The two walked along the forest path, one in front and one behind. Naruto walked ahead, occasionally looking back to make sure Sasuke was following. Even though Naruto was only three years old, the memories within him, combined with his twenty-plus years of experience, made him instinctively care for a child.
After passing through the last patch of bushes, their view suddenly opened up.
It was a serene lake, its surface reflecting the changing twilight. Reeds on the shore swayed gently in the wind, making a faint rustling sound. In the distance, the lights of Konoha Village had already begun to twinkle, like scattered fireflies.
The two sat side-by-side on the wooden dock by the lake, and Naruto took out a light brown bento box from his backpack.
Eating instant noodles every day was not good for his body. Even if Uncle Ichiraku never discriminated against Naruto, even the most delicious ramen would become tiresome after eating it for several months straight. As for other restaurants… their owners would now sell him things under the Third Hokage's orders, but their gazes still made Naruto feel uneasy.
Ever since little Naruto started cooking for himself, he had specifically asked the Third Hokage to send fresh ingredients from time to time.
The moment the bento box opened, an enticing aroma wafted out. Sasuke unconsciously straightened her posture, her obsidian-like eyes stealthily glancing over.
"Don't look at me like this," Naruto noticed her small movement, "I'm quite confident in my cooking skills."
Inside the bento box were several simple dishes neatly arranged: golden fried shrimp, vibrant green blanched vegetables, and rice balls shaped like a frog and a fox.
But what was most eye-catching was the red and yellow dish that occupied most of the bento compartment—stir-fried tomatoes and eggs.
Fresh red tomato pieces were coated in golden scrambled eggs, and the sauce had an inviting orange-red hue. A few specks of green onion garnished the dish, glistening with oil under the setting sun's afterglow.
Sasuke's pupils instantly dilated.
Tomatoes…!
As the daughter of the Uchiha Clan Leader, she had grown up eating traditional Japanese meals meticulously prepared by her mother. While these meals were nutritionally balanced and exquisitely plated, she had never seen a dish that so simply and boldly combined tomatoes and eggs. Most importantly, tomatoes were her favorite food.
It looks so delicious! I really want to try it!
Her small hands unconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes, and her throat subtly bobbed. But the pride of the Uchiha immediately sounded an alarm in her mind.
No! How can I just eat food made by someone else! That would be too rude!
But… it smells so good…
The internal struggle made Sasuke's cheeks flush slightly. She stared intently at the dish, her breathing unconsciously softening.
Even with her tsundere nature, a child's desires are ultimately direct. Sasuke pretended not to care and turned her face away, but her gaze kept uncontrollably drifting back, and her delicate pink lips unconsciously pursed. Naruto naturally saw all these small movements.
"This kind of dish isn't common in Konoha, is it?" Naruto gently poked the red and yellow dish with his chopsticks. "Stir-frying tomatoes and eggs together, though the ingredients are simple, the taste is quite extraordinary."
Sasuke swallowed, leaning slightly forward, but still forcing herself not to get too close.
Watching her reaction, Naruto's mind recalled the food short videos he had watched in his previous life. He cleared his throat and continued in a narrative tone.
"First, you have to pick these completely red, fully ripe tomatoes. Score the top with a knife, and after soaking them in hot water, peel them."
"Why peel them?"
The question blurted out; curiosity and appetite had overcome her tsundere nature. It seemed Sasuke had temporarily forgotten to maintain the pride of the Uchiha.
"It's a little trick~" *Peeled tomatoes release their juices better when stir-fried, and the texture will be more delicate, too."
The night breeze ruffled the lake's surface, and the reeds rustled. Naruto gestured with his chopsticks in the bento box as he spoke.
"Once you've prepared the tomatoes and chopped green onions, you can beat the eggs. Add a little salt to the egg mixture… and a tiny bit of white vinegar. This will remove the eggy smell, and the scrambled eggs will be more tender and fragrant."
Sasuke's eyes widened. She had never imagined there was so much to cooking; the dishes her mother prepared were always so exquisite and perfect that she thought cooking was a matter of course. Now, listening to Naruto's endless explanation, those ordinary ingredients suddenly came alive.
So, this is how dishes… are made.
"First, scramble the eggs. Once the egg mixture is golden and fluffy, take it out and set it aside. Then, stir-fry the tomatoes separately until their pulp releases juice…"
"Seasoning only needs the simplest soy sauce and salt, plus a tiny bit of sugar to balance the tomatoes' acidity. Finally, pour the eggs back in, and wait until the two flavors are completely fused—"
Grumble.
A faint sound came from Sasuke's direction. She hurriedly covered her stomach, but it was too late; that was clearly the sound of her digestive system protesting. Her fair little face flushed crimson, even the tips of her ears taking on the color of the sunset.
Oh, no…
As the young lady of the Uchiha family, even as a child, she had been taught to always maintain elegance and strength, to uphold the pride of the Uchiha. But now, not only was she staring at someone else's bento non-stop, she had also embarrassingly made such a sound!
This was not merely a physiological reaction caused by hunger. When humans see or hear the process of ingredients being carefully cooked and gradually transforming into delicious food, their brains unconsciously begin to imagine its taste. Especially when the dish uses their favorite ingredients, that sense of anticipation is like seeing a beloved toy within reach but not yet in hand, making one itch with desire.
Naruto suppressed a smile and pushed the bento toward her. "How about it, want to try some?"
"Ah! This…"
Sasuke's fingers again twisted at the corner of her clothes. This wasn't her usual feigned aloofness, but genuine embarrassment.
Her rationality told her she shouldn't accept. She had said she would accompany Naruto, and now she was going to share his carefully prepared bento? That would be too shameless.
But as the aroma, a mix of egg fragrance and the sweet and sour scent of tomatoes, wafted into her nostrils, all her reservations began to crumble. She secretly glanced at Naruto, finding no trace of mockery in his blue eyes, only sincere anticipation.
"Try some, I made a lot, it's fine."
Ugh… Since he said so…
The scales in her heart began to tip. Since he was offering, then, then eating a little should be fine, right? Okay, if he insists I eat… I'll treat him to a meal next time.
"No need… it's a bit too much trouble for you…"
She said this without any conviction. Sasuke's gaze was glued to the bento, unable to move, clearly looking incredibly tempted, yet still trying to act calm. This adorable sight made Naruto feel his heart melt.
I really hope I have such a cute daughter in the future…
He suppressed the urge to ruffle her black hair, and his initial thought of teasing her also vanished. He knew the pride of the Uchiha Clan all too well; if he truly agreed to her refusal, this little girl would probably stubbornly go home hungry.
"Eat a little," Naruto softened his voice. "No one usually eats with me. If someone could acknowledge my cooking skills… I would be very happy."
These words gently unlocked the last barrier in Sasuke's heart.
"…Is that so!" Her eyes suddenly lit up, even forgetting her characteristic tsundere remarks. "Then, then I'll eat a little!"
Almost impatiently, Sasuke took the spoon Naruto offered. The moment the first bite of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs entered her mouth, the sweet and sour juices burst on her tongue, making her unconsciously narrow her eyes, her small legs gently swinging at the edge of the wooden plank.
So delicious!
At this moment, all Uchiha pride and young lady's reserve were temporarily cast aside. The power of delicious food was indeed great.