Chapter 402: Eating Cat
Time flew by, and the years passed like a shuttle. Konoha Year 55 gradually came to an end.
January 1st, Konoha Year 56, noon.
At the Ichiraku Ramen shop in the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko was busy in the kitchen.
Following his usual practice, he had gone to the Uzumaki cemetery early that morning to sweep his own grave, taking the opportunity to kneel and pray for 'Great Ancestor's blessing', hoping for a smooth and peaceful year.
Last year on this day, because the bastard who took his Rinnegan attacked the Senju and Uchiha's ancestral worship processions, Masahiko didn't get to eat a single bite of the reunion dinner he had painstakingly prepared all morning. The food Sara saved for him was also all fed to the Fat Cat because he was injured and unconscious...
He didn't want to repeat the same mistake this year.
"Konan, come here! This plate of cat meat is ready, bring it out!"
Konan held back her laughter and took the plate.
Sara shook her head and said, "Father, how did Little White offend you? This is clearly lamb."
Masahiko looked weathered. "To avoid any trouble, I didn't call the Fat Cat over this year. But it is also a member of our family, and it cannot be missing from the reunion dinner. You guys just pretend the lamb is cat meat and think of the Fat Cat while you eat it. That counts as a reunion."
Sara chuckled. "You treat Little White really well."
Masahiko raised an eyebrow and nodded, his hands not stopping their movements. Lunch was basically cooked, leaving only the soup specially prepared for Kushina.
The fetus in her belly was already a full seven months old, and the taste buds on its tongue were gradually forming, able to taste the flavor of food. This was a crucial time.
A month ago, Masahiko had taken over the chef position from Minato. Combining his level-eight medical skills, he rationally balanced her diet, ensuring the fetus in Kushina's belly had a head start.
However, Masahiko couldn't tell for the time being whether the fetus had a head start or not, but Naruto had definitely plumped up a bit. You could even pinch the fat on his cheeks now.
Fortunately, his strength grew faster than his fat...
After being trained by Masahiko for nearly half a year, Naruto had made all-around progress.
In terms of hand seals, he could now finish the three seals for the Clone Jutsu within a second, more than twice as fast as before. His chakra capacity had also doubled, surpassing most Genin.
His kunai throwing and taijutsu levels had similarly advanced by leaps and bounds. He was currently putting in all his effort, preparing to surpass Sasuke in the exam to advance from second to third grade in two months.
Masahiko smiled but said nothing. With the pressure Naruto was putting on him recently, Sasuke was also training much harder, so he wouldn't be surpassed that easily.
While these two children spurred each other on and progressed very quickly, the 'big kid' Obito progressed even faster, almost feeling like he had been reborn.
For his dream of becoming Hokage, Obito had really given it his all. He was even able to be patient enough to read and study; everything else was a piece of cake.
Over the past three months, Obito followed Hiruzen during the day to learn, and occasionally went to Kushina's house at night to ask Minato for advice. Half of his childishness had faded away.
His former goofy 'hehe' laugh was now only shown in front of acquaintances. At other times, he could be said to possess quite a bit of Hokage demeanor.
"The problem now is... Shisui hasn't returned yet, which is a bit troubling." Masahiko murmured softly, blowing out the small fire in front of him.
The 'Carrot, Corn, and Pork Rib Soup' in the clay pot was ready, wafting a rich aroma. With his physique, Masahiko didn't fear the heat at all. He directly picked up the clay pot with both hands, walked out of the kitchen, and placed it on the table in front of Kushina. "Just cooked, careful, it's hot."
"Sorry for the trouble, Great-grandfather!" Kushina said, holding her belly.
Seven months pregnant, her belly was bulging high, sticking out a good eight or nine centimeters. Her motion of holding her belly had finally become coordinated.
Masahiko smiled. "Don't be polite with me."
Seeing how much Kushina treasured the child in her belly, yet was still willing to 'travel over mountains and rivers' to the Land of Whirlpools, it was obviously so Masahiko could eat the reunion dinner he missed last year. With this level of filial piety, it was worth Masahiko playing the role of both Ultrasound Uzumaki and Chef Uzumaki.
As Masahiko turned and walked back to his seat, Sara happened to bring out the last cold dish and sat down at the table. Everyone was present, and all the dishes were served.
"Great Ancestor, can we eat now?"
Minato rubbed Naruto's hair. "Don't rush."
Masahiko's gaze swept over everyone present, and he smiled. "It's another long-awaited reunion, so let me say a few words as usual."
"Yo! Sensei, you still plan to speak?" Nagato looked worried.
"It's fine." Masahiko waved his hand. "This year, the Senju and Uchiha clans don't have to go out for ancestral worship, and it's not like that guy would dare attack Konoha. With the whole family having a reunion dinner, as the elder, I have to say something."
"Moreover, Sensei is 124 years old this year. Every reunion dinner I eat is one less I'll get to have. If I don't say something now, I'm afraid I won't have the chance in the future."
Everyone looked at each other. Masahiko's appearance certainly didn't look like someone who had one less meal to eat each time.
"Great-grandfather, you...?"
Masahiko smiled and said, "Taking advantage of this reunion, and since my health is still quite good, let me talk about my expectations for the new year."
"The first expectation: Kushina will soon be giving birth to her second child. I hope she gives birth to a beautiful little girl who will grow up healthily.
The second... Nagato, Konan, when exactly are you two going to drag out your marriage until? Are you planning to wait until I die?"
"Yo! We'll do it as soon as possible!" Nagato responded swiftly. Konan glared at him but didn't object.
Masahiko nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. After this meal, Nagato, you can go and announce that the leader of the Uzumaki Clan will officially take the title of Kage. From now on, you will be the First Uzukage. The Fifth Hokage of Konoha is about to take office, so let's not delay any longer. If we have fewer ninjas, so be it."
"Yo! Sensei."
"The third expectation," Masahiko's face squeezed out a look of yearning. "Sara, you are 31 years old this year. Will I be able to hold a grandchild in my lifetime?"
Sara smiled lightly and shook her head. She was the one who least believed in Masahiko's 'true feelings being revealed'. "Let's leave it to fate."
Masahiko sighed. "Do I have to go find you someone with a round head? Go to the Akimichi clan to find one?"
"Great Ancestor, are we eating or not?!"
"Shut up! Listen to God speak!"
"Bastard..." If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't beat Kimimaro, Naruto would have fought him right then and there.
"Stop messing around!" Masahiko glared at Naruto. The serious atmosphere he had so painstakingly created...
"Great Ancestor, I'm starving to death!"
"Alright, then I won't say much more..." Halfway through his sentence, Masahiko suddenly froze, his face pulling into a long scowl. "I won't say anymore. Everyone, start eating. That damn bastard! The Fat Cat is calling me again."
"Did something happen in Konoha again?!"
Poof! Masahiko turned into a puff of smoke and disappeared.
...
Konoha Village.
Masahiko's figure appeared on the dining table at Tenten's house. He instantly activated his sensory abilities and asked, "What happened? An enemy invasion?"
Tenten's voice came from beside him, "Wow! Fat Cat, you really can call the red-haired uncle over."
"Meow~ Of course! You heartless man, Tenten wants to treat you to some fish."
Masahiko paused, his mouth twitching. "Just eating fish? Didn't I say not to call me unless it was an emergency?"
"Meow~ Isn't Tenten treating you to fish a big deal?"
"Uncle, do you not like eating fish?" Tenten's tastes had already been influenced by the Fat Cat; she loved eating fish.
Masahiko looked at Tenten and forced a smile. "I like eating it, but...
This New Year we won't eat fish, if we eat anything, it'll only be a big fat cat!"
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