A few of them arrived at Uchiha Yao's residence.
In the courtyard, water trickled gently, maple leaves glowed red, and the scenery was pleasant.
Before they even entered, they heard Naruto's unmistakably booming voice.
"Senior Sister! Another bowl!"
The dining table had already been covered with an array of dishes.
Naruto had his head down as he dug in, his mouth slick with grease. Hinata sat beside him, gently serving him more food. Every so often, she picked up a small piece of sushi for herself, eating with refined grace.
The warm, lively scene unknowingly eased some of the frustration in Tsunade's heart.
"Yo, Grandma Tsunade, you came to mooch a meal?" Naruto raised his head and greeted her through a mouthful of food.
Bang!
Tsunade unceremoniously gave him a knuckle rap.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Lady Tsunade!"
Uchiha Yao smiled and shook his head, pulling out the chair beside him for Tsunade.
"Sit down. Give it a try. This isn't Dark Cuisine."
"Hmph!"
Tsunade sat down heavily, picked up her chopsticks, and selected a piece of wagyu, putting it into her mouth with a critical air.
The next second, Tsunade's eyes brightened ever so slightly.
Th-this taste...
It really was ten thousand times better than that pot of unidentified substance she had made herself.
"Well? Does it suit your tastes?" Uchiha Yao knowingly asked.
"It... it's passable!" Tsunade stubbornly replied. "Still a tiny bit worse than what I make myself!"
Shizune broke out in a cold sweat beside her.
Lady Tsunade, please stop...
If you keep talking, I'm afraid we won't even get dinner today...
The meal was quite lively amid Naruto's ravenous eating and Tsunade's refusal to mean what she said.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the servants