Shihui Aburame was removing the fish scales and guts.
He had often done this in his previous life, so he had plenty of experience.
Since Ino Yamanaka and the others were still young, Shihui Aburame sent them to set up the barbecue grills.
"Shiki-kun is so good at this."
Ino Yamanaka looked amazed.
"He can do everything."
Hinata Hyuga could not help murmuring.
"What do you mean?"
Ino Yamanaka looked at her curiously.
She realized she did not know enough about Shihui Aburame.
Hinata Hyuga instinctively pressed her lips together.
It was not that she did not want to talk. She was just shy.
"Hinata."
Knowing what she was like, Ino Yamanaka took the initiative and asked, "Can we be good friends?"
Although Hinata Hyuga was her romantic rival, she did not mind.
It was just like how she had competed with Sakura Haruno over Sasuke Uchiha in the original story.
If anything, she actually valued friendship more.
At this stage, what attracted her to Shihui Aburame was still his face.
At her age, she did not understand love. Good looks were all that mattered.
"Huh?"
Hinata Hyuga looked a little bewildered.
"Can't we?"
Seeing her adorable expression, Ino Yamanaka could not help smiling.
"Y-yes, we can."
Hinata Hyuga hurriedly nodded.
While Ino Yamanaka at least understood what a romantic rival was, she had no idea at all.
"Choji, can you guys manage over there?"
Ino Yamanaka turned her head and asked.
"No problem."
Choji Akimichi was very enthusiastic when it came to food. "We'll be done in a moment."
"All right, then."
Ino Yamanaka pulled Hinata Hyuga down to sit on the grass and began chatting with her.
Most of their conversation was about Shihui Aburame.
"He can even farm?"
Every so often, Ino Yamanaka's little mouth fell open in surprise.
As their conversation deepened, she and Hinata Hyuga grew more familiar with each other.
At the same time, without her even noticing, her impression of Shihui Aburame was changing.
He was practically an all-rounder.
Just as Hinata Hyuga had said, he could do everything.
"Oh no!"
Choji Akimichi slapped his forehead. "I forgot to bring a lighter."
"We don't have a fire?"
Kiba Inuzuka looked at the two grills set side by side and asked, "What do we do now?"
"Shikamaru."
Choji Akimichi instinctively sought help. "Quick, use that unbeatable brain of yours to think of something."
Shikamaru Nara folded his hands together and sank into thought.
Naturally, they did not know any primitive methods like starting a fire by rubbing sticks together.
But going home to get a lighter seemed like a hassle.
"I've got it!"
Shikamaru Nara raised his index finger, his eyes lighting up. "Fire Release Ninjutsu!"
"Fire Release Ninjutsu?"
Kiba Inuzuka could not help asking, "Which of us knows any Fire Release Ninjutsu at this point?"
Although they all came from ninja clans, they were too young and were still laying their foundations.
They all knew ordinary ninjutsu, such as the Three Basic Techniques.
Fire Release, however, involved elemental attributes.
"Sasuke."
Shikamaru Nara explained, "I heard his brother, Uchiha Itachi, mastered the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique at six."
"I've heard that too."
Sakura Haruno suddenly grew excited and was about to call Sasuke Uchiha over, but Naruto Uzumaki beat her to it.
She immediately clenched her fists.
Competing with Ino Yamanaka was one thing, but why was Naruto Uzumaki getting involved too?
Sasuke Uchiha was still preoccupied with the Body Flicker Technique.
But Shihui Aburame was busy preparing the fish and ignored him.
He gritted his teeth and swore inwardly, I'll be back.
"What is it?"
Sasuke Uchiha walked toward Naruto Uzumaki and asked.
"We didn't bring a lighter."
Shikamaru Nara asked tentatively, "Do you know Fire Release?"
The corner of Sasuke Uchiha's mouth twitched.
Use Fire Release to light a cooking fire? But faced with their expectant gazes, he hesitantly nodded.
"That's Sasuke-kun for you!"
Sakura Haruno gave him an admiring look.
Shikamaru Nara looked impressed.
Another Uchiha Itachi.
The Uchiha Clan truly had far too many geniuses, with more appearing all the time.
No wonder they firmly held the title of the greatest ninja clan.
The corners of Sasuke Uchiha's mouth lifted slightly.
You're right, but that's the Uchiha for you.
I'm proud of it!
Sasuke Uchiha rapidly formed hand seals.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Chakra gathered inside his mouth, and he spat out a fist-sized fireball.
"It's that small?"
Naruto Uzumaki asked without thinking.
"I... controlled my chakra."
Sasuke Uchiha looked a little awkward. "If I didn't, the entire Konoha forest would catch fire."
"So that's it!"
Naruto Uzumaki clearly believed his explanation. "Very good. You're qualified to be my rival!"
Sasuke Uchiha inwardly sighed in relief.
Although Naruto Uzumaki had completely misread the situation, he had at least drawn everyone's attention and eased Sasuke's embarrassment.
After finishing preparing the fish, Shihui Aburame threaded them onto metal skewers.
"Thanks for your hard work, Shiki-kun."
Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyuga walked over.
Sakura Haruno glanced at Sasuke Uchiha, then at Shihui Aburame.
She had to admit that the latter was more capable.
"Shiki, need any help?"
Naruto Uzumaki came up to him, brimming with enthusiasm. "I know how to grill fish."
He had caught fish and grilled them before.
But he had left the scales and guts intact.
Watching Shihui Aburame prepare the fish, he had even thought it was a bit wasteful.
"Bring me the cumin."
Shihui Aburame gave the instruction.
"What's cumin?"
Naruto Uzumaki froze for a moment, then asked.
"Naruto, if you don't even know what cumin is, how do you usually grill fish?"
Kiba Inuzuka asked with a puzzled look.
"I just put them on a skewer and grill them over a fire."
Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Without cumin, it has no soul!"
Kiba Inuzuka declared emphatically.
"Naruto."
Shikamaru Nara interrupted their conversation. "This is cumin."
He had already picked up on the problem.
But Naruto Uzumaki's identity was special. It was not something he could investigate.
The Ino-Shika-Cho had remained safe and sound in Konoha for so many years thanks to the Nara Clan's wisdom.
Besides him, Ino Yamanaka and the others had also noticed something was wrong.
They could hardly imagine how Naruto Uzumaki had grown up.
He did not even understand such basic things.
Half an hour later, all the grilled fish was served.
"Delicious!"
Naruto Uzumaki took a bite and said with a goofy grin, "It really does taste better than mine."
"Have some more if you like it."
Shihui Aburame glanced at him.
Naruto Uzumaki's knowledge of everyday life was practically nonexistent.
In the original story, he did not even know how to check the production date on milk.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him living expenses, he was the Hokage and was busy every day, only visiting him occasionally.
That was what happened when no one taught him.
Naruto Uzumaki looked delighted.
Sure enough, starting school meant making lots of good friends.
He felt that his life had changed in a way it never had before.
"I'm full!"
Ino Yamanaka looked at Shihui Aburame. "Shiki-kun, thank you for the meal."
"I... I'm full too. Thank you."
After hesitating for a few seconds, Hinata Hyuga put down the skewer of grilled fish in her hand and spoke softly.
Shihui Aburame glanced at her.
She definitely was not full.
Boohoo, not enough readers kept up with the latest chapters, so this didn't get a trial recommendation slot. The light novel category is too competitive. Another week without promotion coming up. Folks, if you have time, please keep reading the latest chapters. Whether this gets a recommendation the week after next depends on you.
(End of chapter)