A month later.
Takahashi Yū walked out of his Farm Estate, stretching.
He reached out to take the fruit Mizuki handed him, still beaded with water. It was clearly homegrown, freshly picked and washed.
"Mizuki, that's about enough."
Takahashi Yū picked a strawberry out of the large basket with two fingers and tossed it into his mouth.
"That kid Ryūhei can't eat this much."
A light touch of his teeth broke the strawberry's soft, slightly springy skin. Juice instantly burst in his mouth, bringing a fresh, rich sweetness.
There was also a subtle tartness to it, like wild fruit. The flesh was delicate, offering a faint friction against his teeth that was quickly replaced by its juicy texture.
"Delicious. I never knew you had a knack for growing things, Mizuki!" Takahashi Yū gave her a thumbs-up.
Takahashi Yū had said he wanted to farm, but he basically only knew how to do the heavy lifting. The redhead before him had tended to all these crops.
"Not me, Yū. It was Nonō. She likes reading and researching things."
Mizuki changed out of her mud-covered farming shoes, then took a strawberry from the basket and popped it into her mouth.
"Yakushi Nonō? I don't think I've seen her in ages."
It had been a long time since the orphanage children had come over to mooch off Takahashi Yū, too.
"The orphanage is expanding. They're probably all busy fixing up their home right now," Mizuki answered.
"Good work, old pal Danzo. A true veteran philanthropist."
"I'm off, Mizuki. There's a dinner gathering tonight, so I won't be back to eat."
Carrying the basket full of fruit, Takahashi Yū followed the cobblestone path toward central Konoha, waving to Mizuki as she watched him leave.
Once he stepped beyond the Farm's boundaries, Takahashi Yū actually