Time flew by, and the year slipped away almost unnoticed.
By the end of Konoha Year 55, winter had already settled in.
Konoha Year 56 — January 1st, noon.
At Ichiraku Akioen in the Land of Whirlpools, Akio was busy in the kitchen.
As tradition dictated, he'd gone early that morning to the Uzumaki cemetery, paid his respects at his own grave, bowed solemnly, and even muttered a few half-serious prayers for "ancestral blessings," hoping the new year would go smoothly.
Last year on this very day, the bastard who stole the Rinnegan had attacked the Senju and Uchiha memorial procession. Akio had spent the entire morning preparing a holiday feast and never got a single bite. The leftovers Sara saved for him ended up fed to the fat cat after Akio passed out from his injuries.
This year, he had no intention of repeating that disaster.
"Konan, over here!" Akio called from the kitchen. "The 'cat meat' is ready, take it out!"
Konan accepted the plate, barely holding back her laughter.
Sara shook her head.
"Father… what did Little White do to offend you? That's clearly lamb."
Akio sighed like a man burdened by history.
"To avoid tempting fate this year, I didn't invite the fat cat over. But it's still family. A reunion meal wouldn't feel right without it. So just pretend this lamb is cat meat. Think of the cat while you eat—it counts."
Sara laughed.
"You really dote on Little White."
Akio raised a brow and nodded, hands never stopping. Most of the dishes were done only the soup he'd specially prepared for Kushina remained.
She was seven months along now. The baby's senses were developing, which made nutrition especially important.
A month earlier, Akio had taken over cooking duties from Minato entirely, using his advanced medical knowledge to tailor Kushina's diet. If the baby was going to start life, it might as well start strong.
Whether the baby benefited was still unclear, but Naruto had definitely put on a little weight. His cheeks were practically pinchable.
At least his strength was growing faster than his waistline.
After half a year of Akio's training, Naruto had improved across the board.
He could now complete the Clone Technique hand signs in under a second, more than twice as fast as before. His chakra reserves had grown significantly, surpassing most genin. His taijutsu and kunai accuracy had improved just as dramatically.
He was laser-focused on beating Sasuke in the exam to advance from second to third year in two months.
Akio merely smiled.
Sasuke had felt the pressure too and had doubled down on training. Naruto wouldn't pass him so easily.
The two boys pushed each other forward at a rapid pace.
The "big kid," Obito, however, had changed even more.
Driven by his dream of becoming Hokage, Obito had forced himself to study really study. For the past three months, he'd followed Hiruzen during the day, learning village governance, and visited Kushina's house at night to ask Minato questions.
The childish edge had faded. The goofy grin only came out around close friends now. The rest of the time, he carried himself with surprising dignity.
Akio extinguished the stove flame and murmured,
"The only problem is… Shisui still hasn't returned. That's worrying."
The carrot-and-corn pork soup was ready, rich with aroma. Akio lifted the pot barehanded and set it in front of Kushina.
"Fresh off the stove. Careful, it's hot."
"Thank you, Great-Grandfather," Kushina said, hands resting naturally on her belly.
At seven months, her stomach was prominently rounded. The gesture finally looked effortless.
Akio smiled.
"No need to thank me."
He knew why Kushina had made the trip despite her condition, to make sure Akio got the family meal he'd missed last year. That kind of thoughtfulness made all the cooking and constant monitoring worthwhile.
As Akio returned to his seat, Sara brought out the final cold dish. Everyone was present. The table was full.
"Ancestor," Naruto asked eagerly, "can we eat now?"
Minato ruffled Naruto's hair.
"Hold on."
Akio scanned the table and smiled.
"It's been a long time since we were all together. I'll say a few words."
"Oh no," Nagato said nervously. "Teacher, you're not giving a speech again, are you?"
"It's fine," Akio waved him off. "The Senju and Uchiha don't even need to leave the village for memorials this year. That guy wouldn't dare attack Konoha again. As the elder here, I should say something."
"And besides," he added lightly, "I'm 124 this year. One reunion meal less every year. If I don't speak now, I might not get another chance."
Everyone exchanged looks. He didn't look remotely fragile.
"Great-Grandfather…?"
Akio smiled.
"Since we're all together and I'm still in good health; I'll share my hopes for the year."
"First: Kushina's about to have her second child. I hope it's a healthy, beautiful girl."
"Second Nagato, Konan how much longer are you two planning to delay your wedding? Waiting until I'm gone?"
"We'll hurry!" Nagato replied immediately. Konan shot him a look but didn't deny it.
Akio nodded approvingly.
"Good. After this meal, Nagato, announce the formal establishment of the Uzumaki leadership. You'll be the First Whirlpool Shadow. Konoha's Fifth Hokage is almost in office, we won't delay anymore. Even if the village is small, it's time."
"Teacher…"
"Third," Akio said, forcing a hopeful expression, "Sara, you're thirty-one this year. Am I ever going to hold a grandchild?"
Sara smiled calmly.
"We'll see what fate decides."
Akio sighed.
"Should I go find you someone? Maybe the Akimichi clan?"
"Ancestor! Are we eating or not?!"
"Quiet! Let the god speak!"
"Bastard" Naruto muttered. If he could beat Kimimaro, he'd already have thrown hands.
"Enough," Akio snapped, glaring at him. "I finally set a serious mood."
"I'm starving!"
"All right, all right no more talk"
Akio suddenly froze, his face darkening.
"…That's enough. Start eating. Damn it, fat cat's calling me again."
"Konoha's in trouble?!" someone exclaimed.
Poof. Akio vanished in a burst of smoke.
…
Konoha Village
Akio reappeared at Tenten's dining table, instantly expanding his senses.
"What happened? Enemy attack?"
Tenten's voice rang out happily.
"Wow! Fat Cat really can summon the red-haired uncle!"
"Meow~ Of course! Tenten's treating you to fish!"
Akio twitched.
"…Just fish? I told you not to call me unless it was serious."
"Meow~ Fish is serious."
"Uncle," Tenten asked innocently, "don't you like fish?"
Akio forced a smile.
"I do, but…"
"This New Year, I'm not eating fish."
"If I'm eating anything"
"…it's a big fat cat."