Chapter 195: Really Fragrant
As time passed, Jiraiya gradually caught the aroma wafting from the kitchen.
"Is that fried fish?" he muttered, sniffing the air, trying to guess what Mugetsu was cooking.
"The smell is quite good," he said, rubbing his stomach. "I wonder how it tastes."
Fortunately, Mugetsu and Minato didn't make him wait long. Just as Jiraiya was starting to think about what to write in his next novel, the two emerged from the kitchen with several steaming dishes.
Jiraiya's gaze was immediately drawn to the centerpiece—a Squirrel Mandarin Fish with a unique, artistic shape and rich, enticing color. Though he had tasted many rare dishes while traveling the Ninja World, this was his first time seeing fish prepared like this.
"What's this dish called? It must've taken a lot of effort to shape it like that," Jiraiya asked curiously.
"This dish is called Squirrel Mandarin Fish," Mugetsu explained with a smile. "Its distinctive shape is part of its identity."
"Don't be fooled, Jiraiya-sensei," Minato added. "It doesn't look complicated, but it's actually hard to make. Kushina and I have been practicing for a while, but we still can't make it like Mugetsu. The taste is worlds apart."
When he mentioned Kushina giving up halfway through the knife-cutting process, Minato smiled helplessly.
"Haha, that sounds exactly like her," Jiraiya laughed.
"Let's eat while it's still hot," Mugetsu reminded them. "Some dishes lose their flavor once they cool down."
Jiraiya didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of the fish, and placed it into his mouth. For a moment, he felt a slight pang of guilt for ruining such a beautifully crafted dish.
But that feeling vanished as soon as he tasted it.
Beneath the crisp outer layer was perfectly tender, moist fish, coated in a balanced sweet-and-sour sauce that ignited his appetite with every bite.
In that instant, Jiraiya felt as if he had turned into a dragon soaring through the sky, diving into the boundless ocean—free and weightless. For a fleeting moment, he forgot about his mission to find the Child of Prophecy.
When he came back to his senses, he realized Minato's letters hadn't exaggerated at all. The dish truly was so good it felt like a Genjutsu—so immersive it made him forget reality.
"The timing of the frying is perfect," Jiraiya commented, savoring another bite. "And the balance of sweetness and sourness in the sauce—flawless. Any more of either would've ruined it."
He glanced back at the plate and was startled to see nearly half the fish gone. Minato was quietly helping himself.
"Minato, since when do you eat so fast?" Jiraiya complained, dropping his chopsticks. He had only made a few comments, and Minato had already eaten half the dish. Without another word, Jiraiya started eating quickly too.
Not just the Squirrel Mandarin Fish—the Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables and the Stir-Fried Pork with Chili were equally irresistible. Jiraiya found himself eating bowl after bowl of rice without stopping.
"Mugetsu, your Stir-Fried Pork with Chili tastes great, but why isn't there more meat?" Jiraiya asked, fishing through the sea of chili peppers until he finally found a piece.
"If there's more meat than chili, it won't have the same flavor," Mugetsu explained.
His version wasn't lacking meat; it only looked that way because the chili hadn't been eaten yet, leaving a pile of it behind.
"That makes sense," Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "Cooking really is like Ninja training. If the balance isn't right, the technique fails."
To synthesize Sage Chakra, one also had to balance chakra and natural energy perfectly—too much or too little would ruin the result.
"Then this dish is perfect for a larger portion," Jiraiya suggested. "Just make more of both—chili and meat together."
He then set his bowl down and declared proudly, "I, Jiraiya, officially proclaim you the Number One Chef in the Ninja World! After traveling far and wide, this is the first time I've eaten something this good."
It was the first time in his life he wanted to lick his chopsticks clean after a meal.
Minato's praise hadn't been exaggerated in the slightest. If anything, it had undersold the truth.
"I wouldn't dare claim such a title," Mugetsu said modestly. "I just put a bit more thought into my cooking."
"Haha! That 'bit more thought' of yours is pretty extraordinary," Jiraiya laughed, clearly impressed.
Just then, Minato coughed softly, an apologetic smile appearing on his face. "Mugetsu, there's something I should apologize for."
Mugetsu tilted his head. "What is it? Did you pick food too fast during dinner? No need to apologize for that."
Hearing this, Minato looked even more embarrassed. "I really didn't mean to eat so quickly. It's just that your cooking, Mugetsu… is too delicious. I couldn't help myself."
Mugetsu chuckled inwardly. He believed Minato completely—after all, that kind of reaction time was second nature for someone like him.
Then Minato's expression turned serious as he lowered his head slightly. "I'm sorry, Mugetsu. When I said I didn't have time to eat before, I was lying. I wasn't really busy at the time. I just wanted to bring food to Kushina, so I used that as an excuse."
