"You saw a group of crows with chakra in the forest?"
Katsumi Kei's eyebrow lifted slightly. His hand, still holding a skewer, paused mid-turn. Hayate's report was intriguing.
Crows were common enough, sure—but crows with chakra? That narrowed things considerably.
'In Konoha, only two people really come to mind,' Kei thought. 'Uchiha Shisui and Yamashiro Aoba.'
He dismissed Aoba quickly. 'Respectable, yes, but not the type to have a whole flock. Shisui though... now there's a possibility. Mangekyo Sharingan, Kotoamatsukami... and the famed crow illusions. His summons would be worth tracking.'
{T/N: Uchiha Itachi's crows were raised by Shisui, Itachi adopted and took care of Shisui's crows after Shisui's death.}
Kei's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. 'I wouldn't mind a flying summon. Tactical recon, long-range engagement, stealth—too useful to pass up.'
He turned to Hayate. "Good work. Remember their scent—we'll return soon."
"Woof!" Hayate wagged his tail, but his gaze didn't leave the thick slab of boar meat Kei was seasoning.
Kei chuckled. "Food before birds, huh? Fine, fine. Let's finish this round."
As the meat hit the grill, a wave of rich, smoky aroma drifted through the clearing.
Naruto leaned in so close his nose nearly touched the grill.
"Whoa, it smells even better than Ichiraku!"
"Back up, or you'll burn your eyebrows off," Kei warned, nudging him gently with the back of the tongs.
"I can't help it! It's calling me!" Naruto declared, eyes sparkling. "I'm gonna die if I don't eat it now!"
As if to prove his point, he snagged a chunk that had barely cooled and stuffed it in his mouth.
"Hot-hot-hot—HOT!!!" Naruto flailed, cheeks puffed, steam practically pouring from his ears.
Tenten burst out laughing. "Serves you right, dummy!"
Hinata giggled quietly behind her hand.
Even Kei let out a light snort. "You're a shinobi. You'll live."
Naruto, red-faced but triumphant, gave a thumbs-up. "W-worth it."
While laughing, Hinata was already sneaking extra pieces of meat into her bowl, trying to act casual.
Tenten leaned toward Hinata and whispered teasingly, "Careful, or you'll fall in love with the food. Then with the cook."
Hinata's face went crimson.
"I-I wasn't...! I mean... Kei-kun is… I just—"
"Relax," Kei said, not looking up from the grill. "The barbeque loves you too."
Hinata's hands flew to her face.
By now, everyone was laughing, the lightness in the air a balm for the past loneliness they each carried in different ways.
After the plates were filled and bellies satisfied, Naruto wiped his mouth on his sleeve, then turned toward Kei, now stretching his arms.
"Kei," he said with earnestness. "I think you're amazing. I want to be just like you. Will you teach me?"
Kei glanced at him. The flames from the grill flickered in Naruto's eyes, mixing awe and desperation.
"You'll have to work hard. Every single day. Eat properly, rest properly, train until your muscles burn. Think you're up for that?"
Although Kei kept his voice steady, a quiet thought surfaced.
'Truth is... you don't even need to.'
He looked at Naruto's stubborn little face and sighed inwardly. 'You're the Nine Tails' Jinchuriki. The reincarnation of Ashura. When the day comes, the Sage of Six Paths will just hand you power like it's candy. You'll be Six Paths level in a heartbeat. Me? I have to claw for every inch.'
'But... maybe it's better this way. Maybe if you work hard now, you won't have to go through the pain of losing Kurama when the Otsutsuki tear through this world. Just maybe... you'll be strong enough to protect what's precious to you.'
Naruto clenched his fists. "Absolutely! I'm not afraid of hard work!"
Kei nodded. "Alright then. I train every morning in the eastern forest. Join me if you're serious."
Tenten's eyes lit up. "Me too! I'm coming! This time, I'll keep up."
"You said that last time," Kei teased.
"I was four! I'm five now! I'll stick with it this time!" she huffed.
Hinata's smile faltered. The warmth faded from her cheeks.
Because she is the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, and the Hyuga have a very strict family education, it is basically impossible for her to go out in the morning.
Seeing the disappointment on Hinata's face, Naruto and Tenten wanted to say something, such as inviting her to join them, but Katsumi Kei spoke first.
"Hinata, I know that the Hyuga clan has a very strict family education. You can try to muster up the courage to talk to your parents and see if you can get some freedom, but you don't have to rush.
We will always be friends, and whenever you are free, you can come play with us at any time."
As he said this, Katsumi Kei picked up a large piece of barbeque with his iron tongs, placed it in Hinata's bowl, and said with a smile, "But those unhappy things are for a later time, for now eat up! After all, food can bring happiness."
Hinata was touched, and she nodded heavily. Hinata whispered back, "Okay Kei-kun. Thank you, and I will try to muster up the courage."
Naruto and Tenten were still eyeing her, and then her bowl.
"...Wow," Naruto muttered. "She's almost caught up to me."
Tenten poked him in the ribs. "Don't compare yourself to Hinata. She's got a secret food jutsu or something."
Kei smiled, resting his hands behind his head as he watched them argue.
This... this was nice.