Late at night, the Lian Ye Squad returned to Konoha Village.
"You've worked hard during this time, go back and get some good rest," Renye instructed the two, and then they each went home.
When he returned home, he found the house pitch black.
It was clear that Senju Tobirama, that Old Man, was still busy in the Hokage Office at this time.
Renye didn't go to disturb him; he was physically and mentally exhausted and needed a good night's sleep.
He placed the book by his pillow and fell into a peaceful sleep.
That night, he had a dream he hadn't had in a long time.
It wasn't the laboratory from before, but a dream of himself learning Flying Thunder God and roaming freely in the Ninja World.
When Renye woke up the next day, remembering the scene from his dream, he was immediately energized.
He immediately sat up from the bed, picked up the theoretical book on the table, and studied diligently.
If talent isn't enough, then make up for it with effort and persistence!
As soon as he thought about learning Flying Thunder God, he became even more eager to read.
Time unknowingly passed until noon, and Renye had read most of the book in his hand.
"Is it noon already?"
Looking at the sunlight outside the window, he slowly closed the book, rubbing his brow wearily.
Renye turned over and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom to wash up.
Studying is a high-intensity brain exercise; he had to treat himself to something delicious for lunch.
Plus, he had been on missions outside for a while, eating soldier pills until he was almost sick, so he really needed some good food to fill his injured stomach.
Thinking this, he finished washing up and headed to the kitchen.
Renye walked into the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and began to get busy.
He first neatly arranged the fresh ingredients on the cutting board, took out a sharp knife, and skillfully cut the vegetables into uniform small pieces, and the meat was also sliced to an consistent thickness.
He washed the rice and put it in the pot to steam, while simultaneously setting up an iron wok on the stove and pouring in shiny oil.
As the oil heated up, the fragrant smell of sautéed green onions, ginger, and garlic quickly spread.
He slid the marinated fish fillets into the wok, and the fish sizzled in the oil, quickly frying to a golden brown.
Immediately after, the water in another pot boiled, and he added noodles, gently stirring them with long chopsticks.
Side dishes were also added to the pot in sequence; the pink of the shrimp, the vibrant green of the vegetables, and the brownish-yellow of the mushrooms intertwined in the pot, and the soup gradually became thick and savory.
Before long, a table full of delicious food was laid out on the stove.
Bright red sweet and sour pork ribs, fragrant seafood noodles, and tender, refreshing stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Renye sat down at the dining table, served himself a full bowl of rice, picked up a piece of pork rib, and as he bit into it, the crispy outer shell enveloped the tender, smooth meat, instantly awakening his taste buds.
He ate heartily, thoroughly enjoying the delicious meal he had prepared himself.
This time, he didn't immediately send it to Senju Tobirama as he usually did.
There was no way; the smell was too enticing; he couldn't resist it at all.
He had been eating soldier pills for a month and was almost sick of them.
Finally seeing normal human food, who could resist not eating it?
As for Senju Tobirama?
He could wait until Renye was full...
Anyway, that Old Man was in Konoha every day, so he wouldn't lack good food.
Senju Tobirama couldn't possibly ignore the delicious food in the village and eat soldier pills like him, could he?
After the meal, Renye leaned back on the tatami mat, patted his slightly bulging belly, and let out a hearty burp, completely disregarding his image.
Although he hadn't cooked for a long time, his culinary skills were still on point, and a delicious meal swept away the fatigue of the past month.
Only scattered sauce and bones remained on the table.
He slowly got up and pulled out a bento box from the cupboard.
"I accidentally ate too much."
Renye looked at the leftover food on the table and scratched his head a bit awkwardly.
He couldn't help but wonder to himself, would that Old Man be willing to eat something with such a poor presentation?
If he remembered correctly, Senju Tobirama was very particular about food presentation.
He didn't even need to think; that guy definitely had OCD.
Renye had originally thought of making another portion, but it was already getting late, and making another portion would definitely take a lot of time.
By then, Senju Tobirama would probably have already eaten lunch.
If that happened, wouldn't his efforts be in vain?
Thinking of this, Renye abandoned the idea of cooking again.
"Forget it, he can eat it or not."
He haphazardly packed the leftovers into the bento box; the sticky sauce from the sweet and sour pork ribs smeared the inside of the box, the stir-fried vegetables were soft and piled to one side, and the soup from the seafood noodles had soaked the noodles, making them swell.
Looking at the extremely unappetizing lunch, Renye twitched his lips and silently closed the lid of the bento box.
"Forget it, that guy won't be picky anyway."
If he was picky, Renye would pretend he hadn't said anything, as the presentation was indeed terrible.
He could already imagine Senju Tobirama's exasperated expression...
——————
Hokage Office.
Senju Tobirama was processing documents on his desk, occasionally glancing at the clock on the wall, muttering to himself.
"It's already this late, why hasn't that kid brought the meal yet?"
As the Hokage, he naturally knew about Renye's return to the village last night.
It was just that he had been busy dealing with frontline documents during this period and didn't have time to go home, so he could only rest in the office.
He had originally thought Renye would bring him food as before, but so much time had passed, and the kid still hadn't come.
Senju Tobirama couldn't help but wonder if Renye had forgotten?
He had to know, he hadn't eaten breakfast specifically to wait for Renye to bring food, wanting to save room for delicious food...
But now, Renye hadn't come, so he must have forgotten about it.
"This kid really is something, he doesn't even remember to bring me food," Senju Tobirama shook his head, pulled open a drawer, and took out a soldier pill.
As soon as he put the soldier pill in his mouth, he sensed Renye's Chakra approaching.
Without hesitation, Senju Tobirama spat the soldier pill into the trash can at his feet, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
It seemed the kid hadn't forgotten.
His years of careful guidance hadn't been in vain...
He began to pretend to process documents, wondering what delicious food the kid had made for him?
Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he had eaten Renye's cooking.
Senju Tobirama was almost sick of soldier pills, and now he could finally eat something good.
Just then, the office door opened, and Renye walked in carrying a bento box.
"Uncle, I've brought you food."
"This bento is half an hour later than usual, though," Senju Tobirama said without lifting his head, his pen not stopping.
Only, no one noticed that his peripheral vision was fixed on the bento box in Renye's hand, his Adam's apple subtly bobbing.
Hearing this, Renye explained, without batting an eye, "I was cultivating and didn't notice the time."
He placed the bento box on the table and slowly opened the lid. "I didn't have much time, so I just made something quick. Just make do with it for now."
Initially, Senju Tobirama didn't pay attention to these words.
But when he lifted the lid of the bento box, the expression on his face immediately froze.