blogombal Chapter 39 Barbecue
Chapter 39 Barbecue
The leaves at dusk have a unique charm.
After months of being ravaged by battlefield canned food and soldier rations, when the sizzling sound of grease roasting over charcoal fire rang in his ears again, Nishikawa Tetsu felt that this was the sound of being alive.
"Yakiniku Q" is one of the two most famous yakiniku restaurants in Konoha, the other being the Akimichi family's.
Q Barbecue specializes in high-end barbecue, and today, we're in one of the private rooms that's usually reserved for VIPs.
"Order, don't be shy."
Fugaku Uchiha sat cross-legged in the main seat. Although he still had that poker face, his casual clothes made him look less menacing and more like a noble young master.
"Since I promised to treat you, I won't go back on my word. There's no limit to today's budget, so eat as much as you want."
"That's fantastic! Long live Fugaku-senpai!"
Nishikawa Toru and Namikaze Minato cheered, their joy coming from the bottom of their hearts.
For a boy who is growing and whose chakra is being used up in large quantities, flesh is justice.
However, today's dinner party wasn't just for the three of them.
Beside Fugaku, a girl dressed in a light purple kimono was kneeling.
She has long, smooth black hair, fair skin, and a gentle, graceful demeanor in her eyes and brows.
He looks about the same age as Fugaku, probably around fourteen or fifteen years old.
However, she didn't have the fierceness of a ninja; instead, she was more like a well-bred young lady or a friendly older sister next door.
Let me introduce you.
Fugaku cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, his eyes darting around, seemingly unable to look directly at the girl beside him:
"This is Uchiha Mikoto, she's my... cough, clansman."
"Is it merely because we're of the same race?"
Nishikawa Tetsu's gaze swept back and forth between the two, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I think she's the future 'Clan Chief's Wife,' isn't she?"
"Pfft!" Minato, who was drinking tea, almost spat it out.
Fugaku's face instantly turned red to his ears, and he slammed his hand on the table: "Nishikawa Tetsu! Eat your meat! Stop talking nonsense!"
Mikoto wasn't angry at all; instead, she covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents.
She bowed gracefully to the two of them: "Hello, I am Uchiha Mikoto. I've often heard Fugaku mention you, saying that there's a genius in the team who's as warm as the sun, and another strategist who always spouts strange theories. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed both outstanding individuals."
"Oh, no, no, Mikoto-nee, you flatter me." Minato scratched his head a little embarrassedly.
Nishikawa Tetsu thought to himself: Is this Sasuke and Itachi's mother? She is indeed a typical virtuous wife and loving mother. No wonder she can put up with a brooding and arrogant man like Fugaku.
"Mikoto-nee, Fugaku-senpai took good care of us on the battlefield," Nishikawa Tetsu chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
"Although he doesn't say it, he's always the first to rush into danger."
Mikoto turned to look at Fugaku, her eyes full of tenderness: "I know, he's just too kind."
Nishikawa Tetsu's expression was a little strange. Kindness... and Uchiha? How could these two words be associated?
Fugaku felt uncomfortable under her gaze and could only stiffly pick up the tongs: "The meat is cooked, eat quickly."
……
As a few slices of grilled meat were eaten, the atmosphere gradually became lively.
With Mikoto acting as a gentle lubricant, Fugaku's unapproachable aura was largely dispelled.
The group chatted about interesting things that happened on the battlefield, deliberately avoiding any bloody or heavy topics.
Just then, a commotion broke out in the corridor outside the private room.
"Is that... Lord Hatake?"
"Oh my god, it's 'Konoha's White Fang'! He's here for barbecue too?"
"Look, that child is so cute..."
Upon hearing the name, the four people in the private room paused for a moment.
"White Fang?" A glint of admiration flashed in Minato's eyes. "Is that Lord Hatake Sakumo?"
That's a powerful figure that even Jiraiya himself couldn't match.
"It should be right."
Fugaku put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious—an instinctive respect for the strong. "Right now, he's the most prominent figure in Konoha. It's said that his battlefield achievements even surpass those of the Sannin."
"And he just had a son, I heard he cherishes him very much," Mikoto added with a smile. "He just came back from the front lines a while ago, and lately I often see him taking walks in the village with his child."
As they were talking, the curtain of the private room was blown open by the wind.
Nishikawa Tetsuya peeked through the crack into the lobby outside.
A man with long silver hair, dressed in a kimono, walked into the store carrying a toddler with silver hair.
The man looked tired, but his eyes were gentle as he played with the child in his arms.
Sakumo Hatake, and... a young version of Kakashi.
Nishikawa Tetsuya's heart stirred.
At this time, Sakumo Hatake was at the peak of his life.
His strength was said to surpass that of the Sannin, and the chakra dagger in his hand gleamed with a chilling white light, making him a nightmare for ninjas from all enemy countries.
"Konoha's White Fang..." Minato sighed. "I heard that his mission completion rate is 100%, and he values his comrades very much. He has an extremely high reputation in the village."
"His strength is indeed formidable," Fugaku commented. "Even the arrogant elders in the clan say that if we're talking about swordsmanship and instant-kill ability alone, White Fang is the best in Konoha."
"but……"
Nishikawa Tetsu turned his gaze back to the tea in his cup and said softly, "Sometimes, the higher you stand, the harder you fall. Reputation is a double-edged sword."
"What do you mean?" Mikoto asked curiously.
"It's nothing." Nishikawa Tetsu shook his head and didn't say anything more.
He knew very well that, according to the original historical trajectory, this hero, who was at the height of his power, would soon be driven to the brink of destruction by the village he was protecting and his companions because of his choice to "abandon the mission to save his comrades".
The despair of being devoured by public opinion is sharper than swords on the battlefield.
Fugaku felt this deeply: "I haven't even achieved many military exploits yet, and I've already ended up in this situation just by opening my eyes."
"Hey, Fugaku-senpai, don't worry, Minato and I are here!" Nishikawa Tetsu couldn't stand his pathetic state and comforted him.
"Yes, senpai, and doesn't Che already have an idea?" Minato nodded in agreement.
Fugaku was somewhat surprised to hear this: "Oh? Che, do you have a plan?"
Nishikawa Tetsu smiled slightly and said, "Oh, senior, this isn't the right time to talk about these things. Let's finish eating first."
Fugaku thought about it and realized that Mikoto was still around.
He raised his teacup to the three of them:
"No matter what, I'm so lucky to be back alive and able to sit here and eat meat, all thanks to everyone."
"A toast to this barbecue without any regrets!" Minato said, raising his drink.
"To...the future clan chief's wife." Nishikawa Tetsu raised his glass with a mischievous grin.
"A toast to the hard-won peace." Mikoto gently raised her glass.
The four cups clinked together, making a crisp sound.
On this night filled with the warmth of fireworks, the future Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha clan leader, the genius scientist, and Sasuke's gentle mother enjoyed this brief but precious moment of tranquility.
Next door, young Kakashi was nestled in his father's arms, curiously observing the world around him.