"Do you have a cookbook at home?"
Shihui Aburame remembered that he had promised to teach Naruto Uzumaki how to cook.
But he did not have enough time, so he planned to leave him a cookbook.
"You want to learn to cook? Your big sister can teach you."
An eager expression appeared on Shizune's face, and she rubbed her little hands together in anticipation.
That reaction looks less like you're teaching cooking and more like you're teaching someone how to become a grown-up.
Please don't, Big Sister Shizune.
Shihui Aburame shook his head and said, "It's for Naruto."
"Naruto?"
Tsunade suddenly stopped drinking and said, "I have a cookbook I can give you."
Shihui Aburame and Shizune both looked skeptical.
You actually know how to cook?
"Hey, what's with those looks?"
Tsunade immediately bristled. She could not help glaring at Shizune before reaching out and roughly ruffling Shihui Aburame's hair.
Wait, why the different treatment?
Shizune looked as aggrieved as a wronged cat.
Shihui Aburame wanted to talk back, but he never got the chance.
Tsunade set down her nectar wine and went upstairs.
Before long, she returned with a cookbook.
The cover bore the large words "The Super-Perfect, Invincible, Absolutely Amazing, Explosively Delicious Cookbook."
Shihui Aburame's mouth twitched.
What kind of name is that?
Is this thing reliable?
Shihui Aburame opened the cover and suddenly froze for a moment.
The signature read Minato Namikaze.
He immediately understood the title.
That certainly made sense.
Minato Namikaze had been quite a perfect ninja in the original story.
The only thing worth criticizing was his naming sense, which was bizarrely ingenious.
Take the Rasengan, for example.
Its original name had been the Halo Ice Pop Whorl Jiraiya Twin Formula Sphere.
Shihui Aburame continued turning the pages.
The first dish was called Fire Release: Flashing Spiral Solar Disc.
Below it was a short line in smaller writing: "It's a fried egg filled with love and warmth."
At the end were two hearts drawn side by side.
The handwriting was delicate, completely different from Minato Namikaze's.
Unless he was mistaken, it belonged to Kushina Uzumaki.
Shihui Aburame could not shake the feeling that they were flaunting their love.
Am I part of your little game too?
"Give it to Naruto."
Tsunade once again thought of Kushina Uzumaki and her beautiful red hair.
Shihui Aburame nodded.
Since it was something Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki had left behind, it was indeed fitting for Naruto Uzumaki.
And it would probably make him very happy.
Even if he did not know that the legendary Fourth Hokage was his father.
He was not actually a demon fox, but the son of a hero.
If Kushina Uzumaki came back to life, she would most likely demand answers from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Third Hokage, just look at what you've protected.
After dinner, Shihui Aburame continued practicing Medical Ninjutsu.
He and that carp went back and forth in an evenly matched battle.
A new day dawned.
Shihui Aburame put the lunch box Shizune had given him into his schoolbag, then left home.
When he reached the street, he suddenly spotted two sunny, cheerful boys.
Naruto Uzumaki and Might Guy.
Working this hard?
Shihui Aburame could not help silently praying for Sasuke Uchiha.
If he defected again, Naruto Uzumaki would probably break his legs.
"Shiki!"
Naruto Uzumaki noticed him and waved.
"Good morning."
Shihui Aburame returned his greeting.
"Choji asked me to tell you he wants to eat fish. When are we going fishing again?"
Naruto Uzumaki suddenly remembered something and asked.
"Today."
Shihui Aburame answered after a moment's thought.
He could take the opportunity to carry out Aunt Mikoto's request and spend some time playing with Sasuke.
Ideally, he could get a few achievements out of him.
"Got it!"
Naruto Uzumaki soon vanished from sight.
Shihui Aburame continued walking.
A few minutes later, he spotted two more familiar faces.
Uchiha Mikoto and Sasuke Uchiha.
Shihui Aburame stopped.
"Shiki." Uchiha Mikoto let go of Sasuke Uchiha, walked over to him, and bent down to ask, "Didn't you go see Sasuke yesterday?"
Her tied-back black hair fell naturally.
It carried a faint fragrance.
Madam, that hairstyle is dangerous.
"I had something to do yesterday."
Shihui Aburame explained, "I'll take him out to play today."
"Sorry for the trouble, Shiki."
A smile immediately appeared on Uchiha Mikoto's face.
She turned back to Sasuke Uchiha and gave him a playful wink, then left without another word.
"Sasuke."
Shihui Aburame glanced at him and asked, "Want to go fishing after school?"
"I don't want to fish."
Sasuke Uchiha refused.
"How about this?"
Shihui Aburame said with a faint smile, "If you beat Naruto at fishing, I'll agree to your next sparring match."
Sasuke Uchiha hesitated.
He wanted to agree immediately.
But he had sworn before that if he went fishing again, he was a dog.
"What?"
Shihui Aburame countered, "Worried you'll lose to Naruto?"
"Me, afraid of him? What a joke!"
Sasuke Uchiha gave a soft snort and said, "I'll definitely win!"
Whatever. A dog it is.
Besides, nobody knows.
[Achievement earned for Sasuke Uchiha: "I'm a Dog." Reward obtained: White Boar Gu.] [White Boar Gu: A Rank One Gu that transforms a Gu Master's body, fundamentally increasing the Gu Master's physical strength.]
Shihui Aburame recoiled a step in fright.
Has something gone wrong?
Since when did Sasuke have that particular interest?
Fine, fine, fine. So that's how we're playing this?
"What's wrong?"
Sasuke Uchiha asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Nothing."
Shihui Aburame smiled, then fled the scene at top speed.
"???"
Sasuke Uchiha looked utterly baffled.
Once he reached school, Shihui Aburame let out a breath.
Although the achievement was bizarre, the reward was something he needed.
A second White Boar Gu meant he could attempt to fuse a White Jade Gu without worry.
Then his defense could improve again.
With ninjas generally being so fragile, his White Jade Gu would surely deliver a surprise.
"Shiki-kun!"
A voice came from overhead.
Shihui Aburame looked up and saw Ino Yamanaka sitting in a tree.
Her two slender little feet swung back and forth.
That's really a mouthful... No, I'm a decent person.
A gust of wind blew past.
Ino Yamanaka jumped down and landed steadily in front of him.
"What were you doing up there?"
Shihui Aburame asked.
"Nothing."
Ino Yamanaka awkwardly brushed aside the blond hair by her ear.
She had actually been waiting for Shihui Aburame.
"Um... Are you free after school? I'll treat you to dinner."
After hesitating for a few seconds, Ino Yamanaka gathered her courage and asked.
"I'm going fishing after school."
Shihui Aburame shook his head as he answered.
"Huh?"
Little stars sparkled in Ino Yamanaka's eyes as she asked, "Just the two of us?"
"No."
Shihui Aburame answered, "Same as last time."
Ino Yamanaka immediately felt a little disappointed.
Being with their friends was certainly nice, but she preferred spending time alone with him.
Shihui Aburame glanced at her and was about to speak when he caught sight of another familiar figure.
He turned his head and saw Hinata Hyuga sneaking around.
She hid behind a tree, half her face peeking out.
When their eyes met, she quickly ducked back in fright.
Shihui Aburame smiled.
What a little bunny.