Chapter 98: The Great Feast Battle
"Stop talking and get inside," Yusuke said firmly, his voice low and commanding—just like a proper older brother.
Kakashi had no choice but to follow him into the restaurant with heavy steps.
The moment the owner saw who had arrived, he sighed deeply… and flipped the sign on the door to "Temporarily Closed."
The amount of food Yusuke ordered this time could've easily fed forty, maybe even fifty people. Not even the Akimichi clan had ever placed such a ridiculous order.
They entered a private dining room, and as if this wasn't their first rodeo, the owner quickly mobilized his entire staff. Dishes started arriving rapidly, filling the massive table—seven meters long and five meters wide—with towers of grilled meats, steaming rice, roasted vegetables, pickled sides, and broths so rich the aroma alone could knock someone out.
And all of it… was meant for just two people.
Kakashi swallowed nervously, eyes trembling as he stared at the battlefield of food laid before them.
"B-Big bro… Are you seriously planning for the two of us to eat all this?" he asked, voice shaking.
"Relax. Just eat to your heart's content. I'm cutting back today, so I'll eat less. The rest is on you. Look at yourself—you're way too scrawny," Yusuke said while giving his little brother's shoulder a proud slap, like a generous big brother bestowing his fortune upon the younger.
"Kakashi! Don't joke like that! This could literally kill someone!" Kakashi shouted, nearly flipping the plate in front of him.
"Kill? Now you're just exaggerating," Yusuke replied coolly. "Listen. While I was away during those three years, I came across a wise saying."
Kakashi groaned, already regretting asking.
"Not everyone who can eat is strong… but everyone strong can eat," Yusuke said, arms folded with a solemn nod. "And your big bro here? I embody that truth."
Kakashi stared at him like he was looking at a lunatic.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop playing around," Yusuke finally chuckled. "But really—this is part of your training. With Life Return, the food you eat is digested efficiently and directly feeds your body. It strengthens you."
"…Even if that's true, this still feels insane," Kakashi muttered, staring at a plate of grilled ribs with existential dread.
"Come on, dig in. Or do you want me to protect you forever?" Yusuke said casually, already tossing meat onto the grill like a pro.
That hit home.
Kakashi's grip on his chopsticks tightened as Obito's name flashed in his mind. It might've sounded like a joke, but Kakashi knew his brother would never joke about Obito.
With a heavy heart, he started eating.
— — —
Thirty minutes later...
Kakashi was nearly collapsing.
His stomach felt like it had reached his throat, and he was certain that if he dared to speak, food might come back out.
He turned his head toward Yusuke—and froze.
Yusuke's hands were a blur. The speed at which he was grilling, grabbing, and devouring meat left afterimages in the air. His stomach had ballooned like an overinflated taijutsu dummy.
"H-How… how are you even doing that? A-And could you… swallow first before you talk?" Kakashi was horrified.
"It just tastes… really good," Yusuke replied with stuffed cheeks, completely unfazed.
"…That's not what I meant."
Realizing Kakashi's genuine shock, Yusuke sighed and, without saying anything else, placed a hand on his swollen belly. In a matter of seconds, it visibly shrank—flattening until it returned to normal size.
Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I told you, it's the effect of Life Return," Yusuke explained calmly.
"I get it now… though I'm still having trouble controlling my internal organs," Kakashi admitted, looking a little embarrassed.
"No problem. Let me help."
Yusuke reached out and placed his hand on Kakashi's shoulder, sending a stream of chakra to guide his little brother's body through the internal technique.
Within seconds, Kakashi's bloated stomach started shrinking as well.
"How does it feel?" Yusuke asked with a grin.
"…Amazing," Kakashi muttered, still shocked.
Despite the intense physical strain from training all morning, his body felt… rejuvenated. Not only that, it felt like his strength had increased, if only by a little. It was subtle—but undeniable.
Training like this… it's insane, he thought to himself.
"Told you. But listen," Yusuke said seriously. "Life Return may let you recover physically, but your mental state still needs rest. If you overdo it, there will be consequences."
Yusuke knew Kakashi well. Too well. Especially after losing Obito, Kakashi had become dangerously focused on strength.
In this version of their world, Kakashi still had a complete family—an older brother who loved him, and a father who was still alive. But the trauma of losing Obito left a scar. While it didn't send him into the same despair as in the original timeline, it did fuel a relentless desire to become stronger.
"I know," Kakashi said softly. He looked a little down, but he also understood that Yusuke's concern came from a good place.
"Kakashi," Yusuke continued, "you don't have to train non-stop. Sometimes, reflection and pause are part of the process too. Your body—only you can truly understand its limits. Don't waste your effort on training that leads nowhere."
Yusuke's voice was firm, but kind. He didn't want to see his little brother burn out from his own ambition.
Years ago, when they were both much younger, Yusuke had actually opposed Kakashi's decision to become a ninja. It even led to a heated argument with their father, Sakumo. He still remembered that day clearly.
When Sakumo returned home from a mission, his body was covered in injuries—though he tried to hide it.
But Yusuke, as the eldest son, had always noticed.
— — —
Flashback – Yusuke's Childhood
"Were you two good boys while I was away?" Sakumo asked warmly as he patted little Kakashi's head.
"Yup! Big bro made something really tasty today!" Kakashi beamed with his usual innocent smile—back when he hadn't yet worn that cold, stoic mask.
"Did he now? What did Yusuke cook today?" Sakumo asked, forcing a smile despite the pale look on his face.
"Nothing special, Dad. Just the usual," Yusuke answered flatly. He didn't want to bring up their argument in front of Kakashi.
"It's late. Kakashi, time for bed," he added, giving his little brother a nod.
Still afraid of his strict older brother, Kakashi immediately obeyed and scampered off to his room.
"…Dad, you're injured, aren't you? Let the medical-nin check you out," Yusuke said coldly, barely hiding the emotion in his voice.
"Haaah…" Sakumo sighed. He knew he could never hide anything from his sharp-witted eldest son.
"It's nothing. Just a scratch. No shinobi comes back unscathed."
"Then… can't you stop being a shinobi altogether?" Yusuke asked, staring straight into his father's eyes.
"Yusuke… I'm a ninja of the Hidden Leaf. This village needs me. The people here need me. But one day, when I'm old and grey… you and Kakashi will be far stronger than I ever was," Sakumo said with that familiar fire in his voice—the same fire that once made Konoha tremble before the legendary White Fang.
And he knew… Yusuke understood exactly what he meant.
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