her situation.
But her hands were untied at some point. Why was this guy so relieved of himself all of a sudden?
When she woke up, Naruto was already busy by the fire.
The air was filled with a scent that was completely different from last night, but equally alluring.
It has a caramel aroma mixed with oil and eggs, as well as a faint aroma of meat.
Simple fried rice with eggs and tomatoes, added with finely chopped meat.
The rice has distinct grains, coated with golden egg liquid and ruddy tomato juice, and dotted with diced meat. It is brightly colored and steaming hot.
Uchiha Hikari sat up and the coat on his body slipped a little.
She hesitated for a moment and did not speak immediately.
After the "unexpected" sumptuous dinner last night, the tense hostility between the two seemed to be diluted a little by something subtle, although the wariness was still there.
She quietly "watched" Naruto serving rice.
When Naruto handed a bowl of fried rice near where she usually sat, she pursed her lips, as if she was doing some mental construction.
Then, in a slightly more natural tone than last night, but still a little awkward, he asked in a low voice:
"Breakfast, and that... sauce?"
After asking, she seemed a little embarrassed, and her cheeks covered by the bandage opened slightly.
She was referring to the jar of "hot pepper" that impressed her so much last night.
Naruto paused while serving the rice, seemingly a little surprised, but quickly returned to normal.
He said "hmm" and first took off the bandage from Uchiha Hikari's eyes, then took out the glass jar from Ninja Tool Pouch and placed it next to her fried rice.
"Give."
When the unique compound aroma of chili pepper lingered on the tip of his nose again, Uchiha Hikari felt as if he had found a treasure, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curve upward in a very slight arc.
She started to eat.
Although Chakra was still sealed, the feeling of having her hands free again and seeing the light again made her feel a lot more relaxed.
She picked up a wooden spoon, scooped up a spoonful of chili pepper, stirred it into the fried rice, and then put the fried rice into her mouth.
The aroma of eggs, the sweet and sour tomatoes, the softness of rice, the chewiness of diced meat, plus the finishing touch of salty, spicy and crispy texture of chili peppers... rich layers, double the deliciousness.
She ate quietly and attentively.
One spoonful, another spoonful.
When the bowl bottomed out, she hesitated for a moment, then fumbled and pushed the empty bowl slightly in the direction of Naruto.
Naruto glanced at her, said nothing, took the bowl, and filled her with another full bowl.
The second bowl, the third bowl...
Uchiha Hikari has an amazing appetite.
Maybe it was because her body was too depleted, maybe it was because this simple food unexpectedly suited her appetite, or maybe it was because the can of chili peppers completely opened up her taste buds and a long-suppressed desire for "beautiful things".
She refilled her meal six times before finally putting down the bowl and spoon with satisfaction and letting out a sigh of relief.
Delicious!
I haven't eaten something so delicious in a long time.
During the whole process, Naruto just ate his portion quietly, occasionally looking at her with no special emotion in his eyes.
After finishing the meal, Uchiha Hikari fumbled and arranged the empty bowls and spoons in front of him, and then carefully pushed them in the direction of Naruto.
This is a silent signal: I'm done eating.
Naruto just finished his share.
He glanced at the bowl being pushed over, and then at the empty bowl in his hand. He didn't take the one she handed over, but instead stacked his empty bowl directly on Uchiha Hikari's bowl.
"Go," he said, his voice calm and instructive, "You can't eat for free, wash the dishes."
Uchiha Hikari was obviously stunned for a moment.
Wash the dishes? Let her wash the dishes?
After a short silence, she responded in a low voice, "Oh."
There wasn't much emotion in his voice, and he seemed to have accepted this "task".
She picked up the two stacked bowls, picked up her own spoon, stood up, and walked towards the river.
Naruto looked at her cautious back and suddenly frowned.
"Wait."
Uchiha Hikari paused, turned sideways, and looked at him with confusion.
"You are asked to wash the dishes, so you just wash the dishes?"
Naruto's voice was a little helpless, as if he was correcting an ignorant child.
"The pot and spatula were washed together."
He pointed to the iron pot and spatula next to the fire that were still stained with oil and rice grains.
Uchiha Hikari was silent for two seconds again.
"... Oh."
She turned around and walked back, picked up the iron pot and spatula, and hugged them awkwardly along with the bowl and spoon, then turned around again and walked towards the river more carefully.
Naruto sat by the fire and watched her squatting down by the river and starting to wash the dishes, chopsticks, and spatulas in the cold river water.
The sound of water flowing, the slight clatter of dishes, and the occasional slight gasping sound she made due to the cold water formed the strange background sound of the underground river in the early morning.
He looked away.
I don't know whether the other party did it intentionally or not, but her hug caused oil to rub onto her coat.
If you rub it, you will rub it, so you can't let her idle.
Letting her participate in the most basic labor is the first step to break the pure "captive and guard" relationship.
And Uchiha Hikari squatted by the river, rinsing the dishes with cold water.
The feeling of water flowing through your fingertips is very real, and the touch of metal and wood is also very clear.
It seemed that she hadn't felt alive so truly for a long time.
This simple task somehow calmed her chaotic mind.
At least, she knew what she was going to do.
She washed very seriously, although her movements seemed a bit unfamiliar due to unfamiliarity.
After washing, she drained the water from the washed dishes, chopsticks, pots and spatulas, then carefully carried them back and placed them next to Naruto.
Naruto nodded and asked, "Is there anywhere you want to go? If there is, I will take you there. If not, then follow me back to the village."
Uchiha Hikari did not immediately answer "go" or "no", but remained silent for a moment and chose a question that was safer and more informative:
"Can you tell me something about your village?"
She actually wanted to know how Uchiha disappeared, and wanted to thank the person who destroyed Uchiha.
But she was worried that she would be killed by the opponent in her current state.
Moreover, the most critical question is still unresolved: Naruto Uzumaki, why did he come to her? Just because of Ancient Text records? This reason is too thin, too much like an excuse. He must have a deeper purpose, but she can't see through it yet.
Naruto seemed not surprised by her question.
He adjusted his sitting posture and began to talk.