Everyone is waiting.
In the first minute, nothing seemed to change.
Hashirama couldn't help but whisper, "Boss, hasn't it started yet?"
Zhang Yu glanced at the system notification.
"Wait."
Hashirama immediately shut his mouth.
The first sound came from the vegetable garden in the second minute.
A tender seedling swayed gently.
Then, its leaves unfurled at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The seedlings, which were originally only the height of a finger joint, began to grow upwards as if supported by some force.
The soil rippled slightly, and the roots burrowed deeper into the ground.
Immediately afterwards, the entire vegetable garden came alive.
The tiny seedlings grew wildly, their leaves turning from light green to dark green, their stems thickening, and their leaves unfolding.
Along the ridges of the fields, it's as if an invisible hand is urging everything to move.
The vegetable garden, which was just empty a moment ago, is now covered with vibrant greenery.
Bai stared wide-eyed.
"You've really grown up..."
Hashirama also stood up from the edge of the fishpond.
"That speed!"
"Even more exaggerated than my Wood Release!"
Ban glanced at him indifferently.
"You finally admit it?"
Hashirama did not refute this.
Because what we're seeing is truly outrageous.
Wood Release can promote the growth of plants.
But that is a combination of Chakra and life force.
Now, Zhang Yu simply bought a bag of fertilizer and scattered it into the soil.
The vegetables then began to ripen rapidly.
Tobirama's expression changed little by little.
"It's not Ninjutsu."
"It's not Genjutsu either."
"It's real growth."
Izuna bent down and picked a newly grown leaf of vegetables, gently pinching it between her fingertips.
The leaves are thick, moist, and have a refreshing scent.
He whispered, "It can be added directly to the dish."
Zabuza turned to look at the fishpond.
"The fish have changed too."
Everyone immediately looked over.
The tiny fish fry, which were originally only the length of a finger, have now grown quite a bit.
They swam faster and faster in the water, their bodies stretching as if blown up, and their scales becoming increasingly clear.
Ripples kept spreading across the water's surface.
One by one, the fish grew from tiny fry to half a palm's length, and then to the length of a palm.
As time went on, the fish's body grew thicker and thicker, and the sound of its tail slapping the water became louder and louder.
Snap!
One-Tail leaped out of the water, then fell heavily back into the pond.
The splashing water hit Hashirama's face.
Hashirama not only didn't dodge, but laughed even more heartily.
"You've grown up!"
"You've really grown up!"
Zabuza stared at the fish in the water, a rare change appearing on his face.
When these fish were thrown in this morning, they were so small that you could scoop them up in one handful.
Now they've all become quite plump.
The fish's back has widened.
The fish's belly swelled up.
The water they stirred up while swimming was noticeably heavier.
Bai looked at the fishpond, then at the vegetable garden, and felt an indescribable tremor in his heart.
He had witnessed carnage, missions, and the cold, ruthless world of ninjas during his lifetime.
But in the Undead Tavern, he saw something completely different.
The dead are reunited.
The legendary strongman was tilling the land with a hoe.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist is digging a fishpond.
Madara Uchiha fertilizer.
Standing to the side, Boss Zhang Yu used only two bags of magical tools to bring the vegetable garden and fishpond back to life in a short period of time.
These days are as ordinary as those of an average family.
Yet it was as miraculous as a divine intervention.
Bai suddenly realized that he really liked this place.
It's not because it's safe here.
It's not because Zabuza- san is there.
It was not because of the sense of security he had never experienced before, but because of the feeling of peace he found there.
He glanced at Zhang Yu, his resolve growing stronger.
If he could, he would like to stay here forever.
I'll stay by Boss Zhang Yu's side for the rest of my life.
Even being a greeter would be fine.
Learning massage is a good option.
Wearing those uniforms that make him shy is fine too.
He was willing to stay in the Undead Tavern as long as he could remain in this peaceful yet lively daily life.
In the fifth minute, the vegetable garden had completely changed.
Rows of green vegetables stood upright.
The leaves are thick and emerald green, Root are firmly planted.
Some melon vines spread along the ground, and in a short time, they sprouted tendrils, blossomed, and bore fruit.
The tiny fruit starts out only the size of a thumb, but quickly swells and gradually darkens in color.
Looking at the fresh vegetables, Izuna began to plan the dinner menu.
"I can make stir-fried vegetables tonight."
"If the fishpond is mature, you can also make grilled fish and fish soup."
Hashirama immediately raised his hand.
I want fish soup!
Ban snorted coldly.
"Didn't you just say the vegetable garden was important?"
Hashirama was righteous and assertive.
"Fish soup and a vegetable garden don't conflict!"
Tobirama looked at the vegetable garden, and his tone softened considerably.
"In this way, the kitchen can indeed be self-sufficient in basic ingredients."
"As long as we replant regularly and maintain stock in the fishponds, we can reduce the need for large-scale procurement."
Zhang Yu nodded.
"This is the effect I wanted."
By the tenth minute, the fish in the pond were no longer fry.
Adult fish swam in the water, plump and strong, their tails sweeping across the surface and creating ripples.
Zabuza down and reached out to try and grab one.
The fish was incredibly strong and slipped out of his hand in an instant.
Water splashed all over his face.
Zabuza's face darkened.
Hashirama burst out laughing on the spot.
" Zabuza, you can't even catch a fish!"
Zabuza looked at him coldly.
"You come here."
Hashirama rolled up his sleeves.
"I'll do it."
As soon as he put his hand into the water, a fat fish suddenly flicked its tail, splashing water directly onto his face.
Hashirama froze.
Madara looked at their disheveled appearance and finally sneered.
"Two useless people."
Hashirama immediately turned around.
"Ban, if you're so capable, then you do it!"
Ban glanced at the fishpond but didn't move.
"I don't do such boring things."
Zhang Yu interrupted with a smile.
"Alright, the fish has met the requirements."
"Don't damage the pond."
Hashirama then withdrew his hand.
He wiped the water from his face, looked at the pond teeming with fish, and suddenly became quiet.
"Boss."
"Um?"
"This kind of life is actually pretty good."
Zhang Yu looked at him.
Hashirama sat by the fishpond, his face devoid of the exaggerated smile he had shown before, and his tone unusually serious.
"In the past, Ban and I wanted to build a village because we hoped that people wouldn't have to fight all the time."
"Children don't need to go to the battlefield."
"Ninjas can also have ordinary lives."
"But later... things became very complicated."
Ban stood by the vegetable garden, saying nothing.
Hashirama continued, "Now that I think about it, growing vegetables in the backyard, digging a pond, drinking beer, fighting over Coke, and waiting for the fish to grow up."
"It feels much more comfortable than standing on the battlefield."
Ban was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "You still talk too much nonsense."
Hashirama smiled.
But you didn't refute it either.
Ban looked at the neat vegetable garden and the rippling fishpond for a long while before speaking.
"At least it's better than a meaningless war."
Upon hearing this, even Tobirama glanced at him.
Hashirama's smile became even more pronounced.
"Ban, you think so too, right?"
Ban snorted coldly.
I'm just stating the facts.
Izuna stood beside him, his expression softening.
He had witnessed too many deaths of Uchiha clan members, and he had seen Madara gradually pushed away by hatred and ideals.
But now, Madara stands in the backyard of the Undead Tavern, his hands still smelling of fertilizer, watching the vegetables and fishpond ripen with Hashirama.