Konoha Year 53, November 11th, Noon
After a full morning of training, the three kids collapsed on the ground. Even Kimimaro couldn't keep up his usual composed façade, this was his first time using strict self-restraint as part of his training routine, and it showed.
"Finally! Elder, we can grab lunch and take a break now, right?" Karin said hopefully.
"Wishful thinking. After lunch, training continues." Akio shattered her dream without hesitation.
Karin's face fell. "Then… how long is our lunch break? And lunch is…?"
Akio smiled. "Speak of the devil, here comes lunch."
Not far away, Kushina walked over carrying three lunch boxes.
Karin froze and nearly teared up.
"Kushina-auntie… did you really have to deliver lunch this precisely on time?"
She had been hoping to steal a few extra minutes of rest.
Akio walked forward cheerfully to take the boxes. Each one was labeled with a child's name, and he handed them out accordingly.
"Ramen?"
The three exchanged looks. Grilled meat in the morning, ramen at noon, was this a new diet plan?
"This isn't ordinary ramen. This is Ichiraku Ramen," Akio added silently to himself: And it was made by my daughter.
Karin made a face as if Ichiraku Ramen were nothing special.
The other two kids quietly said thank you, then ate without complaint. Kids who've known hardship really were different.
Karin glared around, made a silly face at Kushina, and then reluctantly dug in.
Akio chuckled and stepped aside with Kushina.
"You added everything I prepared, right?"
(He had… altered the meals for training purposes.)
Kushina nodded. "Great-grandfather, I watched Sara mix them in."
"Sounds like her cooking's improving again."
Each bowl had a special blend Akio prepared, something to boost training efficiency… and as a precaution in case Kimimaro had a sudden flare-up.
The medicine was bitter, but apparently Sara's cooking masked it completely.
These three kids were lucky, when Nagato and Konan started training, Akio hadn't yet developed this kind of supplement.
"And Naruto?" he asked after a moment.
"At Sara's place. He's having ramen too, so I asked her to look after him."
Akio nodded then blinked. In the short moment they'd talked, Kimimaro had already finished his ramen and resumed training.
Karin, by contrast, had barely touched hers.
She panicked. "Elder… Kushina-auntie… My mom says girls should eat slowly and chew properly."
Akio and Kushina looked at each other, barely holding back laughter.
"She's right."
"Take your time. No rush. Kimimaro, you don't have to start training again yet, rest for one hour, move around a bit, but don't overdo it on your first day."
"Yes, sir." Akio's words always worked on them.
Akio turned to Kushina. "Watch them for a bit. I'm heading to Sara's shop for my own bowl of ramen."
"Sure. And check on Naruto, make sure he's actually refining his chakra instead of annoying her."
Naruto had started training recently.
Ichiraku Ramen, Whirlpool Country Branch
It was peak mealtime, and the shop was packed.
Akio didn't bother Sara while she worked. He found a seat in a corner, ordered a bowl, and ate at a relaxed pace.
By the time he finished, most customers had left, and Sara finally sat opposite him.
"Dad...here for lunch?"
Akio paused. "You knew I'd show up today?"
Sara smiled. "Except for the years you were… 'missing,' you've always spent this day with me."
Akio: "…"
If I had remembered that, I wouldn't have come…
"Where's Naruto?" he asked abruptly, changing the topic.
"In my room. He's refining chakra."
"He's mellowed quite a bit…" Akio muttered. Normally the kid would be running circles around her and causing chaos.
Just then, more customers entered.
"Dad, I've gotta get back to work."
"Yeah. I'll check on Naruto and talk later."
Akio shot a minor glare at the newcomers eating late, shameless…
He climbed the stairs, turned the corner, and entered Sara's room, she basically lived at the shop these days.
Naruto sat on a chair, eyes closed, carefully refining his chakra.
"Well now… actually behaving?"
Naruto opened his eyes blankly, then recognized him. "Old ancestor?"
Akio chuckled and sat nearby.
Naruto refocused, his eyes brightening.
"Weren't you training Haku and the others?"
Akio smirked. Naruto already knew Haku was a boy now, but still refused to accept it, so Akio didn't bother correcting him anymore.
"Kushina is watching them. I came to check whether you've been giving Sara trouble."
"Me? Cause trouble?" Naruto said innocently, completely forgetting his usual chaos. His eyes darted.
"Old ancestor… can you train me too?"
Akio snorted. "Train you? You haven't even mastered the basic Clone Techniques yet."
Naruto grinned. "But I developed a jutsu on my own…"
Akio froze, staring at him with dread.
"…Don't tell me it's THAT jutsu."
"Be careful, old ancestor! I'm about to use it!" Naruto's grin widened, full of mischief.
Akio sighed internally. So it really is THAT jutsu, the same one that tortured half the village when I was young. And a century later, I'm about to witness the original creator demonstrate it…
But—
'Naive kid. You think that'll work on me? Transforming into a blonde girl with everything barely covered… I'm not Hiruzen, that old pervert.'
Naruto formed a seal: "Sexy Jutsu!"
A flash of light, text appeared in Akio's vision:
*"Witness and massively alter a major side-story event: Naruto's Sexy Jutsu. Witness Points +10(8)."
Akio thought he was prepared… but his eyelids twitched uncontrollably. Violently. He looked like Zabuza after losing his eyebrows.
"Naruto. Get over here. You clearly need a lesson in discipline."
Naruto dispelled the transformation, disappointed. "It didn't work?"
Akio's face twitched. "Oh, it worked. It worked WAY too well! I almost lost control! Now take my Fist of Love!"
"AHHH!"
"Naruto! What goes on in that head of yours!? Tell me, what exactly possessed you to"
"use THAT technique while basing it on Haku!?"
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