The next day at noon, the sun shone brightly.
Uchiha Akira stood at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant, and after confirming everything was in order, he pushed the door open and entered.
The aroma of grilled meat filled the restaurant.
There weren't many customers, but the atmosphere was cozy.
He chose a window seat, ordered a cup of clear tea, and quietly waited for Tsunade to arrive.
Not long after, Tsunade's figure appeared at the entrance.
She had changed into casual clothes today; a light green kimono accentuated her snow-white skin.
Her golden hair was loosely tied behind her head.
She looked less sharp than on the battlefield and more gentle.
"Have you been waiting long?"
Tsunade saw Uchiha Akira, then strode to the table and smiled slightly.
Akira rose and pulled out a chair for her.
"I just arrived, please sit."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Quite the gentleman, aren't you?"
Akira smiled, not responding, and simply poured her a cup of tea.
Tsunade took the teacup, her gaze lingering on Akira's face for a moment.
The Akira before her was composed in his demeanor, and his words conveyed a maturity beyond his age, which made her a little curious.
"Are you always like this?"
Tsunade suddenly asked.
"Like what?"
Akira counter-questioned.
"Just... like an Old man, so proper and serious."
Tsunade teased.
"Perhaps it's because I've experienced a lot. War forces people to grow up earlier."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's eyes dimmed slightly.
She lowered her head, took a sip of tea, and said nothing more.
The waiter brought out grilled meat, sake, and side dishes, and the warmth of the charcoal fire gradually heated up the atmosphere at the table.
Akira skillfully laid the meat slices on the grill, the fat sizzling and the aroma wafting.
"Try this, the meat at this place is very fresh."
Akira picked up a cooked slice of meat and placed it on the plate in front of Tsunade.
Tsunade nodded, picked up the meat slice, and put it in her mouth; the tender texture made her eyes light up.
"It's really good."
"Glad you like it."
Akira picked up a few more slices for her, his movements as natural as a long-standing habit.
Tsunade watched his actions, a strange feeling stirring in her heart.
As the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, the "God of Ninja," and a princess of the Land of Fire, she was usually highly respected.
But she rarely experienced being cared for so meticulously.
"Do you... often take care of others like this?"
Tsunade couldn't help but ask.
Akira looked up at her, his almost perfect face showing a hint of curiosity.
His skin was as white as snow, with a healthy rosy glow, as delicate and flawless as fine porcelain.
"I just thought you should relax a bit. Recent events must have made you very tired."
Tsunade was taken aback.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Although you hide it well, your eyes don't lie."
Tsunade was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.
"Nawaki... and the other comrades who died in this war, have indeed made it hard for me to breathe."
Akira didn't rush to comfort her but poured her a cup of sake.
"Sometimes, a little drink helps."
Tsunade took the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.
The burning sensation of alcohol spread from her throat to her chest, as if temporarily diluting the suppression in her heart.
"Do you know?"
She put down the wine glass, her voice a little low.
"I keep thinking, if Nawaki's squad had a Medical Ninja at that time, maybe he wouldn't have..."
"There are no 'ifs' in life."
Akira interrupted her, his tone gentle but firm.
"What we can do is prevent the same tragedy from happening again."
Tsunade looked up at him blankly, her gaze complex.
She had expected to hear comforting words like "it's not your fault," but Akira's answer was so direct and mature.
"You are right."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.
"That's why I must push for the Medical Ninja training program; we cannot let more people sacrifice themselves in vain."
Akira nodded.
"The Medical Ninja training program is indeed imperative, and I will fully support you. Just tell me what you need."
"Oh, speaking of that, you supported me in the meeting yesterday; did your clansmen blame you when you went back?"
Akira shrugged.
"I was called in for a talk, but it's not a big problem.
The Uchiha need to change; I just took a step forward earlier."
Tsunade looked at him thoughtfully, feeling a sense of admiration.
"You are much more capable than I imagined."
"The feeling is mutual."
Akira smiled.
"You're the first one to dare to bang on the table in a meeting."
Tsunade was amused by his words and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"You little brat!"
The atmosphere between them immediately became much more relaxed.
After three rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually turned to the current war situation.
"The Hidden Rain Village is coming on strong this time; that Old man Hanzo is no easy opponent."
Tsunade frowned slightly.
"Konoha is under a lot of pressure."
"Is it because of Hanzo?"
"Yes."
Akira pondered for a moment, recalling the information about Hanzo in the Hokage series.
"Hanzo, known as the Demigod, is proficient in poison techniques, Water Release, and Fire Release. His most threatening and destructive abilities are the former two."
At this point, Akira's face was serious.
"As long as Konoha can decipher his poison and develop an antidote, Hanzo's threat will be greatly reduced.
Additionally, some targeted gas masks, oxygen masks, and other medical supplies should be provided. This should help reduce casualties."
"Objectively speaking, that's all there is.
Hanzo's strength is indeed not to be underestimated, but Konoha is not without a chance of winning.
The rest depends on whether we can unite and exert our maximum strength."
"Unity?"
Tsunade sneered.
"The internal conflicts in Konoha are more troublesome than external enemies right now."
Akira didn't refute but said softly.
"Precisely because of that, we need to work even harder.
You are of the Senju Clan, and I am Uchiha; if we can work together, perhaps we can become the turning point for this war."
Tsunade gazed at him, a flicker of unusual emotion in her eyes.
"You are truly special, Uchiha Akira."
Akira smiled slightly.
"I just did what I thought was right."
Their gazes met in the air, and for a moment, neither spoke.
The aroma of grilled meat and the warmth of the charcoal fire enveloped them, as if temporarily isolating the disturbances of the outside world.
"Enough talk, let's eat!"
Uchiha Akira calmly held the tongs, flipped the grilled meat again, and placed the cooked pieces into Tsunade's bowl.
"You eat too!"
Tsunade was not coy and immediately started eating.
The two ate for a full forty minutes.
"It's getting late, and I have a mission tomorrow, so I should go."
Akira stood up.
"I'll walk you out."
Tsunade shook her head.
"No need, I can manage myself."
Akira didn't insist, just nodded.
"Then, see you tomorrow."
Tsunade turned, as if remembering something.
She took Uchiha Akira's previous jacket out of her bag.
"Your jacket!"
She placed it next to Uchiha Akira.
She left briskly, her silhouette casting a long shadow in the setting sun.
Akira watched her leave until her figure disappeared around the corner before retracting his gaze.
He sat back at the table, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it in one gulp.
Akira was still quite satisfied with today's conversation.
He could clearly see that Tsunade no longer had any guard against him, and their relationship had grown much closer.
Akira's gaze fell on the table.
Eating barbecue is also a very intimate activity, with drinks and exchanges...
There's a saying that goes:
There's nothing a barbecue can't solve.
If there is, then have two.
"The first step to 'intercepting' Tsunade seems to have been taken..."
A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.
"The interception is not yet successful; I still need to work hard!"