That night, Kageyama Kogetsu delivered the money to Orochimaru.
The next morning, Konohagakure bustled as it prepared to welcome the Kumogakure delegation. Kageyama stayed home and let himself sleep in for once.
Even so, habits built over years are hard to break; he woke before eight.
He dawdled a bit past eight, then got up, washed, made breakfast, ate, and cleaned up, all before nine.
Around nine-thirty came a knock at the door. Guests arrived: Uzumaki Kushina with her son, Uzumaki Kaume with her daughter, and Uchiha Mikoto with her son.
The six had joined the morning festivities, and afterward came together to see Kageyama now that he was back in the village.
Kageyama was away so often that Uzumaki Kaume had taken it on herself to keep his place clean.
"Wow, you've shot up," Kushina marveled.
He'd grown fast these past years. Seventeen now, he was just shy of one-eighty. That was tall by shinobi-world standards. Barring surprises he'd pass it, all long legs and a broad back, a strikingly handsome young man.
"Probably all the training," he said with a smile, then nodded to Kaume and Mikoto in greeting.
In front of the three women, almost-three-year-olds Uzumaki Naruto, Uzumaki Karin, and Uchiha Sasuke craned their necks wide-eyed at the "giant."
"Say hello, you three," Kushina prompted.
"Kageyama-oniichan," Karin chirped, sweet and milky.
"Kageyama-oniichan," Naruto grinned, big and boisterous.
"Kageyama-oniichan," Sasuke bowed with a smile.
"They've grown in a blink," Kageyama laughed. "Time really flies. Please, come in."
They settled on the living-room sofa. When Kageyama went for snacks, Uzumaki Kaume rose to pour tea, then they sat and chatted.
The three little ones munched and played on the carpet.
Soon the talk turned to Kageyama's lifelong prospects.
"With the war over and peace here, it's time at your age to think about it," Kushina said with bright interest. "So, is there a girl you like?"
Kaume and Mikoto perked up too, eyes intent.
"No rush," Kageyama said with a mild smile.
"How can you not rush?" Kushina pressed. "Too busy to meet the right girl? I—no, we—can introduce you."
Kaume chimed in. "There are plenty of young, pretty nurses at Konoha Hospital."
Mikoto followed. "And many fine girls among the Uchiha."
"How about I take you to meet some?"
If he married a girl of the Uchiha, it could greatly ease the clan's situation—Fugaku and the family might not have to fret so much.
"No rush. We can take it slow."
His unruffled air left the three women a little speechless.
At his age he should be lovestruck—how was he so composed?
"Ahem, all right, then what kind of girl do you like?" Kushina asked.
"As beautiful as the three of you."
The trio couldn't help but smile.
"Too broad. Be specific," Kushina waved, grinning.
"No experience. I'm not sure myself."
"Enough about me—are you two planning to spend your lives as things are?" he pivoted smoothly. "You're both in your prime."
Kushina paused, then smiled. "Setting aside my feelings for Minato and Naruto's sake, you know my situation. What else could I do?"
Kaume said, "I just want to raise Karin well. Everything else is secondary."
Kageyama nodded. "In that case, let things take their course."
"Since you're here, stay for lunch. I'll throw something together."
"I'll go buy ingredients," Kaume offered.
"No need to go yourself."
"Ninjutsu isn't only for fighting—it's handy for daily life, too."
Kageyama brought his hands together, and a shadow clone appeared, gave everyone a nod, and headed out.
"Waaah, two Kageyama-oniichan!"
The three littles squealed and rushed over, all but begging to learn it.
"You're still small. When you're older."
"Go play, don't make trouble here."
Kushina's face set; the three, reluctant, dispersed. They were a bit scared of Kushina when she got stern. Gentle Kaume and Mikoto, not so much.
Before long the clone returned with groceries and slipped into the kitchen.
The three women stared.
Wait—using a shadow clone to cook?
It wasn't impossible in theory, but it felt oddly novel.
"The war's fatigue hasn't fully faded. I want to slack a little."
He could be free-spirited; when he didn't feel like moving, he didn't. Why force it when a clone could do the work?
The women nodded—so that's how it was.
An hour later, the clone had finished a heaping spread.
Though tangible, the clone had no luck tasting; eating would only waste energy.
They moved to the table. Faced with the array of colorful, fragrant dishes, adults and kids alike exclaimed.
"I don't recognize a single dish," Mikoto said, a bit dazed.
The Uchiha were a great house. She didn't cook everything, but she usually knew the names of common fare.
If Mikoto didn't know them, Kushina and Kaume certainly didn't.
"When I'm free I like to explore new recipes. House Kageyama's own," Kageyama said, face calm.
"Can you tell us what they are?" Kushina asked, intrigued.
"Of course.
"This is Kung Pao Chicken.
"This is Mapo Tofu.
"This is Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork, this is Garlic-Paste Sliced Pork, and this is Pickled-Cabbage Fish.
"This is Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry, this is a Cantonese Roast Meats Trio, and this is Stir-Fried Shredded Potatoes."
He'd been raised in Sichuan in a former life, so most of the table was Sichuan cuisine. He'd spent time in Guangdong as well, so he'd picked up some Cantonese dishes. He knew a little from other schools too—picked up from short cooking clips.
A great country shows its greatness in many ways, and cuisine is no exception.
Each dish came in generous portions, nothing like the tiny, precious plates of a certain island style.
"They look so good, and the smell,"
"I can't wait anymore," Kushina said, excited.
The others felt much the same.
"In that case, sit. Let's dig in."
Half an hour later, not a scrap remained but a little seasoning and broth.
When Kageyama asked which they liked best, most chose the Mapo Tofu.
He could only admit it: people here truly loved that dish.
In his past life it was the fan favorite—seasoning packets everywhere, even bizarre spins like banana or strawberry versions. Here too, it won the votes.
After clearing the table, the three women crowded Kageyama to teach them a new dish. The first they insisted on learning was Mapo Tofu.
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