Seeing that Uchiha Hikaru accepted the apology, the atmosphere between the three finally began to ease.
"Pretty Onee-san, was what you said earlier true? That I can come here and eat for free from now on?"
Mito Uzumaki nodded with a gentle smile. She wasn't one to make empty promises.
"Of course it's true. But you can't come every day, okay? Eating barbecue all the time won't give you a balanced diet."
This kind of good fortune dropping on him out of nowhere made Uchiha Hikaru quite happy.
However, he had a plan—an idea inspired by something he'd seen in his past life. It stirred in his heart and took shape quickly.
Uchiha Hikaru showed a conflicted expression. After quite a while, he finally spoke with a trace of reluctance.
"Even though the unlimited BBQ pass you promised me is really tempting, I have a proposal. I hope you'll consider it."
His words piqued Mito Uzumaki's curiosity. She was genuinely interested to hear what kind of idea this child could have, so she asked,
"What kind of proposal do you have, little one? Tell me, and I'll see if it can be done."
"Well, I'm not exactly rich, but I can still afford to come eat BBQ Q from time to time."
"But the kids in the orphanage aren't as lucky as I am. How about giving this opportunity to them instead? You could convert the money into resources and donate it to the orphanage."
Mito Uzumaki was stunned for a moment, but then deeply moved. She clearly hadn't expected Uchiha Hikaru to suggest something like this.
"What made you come up with this idea? Did something happen to you?"
Although touched, Mito was still a bit puzzled. How could such a young child have this kind of awareness?
Uchiha Hikaru had already thought up a story. When Mito asked, he replied with a sorrowful look:
"After my parents passed away not long ago, I actually considered going to the orphanage."
"But when I really went and took a look, I changed my mind."
"Life there is really tough. The shortage of supplies leaves the kids malnourished, all skin and bones."
"No one really smiles. The entire place feels gloomy and depressing. It made me really uncomfortable, so I didn't end up going."
"I thought, maybe if we could treat the kids there to a nice meal, help them relax and be happy for a while, it could lighten that heavy mood a bit. Let them eat something nourishing."
"I know the pain of losing your family—I've felt it myself. That's why I can understand how hard life is for them. Losing family is already heartbreaking... suffering shouldn't keep piling on top of that. That's why I came up with this idea."
At this point, Mito Uzumaki couldn't hold back her emotions anymore. She stood up and looked at Uchiha Hikaru with deep affection.
Beside her, Tsunade also looked toward him in silence, a flicker of guilt flashing through her for the judgment she'd passed earlier.
A moment passed like that before Mito Uzumaki walked over and stood beside him.
She reached out and gently patted Uchiha Hikaru's head, her face full of warmth and kindness.
"You really are a good child. I'll accept your proposal."
"And don't worry—what I promised you earlier still stands. Come eat anytime. You've earned it."
At that moment, Mito Uzumaki was truly touched. Uchiha Hikaru's suggestion gave her a new perspective.
At first, she only approached him because there were no empty tables, and his adorable face was pleasing to the eye.
She never expected that this simple dinner would lead to meeting such a kind and exceptional Uchiha child.
He had only just entered the Academy, and with his parents gone, his family situation was clearly not great.
And yet—even in such hardship—he was still able to think of others he didn't even know. That kind of selfless kindness was rare no matter where you went.
It's precisely this rare kindness and sincerity that touches the heart the most.
Even Mito Uzumaki, a woman who had survived war and chaos, was moved by such beautiful human decency.
If Uchiha Hikaru hadn't brought up this proposal, the three of them might've simply remained familiar strangers after the meal.
But now, Mito Uzumaki found herself thinking… maybe she'd like to take him as her grandson.
For a moment, the way she looked at Uchiha Hikaru had completely changed—it was the look of someone who saw him more and more pleasing with every glance.
Just then, the dishes Uchiha Hikaru ordered began arriving.
Servers bustled around, placing dish after dish on the table.
As the plates of barbecue piled up, both Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade grew increasingly curious.
By the time the final dish was brought out, the entire table was packed with grilled meat.
The aroma rising from the feast was irresistible, and the glistening fruit platter was enough to make anyone want to sink their teeth in.
Tsunade swallowed her saliva, then asked curiously, "You ordered all this—can you even finish it? Want me to help you out a little? Wasting food isn't a good thing, y'know."
Uchiha Hikaru looked up calmly and responded with something that surprised them both.
"Don't get me wrong. I ordered all of this for myself. I have a big appetite—I can finish it."
He glanced at Tsunade, then added:
"But if you want to eat too, feel free to join in."
Tsunade's little scheme was laid bare, and her face turned slightly red. But seeing the food disappear at an astonishing rate into Hikaru's mouth, she let go of her embarrassment and joined the battlefield of grilled meat.
Mito Uzumaki was also a bit surprised watching Uchiha Hikaru devour the food.
'He eats so much… could he possibly have some Akimichi blood in him?'*
But as she watched the two kids bicker over the food, her mind drifted elsewhere.
She stared at the Uchiha clan emblem on Hikaru's back and at the smile on Tsunade's face—something seemed to click.
After a while, she came back to her senses and said to Tsunade, who was currently fighting Hikaru for the last piece of meat:
"Little Tsunade, how about I adopt this child? Let him come live with us?"
The purpose behind her words was simple. Mito Uzumaki wanted to adopt a Uchiha orphan as a gesture of goodwill—something that would publicly show her acceptance of the Uchiha and hopefully reduce the village's prejudice against them.
Why did she choose Uchiha Hikaru specifically?
Partly because of his earlier proposal—his kindness left a deep impression on her.
And partly because she didn't care whether the child had exceptional ninja talent or not. Even if he turned out to be nothing more than a freeloader, so be it.
It didn't matter which Uchiha orphan she adopted. What mattered was the message it sent.
So she chose someone she liked—someone who truly moved her heart.