Seeing all the things Rei Sarutobi had bought for their home filled Meihui with warmth.
The people they ought to hate were the scheming Danzo and Hiruzen, who either did nothing or made a mess of things-not Rei Sarutobi, who worked hard to care for them every day.
After tidying things up, Meihui called Naruto over for dinner.
It was a simple meal, but for the two of them, even that was hard to come by right now.
Watching the two boys eat, Rei Sarutobi smiled and remained hidden.
What she did not know was that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already seen everything she had done.
Sitting in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the brothers, Naruto and Meihui, eating through his crystal ball.
He fell into thought. Wasn't this what the Will of Fire was all about?
Before long, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the scene in the crystal ball.
Steam swirled, obscuring the view.
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth pulling back into an utterly lecherous grin.
As he watched the people in the bathhouse, his old face flushed slightly, and blood slowly trickled from his nose.
"So big, so pale... hehehe..."
Meanwhile, having eaten his fill, Meihui was ready to wash up and go to bed.
Meihui checked the wound on Naruto's head.
After taking a look and finding nothing seriously wrong, he went to sleep.
The two of them slept on simple bedding laid out on the floor.
But they were already used to it.
When Meihui woke the next morning, he washed up quickly, then woke Naruto.
He helped Naruto remove the bandages from his head. Sure enough, Naruto had fully healed overnight.
The Uzumaki Constitution-well worth having.
"Hey, little bro, how about we take a look around the back hill today?"
"The back hill? What are we going there for, Nii-san?"
"Come on. You'll find out when we get there."
Taking Naruto by the hand, Meihui scampered toward the back hill.
Once they arrived, Meihui pointed at the mushrooms on the ground.
"Naruto, look carefully. These are wild mushrooms, and this kind is safe to eat. Remember what they look like so you don't pick the wrong ones. I'll make you something tasty in a bit."
The moment Naruto heard there would be something tasty, he perked right up.
Before long, the two of them had gathered quite a few.
Then they realized they had no pot. With no other choice, Meihui had to go back and get one.
"Naruto, wait here for me. I'm going home to get a pot. Stay here until I come back, and don't wander off on your own."
"Got it, Nii-san."
With that, Meihui hurried home.
He grabbed a pot and rushed back to Naruto, enduring cold remarks, sneers, dirty looks, and contempt all along the way.
Meihui paid them no mind and hurried toward the back hill.
But when he arrived, Naruto was nowhere to be seen.
Panicking, Meihui searched everywhere.
"Naruto! Naruto! Where are you?"
If there were wild beasts out here in these remote woods, the story of Naruto might reach its finale ahead of schedule.
After searching for ages, he finally spotted Naruto's tiny figure picking mushrooms beneath a large tree.
"Naruto, why did you come all the way over here? Don't you know how dangerous this is?"
Looking at Naruto, Meihui could not contain his anger. Why did this little rascal have to keep wandering off?
"Nii-san, don't be mad. Look, I picked lots of mushrooms! Now we won't have to go hungry."
Naruto's words left Meihui stunned. That's right. We won't have to go hungry.
Meihui gently stroked Naruto's head.
"All right, I understand, Naruto. But don't wander off again. It's dangerous."
"Don't worry, Naruto. I'll make sure you have a good life."
"Mm-hmm! Got it, Nii-san."
Meihui and Naruto began making mushroom soup.
He trimmed off the mushroom stems, gave the mushrooms a quick rinse, and added water to the pot.
Then in went the mushrooms and a little salt.
The finest ingredients often needed only the simplest cooking methods.
Only then could their natural flavors truly shine.
Aroma wafted from the pot as the mushroom soup gradually came together.
The mushrooms smelled fresh and savory, making their mouths water. Meihui ladled out a bowl for Naruto first.
Then the two eagerly began tasting it, even though this was their first attempt.
Still, they polished off every last drop.
Before you continue