More and More Third Wheels

"Don't just stand there!" Tahm interrupted Naruto's train of thought once again. "Since you're here, come help me clean these fish. I'll treat you to some grilled fish I'm making later!"

Naruto immediately scurried over upon hearing this, enthusiastically helping Tahm clean the fish he had just caught. Hinata wanted to help as well, but Tahm wasn't about to let her handle such messy chores, so he just let her watch from the side.

Although Naruto was still young, his survival skills were well-honed. He skillfully helped Tahm gut and scale the fish, and soon enough, several of them were ready. Tahm set up the large fish and took a few smaller ones skewered on wooden sticks, placing them over the freshly lit fire to grill them with focus.

Observing the changes in the heat, Tahm carefully brushed on various seasonings. Before long, a rich, savory aroma burst forth, filling the air and tickling the appetites of both Hinata and Naruto.

The small fish were finished, and Naruto couldn't wait to grab one, but Tahm blocked his hand. Then, under Naruto's resentful gaze, Tahm carefully selected the best-grilled fish and handed it to Hinata, not forgetting to be a gentleman: "Ladies first."

Hinata took a small bite, and a marvelous flavor bloomed in her mouth, causing her to squint her eyes in pure bliss. Naruto finally got his hands on a fish, taking a massive, unrefined bite. He was instantly conquered by the delicious taste.

"Tahm's cooking is so good..." Hinata was stunned by Tahm's culinary skills.

"If it's good, I'll make it for you every day," Tahm laughed. "I know how to make plenty of other dishes, too!"

Naruto was the first one who couldn't sit still, shouting, "Boss Tahm, I want some too!"

Tahm felt a vein pop on his forehead; he finally understood what it meant to be a third wheel: "You, just eat your food and stop talking!"

While dealing with Naruto, Tahm turned the large fish—the one that had nearly finished off Kurama—and continued to sprinkle it with various seasonings. The large fish was truly extraordinary; as it grilled, the fish oil began to render out, mixing with the aroma of the spices to release an incredibly enticing scent.

Just then, Tahm suddenly noticed something rustling in the flower bushes nearby, followed by a crisp, pleasant voice: "Something smells so good over there, let's go check it out, Sakura!"

"Wait for me... Ino!" Another voice sounded nervous, quite similar to Hinata's introverted style.

Before long, two small figures emerged from the bushes. One was a little girl with a blonde ponytail; despite her young age, she already had a tall, slender build that far surpassed her peers, and a confident smile on her face—she was clearly a vibrant, energetic girl. The other had striking pink hair adorned with pretty flowers; her forehead was a bit wide, but it didn't detract from her beauty, and her bright green eyes only added to her charm. They were two living, breathing beauties.

Tahm recognized them at a glance: weren't these Sakura and Ino? They were targets he had planned to build rapport with later, so why were they meeting here?

Before Tahm could say anything, Sakura shrieked in fear: "Ah! There... there's a monster toad over there!" As she spoke, her toned, petite legs tensed up, and she turned to run.

Ino, however, was more perceptive. She grabbed Sakura and pointed toward Tahm, saying, "You idiot, Sakura, that's someone's summoning animal! Can't you see there are people next to that toad?"

Sakura finally calmed down and looked over carefully, suddenly calling out in surprise: "Naruto?"

Naruto also finally got a clear look at the girl: "Sakura!"

"You two know each other?" Tahm hadn't realized they were acquainted before entering the Ninja Academy.

Faced with the question, the usually boisterous Naruto suddenly became shy, shuffling his feet as he said, "We've... met a few times before." He might as well have had "I like her" written in big letters across his face.

"Hinata?" Ino suddenly called out as well.

"Ino?" The scene instantly turned into a reunion. Noticing Tahm's questioning gaze, Hinata explained, "She's the daughter of the Yamanaka clan; we've known each other for a long time."

Tahm understood—the daily social life of noble girls.

After some commotion, everyone sat around the fire. Tahm didn't mind their curious gazes and handed the two newcomers some grilled fish as well. The four of them and one toad sat together and began to eat.

"This is so good!" Both girls were immediately conquered by the delicious flavor.

"Is Tahm your summoning animal? Your cooking is so good, that's amazing!" Ino asked Hinata with a hint of envy.

Hinata was stunned by the question, then revealed a warm smile: "Tahm is my precious family." Hearing Hinata's words, Tahm was quite moved and added, "That's right, we are family."

Naruto chimed in, interrupting: "What about me? What about me?"

Tahm irritably flicked his forehead: "You're my lackey, responsible for serving tea and water."

"Hahaha..." Everyone burst into laughter. It was a harmonious scene, and Sakura and Ino's impression of Tahm shifted from "a somewhat scary fat toad" to "a great companion who is good at cooking and actually looks kind of cute."

"By the way, why are you two here?" Hinata suddenly asked.

"Because we were just at a flower arrangement class nearby..." Ino thought of something and furrowed her pretty, delicate brows.

Sakura added with a troubled expression, "There were some annoying people over there... so we left early." Her voice carried a timid hesitation, making Tahm marvel at how soft and cute the usually strong-willed Sakura was as a child.

"I guess you ran into some little brats who like to make trouble for others," Tahm remarked. He had seen enough of these problem children who bullied others to know the type.

"Yes..." Sakura said, looking at Ino. "But Ino helped me teach them a lesson earlier." Ino immediately flashed a proud and confident smile, and it seemed as if the sun shone a little brighter.

"Just teaching them a lesson isn't enough for people like that," Tahm lectured, sounding like some expert from his past life. "You have to give them a proper education of love." None of them understood what he meant, but they felt the air grow slightly colder.

Just then, as if to prove Tahm's point, a sharp, mean voice suddenly rang out: "So, Big-Forehead Sakura and Ugly Ino are hiding here! You actually used poisonous flowers to hurt me last time; don't think you'll get away with it this time!"

The group looked over to see five or six girls of similar age standing there. The girl in the lead had a look of disdain on her face—the standard behavior of a delinquent.

A girl standing behind her noticed Tahm and pulled on her leader's sleeve, trembling: "Big Sister, there's a monster over there! Let's get out of here!"

"What are you afraid of!" The leader was full of arrogance. "Haven't you ever seen a summoning animal? What, is it going to eat us?"

Tahm sneered inwardly. It seemed this child was used to throwing her weight around; even in such an obvious disadvantage, she was still acting high and mighty.

Very well, it seemed it was time for him to step up and build some rapport!