In the afternoon, Ninja School let out.
Among all times of the day, this was the most joyful.
Renye packed his things, preparing to go home for dinner.
Just then, a group of people appeared, blocking Renye’s path.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Kagami, Danzo Shimura, and others stood before Renye.
Their posture made it seem like they were looking for trouble…
Upon seeing this, Renye frowned slightly.
“These guys aren’t planning to beat me up, are they?”
Renye subtly distanced himself from the group.
As soon as they made any move, Renye would run away immediately.
He truly had no way to deal with several people ganging up on him.
If he didn’t run, he would just get beaten…
Renye was overthinking; they simply wanted to invite him to eat out, nothing more.
“Renye-kun, want to go eat barbecue together?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
Hearing this, Renye finally realized.
So, they weren’t looking for trouble after all…
“Renye-kun, I know a barbecue place that’s really good,” Uchiha Kagami chimed in.
Facing their invitation, Renye shook his head and said, “Sorry, I still need to go home and cook. I don’t have time to go out with you.”
He knew without thinking that Old Man Senju Tobirama was definitely waiting for him to come home and cook.
Renye felt helpless about this.
He had completely become Senju Tobirama’s personal chef.
Hearing this, the group didn’t insist. After bidding farewell to Renye at the school gate, they left together.
——————
Senju Tobirama Residence.
“Uncle, have you bought the ingredients?” Renye asked.
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama put down the documents in his hand and said, “You don’t need to cook today. We’re going to Big Brother’s house to eat.”
“Got it.”
Renye was happy to have some leisure time. Today’s training was indeed quite tiring, and not having to cook was even better.
After taking a shower, he followed Senju Tobirama to Senju Hashirama’s residence.
One large and one small figure walked side by side through the Senju Clan Land.
“Brat, how was your performance at school today?” Senju Tobirama suddenly asked.
“I fought Hiruzen Sarutobi to a draw in combat training,” Renye answered truthfully.
As the founder of the Ninja School, his every move at school certainly couldn’t be hidden from him.
Didn’t he see that the homeroom teacher of Class A was a member of the Senju Clan?
Renye speculated that Senju Tobirama’s question had two possibilities…
The first was simply making small talk.
The second was to test whether he would conceal the truth.
The former was fine, but the latter was a bit unsettling.
This meant that even after spending a year together, Senju Tobirama was still wary of him…
Senju Tobirama nodded knowingly, not asking any further questions.
Renye looked at Senju Tobirama, trying to discern something from his face, but unfortunately, he found nothing.
Senju Tobirama was always cautious and rarely showed his inner thoughts.
If Renye could easily read his mind, then he wouldn’t be Senju Tobirama.
Soon, the two arrived at their destination.
Senju Hashirama Residence.
“Hashirama-uncle.”
Renye greeted Senju Hashirama, who was in the yard.
“Big Brother,” Senju Tobirama followed with a greeting.
“Haha, little Renye, you’re finally here.”
Senju Hashirama warmly approached Renye, not even glancing at Senju Tobirama beside him. “I haven’t tasted your cooking in a long time. Can you show off your skills today?”
Senju Tobirama was left aside by his Big Brother, his face darkening.
“Big Brother, you called us here just for this?”
He knew why Big Brother would suddenly call them over for dinner; it turned out he had this scheme in mind…
“Haha, little Renye’s cooking is too good. I haven’t eaten it in a while, and I’m really craving it,” Senju Hashirama said cheerfully.
Renye looked at Senju Tobirama, his expression as if to say: “Didn’t you say we weren’t cooking today?”
Senju Tobirama turned his head, pretending not to see Renye’s expression.
“Little Renye, can you? Please!” Senju Hashirama clasped his hands together, pleading.
“Big Brother, you’re being too rude!” Senju Tobirama reprimanded.
He was still the Hokage of Konoha Village; to go to such lengths for a meal was truly embarrassing!
Senju Hashirama ignored Tobirama and looked pitifully at Renye.
Renye couldn’t quite bear Senju Hashirama’s gaze. “I understand, Hashirama-uncle.”
Hearing this, Senju Hashirama immediately beamed with joy. “Haha, thank you for your trouble, little Renye.”
There was no helping it; Renye’s cooking was truly excellent.
He had tasted it once before and couldn’t forget it.
So, every now and then, he would find an excuse to have Renye come over and cook.
Renye headed to the kitchen. He had been here many times before and was very familiar with the place.
After Renye left, Senju Tobirama could no longer hold back.
“Big Brother, you… how could you do this!”
He truly hadn’t expected his Big Brother to throw away all dignity just for a meal.
“Tobirama, that’s not right,” Senju Hashirama said with a resentful look. “Mito and I aren’t like you; we don’t get to eat little Renye’s cooking every day.”
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama’s lips curled slightly upward, and he crossed his arms, looking smug.
Although Renye was an Uchiha brat, his cooking skills were truly impeccable.
A large reason why Senju Tobirama could tolerate living with Renye was that he had been conquered by his exquisite culinary skills.
“Tobirama, how about this: let little Renye stay at my place for a few days?” Senju Hashirama looked expectant.
“No, Big Brother!” Senju Tobirama refused without hesitation.
“Tobirama, how could you be like this…?” Senju Hashirama looked heartbroken.
Senju Tobirama understood his Big Brother very well and wasn’t swayed by his act. He said coldly, “Big Brother, don’t even think about it. Uchiha Renye is mine!”
After saying this, Senju Tobirama suddenly froze.
What did he just say?!
It was hard to imagine such an outrageous statement coming from Senju Tobirama’s mouth.
“Big Brother, don’t misunderstand…”
He hastily tried to explain, but his mind went blank. He stammered for a long time, still unable to make sense of it.
The phrase “Renye is mine…” kept echoing in his mind.
Senju Hashirama looked at Tobirama’s flustered state and smiled like an aunt.
“Tobirama, you don’t need to explain. I understand…”
Just as he had predicted, Tobirama and little Renye had already formed a bond.
He believed that in a few years, Renye would be able to change Tobirama’s perception of the Uchiha.
“Big Brother, you don’t understand! And… put away that disgusting expression!” Senju Tobirama retorted, his face red.
It was unclear whether the blush was from shyness or anger.
“Haha, I understand, I understand…”
“Shut up, you don’t understand at all!”
“Tobirama, you’re scolding me again…”
“…”
——————
Kitchen.
“Little Renye, you’re finally here,” Uzumaki Mito said with a smile, pointing to the ingredients on the table. “I’ve already washed the vegetables.”
“Aunt Mito, thank you for your trouble.”
With that, Renye began to cook.
Uzumaki Mito assisted him, diligently learning Renye’s stir-frying techniques.
Since Renye occasionally came here to cook, she had learned a lot from him, and her cooking skills had greatly improved.