Inside the cave.
Renya sat idly on a chair, muttering to himself, "Why haven't Hashirama-san and Madara-sama come back yet?"
He had been waiting in the cave since the afternoon, but even now, there was no sign of either of them.
He couldn't help but wonder if the two of them had changed their hiding place.
At that moment, two elongated shadows stretched across the cave entrance.
Renya's eyes lit up at the sight—they were finally back!
Just as he stood up, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama entered the cave.
"Renya? Why are you here?!" Hashirama's face showed surprise.
A flicker of shock passed through Madara's eyes as well.
Neither of them expected the one waiting in the cave to be Renya!
"Hashirama-san, Madara-sama, you're finally back." Renya greeted them with a smile. "I took half a year's leave, so I came to check on you two."
"Half a year?" Madara's eyes brightened. Didn't that mean Renya could cook for them for half a year?
"Haha, that's wonderful." Hashirama's expression turned from delight to concern.
He quietly glanced at Madara. Renya appearing before Madara again would definitely stir up his desire to recruit him.
And right now, Hashirama had no way to protect Renya.
If possible, he would rather Renya hadn't shown up today at all.
Little did he know, Madara had no intention of inviting Renya to join them at the moment. He merely regarded him as a junior with decent cooking skills.
After all, that kid had already refused him several times. With Madara's pride, he wouldn't so easily extend another invitation to team up.
Unless it was the day the "Eye of the Moon Plan" officially began!
"Kid, do you want to stick with us for a while?" Madara asked.
He still couldn't figure out why Renya had left the village for half a year.
"Sorry, Madara-sama. I'm planning to travel across the entire shinobi world, so I don't intend to stay here long." Renya smiled, scratching his head.
He hadn't mentioned his wish to join the Eye of the Moon Plan right away—doing so would only make Madara suspicious.
Better to cook for them for a while first, then Madara would eventually extend the invitation like before.
By then, Renya could agree without raising suspicion.
That way, he could protect his companions from being killed by Madara.
Renya thought his plan was flawless!
He would act as a double agent between Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara. Not only could he keep his comrades safe from Madara's schemes, but in ten years or so, he might even change the fates of Madara's pawns.
For now, all he had to do was stay by Madara's side, preparing three meals a day, until Madara invited him to join again.
"Travel across the shinobi world?" Madara looked at Renya doubtfully. From his observations, this kid didn't seem the type to enjoy traveling.
—Most of the time, he just lazed around at home sunbathing or cooked meals for Tobirama.
"That's right, Madara-sama," Renya explained. "I got bored lying around in the village, so I came out to see the world."
"Haha, it really is good to go out and walk around often." Hashirama laughed. "I almost miss those days when you traveled with me."
Back then, thinking his life was nearly over, he had invited Renya to travel with him.
In just a few months, the two of them had toured the shinobi world. Though Renya often got lost, that time had been leisurely and joyful.
So many years had passed since then. Not only had Hashirama survived, but he had even reunited with Madara.
Now that he thought of it, he truly did miss those days.
Madara glanced at the sentimental Hashirama, then turned back to Renya.
"How long do you plan to stay with us?"
As long as the kid stayed by their side, someone would be cooking their meals.
They had long grown sick of eating grilled fish every day. If not, they wouldn't have gone to a restaurant earlier today with Hashirama, only returning now.
Compared to Renya's fighting ability, Madara valued his cooking far more.
"A week, I guess. After that, I'll head out to travel," Renya replied after some thought.
A week cooking for them—by the time he left, Madara would surely invite him again.
And then, Renya could naturally agree to join the Eye of the Moon Plan.
"Hashirama, prepare him a bed," Madara ordered with a nod.
Since the boy was willing to stay for a week, he'd need a proper place to sleep.
Wood Release made such tasks extremely convenient.
"Alright, Renya, I'll make you a big bed!" Hashirama cheerfully accepted the task.
Although he didn't want Renya appearing before Madara too often, a week shouldn't be a problem.
It was just a chance for Renya to improve their meals.
After all, they hadn't tasted his cooking in ages, and they really missed it.
Renya's heart belonged to the village. He would never accept Madara's invitation—if he were going to, he'd have done so years ago.
What worried Hashirama wasn't Renya betraying the village on his own, but Madara tricking him into joining the Eye of the Moon Plan through some special means…
Hashirama clapped his hands, controlling Wood Release to build a bed.
Within moments, a large bed was complete.
"Thank you, Hashirama-san."
Renya then asked the two, "Would you like some supper? I can whip something up for you right now…"
Since they had returned so late, he wasn't sure if they had eaten.
"Haha, then sorry to trouble you." Hashirama scratched his head, embarrassed. "I am a bit hungry."
At the tavern, he and Madara had been too busy drinking to remember food.
After sobering up with chakra, hunger quickly set in.
If Renya weren't here, they would have just gone straight to bed. But since he was, how could they sleep on empty stomachs?
"Madara-sama, do you want some too?"
Madara gave a slight nod. "Make me a portion as well."
"No problem, I'll get it ready right away." Renya pulled out prepared ingredients from a scroll, lit the stove, and began cooking.
Madara watched Renya's busy back, falling into thought.
Although he didn't plan to invite Renya into the group just yet, he wasn't about to waste the chance of having a free chef.
Since the boy wanted to travel, they could simply travel together. They could enjoy the scenery of different lands, and have a cook by their side.
That life didn't sound bad at all. After all, they weren't busy with anything right now.
But with Madara's pride, he couldn't say such a thing aloud. He'd have to let Hashirama be the one to suggest it when the time came…
At this thought, he turned his eyes toward Hashirama, who was practically drooling, hoping this guy wouldn't mess things up at a critical moment.
"What is it, Madara?" Hashirama noticed his friend's gaze and wiped the drool from his mouth.
"Nothing."
Madara turned away, as if embarrassed by Hashirama's behavior.
Confused, Hashirama scratched his head, then went back to watching Renya cook.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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