Chapter 314: The First Beating of the New Year
Cooking LV1 (3/100)
Masahiko wore a wooden expression, handing the heavy responsibility of boiling the dumplings over to Sara.
Meanwhile, the several dozen dumplings he had boiled himself were all fed to the fat cat...
"Father, how did you manage that?" Sara asked with a look of amazement.
It was just simple dumpling boiling, yet Masahiko managed to boil them with a bizarre flavor. Sara had watched his entire process and hadn't noticed anything unusual; this was truly somewhat magical.
"Damn system, scamming me again."
Masahiko couldn't explain. He didn't even know when or how this Cooking skill appeared. And level 1 Cooking actually managed to make even boiled dumplings taste weird... Even the fat cat was disgusted.
"Come to think of it, I haven't cooked for myself more than a few times in over a hundred years, so this skill was never activated. Back when my level wasn't restricted to level 1, my cooking was still edible... Now, restricted by the system, I've completely become a stream-of-consciousness chef."
Masahiko hesitated about whether to add points. It wasn't that he grudged the Witness Points, but he was afraid that if he accidentally became a 'God of Cooking', he wouldn't be able to stand or eat food made by anyone else... It wasn't narcissism; it was confidence in the system's skills.
"When was the last time I cooked something?" Masahiko looked thoughtfully at Kimimaro. He remembered roasting a fish for Kimimaro not too long ago.
"Could it have been then? Good thing I didn't roast one for Kisame, or I'd be laughed to death."
"Meow~ If you want them, I'll give them to you! Stop staring at this cat with that look!"
The fat cat yelled out, and only then did Masahiko realize that Kimimaro's eyes were red as he watched the fat cat eat the dumplings he boiled.
"Fat cat, you eat them. Look how thin you've gotten from hunger," Masahiko said with a smile, truly unable to bear letting this silly child Kimimaro eat them.
The fat cat felt very wronged. It had been summoned all the way from Konoha just to be fed this kind of stuff.
"Eat them all, don't waste them."
The fat cat: "..."
Fortunately, a few dozen dumplings were just an appetizer for a big eater like it, barely enough to line its stomach.
Soon, Sara's second batch of dumplings was ready, and they could finally eat.
Just as the bowls and chopsticks were distributed, the door to the Ichiraku Ramen branch was pushed open. Kushina and Konan walked in, pulling Naruto along.
Kushina's purpose was clear: "Great-Grandpa, is it time to eat?"
Konan offered a greeting: "Teacher, Happy New Year."
Naruto ignored Masahiko: "Big Sister Haku!"
Masahiko's mouth twitched, and he ignored Naruto. "Are you guys here to mooch a meal? Where are those two 'Doors'?"
"They are still hosting the New Year festival; they probably won't be able to get away at noon."
Masahiko nodded, turned to Naruto, and revealed an 'evil' smile. "Naruto, you're itching for a beating again, aren't you?"
"Meow~ Stupid fox can't tell boys from girls."
As soon as the fat cat said this, Masahiko cast two pitying glances at it, leaving the cat completely bewildered.
The next second, it was snatched up by Kushina. "Great-Grandpa, the little fox told me it's the Two-Tails?"
"Mm, the Two-Tails cat jinchuriki."
"It looks very nourishing. Great-Grandpa, let's eat cat for the New Year."
"Ah, it is very nourishing," Masahiko dealt the final blow.
"Meow~!"
The fat cat turned pale with fright. Its ears perked up, and two red tails popped out from behind it, only to be retracted the very next second... Nine tails appeared behind Kushina. Having more tails makes you amazing; the fat cat instantly chickened out.
The fat cat suddenly wanted to return to Konoha; it missed its cat slave, Tenten...
Masahiko smiled. "Stop bullying it, Kushina. Disciplining Naruto is more important."
Naruto made a face. "Mother said I could relax for three days for the New Year."
The next second, he was picked up by Kushina and spanked.
Masahiko looked on, gloating. Truly a naive child, believing everything he hears.
...
After the farce ended, Sara's third batch of dumplings was also ready. Masahiko used Wood Release to create a large round table, and the group sat facing each other, sharing the dumplings.
"Great-Grandpa, is this food you invented?" Kushina looked amazed.
Masahiko coughed lightly. He was just about to admit it when he remembered the ones he boiled...
"Oh, no. This is a lost craft. I ate it when I was young, described it to Sara, and she recreated it."
"I see... It tastes really good. Little Sister Sara, teach me later," Kushina said, the generational addresses getting completely messed up.
"Big Sister Sara, please teach me as well," Konan added.
"No problem," Sara smiled.
Masahiko, however, was slightly startled. If Konan hadn't called Sara 'Big Sister', he wouldn't have remembered that this daughter of his was no longer young.
"Konoha Year 42, she was 16. Now... she's 28? It seems it's time for her to get married." Masahiko glanced at her a couple of times but couldn't bring himself to say it.
"We'll talk about it later." The catchphrase of a procrastinator.
Masahiko's mood was somewhat complex. He didn't pay much attention to what the three little boys and three big girls were chatting about at the dinner table. Before he knew it, only he and the fat cat were left eating at the table.
Masahiko had a good physique, good digestion, and ate a lot, but he was still far inferior to the non-human fat cat.
As Sara served dumplings once again, Masahiko finally withdrew from the 'battlefield'.
"I, Masahiko Uzumaki, declare you the greatest foodie. In the world of foodies, no one can surpass you!" Madara's famous quote had been tampered with to this extent.
The fat cat curled its lip and continued eating, but suddenly a gaze shot over, making the fur on its back stand on end.
"Meow~ Little brat, do you want to eat more?"
Kimimaro stared straight at the fat cat without replying.
His inner thoughts were like this: This is a powerhouse acknowledged by God, I must remember it well!
The fat cat: "..."
Are you crazy! Since coming over from Konoha, not a single good thing has happened!
Swallowing the remaining dumplings in one bite, the fat cat jumped into Masahiko's arms. "Meow~ I'm done eating. This cat is going back now. The little girl Tenten must be getting anxious."
Masahiko smiled and pet the cat a couple of times. "Get along well with Tenten."
"Meow~ It's much easier than getting along with you."
Masahiko: "..."
After sending the traitorous fat cat outside the Land of Whirlpools and pointing out the way to Konoha, Masahiko returned to the ramen shop, only to see Naruto sidled up to Haku, muttering something non-stop.
"Big Sister Haku, let me tell you, you have to be careful of Great Ancestor. When he saw... his eyes completely glazed over."
Naruto leaned in close to Haku's ear for the middle few words. Masahiko didn't hear them, but he could guess what they were without hearing them.
Haku, however, had no reaction, maintaining a distant yet polite smile throughout.
Masahiko also smiled. "Naruto, the first beating of the New Year is happening right now!"
...
Meanwhile, Konoha Village.
The fat cat traveled at full speed and finally returned to Tenten's house.
"Meow~ Little girl, hurry up and get this cat something to eat, I'm starving to death!" Those few dumplings weren't nearly enough to fill it up.
Tenten rushed out. "Chubby kitty, you're finally back..."
Halfway through her sentence, Tenten turned pale with shock. "Chubby kitty, did someone abuse you? Why have you gotten so thin after not seeing you for half a day?"
The fat cat thought about its experiences today and almost shed tears. Looking at Tenten, whose face was full of heartache for it, this was the difference.
"Meow~ Someone abused this cat."
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