(T/N: The chapter is about food , and you can skip it if you hate it. As I understand why the author makes such chapters, you can send money on the site where he posts, and if the readers reach a certain amount, he has to publish the chapter, chapters about food are easier to make.)
Renya returned home after buying groceries to find that the Shadow Clones had already cleaned up the kitchen.
"Mission accomplished, main body!"
Before the words even faded, the three Shadow Clones dissipated into puffs of smoke.
Renya didn't sense anything unusual. He tied on a blue apron and began preparing the ingredients.
After staying on the battlefield for so long, finally returning to the village...
No matter what, today he had to enjoy a proper meal!
The freshly bought pork ribs glistened with a healthy pink hue.
He chopped the ribs into small pieces and soaked them in clean water twice to remove the surface blood.
Starting with cold water in the pot, he added cooking wine, scallions, ginger, and garlic to remove any gaminess.
As the ribs rolled in the boiling water, a dense layer of scum formed on the surface.
Renya skimmed off the foam with a spatula, then took out the ribs and rinsed them with warm water.
Then he started a new pot and added a bit of oil.
When the oil was seventy percent hot, he added rock sugar and gently stir-fried it on low heat until it melted into a golden amber color.
He quickly tossed in the ribs and stir-fried until each piece was evenly coated in the caramelized sugar, their surfaces slightly browned.
Then he added scallions, ginger, garlic, dried chili, cinnamon, and star anise, sautéing until fragrant.
A splash of dark soy sauce and two spoons of light soy sauce were added to enhance the flavor and color.
He poured in enough boiling water to cover the ribs, brought it to a boil over high heat, then turned it down to low and covered the pot to simmer for forty minutes until the ribs were tender and falling off the bone.
Renya didn't stay idle during the braising. He began prepping the crucian carp he had just bought.
"Let's make crucian carp soup!"
As he spoke, the back of the knife scraped away the black membrane from the fish belly, and he wiped off the remaining scales with his fingers.
After cleaning it thoroughly, he patted the fish dry with a paper towel.
He used chopsticks to place slices of ginger at the edge of the pan to prevent the fish from sticking while frying.
When the oil was sixty percent hot, he carefully slid in the fish. It sizzled lightly as it hit the pan, and its golden skin slowly tightened in the bubbling oil.
Soon, both sides turned a crispy golden brown.
Once the fish was fried, he added ginger slices and scallion segments to stir-fry until fragrant, then poured in cooking wine to remove any remaining odor.
Next, he added hot water and brought it to a boil over high heat, then simmered on medium.
The broth gradually turned a rich, milky white.
Renya added cubed tofu and let it simmer over low heat for ten more minutes, gently nudging the tofu now and then to keep it from breaking and ruining the presentation.
Finally, he seasoned the soup with salt and white pepper, and drizzled in a few drops of sesame oil.
Once the fish soup was done, the braised ribs were also ready to come off the stove.
The two dishes were laid out on the table, their aroma filling the entire room.
Renya couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva. To avoid repeating the last time when he couldn't resist eating everything himself...
He packed everything up and decided to head to the Hokage's office to eat with Senju Tobirama.
After all, battlefield rations couldn't hold a candle to his cooking.
Under harsh conditions, making something that tasted better than soldier pills was already a feat.
Sometimes, Renya even preferred eating soldier pills.
...
As dusk draped over Hokage Rock, the clack of Renya's wooden clogs echoed in the corridor of the Hokage Building. His black furisode kimono swayed with his steps.
After finally getting two days off, of course he'd wear something more comfortable at home.
He carried two food boxes in his hands, and the tantalizing aroma drew the attention of the patrolling shinobi.
Once Renya walked past, one ninja couldn't help but say:
"Renya-senpai is bringing food for Hokage-sama again."
These patrolling ninja often saw Renya coming to deliver food.
"I really want to eat some too..."
"Stop dreaming. Treat me to barbecue after work."
...
Hokage's Office.
Senju Tobirama had already cleared the documents off his desk and placed them on the floor before Renya arrived.
The table was completely empty, all set for the meal.
He didn't want something trivial like tidying the desk to delay his mealtime.
After three months of eating soldier pills, he could finally enjoy a proper meal again.
Tobirama took eating very seriously.
After all, once Renya returned to the battlefield, it would be a long time before he could taste his cooking again.
...
"Old man, I brought you food."
Renya pushed open the office door and paused when he saw the cleared table.
This old guy sure was thoughtful.
He even cleaned the office before eating...
Usually when Renya brought food, the desk was buried in documents, leaving no space to set the dishes down.
Sometimes, he even had to tidy it himself.
Renya placed the two food boxes on the table and took out the braised ribs and crucian carp soup.
Senju Tobirama stared at the dishes, swallowing involuntarily.
Just the smell alone was enough to make his mouth water.
His gaze fell on the other food box, eyes filled with anticipation.
"What's in that one?"
"That's my dinner." Renya opened the box to reveal—unsurprisingly—braised ribs and crucian carp soup.
He gave Tobirama an annoyed side-eye. This old man seriously wanted to eat two servings?
"You're eating here in the office?" Tobirama was a bit surprised.
Normally, Renya would leave right after eating and never stayed to dine here.
Why the sudden change?
Renya saw through his thoughts and explained:
"Crucian carp soup loses its taste when it gets cold. Even reheating it doesn't work. So I figured I might as well eat it here."
He couldn't exactly say he was just afraid of eating it all himself and had to deliver it in advance, right?
Tobirama understood immediately.
So this kid was worried the taste would change by the time he finished eating and brought it over later.
To ensure Tobirama could enjoy it at its best, he delivered it first.
Looking at the steaming dishes on the table, Tobirama felt genuinely comforted.
This kid really knew how to show gratitude. No wonder Big Brother had liked him so much.
Thinking of his brother, a flash of sorrow crossed Tobirama's face.
If Big Brother were still alive, he'd definitely want to taste Renya's cooking too, right?
He used to pester Renya to cook at his home all the time.
...
Seeing Renya pull out a chair and sit down, Tobirama snapped out of his thoughts and pretended nothing had happened.
His eyes fell on the glistening ribs, and he couldn't help but swallow again.
After months of tasteless soldier pills, where had he seen food like this?
He quickly picked up a piece of rib and bit into it. The rich sauce burst in his mouth.
The tender meat had a unique texture.
With just a gentle bite, the meat fell off the bone, and the cartilage was stewed to a jelly-like softness.
As he chewed, juices infused with cinnamon and bay leaf flavors seeped out.
Tobirama savored the aroma between his lips and teeth and couldn't help but grab two chopsticks' worth of rice.
This kind of food had to be eaten with rice!
Renya did the same—one bite of rib, one bite of rice.
Both of them devoured the food like starved ghosts, completely throwing manners out the window.
Of course, if we're being fair, Tobirama was still a little more refined.
But not by much.
One had been eating battlefield rations, the other living on soldier pills in the office.
After three months without real food, who could be expected to eat gracefully?
The fact they weren't using their hands was already impressive.
"Old man, the soup is incredibly rich. It's even better poured over rice!"
Saying that, he poured some milky-white fish broth over his bowl of rice.
Only then did Tobirama realize how fast he had been chewing like a starving man and quickly slowed down.
Watching Renya devour his food like a wolf, the corners of Tobirama's lips lifted.
This kid really was starving.