The two of them walked one after the other along the forest path. Naruto led the way, occasionally glancing back to make sure Yue was keeping up. It couldn't be helped—although he was only three years old, the memories inside him, plus these three years of life, meant he'd lived more than twenty years in total. Taking care of children was something he did almost instinctively.
They pushed through the last patch of bushes, and the view suddenly opened up.
Before them lay a quiet lake. The surface reflected the fading colors of dusk, while the reeds along the shore swayed gently in the wind, rustling softly. In the distance, the lights of Konoha had begun to glow, like scattered fireflies.
The two sat side by side on a wooden docking platform by the lakeside. Naruto took a light brown lunchbox out of his backpack.
Instant noodles every day weren't good for the body. Even though old man Ichiraku never discriminated against him, even the tastiest ramen would get tiring after months of eating it. As for other restaurants… the shop owners would sell to him now under the Third Hokage's orders, but their gazes still made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Ever since he started cooking for himself, he'd even asked the old man to occasionally send him fresh ingredients.
The moment the lunchbox opened, an enticing aroma drifted out. Yue instinctively straightened up, her obsidian eyes sneaking glances in that direction.
"Don't let appearances fool you," Naruto noticed her small movements. "I'm actually pretty confident in my cooking."
Inside the lunchbox were several neatly arranged dishes: golden fried shrimp, bright green blanched vegetables, and two rice balls shaped like a frog and a fox.
But the most eye-catching dish was the red-and-yellow one that occupied most of the compartment—scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
Bright red chunks of tomato were coated in golden egg, the sauce a tempting orange-red color. A few chopped scallions were sprinkled on top, glistening in the evening light.
Yue's pupils instantly widened.
Tomatoes…!
As the daughter of the Uchiha clan head, she had grown up eating carefully prepared traditional meals from her mother. They were always nutritionally balanced and beautifully plated, but she had never seen a dish that simply combined tomatoes and eggs like this.
Most importantly—tomatoes were her favorite food.
It looks so delicious! I want to try it so badly!
Her small hand unconsciously tightened around the hem of her clothes, and her throat bobbed slightly. But the pride of the Uchiha immediately sounded the alarm in her mind.
No! How can I just eat someone else's cooking? That would be so rude!
But… it smells really good…
The inner struggle made her cheeks flush faintly. She stared fixedly at the dish, even her breathing growing softer.
Even for a tsundere, a child's desires were straightforward. Yue pretended not to care and turned her face away, but her gaze kept drifting back. Her pink lips pressed together unconsciously. Naturally, Naruto noticed all these little movements.
"You don't see dishes like this much in Konoha, right?" Naruto gently poked the red-and-yellow dish with his chopsticks. "Tomatoes and eggs stir-fried together. The ingredients are simple, but the taste is anything but."
Yue swallowed. Her body leaned forward slightly, though she forced herself not to get too close.
Seeing her reaction, Naruto recalled those cooking videos he used to watch in his previous life. He cleared his throat and continued in a narrator-like tone.
"First, you pick tomatoes like these—fully ripe and bright red. Score the tops, soak them in hot water, and peel off the skins."
"Why peel them?"
The question slipped out before she could stop herself. Curiosity and appetite had overcome her tsundere pride. It seemed Yue had temporarily forgotten to maintain her Uchiha dignity.
"It's a little trick," Naruto said. "Peeled tomatoes release their juices better when cooked, and the texture becomes smoother."
The night breeze brushed across the lake, and the reeds rustled softly. Naruto spoke as he gestured with his chopsticks inside the lunchbox.
"Once the tomatoes and chopped scallions are ready, you beat the eggs. Add a little salt to the mixture… and just a bit of white vinegar. That removes the eggy smell and makes the eggs softer and more fragrant."
Yue's eyes grew wider and wider. She had never imagined cooking could be so particular. Her mother's dishes were always so perfect that she'd assumed cooking was something natural and effortless. Now, listening to Naruto's enthusiastic explanation, those ordinary ingredients suddenly felt alive.
So this is how cooking works…
"First, fry the eggs. When they're golden and fluffy, take them out. Then cook the tomatoes separately until the flesh releases its juice…"
"For seasoning, just simple soy sauce and salt. Add a pinch of sugar to balance the tomato's acidity. Finally, put the eggs back in and let the flavors blend together—"
Grrr.
A faint sound came from Yue's direction. She hurriedly covered her stomach, but it was too late. It was clearly the sound of her hunger protesting. Her pale face flushed bright red, even the tips of her ears turning the color of the evening sky.
Oh no… this is bad…
As the young lady of the Uchiha clan, even as a child she'd been taught to remain elegant and strong at all times, to uphold the pride of the Uchiha. But now, not only had she been staring at someone else's lunchbox, she'd even made such an embarrassing sound!
This wasn't just a physical reaction to hunger. When people see or hear about ingredients being transformed into something delicious, their minds naturally start imagining the taste. Especially when the dish uses their favorite ingredients, the anticipation is like seeing your favorite toy just within reach—but not yet in your hands. It makes your heart itch with desire.
Suppressing a smile, Naruto pushed the lunchbox slightly toward her. "Well? Want to try some?"
"Ah! Um…"
Yue's fingers tightened in the hem of her clothes again. This wasn't her usual stubborn pride—it was genuine embarrassment.
Logic told her she shouldn't accept. She'd said she'd stay to accompany Naruto, but now she'd end up sharing the lunch he'd carefully prepared. That felt far too shameless.
But as the aroma of eggs and sweet-sour tomatoes drifted into her nose, all her worries began to crumble. She secretly glanced at Naruto and saw no mockery in his blue eyes—only sincere expectation.
"Just try some. I made plenty. It's fine."
Ugh… he already said that…
The balance in her heart began to tilt. Since he was the one inviting her, it should be fine to eat a little, right? Maybe next time she could treat him instead.
"No… it's too much trouble for you…"
The words lacked conviction. Her gaze was glued to the lunchbox, clearly craving it, yet she still tried to act composed. The sight was so adorable that Naruto felt his heart melt.
I hope I have a daughter this cute someday…
He resisted the urge to ruffle her black hair. His earlier thought of teasing her disappeared. He knew the pride of the Uchiha clan all too well—if he accepted her refusal, this stubborn little girl might actually go home hungry.
"Just have some," Naruto said gently. "Usually, I don't have anyone to eat with. If someone could appreciate my cooking… I'd be really happy."
Those words softly unlocked the last barrier in Yue's heart.
"…I see!" Her eyes lit up instantly, and she even forgot her usual tsundere remarks. "Th-then I'll have a little!"
Almost impatiently, Yue took the spoon Naruto handed her. The moment the first bite of tomato and egg entered her mouth, the sweet-and-sour juices burst across her tongue. Her eyes narrowed in delight, and her legs swayed lightly at the edge of the wooden platform.
So delicious!
At that moment, all thoughts of Uchiha pride or noble composure were thrown out the window. The power of good food was truly great.