Sunagakure, Kazekage's office.
"Hmph, Konoha has gone too far!"
The Second Kazekage, Shamon, clenched his fists in fury after learning that the heads of the village's defected shinobi had been snatched away by Konoha ninja.
"You're all useless. So many of you, and you still couldn't stop Konoha's shinobi? What's the point of keeping you around?!"
Konoha's actions were a blatant slap in the face to Sunagakure!
The worst part was, these useless fools got slapped and didn't even think of striking back. Instead, they slunk back into the village to file complaints.
His head was bald, and coiled around his right eye was a tattoo of a blue dragon. The dragon's black claws extended around his eye, as if gripping it tightly, giving him an intimidating and imposing aura.
"Kazekage-sama, the opponent was Konoha's Deadly Poison Master."
The Second Kazekage, Shamon: "…"
His clenched fists instinctively loosened, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
So it was that guy… no wonder.
The title "Deadly Poison Master" was nothing short of a shadow looming over Sunagakure.
Anyone who had participated in that war knew just how terrifying Konoha's "Deadly Poison Master" truly was.
Years ago, it was him alone who left the village severely wounded, to the point that even now it still hadn't fully recovered.
He had made Sunagakure—already poor—sink into even deeper poverty…
Shamon had just assumed office and wanted to change the village's situation, but the conservatives opposed him. Those people had even tried to launch a coup, only for him to uncover it in advance.
And those three defected shinobi were among the conservatives who led the coup.
He had ordered them captured, only for this mess to happen.
"Hmph, Sunagakure will remember this grudge. One day, we'll make Konoha pay back a thousandfold!"
Shamon's eyes burned with the flames of vengeance. Sooner or later, Konoha would pay the price.
Especially that "Deadly Poison Master"—he was already on Sunagakure's must-kill list!
But for now, Sunagakure wasn't a match for Konoha at all. It would take decades of economic growth before they could stand a chance.
...
Commercial street, in front of a barbecue shop.
"This is what you're treating me to?"
Danzō stared at the sign outside, his expression sour.
He had thought Renya would personally cook to apologize. To his disappointment, it turned out to be a trip to a barbecue restaurant instead. All his anticipation had been for nothing.
But for the sake of saving reputation, he didn't say anything.
After all, Renya had only said he'd treat him to a meal. He never promised he would cook it himself.
"You don't like barbecue?" Renya noticed the look on Danzō's face and couldn't help asking.
If he really didn't like it, they could switch to another place.
"Whatever." Danzō gave a cold snort.
Renya felt puzzled, thinking Danzō must still be angry about taking the blame earlier.
He thought to himself that Danzō's tolerance for pressure was still too low. The Danzō of the future, the "Shadow," wouldn't care about something so trivial at all.
"Since you have no objection, let's eat barbecue then." Renya turned to Koharu. "Koharu, you're okay with that, right?"
"I'm fine with anything." Koharu smiled.
Inside the barbecue shop, the lighting was warm, and several wooden tables were filled with customers.
The owner, a stubbled middle-aged man, immediately brightened when he saw Renya.
"Renya-sama, you're here! Please, come in and sit."
He respectfully led the three to a table and handed them menus.
"Danzō, you order." Renya passed the menu to him without even looking. "Order whatever you like. It's my treat today."
Danzō snorted softly. At least this bastard knew to let him order first. That showed a bit of sincerity in admitting fault.
Thinking so, he accepted the menu and started ordering dishes, then placed it in front of Koharu.
"See if you want anything else."
Koharu glanced at the menu, then shook her head.
"I don't need anything more. This will be enough."
Once both of them had finished ordering, Renya returned the menu to the owner.
"Alright, please wait just a moment."
...
"Danzō, this piece of meat is definitely done! Eat it!" Renya poked at a piece of beef sizzling on the grill. Oil dripped onto the charcoal, releasing an irresistible aroma.
Danzō crossed his arms, frowning.
"Did you flip it just now?"
He felt like one side wasn't cooked through.
Was this bastard trying to make him eat half-raw meat on purpose?
"I flipped it!"
"You flipped it after barely grilling it for a bit. That's nowhere near enough."
"Barbecue is supposed to be eaten tender. If it's overcooked, it'll just be tough and taste bad." Renya said with conviction, picked up the piece of meat, and placed it on Danzō's plate.
Danzō stared at the still slightly pink meat, his expression grim.
"This clearly isn't done."
He had always liked his grilled meat well-done. He hated this kind of half-raw style.
"Why don't you leave it on a little longer?"
"Trust me, this way it's the most tender, and it tastes amazing."
Beside them, Koharu quietly grilled her own meat, each piece cooked just right—golden with a slight char.
She glanced at the two bickering men and laughed lightly.
"If you two keep arguing, the meat's going to burn."
"Hey, Danzō, you really won't eat it?" Renya picked up another sizzling piece of meat and waved it in front of him. Oil dripped onto the coals with a hiss.
"Koharu, you try it."
Since Danzō didn't react, Renya simply placed the meat on Koharu's plate.
Koharu picked it up, dipped it lightly in sauce, and put it into her mouth. Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Mmm, Renya-kun's grilled meat is really delicious."
Danzō shot her a glance, his Adam's apple moving slightly. It seemed Renya wasn't lying…
"Why would I lie? You'll know as soon as you taste it." Renya picked up another piece, dipped it in sauce, and shoved it directly into Danzō's mouth.
Caught off guard, Danzō's mouth was stuffed full. He was about to get angry, but then his tongue caught the juicy tenderness. He froze.
Hmm… Renya was right. It was tender and delicious.
"Well? Isn't it good?"
"…It's not bad." Danzō admitted reluctantly.
Koharu watched the two of them with a smile, her gaze falling on the chopsticks in Renya's hand, her face full of curiosity.
She wondered—would Renya use the same chopsticks Danzō had just bitten on to pick up more meat?
Unfortunately, she was disappointed.
Renya didn't use those chopsticks again. Instead, he picked up a new pair.
"Why haven't we seen Hiruzen and the others these days?" Renya suddenly asked.
Not seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen was understandable—he was newly married, after all. But Uchiha Kagami and Mitokado Homura being absent as well was strange.
"They went on a mission."
"How come I didn't know?"
While grilling meat, Danzō said,
"Aside from going on missions, you spend all your time at home. Of course you don't know where they are."
Renya's mouth twitched. That was… actually true.
Every day, aside from preparing three meals for Senju Tobirama, he just lay around in the yard, sunbathing.
It looked like he really needed to get out more often.
Maybe… like back then, when he traveled with Hashirama-san—
He should go traveling again.