To welcome Kushina, Minato planned to cook some hearty dishes that suited young people's tastes.
As the saying goes, to capture a man's heart, you must first capture his stomach. Actually, this saying applies to women too.
On the way to buy groceries, Minato also bought some water balloons for Nawaki to practice Rasengan.
"These are the props you mentioned?"
Nawaki looked at the water balloons in his hand, his eyes full of disbelief. "You said you wanted to buy props for training. I thought it would be something high-end!"
Minato smiled. "There are more advanced things, but those are for the next stage."
"What are they?"
Nawaki asked hurriedly. He couldn't wait to start training.
"Rubber balls."
"..."
After a while, the two returned home.
In the living room, Tsunade was chatting softly with Kushina, carefully protecting the girl's sensitive emotions as a newcomer.
Seeing this scene, a smile flashed in Minato's eyes.
Tsunade in this period was really much gentler than the Tsunade in the plot.
"Sis, remember to call me when it's time to eat!"
Nawaki called out and hurriedly returned to his room.
Tsunade was a little surprised. "What happened to him?"
Minato walked towards the kitchen holding the ingredients. Hearing this, he chuckled lightly. "He is busy training, planning to give you a surprise later."
On the way back just now, he had taught Nawaki the first stage of Rasengan training.
Rasengan training can be roughly divided into three stages.
First stage: Rotation!
Continuously release chakra, make the chakra rotate disorderly inside the water balloon, and burst the water balloon.
Second stage: Power!
Strengthen the chakra output and burst the rubber ball.
Third stage: Maintenance!
Maintain the chakra output and prevent it from leaking. The standard is to be able to condense the Rasengan inside a fragile balloon without bursting it. This is also the most difficult stage.
"Surprise?"
Tsunade chuckled. "Alright, then I'll wait and see~"
Seeing Minato walk into the kitchen, Kushina looked carefully at Tsunade. "Does he usually cook?"
"Yes."
Tsunade nodded, her tone somewhat boastful. "Minato's cooking is amazing! I guarantee it's so delicious you'll swallow your tongue!"
Kushina giggled. "That's an exaggeration, isn't it?"
Tsunade looked serious. "It's true! You'll know later!"
"Is that so?"
Seeing that Tsunade didn't seem to be faking it, Kushina was also a little surprised. "It's the first time I've seen a boy who can cook."
"Hehe, you might not believe it, but compared to Minato's strength and talent, his cooking skills are just icing on the cake. That child is perfect in every aspect!"
Tsunade subconsciously showed off her disciple, but then she suddenly remembered his weird naming sense and couldn't help coughing awkwardly.
"Cough... saying it like that seems a bit exaggerated, but it's true."
"Is that so..."
Kushina nodded politely, not questioning Tsunade's words.
Suddenly, a tempting aroma came from the kitchen. Kushina sniffed lightly, and then her stomach growled.
Hearing her stomach growl, Kushina blushed, feeling a little embarrassed.
"How about it? I didn't lie to you, right?"
Tsunade grinned and rubbed Kushina's head. "Wait a moment, we can eat soon."
"Mmh..."
Kushina nodded. Her obedient appearance softened Tsunade's heart.
Before this, she was worried that Kushina might have a bad temper.
After all, rumors in the ninja world said that the Uzumaki clan all had hot tempers, and it was said that her grandmother had the same personality when she was young.
Now it seemed that this child's personality was quite good.
Soon, various aromas wafted from the kitchen. Even Nawaki, who was hiding in his room training, was lured out by the fragrance filling the house.
"Time to eat!"
Minato walked out of the kitchen carrying the stewed chicken. "Chicken soup is here~"
"Let's eat!"
Nawaki ran to the kitchen to help Minato carry the dishes.
"Tonight's menu is Cola Chicken Wings, Spicy Chicken (Laziji), Soft Fried Pork Fillet, Charcoal Grilled Pork Belly, Earth Pot Chicken (Diguo Chicken), and a platter of Salmon and Tuna Sashimi."
Minato pointed to the dishes on the table and introduced them one by one.
"So lavish!"
Nawaki swallowed his saliva and sat next to Minato. "And they're all dishes I haven't eaten before. You actually hid this skill... no, so many skills?"
Of course, I practice the True Thousand Hands!
Minato chuckled lightly, opened the juice, and poured it for everyone.
Kushina stared intently at the dishes on the table. Except for the sashimi, she had never seen any of these dishes before, and they all looked delicious.
"Cola Chicken Wings..."
Tsunade leaned close to the plate of Cola Chicken Wings, her tone hesitant. "Does it mean chicken wings made with cola?"
Minato nodded. "Actually, using sugar works too."
"It smells very fragrant, just don't know how it tastes..."
Tsunade said, picking up her cup. "Whatever, I'll know after eating. But before that, let's welcome Kushina's arrival! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" x3
After clinking glasses, Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kushina couldn't wait to pick up their chopsticks. Each picked up the dish they wanted to eat and said in unison, "Itadakimasu!"
Kushina first picked up a piece of Soft Fried Pork Fillet and took a light bite. Inside the crispy shell was a faint meat aroma. Her eyes lit up instantly.
"So... so delicious!" she couldn't help exclaiming.
"I told you, didn't I? Minato's skills will definitely not disappoint you."
Tsunade tasted a Cola Chicken Wing. "But I never thought cola could be used for cooking, and it tastes so good."
Nawaki didn't make a sound, burying his head and wolfing down the Spicy Chicken, hissing from the heat but refusing to stop.
"Glad you like it."
Minato smiled and refilled everyone's cups with juice. Seeing Kushina enjoying the food he made, he felt a faint sense of pride.
Unfortunately, there were a bit too many dishes tonight, either heavy on oil or heavy on spice. He was already full from smelling the cooking fumes.
"Thank you..."
Seeing Minato pour juice for her, Kushina whispered shyly.
"You're welcome."
Minato's tone was gentle. His sunny smile made Kushina's cheeks flush slightly.
This guy... doesn't seem like a sissy?
This should be considered the gentle and considerate type, right?
Kushina muttered silently in her heart, stealing a glance at Nawaki, who was tearing at the chicken meat beside Minato.
This one is the vicious dog type...
During the meal, no one spoke much.
Everyone was burying their heads and eating wildly, but the atmosphere wasn't stiff. Everyone was immersed in the desire for delicious food.
Until Nawaki was the first to tap out, clutching his stomach and collapsing on the tatami mat.
Tsunade put down her chopsticks and took a deep breath. Kushina pursed her lips and remained silent.
After a long silence, all three were too stuffed to speak.
Until Nawaki suddenly sat up straight.
Burp—
Laughter instantly filled the room.
---