Longjian Senju had fallen asleep. Shisui Uchiha sat silently beside him, unable to keep the worry from showing on his face.
Although he was far calmer and steadier than others his age and was doing his utmost to restrain his emotions, he was still a minor. His life had been smooth sailing so far, without any real storms to weather.
After this upheaval, with his young companion proving unreliable as well, he naturally could not help worrying.
Black Zetsu watched the two children's reactions with satisfaction, then waved a hand and switched the Crystal Ball's view elsewhere.
Steam rose in wisps over the stove, and the rhythmic tapping of a knife chopping vegetables came through the Crystal Ball with perfect clarity.
Dan Katō wore a light-colored apron he had obtained from somewhere. His gaze was determined and focused, his movements practiced and fluid as he demonstrated his excellent knife skills on a carrot.
The oil in the iron pan beside him was just hot enough. Dan Katō coated the prepared ingredients in flour and beaten egg one by one and lowered them into the oil. After letting them sizzle for a while, he gently nudged them with long wooden chopsticks to keep them from sticking together.
The ingredients still needed a little time to cook through. Taking advantage of the lull, Dan Katō mixed the tempura dipping sauce, then lifted the lid of the stew pot beside him. Looking at the broth bubbling gently inside, he sprinkled in some seasoning to adjust the flavor, replaced the lid, and left it simmering over low heat.
The tempura was nearly ready too. Dan Katō put down the little dish of sauce, lifted out the golden-fried ingredients with his chopsticks, arranged them on a plate, and set it on the serving tray beside