To welcome Kushina, Minato planned to cook some hearty dishes that would suit a young person's palate.
As the saying goes, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach; actually, this applies just as well to women.
On his way to buy groceries, Minato picked up some water balloons for Nawaki to use for his Rasengan cultivation.
"This is the 'tool' you were talking about?"
Nawaki looked at the water balloon in his hand, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You said you were buying a tool to assist in cultivation; I thought it would be something high-end!"
Minato smiled. "There are more Advanced things, but those are for the next stage."
"What is it?"
Nawaki asked hurriedly, already impatient to begin his cultivation.
"A rubber ball."
"..."
A while later, the two returned home.
In the living room, Tsunade was chatting softly with Kushina, carefully nurturing the sensitive emotions of the newly arrived girl.
Seeing this scene, a smile flashed in Minato's eyes.
Tsunade in this period was truly much gentler than the Tsunade in the original plot.
"Sister, remember to call me when it's time to eat!"
Nawaki called out and rushed back to his room.
Tsunade was a bit surprised. "What's wrong with him?"
Minato carried the ingredients toward the kitchen and chuckled upon hearing her. "He's busy with cultivation; he plans to give you a surprise later."
On the way back just now, he had taught Nawaki the first stage of the Rasengan cultivation method.
Rasengan cultivation can be roughly divided into three stages.
The first stage: Rotation!
Continuously release Chakra, making it rotate chaotically inside the water balloon until it bursts.
The second stage: Power!
Strengthen the output of Chakra to burst a rubber ball.
The third stage: Maintenance!
Maintain the output of Chakra and prevent it from leaking; the standard is being able to condense a Rasengan inside a fragile balloon without popping it. This is also the most difficult stage.
"A surprise?"
Tsunade gave a soft laugh. "Fine then, I'll wait and see~"
Seeing Minato enter the kitchen, Kushina looked cautiously at Tsunade. "Does he usually do the cooking?"
"Yes."
Tsunade nodded, her tone tinged with a hint of boasting. "Minato's cooking is fantastic! I guarantee it's so delicious you'll practically swallow your tongue!"
Kushina let out a giggle. "Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
Tsunade looked serious. "It's true! You'll find out in a bit!"
"Is that so?"
Seeing that Tsunade didn't look like she was faking it, Kushina was also somewhat surprised. "It's my first time meeting a boy who can cook."
"Heh heh, you might not believe it, but compared to Minato's strength and talent, his cooking is merely the icing on the cake. That boy is perfect in every aspect, with no blind spots!"
Tsunade habitually showed off her Disciple, but then she suddenly remembered his bizarre talent for naming things and couldn't help but cough awkwardly.
"Cough... saying it like that might be a bit much, but it really is the case."
"I see..."
Kushina nodded politely, giving Face to Tsunade's words without questioning them.
Suddenly, an enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen. Kushina's little nose twitched slightly, followed by a loud growl from her stomach.
Hearing her stomach growl, Kushina's Face flushed red, feeling quite embarrassed.
"How about it? I didn't lie to you, did I?"
Tsunade chuckled and rubbed Kushina's head. "Just a moment, we'll be eating soon."
"Mhm..."
Kushina nodded, her obedient appearance making Tsunade's heart soften.
Before this, she had been worried that Kushina might have a difficult personality.
After all, rumors in the Ninja World said the Uzumaki Clan all had explosive tempers; it was said her grandmother's personality was the same when she was young.
Looking at her now, this child's personality was actually quite good.
Soon, various aromas wafted from the kitchen. Even Nawaki, who was hiding in his room cultivating, was lured out by the scent filling the house.
"Time to eat!"
Minato walked out of the kitchen carrying a stewed chicken. "The chicken soup is here~"
"Food's ready!"
Nawaki ran to the kitchen to help Minato bring out the dishes.
"Tonight's menu includes coke chicken wings, Spicy Chicken, Soft-Fried Tenderloin, Charcoal-Grilled Pork Belly, Earth Pot Chicken, and a platter of Salmon and Tuna Sashimi."
Minato pointed at the dishes on the table, introducing them one by one.
"So lavish!"
Nawaki swallowed his saliva as he sat next to Minato. "And these are all things I've never eaten before. You were actually hiding this hand... no, this many hands?"
Of course, I've trained in the True Several Thousand Hands!
Minato chuckled and unscrewed some juice to pour for everyone.
Kushina stared intently at the dishes on the table. Except for the sashimi, all these dishes were unlike anything she had ever seen, and they all looked delicious.
"coke chicken wings..."
Tsunade leaned in toward the plate of chicken wings, her tone a bit hesitant. "Does that mean chicken wings made with Coke?"
Minato nodded. "Actually, using sugar works too."
"It smells wonderful, but I wonder how it tastes..."
As Tsunade spoke, she raised her glass. "Whatever, I'll know once I eat. But before that, let's welcome Kushina! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" ×3
After clinking glasses, Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kushina impatiently picked up their chopsticks, each grabbing the food they wanted to eat, and said in unison: "Itadakimasu!"
Kushina first picked up a piece of Soft-Fried Tenderloin and took a light bite. The crispy exterior gave way to a faint aroma of meat, and her eyes instantly lit up.
"So... so delicious!" she couldn't help but exclaim.
"I told you, right? Minato's skills will definitely not disappoint you."
Tsunade tasted a Coke Chicken Wing. "But even I never thought Coke could be used for cooking, and that it would taste this good."
Nawaki didn't say a word, burying his head in the Spicy Chicken. He was hissing from the heat but refused to stop eating.
"I'm glad you like it."
Minato smiled as he refilled everyone's glasses with juice. Seeing Kushina enjoy his cooking, he felt a secret sense of pride.
Unfortunately, there were quite a few dishes tonight, and they were either heavy on oil or spice; he had already been filled up by the cooking fumes.
"Thank you..."
Seeing Minato pour her juice, Kushina said softly in embarrassment.
"You're welcome."
Minato's tone was gentle, and his sunny smile made Kushina's cheeks flush slightly.
This guy... doesn't really seem like a sissy?
I guess he's the gentle and considerate type?
Kushina murmured in her heart, stealing a glance at Nawaki, who was tearing into chicken next to Minato.
This one is the 'vicious dog' type... Throughout the meal, no one spoke much.
Everyone was busy eating, but the atmosphere wasn't stiff; everyone was immersed in the craving for delicious food.
Until Nawaki was the first to tap out, clutching his stomach and collapsing onto the tatami.
Tsunade put down her chopsticks and took a deep breath. Kushina pursed her lips, remaining silent.
After a long silence, the three were too full to speak.
Until Nawaki suddenly sat bolt upright.
"*Burp*—"
Cheerful laughter immediately rang out in the room.
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