It was nearing noon.
Renye checked the time, guessing that Senju Tobirama would be back soon.
He simply pulled out a chair and sat in the yard, waiting for him to return.
As for why Renye didn't cook?
For no other reason than there was no food left at home.
Last night, Senju Tobirama said he would buy some today, but from the looks of it, he seemed to have forgotten.
"I wonder what that Old Man is busy with every day? Always leaving early and coming back late…" Renye muttered, propping his chin with his hands, bored.
He had been living here for three days, and Apart from at meal times, he had barely seen Senju Tobirama; he seemed to be intentionally avoiding him.
"Heh heh, do you really think I want to live with you?" Renye sneered, pouting slightly.
Uchiha Great Elder and Senju Hashirama had both spoken.
If he had a choice, how could he possibly be willing to live with Senju Tobirama?
Not long after, Senju Tobirama appeared at the doorway.
He saw Renye sitting in the yard, paused slightly, and asked, "Kid, is lunch ready?"
Renye rolled his eyes at him and retorted, "There are no ingredients at home, how can I cook?"
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama finally remembered about buying ingredients.
He had been so focused on persuading his elder brother this morning that he had forgotten about it.
Looking at Renye's resentful gaze, he cleared his throat and explained,
"I've been quite busy lately and forgot about it."
"Heh heh, you're just the Hokage's younger brother, not the Hokage himself, what could you possibly be busy with…? You probably just crawled out of some female ninja's bed, didn't you?" Renye mumbled softly.
After training all morning, he was already famished.
He had originally planned to make himself a delicious meal as a reward, but when he got to the kitchen, he found that there were no ingredients left at home.
He was just a little kid with no source of income, so he had no money to go out and buy ingredients, thus he could only endure the hunger and wait for Senju Tobirama to return.
Seeing Senju Tobirama act as if nothing was wrong, Renye naturally felt resentful; who knew where that Old Man had been enjoying himself.
Senju Tobirama's mouth twitched, and he suppressed his anger, saying, "No cooking today. I'll take you out to eat."
It was too late to cook now, and if he let this kid cook, he would probably say some outrageous things.
Senju Tobirama had been pure for half his life, only to be slandered by this kid; anyone would find it unbearable.
Renye's eyes lit up, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "In that case, there's no other choice… I want to eat yakiniku."
Senju Tobirama: "…"
— — — —
Konoha Village Commercial Street.
Before long, Senju Tobirama brought Renye to a yakiniku restaurant emitting a fragrant aroma.
The enticing scent of meat permeated the restaurant, making Renye's Adam's apple bob as he unconsciously swallowed his saliva.
Having been in the Ninja World for several months, his living expenses were only enough for basic meals, and he never had spare money to eat yakiniku.
Senju Tobirama led Renye to a corner table, and the enthusiastic owner quickly came over with a menu.
Senju Tobirama handed the menu to Renye and said, "You order."
Renye took the menu and unceremoniously ordered over a dozen plates of yakiniku: signature beef, tender pork belly, pork kidneys… and finally, a few plates of vegetables.
Senju Tobirama stared blankly at this scene, surprised, "You ordered so much, can you finish it all?"
"Don't worry, I can finish it," Renye said.
What he ordered was roughly the equivalent of three adults' portions.
He had originally wanted to order a few more plates, but he thought better of it; it would be a waste if he couldn't finish it. He'd decide after he finished what was already ordered.
Seeing Renye's certainty, Senju Tobirama said no more, but he was incredibly curious: were Uchiha's appetites really that big?
Soon, sizzling hot plates were brought to the table. As the fresh red meat slices touched the high heat, they instantly curled and changed color, grease splattering and the aroma growing even richer.
Senju Tobirama picked up his chopsticks and methodically flipped the meat slices.
Renye, on the other hand, watched with his arms crossed, occasionally offering a comment or two.
Despite his outwardly calm appearance, he was actually starving.
Renye looked at the aromatic yakiniku and discreetly swallowed his saliva.
Even if he was starving, he couldn't show it; that was the mark of a qualified Uchiha!
"It's just about done," Senju Tobirama said, placing the cooked meat onto Renye's plate.
"I can pick it up myself," Renye said, picking up a slice of meat and putting it in his mouth.
As the yakiniku entered his mouth, Renye immediately showed a look of satisfaction.
This yakiniku was simply too delicious!
At this moment, he no longer cared about Uchiha's arrogance, putting slice after slice of yakiniku into his mouth, occasionally letting out a satisfied hum.
Senju Tobirama silently observed Renye's every move, and upon seeing Renye devour all the yakiniku on the table at an incredibly fast pace, he looked utterly shocked.
That wasn't all; Renye felt he hadn't eaten enough, so with a wave of his hand, he had the owner bring out a few more plates of yakiniku.
Senju Tobirama: "???"
How had he never noticed before that this kid could eat so much?
"Burp~ I'm full," Renye patted his stomach, looking completely satisfied.
This yakiniku meal had thoroughly satisfied him.
Sure enough, eating meat was more satisfying.
Senju Tobirama unconsciously looked at Renye's slightly bulging stomach.
This was too ridiculous, wasn't it?
How did this kid's stomach manage to hold all that food?
Renye had eaten enough for five people in this one meal.
And he was only a six-year-old kid!
Senju Tobirama was starting to doubt reality; was this really a kid?
It seemed necessary to thoroughly investigate tonight why this kid could eat so much…
Renye at this moment was unaware of Senju Tobirama's thoughts; he was happily savoring the aroma of the yakiniku.
If only he could eat yakiniku often.
"White-haired uncle, you can settle the bill now," Renye noticed Senju Tobirama was still staring at him and reminded him.
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama snapped back to reality and called the owner to settle the bill.
Then the two left the yakiniku restaurant together.
Just as they stepped out, Senju Tobirama suddenly remembered something, took out a wad of money, and handed it to Renye, saying indifferently, "This is your living allowance. I have something to do, so I'll go first."
With that, he flickered and disappeared from the spot.
Leaving Renye looking at the thick stack of banknotes in his hand, silent for a long time.
After a while, he put the money into his pocket, his lips curving slightly upwards, and softly said, "Heh heh, this Old Man is quite interesting."
He really hadn't expected Senju Tobirama to give him pocket money.
This money indeed solved his immediate problem; now he could eat whatever he wanted and no longer had to live a miserable life.
"Alright, I'll put less chili in the food when I cook from now on."
With that, Renye walked away with his short legs.
Only after Renye's figure had completely disappeared did Senju Tobirama emerge from the corner, looking at Renye's back and saying coldly, "Don't misunderstand, kid, this is your experimental fee…"
Senju Tobirama would never do something like freeloading off an Uchiha kid.
This money was entirely for Renye's expenses as a test subject.
Poor Renye was unaware of this; what kind of expression would he have when he eventually learned the truth?