As the crowd dispersed, the front of the ninja academy gradually returned to its usual calm.
After informing his family about the evening gathering, Jiraiya finally arrived at the prearranged meeting spot.
Looking at Kagura's jet-black hair and onyx eyes, he couldn't help but lift an eyebrow.
He asked with a displeased tone:
"Hey you! Didn't you keep saying yesterday that you weren't coming?
Why did you follow us here today?"
In response to his question, Kagura couldn't be bothered to reply and simply rolled his eyes dramatically.
Experience had proven that reasoning with women was pointless.
Under Tsunade's insistence, Kagura had eventually come along.
Initially keeping some distance from Tsunade was due to their respective positions.
Psychologically speaking, Kagura didn't actually dislike Tsunade.
Besides, after graduation, they'd be split into different teams anyway, meaning future opportunities for interaction would become increasingly rare.
Thinking of this, Kagura stopped resisting and resignedly accompanied them.
At this moment, Tsunade stepped forward and shouted at Jiraiya with an unpleasant expression:
"What do you care so much? Since Kagura is already here, just shut up and behave yourself."
Jiraiya shrank his head slightly and pouted discontentedly.
Tsunade displayed her big sister demeanor, looked around briefly, then raised her small hand and said:
"Well then, since everyone's here, let's get going."
At this time, Orochimaru, who had remained quiet, spoke up:
"But where exactly are we going?
Earlier we only mentioned going out together, but never considered a specific destination."
"(⊙o⊙)… Wait, we didn't even decide where we're going?!"
Hearing this, Tsunade paused in mid-motion, slowly lowering her raised hand.
That's right, they had only agreed on having a gathering without discussing the location.
She tilted her head and thought hard about how elders conducted their gatherings.
Suddenly, she excitedly slapped her right fist into her left palm:
"Let's find somewhere to have a big feast!
My dad and his friends always go out for a meal when they meet up!"
Kagura and Orochimaru exchanged glances before speaking in unison:
"It's the end of the month—we're flat broke~~~"
Indeed, these two orphans lived every month on the village's stipend allowance.
Though not exactly meager, there wasn't much room left over.
Rubbing the back of his head, Jiraiya said:
"I spent all my pocket money on books the other day."
He added with a sheepish chuckle.
Upon hearing this, all three turned to Tsunade in perfect sync.
Meeting their stares, Tsunade instinctively took half a step backward.
Jiraiya's eyes lit up. "I heard your dad's the Daimyo's son—you must've got some cash!"
Faced with their hopeful looks, Tsunade swallowed hard. "I... I haven't gotten allowance in ages."
Her voice trailed off, barely audible by the end.
Upon hearing this, Kagura suddenly understood.
Oh right, she'd almost forgotten this person was also known as the "Gambling Golden Goose".
And her gambling addiction had been formed ever since she was just a child, back when she followed The First Hokage...
Kagura sighed, narrowing her eyes at Tsunade and summarizing:
"So in the end, you used threats to drag me here,
only to realize we penniless bums don't even have anywhere to go?"
Harsh words, but Tsunade couldn't deny the truth in them.
Seeing the dispirited Tsunade, Kagura shook her head with a bitter smile.
Then she raised both hands and clapped for attention before speaking:
"Alright, it's not like we're completely out of options.
You all must have some money on you, right? Let's see it."
Though puzzled, the three exchanged confused glances before pulling out their cash anyway.
After counting all the cash they'd chipped in, Kagura gave a satisfied nod, muttering to herself:
"Hmm, not bad.
This should be enough."
Without further explanation, she turned around and walked out.
Though unclear what was happening, the others instinctively followed behind.
Following Kagura through several alleyways, they found themselves at the vegetable market.
"Oh, grandma, you're energetic as ever today!"
"Yep, yep. Could I get some meat please? About enough for four people."
"Aww, throw in a green onion too."
"By the way, big sis, you look more radiant than usual today."
The three watched in stunned silence as Kagura moved effortlessly between stalls.
Before long, Kagura came out holding several bags of groceries.
Though they could guess Kagura's intention, Tsunade still hesitated before asking:
"You're really...
planning to cook for us?"
Giving her an irritated look, Kagura snorted: "What else did you expect?"
Tsunade widened her eyes in surprise and asked again:
"You can cook?"
"What else did you expect?"
Upon hearing his reply, all three stared back in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.
Realizing something was off, Kagura snapped out of it and carefully asked:
"You mean... none of you can cook?"
In unison, the three nodded.
She stared incredulously at Orochimaru and asked:
"Don't you live by yourself?
Then what do you usually eat?"
"Well... mostly instant noodles. Sometimes I buy some bread."
Orochimaru replied matter-of-factly.
Kagura shot him a disdainful look, smirking slightly as she said:
"No wonder you always look half-starved."
Orochimaru:...
