Julian White shook his head, helpless. "Idiot."
He quickly stepped in. "Yes, sir. Even if you do not want it, little Guy is still growing. He needs energy."
"With his talent, if he were properly supported, he would definitely become a first-rate ninja. But look at him now."
Might Duy turned to look at Guy. He was all skin and bone, eyes bright with longing, yet he said nothing. He left the choice entirely to his father.
That silent plea only deepened Duy's guilt.
Seeing this, Julian continued, "Sir, please agree. After all, I am the one asking for your help."
Might Duy hesitated, then broke into a wide grin and leapt to his feet. "Then let Uncle Duy show you his cooking skills."
Roasted ribs were the simplest choice. Duy selected two racks and cut along the bone, not bothering to wash them. Water was heavy, and hauling it back and forth took effort.
He rubbed the meat with coarse salt, stuffed a few unknown herbs he had gathered into the cuts to remove the gamey smell, then skewered the ribs on sharpened sticks and set them over the fire.
Flames licked the surface with a sharp hiss. Fat dripped into the embers, releasing thin blue smoke that carried a strange mix of char and richness.
Guy slowly turned the skewers, making sure each side browned evenly without burning.
The finished ribs crackled at the touch. The meat inside was still tender. One bite released juices tinged with smoke. It was irresistible.
Meat alone would have been too dry, so Nawaki used Water Release to produce several jars filled to the brim.
With water in abundance, stew became possible.
Julian first tossed in the large bones. They needed time.
Next, he burned off the bristles from slabs of pork belly, cut them into fist-sized chunks, and dropped them into a hanging pot along with freshly gathered mountain mushrooms and dried wood ear fungus.
There was no blanching. He skimmed off the foam, then quietly added a few slices of aged ginger and wild scallions picked from the roadside.
The pot simmered over a low flame for hours, until the meat trembled at the lightest touch of a wooden spoon and the fragrance of mushrooms seeped fully into the broth.
People in the Leaf never quite understood why mushroom soup naturally tasted sweet. Julian knew it was glutamate, so he added every mushroom he could find.
The soup was clear, the meat tender, the skin soft and gelatinous. One bowl warmed both body and spirit.
By the superstitions of his former life, a potion like this could cure almost anything.
After that, they grilled slices of meat on stone.
A flat slab of green stone was heated until it darkened, then rubbed with pork fat. Thin slices of tenderloin were laid on top. A sharp sizzle followed as the edges curled and the color shifted from deep red to pale gray.
Their only seasoning, coarse salt, was nearly gone, but a small pinch was enough.
The meat retained every trace of its wild origin, chewy and intense. Some might find it overpowering, but to men who craved meat, it was a feast.
When the meal was ready, they scraped away the charred bits, chewed slowly, and ladled soup until the ache of hunger finally faded.
"Let's introduce ourselves. Dreams, interests, what we are best at. I'll go first."
Julian stood by the fire. "My name is Julian White. My dream is to protect the people around me for as long as I live, no matter the cost."
His gaze softened, yet remained firm.
"I love food. I hate those who endanger lives. My greatest skill is keeping people alive, as long as they are still breathing."
Might Duy studied him in silence and sighed inwardly. This boy had not lived an easy life either.
To lighten the mood, he sprang up. "I am Might Duy. I want to become a genin, but my chakra is too small and I have not passed the exam yet."
"I love youth and pushing past my limits. I hate people who give up halfway. I specialize in taijutsu, a martial art that amplifies explosive power."
Nawaki added, "I want to become Hokage. I love my family, and I hate anything that threatens our home. I am good at Water Release and Earth Release."
The introductions were only halfway done when the ground began to tremble. A foul wind carrying the stench of livestock swept through the forest.
The woods fell silent. Birds and insects vanished all at once.
A crackling, thunderous roar approached as trees snapped like twigs.
The bushes ahead burst apart.
A massive black boar charged out, its body like a moving hill, bristles caked with mud.
White steam blasted from its nostrils. Its tusks gleamed, each step sinking deep into the earth.
Its roar echoed like thunder in an empty barrel before it lunged forward, reeking of rot.
A boar's charge was the most primal and senseless force in the forest.
It lowered its head, tusks aligned like twin spears.
Its nostrils flared, expelling thick, ragged breaths.
Hooves tore at the ground, flinging mud and leaves.
Muscles tensed, then exploded as a mountain of flesh surged forward.
It was not a summoned beast, but even ninja avoided taking such a charge head-on.
"Hide behind the trees. It's too big. It cannot turn fast."
Duy barked orders with the authority of someone seasoned by the wild.
A beast of this size rarely appeared here. If its tusks caught on roots, it would spell its own death.
Even so, they stayed hidden and watched.
Even without malice, a creature like this demanded caution."}