*Konoha, Yuto's House*
"Ahahaha, this is priceless!" Kushina doubled over laughing, clutching her stomach as she stared at the photo on the table. "Danzo and that turtle are a match made in hell. If this got out, it'd break the internet!"
"You're terrifying for even thinking of this," Mikoto said, her expression a mix of horror and amusement.
"Eh, I had a great teacher." Kushina smirked, shooting a pointed look at a certain teen slouched in a chair.
"Hold on—how is this my fault?" Yuto protested, looking genuinely wronged. "I've never glued a turtle to anyone's head!"
"Not literally, but the spirit's the same. Bad influence osmosis." She winked. "No take-backs~"
'Osmosis?! Since when?!'
This woman had fully embraced chaos, and she was blaming him for it with zero shame.
'Who even corrupted her?!'
…Wait.
Unless… she was always like this, and he just unlocked it?
Yuto nodded solemnly. That had to be it.
"Hmph, I know you're slandering me in your head." Kushina suddenly lunged, wrapping an arm around his neck in a playful chokehold. "Brat, you need corrective education!"
"N-Not at all—cough—mercy!" Yuto wheezed dramatically, though he wasn't actually bothered. If anything, he didn't mind the redhead's clinginess—ghostly or not.
"Kushina, stop," Mikoto sighed. "Yuto wouldn't do something like this."
"Oh? Defending him already?" Kushina's grin turned wicked. "Moving fast, aren't we?"
"Wha—no!" Mikoto's face burned.
"He's obviously faking. You're too soft." Still, Kushina released him. "Fine, spared. Now go cook. I'm haunting your kitchen next."
"You can't even eat," Mikoto deadpanned.
"The aroma is enough!" Kushina flopped into a chair. "You don't get it—this brat's cooking is stupidly good. If I were alive, I'd marry him just for the food."
"Sounds like you've got other cravings too," Mikoto muttered under her breath.
"Pfft. Look who's talking." Kushina shot back, grinning. "Weren't you the one staring extra hard the other day? If you're that eager, just say so~"
"..."
Mikoto gave up. She'd never win against Kushina's shamelessness.
*Knock knock knock.*
A sudden, crisp rapping at the door.
"Who's that?" Kushina frowned.
"Maybe your kid," Mikoto offered. "Go greet him! Surprise mother-son bonding?"
"Naruto doesn't even know me. That's not a 'surprise,' that's a therapy bill."
"…Fair."
As the two vanished into the Soul Pearl, Yuto set down the last dish and opened the door—to a very unexpected visitor.
"Sasuke?" Yuto blinked.
"Yuto, I—" Sasuke clenched his jaw, struggling to speak.
"Come Inside." Yuto stepped aside. "Hungry?"
"I… ate." Sasuke's eyes flicked to the table.
*GrrrrrOOOOWL.*
His stomach screamed betrayal.
'Damn it.'
Sasuke's face turned tomato-red.
"Eating alone's boring. Join me?" Yuto slid an extra bowl toward him. "Made too much anyway."
"…Thanks." Sasuke took the chopsticks, avoiding eye contact.
So. Awkward.
The Uchiha heir, pride of his clan, reduced to a flustered mess.
"This boy, still allergic to honesty," Mikoto sighed internally.
"Classic tsundere," Kushina snorted. "Relax, he'll grow out of it. Especially with Yuto around~"
Mikoto's eye twitched.
'This woman—!'
Outside, silence stretched as Sasuke mechanically ate, Yuto occasionally nudging more food his way.
By the time the plates were empty, Sasuke froze.
…Wait.
'Did I just let him feed me like a child?!'
They were the same age. Why did it feel so natural?!
His brain short-circuited.
Why does this feel RIGHT?!
Was it lingering humiliation from their match? Was inhaling Yuto's cooking some twisted revenge?!
"Sasuke." Yuto's voice snapped him back. "Something's up. Talk."
"I—" Sasuke gritted his teeth, then forced the words out. "Train me. I want to be stronger."
Days of agonizing led here.
Yes, Yuto's cosplay jutsu had scared him. But the defeat? That was real.
Yuto was stronger. And Sasuke needed that strength—to kill that man.
For that, he'd swallow any pride.
"Stronger, huh?" Yuto studied him, then smiled. "For Mikoto's sake? I will train you."
"Thank—"
"But." Yuto held up his hand. "My training breaks people. Still want it?"
"Yes." Sasuke's eyes burned. "I'll endure anything."
"Good." Yuto pulled two scrolls from his desk. "Pass these, and we start."
Sasuke unrolled one—and stiffened.
[Elementary-Level Chakra Theory: Pop Quiz Edition]
Sasuke: "…What."
'IS THIS A JOKE?!'
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