After finishing shopping, Kagura directly led the group back to her home.
Now that she thought about it, this was actually the first time she'd brought anyone over since her arrival in this world.
Stepping inside, Tsunade immediately began excitedly looking around.
Kagura's place was tiny—visually covered in one glance—but very neat.
When Tsunade enthusiastically volunteered to help, accidentally splitting the cutting board in two with the knife,
Kagura's expression darkened, politely but firmly ushering the three deities into the living room.
Back when he was still on Earth, although he couldn't be considered a great chef, he had picked up some basic cooking skills as a homebody otaku.
Combined with five years of solitary living since his reincarnation, Kagura had now become truly skilled through practice.
Within an hour, four dishes and a soup appeared before everyone.
The aroma filled the air, making all three visibly eager and fidgety with anticipation.
Jiraiya wrinkled his nose, feeling saliva rapidly flooding his mouth.
Seeing their reactions, Kagura secretly chuckled before saying,
"Alright, don't be shy.
Let's dig in."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tsunade, unable to wait any longer, scooped up a piece of beautifully colored meat and popped it into her mouth.
Her eyes lit up instantly as she loudly exclaimed,
"Kagura, you actually cook this well!
What *is* this?"
"Oh, this is twice-cooked pork."
"Woah~~~ So spicy!
And what about this one?"
"That's mapo tofu."
Just twenty minutes later, all three were sprawled out on the floor, completely satisfied.
Patting his stomach, Jiraiya said,
"Never thought your cooking would be this good, Kagura. I think you're wasting your talent being a ninja—you should open a restaurant."
"Burps...
Though I'd like to argue, right now I have to agree with Jiraiya!"
Tsunade said, letting out an undignified burp as she nodded.
Orochimaru didn't say anything. He just closed his eyes, relishing the flavors once more.
Kagura sat calmly beside the table, taking a sip from his cup of hot tea, choosing not to respond.
"By the way, can you guess who our team leaders will be tomorrow?"
Suddenly rolling onto her feet, Tsunade asked, opening a new topic.
Like a dam breaking, the three began chattering away excitedly.
Eventually even Kagura, usually as reserved as an old man, slowly joined their conversation.
Youth has its own kind of beauty. Before long, laughter and cheerful chatter began spilling out from Kagura's house.
Unknown to them, the bright moon had quietly climbed high into the night sky as the three gradually exited Kagura's home.
Waving goodbye while walking toward their respective homes.
Standing at his doorstep watching them disappear into the distance, Kagura seemed intent on preserving this moment of ease.
"Cough... cough...
Didn't expect Kagura would actually invite people over—really surprised me."
Just then, a voice came from nearby.
Turning around, Kagura respectfully said,
"Mr. Kagami Uchiha, good evening."
The speaker was indeed Kagami Uchiha, someone rare from the Uchiha clan whom Senju Tobirama trusted.
During a previous mission accompanying Senju Tobirama to Kirigakure to sign a ceasefire agreement, he was attacked by Kinkaku and Ginkaku of Kirigakure.
To allow Tobirama and Danzō to escape danger, Tobirama confronted the enemy alone, later dying from severe injuries sustained during that fight.
Although Kagami Uchiha managed to return to the village after surviving that ambush, he was gravely injured as well. Ever since, he's been seriously ill and bedridden.
Knowing the plot intimately, Kagura realized this peaceful clansman probably wouldn't survive past this year.
Smiling at Kagura, Kagami Uchiha spoke,
"Kagura, you're much too lonely—it's always just you alone, which makes people worry a bit."
I'm glad to see you've started making friends.
I just fear I won't live much longer. The Uchiha clan is far too proud—I always feel like something could go wrong in the future.
I hope your generation can truly integrate the Uchiha into Konoha."
Hah. You're more right than you know.
You think that's bad? Wait 'til you see what happens in twenty years—this whole clan gets wiped out.
Kagura silently snorted inwardly, but he didn't voice his thoughts.
Instead, he looked toward the distant figure and murmured,
"A teammate, huh?
Maybe that's not such a bad thing..."
The next morning, Kagura arrived early at the meeting point the Academy had specified the day before.
Beyond curiosity about his future teammates and Jonin instructor, the main reason was because the System had assigned a new mission last night.
Mission: Successfully take the Bell from the Jonin during the team evaluation.
Rewards:
1. Gain access to a Tailed Beast.
2. Randomly master one Ninjutsu technique.
The Tailed Beasts—finally! He's the protagonist, right? Shouldn't he already have at least one sealed inside him? Otherwise, how could he even hold his head up in this world?
What was once an unimportant test now suddenly became very important. Because of this, Kagura had made sure to prepare himself thoroughly early that morning.
As time passed, he finally saw the other members and their Jonin instructor arrive.
But when his eyes fell on those familiar figures, they widened in disbelief.
Why are they here?!?
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