The Pine Cone Thief

You guys are really amazing.

Dosu's gaze swept back and forth between Wu Chiwu and Sasuke.

He couldn't even handle Sasuke Uchiha.

Not to mention the white-haired guy standing behind them.

That person could easily stop Qin and Zaku, and saw through my moves at a glance; he couldn't possibly be an ordinary character.

He might be much more troublesome than Sasuke Uchiha.

Continuing this will not bring any benefit.

Dosu quickly made up his mind and looked up at the opposite side.

You guys are really amazing.

We simply can't win.

This is considered an apology.

He took the Earth Scroll from his pocket and placed it on the ground.

Let us go.

He had barely finished speaking when he turned and left with his two companions.

We can't stay here any longer; we need to head back before the other side changes their minds.

Wait a minute, why are you attacking us?

Sakura called out after her.

Dosu's gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Wu Chiwu, his tone flat.

Didn't your companion already guess that?

After saying that, the three people completely disappeared from sight.

Did you guess it?

Sakura turned her head following the gaze she had just received, and was met with the conspicuously white-haired Wu Chiwu.

What exactly happened?

Sakura spoke, completely bewildered.

Wu Chiwu held the squirrel, which was single-mindedly pursuing freedom, and spoke casually.

Sasuke probably didn't attract enough hatred to summon so many ninjas at once.

Upon hearing this, Sakura's mind was immediately filled with the image of her previously terrifying opponent— Orochimaru.

Or is it him?

Is he Sasuke again?

Why are you so fixated on Sasuke?

During their previous encounter, Orochimaru made no attempt to conceal his purpose; his gaze was fixed directly on Sasuke.

hateful.

Wu Chiwu rested his chin on his hand, muttering to himself.

I was originally planning to conserve my stamina, but now it's all turned out the other way around.

Upon hearing this, Sasuke and the others all turned to look at Wu Chiwu.

Suddenly.

Sasuke's pupils contracted, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Bastard, you idiot...

He seemed to suddenly remember something, swallowed his words, and reorganized them.

What are you doing?

Wu Chiwu didn't have time to pay attention to Sasuke right now.

He stared intently at the squirrel in his arms.

You've eaten enough; this food should be given to those who need it.

After speaking, Wu Chiwu turned his gaze to the round pine cone.

It looks really good.

It should taste pretty good.

He gripped one end of the pine cone tightly with his right hand, while the squirrel held onto the other end firmly.

Squeak squeak squeak...

The squirrels kept squeaking incessantly, as if in protest.

How could you do that? That's so unfair!

Wu Chiwu sighed dramatically.

Squeak squeak squeak...

The squirrel kept chirping.

Don't you, as a squirrel, think that's incredibly rude?

Wu Chiwu his condemnation.

Squeak squeak squeak...

The squirrel was so anxious it looked like tears were about to fall, its two front paws flailing as it grabbed the pine cone.

Alas, the world has changed; even squirrels have turned black-hearted.

Wu Chiwu's face was filled with melancholy for a moment.

Damn it, what are you doing?

Sasuke yelled at Wu Chiwu again.

You can't blame him; my second brother's behavior is just too much of a hassle.

A hint of shock flashed in Naruto's blue eyes.

What happened to Mr. Bandage?

Are you hungry?

Sakura didn't say anything, and simply covered her eyes with one hand.

She suddenly realized Naruto's good points; although he was always causing trouble, at least he never crossed anyone's bottom line.

Naruto's level is already quite good.

If Wu Chiwu were her teammate, she'd probably go crazy.

That's really scary.

There was no other way; I'd been too active before, and I don't know how to cook, so I could only...

It's okay, don't worry about me, I can manage on my own.

Wu Chiwu believed he had mastered the essence of tea ceremony, and his tone was very gentle.

Sasuke stared speechlessly at Gojiro, Wu Chiwu with joy after his resounding victory in the pinecone battle.

Don't you think your face has become a bit outrageous?

It even steals food from squirrels.

Is it too late to maintain this lukewarm attitude now?

Alright, what do you want to eat? Tell me.

Sasuke knew his second brother's character all too well.

If we don't feed him now, he might cause an even bigger disturbance later.

No need, I can manage on my own...

Wu Chiwu was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

If you don't need it, then forget it.

Sasuke's voice was flat and indifferent.

Wu Chiwu quickly waved his hand and, as if reciting a menu, poured out everything he wanted, one by one.

Sweetened Three-Color Dango, strawberry milk, premium chocolate cake...

The further he read, the darker Sasuke's face became, as if ink could be squeezed out of it.

Sasuke uttered the last sentence in a cold voice.

I don't have any of those things you mentioned.

0...

But I have bitter melon balls, chili milk, and cilantro-flavored candied hawthorn skewers...

As Sasuke continued speaking, Wu Chiwu's expression grew increasingly desperate.

What kind of nonsense is this?

Is it even possible for someone to actually eat it?

He could grit his teeth and accept the rest, but he just couldn't stand the last one.

Can cilantro be made into candied hawthorn skewers?

What kind of hellish cuisine is this?

Would anyone actually eat this?

I refuse, I absolutely refuse.

Forget it, I'll just eat pine nuts instead.

Wu Chiwu looked down at the glossy squirrel in his arms, his spirits low.

Squirrels, pshaw, pine nuts are actually quite delicious too.

The little squirrel in his arms trembled under his gaze, wishing it could rush out into the world immediately.

Seeing his second brother's appearance, Sasuke rubbed his forehead with one hand and sighed helplessly.

Grilled fish is fine; we can get the ingredients right here and it'll be quick to prepare.

They can be pickled and stored as dry food.

Do you have a sweetened version of grilled fish?

Wu Chiwu curiously.

He can accept anything as long as it's not cilantro or candied hawthorn.

But it would be even better with some sugar.

Is regular grilled fish okay?

Sasuke laughed as he Wu Chiwu.

A thick, impenetrable black mist seemed to rise from behind him, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.

His entire demeanor changed completely.

Regular grilled fish will do.

Wu Chiwu sighed and pretended to be heartbroken.

As for the rest...