"Oh, so that's how it is." Mugetsu smiled faintly. "I already knew. How could someone who's truly busy still come here every day to freeload meals?"
Sometimes, it was fine to play dumb—but one shouldn't let others think they actually were.
"Kushina is currently undergoing secret training, so she can't come here," Minato continued. "But she really misses your cooking, Mugetsu, so…"
Minato briefly explained the situation, omitting details like Kushina's true identity and the fact that she was under Anbu surveillance. It was getting harder to keep things hidden now that he would soon head to the battlefield with Jiraiya. He couldn't exactly leave a Shadow Clone behind just to bring Kushina meals.
"I'm troubling you, Mugetsu," Minato said apologetically.
"It's nothing," Mugetsu replied with a soft chuckle. "Making an extra serving isn't much trouble. Compared to your help with my Sealing Technique, this is nothing at all."
His tone was calm but sincere. As long as he remained in Konoha, he would make sure Kushina never went hungry.
After dinner, the three sat together and chatted. At first, Jiraiya asked Mugetsu about cooking methods, but before long, the topic shifted naturally to Sealing Techniques.
"I've had an idea lately," Mugetsu began, leaning slightly forward. "What if I could set up a seal within my body that stores chakra—something that could release the chakra back during battle to quickly replenish what's lost?"
Jiraiya and Minato exchanged thoughtful glances. Both were well-versed in Sealing Arts, and Mugetsu wanted to use this discussion to gather inspiration without revealing the full extent of his ability.
"It's a clever idea," Jiraiya admitted after a pause. "But… realistically, it's nearly impossible."
Mugetsu raised an eyebrow. "Impossible?"
Jiraiya nodded. "Your idea probably comes from observing how Jinchuriki use their Tailed Beasts' chakra, right?"
Mugetsu nodded slightly. In truth, his inspiration had come from Tsunade's Yin Seal.
"The thing is," Jiraiya continued, "Tailed Beasts have unique chakra. When sealed within a person, their chakra merges naturally with the host's, no matter how much there is. It doesn't damage the chakra network or acupoints."
"But your proposal is different. You're talking about storing your own chakra. To do that, you'd have to set up a sealing formula across your own chakra pathways and acupoints. That's nearly impossible—both to inscribe and to control. If you suddenly release a large amount of chakra through one pathway, the resulting turbulence could throw your entire chakra network into chaos. You wouldn't even be able to mold chakra properly, let alone perform ninjutsu in battle."
Jiraiya tapped the table lightly with a finger. "And you'd have to consider the physical damage caused by releasing that much chakra all at once."
Those words made something click in Mugetsu's mind.
He had always thought Tsunade's Yin Seal existed mainly to preserve her appearance, and that its Mitotic Regeneration simply created an automatic healing mode that couldn't be turned off once activated.
But according to Jiraiya's explanation, it wasn't that Tsunade wanted an automatic mode—it was that she had no other choice. If she didn't control the release that way, the sudden outburst of stored chakra could harm her instead, just like the physical strain caused by opening the Eight Gates.
The realization made Mugetsu's eyes gleam with understanding. He had only been thinking of the "storage" part, overlooking the physical burden it would cause.
Still, he wasn't planning to abandon the idea.
What Jiraiya thought impossible might not be for him. After all, Mugetsu had a distinct advantage.
He possessed the Transparent World, allowing him perfect control over every part of his body—down to the smallest chakra flow. He also had exceptional talent in Sealing Techniques.
In just half a year of study, he had already mastered complex seals like the Five Elements Seal and the Contract Seal. The Evil Sealing Method he received from the Third Hokage was already at a proficient level, while the Fire Sealing Method was approaching mastery.
Perhaps I can start with something smaller, he thought. An automatic Rock Breathing Mark Seal.
Instead of innovating right away, he could imitate Tsunade's system—an automated, self-regulating seal.
Rock Breathing would be the foundation, since its mark strengthened the body from the inside out, reinforcing the organs and pathways to handle intense chakra surges without harm.
"Thank you for your reminder, Lord Jiraiya," Mugetsu said sincerely. "I was being a bit presumptuous."
Jiraiya laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. "It's fine. Young people should think boldly! A ninja who doesn't dare to imagine new possibilities isn't worth calling a shinobi!"
Minato smiled as well. "Mugetsu, you make me feel a little embarrassed. I've never even thought about something like that. I only focus on improving existing Sealing Techniques."
If anyone else had said that, Mugetsu would've thought it was humble bragging. People who could improve seals were already geniuses.
But coming from Minato, it was genuine.
He truly believed Mugetsu's idea was worth exploring.
When the evening grew late, Minato and Jiraiya stood up to leave.
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