Renye was busy shuttling between the stove and the cutting board, the clinking of pots and pans echoing crisply.
Uzumaki Mito was also not idle; she skillfully chopped vegetables, occasionally exchanging quiet words with Renye about cooking details, a gentle smile gracing her face.
Before long, a variety of delicious dishes, appealing in color, aroma, and taste, filled the entire table, their rich scent instantly spreading and tempting everyone's taste buds.
Senju Hashirama was the first to sit down; as soon as he settled into his chair, his gaze was drawn to the table full of delicacies, and he subconsciously swallowed.
Uzumaki Mito sat beside Hashirama, looked at the food on the table, and praised, "As expected of little Renye's cooking, we can feast today."
"Haha, Mito is right!" Senju Hashirama echoed.
The couple had been craving this for a long time.
"You flatter me," Renye said with a smile.
Senju Tobirama walked over unhurriedly, maintaining his usual composure, but his slightly quickened steps revealed his inner anticipation.
Normally at home, why would Renye make such a huge spread?
He usually just made two simple home-cooked dishes to get by.
Although Senju Tobirama thought that Renye's home-cooked dishes were also delicious, he still looked forward to the scene of Renye making a grand feast.
That way, he could eat a lot of delicious food...
Once everyone was seated, Renye warmly invited them to start eating.
Senju Hashirama could no longer hold back; he reached out and picked up a piece of tempting braised pork, putting it into his mouth, and the rich flavors instantly burst in his oral cavity.
He couldn't help but exclaim in satisfaction, "Little Renye, your cooking skills are truly amazing! This taste is simply irresistible!"
Saying that, he picked up another large piece and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Uncle Hashirama, if you like it, eat more," Renye said.
As a "chef," it's a very happy thing to have the food you make recognized and praised by others.
Uzumaki Mito smiled faintly, elegantly tasting each dish, occasionally casting approving glances at Renye:
"Little Renye, your cooking truly tastes wonderful!" She paused, then added, "And the process of preparing this delicious meal with you also makes this dinner more meaningful."
Some of the dishes were completed jointly by her and Renye, which made her very happy.
Mito found that she was growing fonder and fonder of this child, Renye.
She didn't understand why Tobirama always complained about Renye, who was so well-behaved, sensible, and a good cook?
Although Senju Tobirama didn't praise loudly like Hashirama, his chopsticks moved very frequently.
In a short while, his bowl was piled high with various delicacies.
He nodded slightly and said softly, "Hmm, it's indeed very good."
...
The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the window onto the dining table, and everyone reluctantly put down their chopsticks, still wanting more.
Senju Hashirama leaned back comfortably in his chair, patted his round belly, turned his gaze to Renye, and asked with a smile,
"Little Renye, how have you been doing at school these past two days?"
"Uncle Hashirama, I'm doing alright," Renye wiped the corner of his mouth and sat up straight.
Although he didn't want to go to school at first, after two days, he found it acceptable.
After all, the students at school were all talented, and their conversations were pleasant, which was much more interesting than him cultivating alone at home.
Senju Hashirama nodded with satisfaction, then asked, "Little Renye, do you have any ideals for the future?"
Upon hearing this, Senju Tobirama, who was nearby, subtly looked at Renye.
Renye lowered his gaze, staring at the swirling tea in his bowl, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the rim of the porcelain bowl.
He was thinking about how to answer this question to satisfy Senju Hashirama.
Renye's purpose for getting stronger was simple: to have the power to protect himself in future wars, so as not to be used as cannon fodder.
But obviously, he couldn't say that...
After a moment of silence, Renye looked up, his gaze firm:
"I want to become strong, very, very strong!"
Senju Tobirama's eyes flickered, and the expression on his face grew more solemn.
【Why is this brat so obsessed with getting stronger?】
He urgently wanted to know the purpose of Renye becoming stronger; this was very important!
Fortunately, his Older Brother helped him ask...
"Why must you become strong?" Senju Hashirama inquired.
Renye looked directly at Hashirama and said, word by word, "Because only by becoming strong can I protect what I want to protect... just like you protect the Village."
These words were like a stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up huge waves.
Senju Hashirama's pupils contracted sharply, and the images of countless fallen clan members from his memory overlapped with Renye's stubborn face before him.
Senju Tobirama stared blankly at Renye, as if he had seen a ghost.
He never would have thought that a brat from Uchiha could say something so profound.
Was this still the brat he knew?!
Renye didn't know that his words had completely refreshed all of Senju Tobirama's perceptions of him.
"Did I really misjudge him?" Senju Tobirama murmured softly.
Renye's words were so impactful that they began to make him doubt himself.
Perhaps, he had indeed been prejudiced against Renye because of his Uchiha identity before...
After a long while, Senju Hashirama's hand landed heavily on Renye's shoulder, his voice much deeper than usual: "Good, well said!"
He strode to the wooden cabinet by the wall, pulled out a yellowed Ninjutsu scroll, which bore the Senju clan's crest.
"These are my Ninjutsu and cultivation insights from these years," Senju Hashirama solemnly handed the scroll to Renye, his fingertips caressing the scroll, "I'm giving it to you; I hope you can study it well and become strong soon!"
Senju Tobirama's face showed shock at the sight.
He didn't expect his Older Brother to give this scroll to Renye.
One should know that it contained quite a few Ninjutsu of the Senju clan, and even Wood Release...
Uzumaki Mito's eyes were full of relief, and she said softly, "Little Renye, if you have any confusion during cultivation, feel free to ask us."
Renye's hands trembled slightly as he held the scroll and bowed his head, "Thank you, I will definitely live up to your expectations!"
He had originally intended to say some nice words to make Senju Hashirama happy.
But he didn't control the force well and overdid it.
However, this was also good; it was an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Senju Tobirama stared at Renye with a complex expression, wondering what he was thinking.
After the small interlude, the two bid farewell and left.
The night was as dark as ink.
Renye held the scroll, following behind Senju Tobirama.
It wasn't until the two reached the maple tree at the edge of the clan land that Tobirama suddenly stopped and said unexpectedly, "Uchiha Renye... you're very good!"
Renye looked at Senju Tobirama with a bewildered expression.
He didn't know what was wrong with this Old Man.
Senju Tobirama crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over the scroll in Renye's hand, "Protecting what you want to protect isn't enough with just words."
"Tomorrow at the hour of the Tiger, bring the scroll to the training ground; I will personally guide you." Senju Tobirama turned around, his figure disappearing into the night.
Renye stood rooted to the spot, his eyes filled with disbelief.