In Konoha, Mokgetsu left Kushina with three main impressions.
First was his excellent teaching skills, widely acknowledged by Sarutobi Hiruzen for his significant contributions to the field of education.
Second, a gentle-natured friend who also excelled in culinary arts.
Third, a disciple with exceptional talent in Fuinjutsu, comparable to her own.
Kushina always worried about Mokgetsu's safety amidst the chaos, so she was very serious when teaching him Fuinjutsu, hoping it would enhance his crisis management abilities.
But recently, Mokgetsu had refreshed Kushina's impression of him as a powerful warrior capable of dominating the battlefield.
"Lately, your fame even surpasses Minato's. If it weren't for the newspaper from Anbu, I'd have thought there's another ninja with the same name but a different surname like Blazing Sun Mokgetsu. Konoha is abuzz with talks of Blazing Sun Mokgetsu," Kushina remarked.
Perhaps the name Blazing Sun Mokgetsu rolled off the tongue easily, people often omitted the surname, simply calling him by the title and given name.
Chatting as they walked, Mokgetsu and Kushina unconsciously arrived at the restaurant where Mokgetsu once cooked for Kushina.
"This place is still open." Kushina glanced at the signboard, memories resurfacing in her mind.
Back then, she had just become the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, and while wandering, she ran into Mokgetsu, who chose a struggling restaurant to borrow the kitchen for cooking.
Kushina remembered it well, for at that time, the Nine-tails' Chakra kept her agitated and with Minato away on a mission, she felt more irritable. The incredibly delicious food momentarily relieved her worries.
"And it looks like business is thriving," Mokgetsu commented after surveying the place.
In contrast to the past bleakness, the restaurant now bustled with patrons, every seat occupied.
Kushina turned to leave, reasoning that with such good business, borrowing the kitchen wouldn't be possible, and she didn't want to disrupt it.
"Mokgetsu-sama!" The owner brightened up upon seeing Mokgetsu and called out.
The shout caught everyone's attention in the restaurant. Mokgetsu's fame in Konoha was well known; even ordinary people were aware of his deeds, knowing a mighty ninja named Habu Mokgetsu emerged among the Konoha Ninja.
The ninjas inside also respectfully called out, "Mokgetsu-sama."
Mokgetsu smiled in response, acknowledging each one.
The restaurant owner, filled with gratitude, approached Mokgetsu and said:
"I'm truly grateful. If it hadn't been for experiencing the wonders of culinary arts through your cooking back then, my restaurant might've closed due to poor business."
The owner had once tasted Mokgetsu's cooking and exchanged temporary kitchen rights for it, a flavor he hasn't forgotten to this day.
Although many now praise his cooking, the owner still feels he's not at even one percent of Mokgetsu's level.
"No need for thanks, it was your own efforts," Mokgetsu replied, shaking his head.
Cooking skills can't enhance someone else's culinary craft; it was primarily the owner's own practice that led to his improvement.
"You're too modest," the owner glanced at the silent Kushina and then asked:
"Do you need the kitchen again? I'm always ready to lend it."
"You seem quite busy here; we don't want to intrude," Mokgetsu politely declined.
It was the peak dining time, and borrowing the kitchen would cause delays, potentially upsetting customers. Konoha wasn't the only place for cooking; Mokgetsu saw no need.
"It's no trouble; I have a small, rarely-used kitchen I usually reserve for culinary experiments. Fortunately, I just placed a batch of fresh ingredients there," the owner explained.
Mokgetsu glanced at Kushina, who hesitated before nodding.
"Then, sorry for the trouble," Mokgetsu agreed seeing the owner was insistent.
Since it wouldn't impact the restaurant's business, Mokgetsu saw no reason to refuse, and besides, Kushina seemed eager to eat.
The owner led Mokgetsu and Kushina to the small kitchen and then left. Mokgetsu surveyed the ingredients, quickly deciding on the dishes to prepare.
Not wanting to feel like a freeloader, Kushina offered to help Mokgetsu with the cooking.
Watching the ingredients transform under Mokgetsu's hands into visually and aromatically tempting dishes, Kushina almost drooled.
"Braised pork, squirrel fish..." Kushina looked at the completed dishes with desire.
Just last night, she dreamed of eating Mokgetsu's plum-covered pork.
Mokgetsu didn't keep Kushina waiting long; once everything was ready, they began eating in the small kitchen.
"Let's eat." Even though it wasn't a typical dining setting, Kushina still maintained some ceremonial gesture.
As she took a bite of braised pork, a blissful smile uncontrollably spread across Kushina's face.
For a moment, she felt transported to a realm of freedom, an immense joy flooding her heart.
All she wanted to say was, "It's back, it's all back."
Then she tasted each dish carefully, savoring the flavors, before unleashing her true eating prowess, devouring everything at an astonishing pace.
"Mmm, this is delicious. Compared to your cooking, the meals Anbu gets for me taste inedible," Kushina said, almost moved to tears.
Sometimes, Kushina wished for a teleportation Ninjutsu, so she could enjoy Mokgetsu's cooking on the battlefield too.
But it remained a mere thought; in such settings, it felt inappropriate to bother him with cooking.
"It's a pity Minato isn't here; he too hasn't tasted your cooking for a while," Kushina remembered Namikaze Minato in the Land of Hot Water.
While she was happy now, the most cherished moments were when the three of them dined and chatted together.
"You two really are connected," Mokgetsu teased.
"Minato sent me a letter, asking if I returned to Konoha, to make sure I cook for you, saying you'd likely dream about it having gone so long without."
"Hey, that makes me sound like someone who only thinks of food. Minato's the one dreaming about it," Kushina blushed.
She was a bit flustered, as she truly had dreamt of it the previous night.
At that moment, she felt the embarrassment of having a childlike fantasy exposed.
"Perhaps so," Mokgetsu chuckled, letting the topic drift away.
"Let's walk and digest the meal, and I can quiz you on your recent Fuinjutsu studies," Kushina quickly changed the subject.
Mokgetsu agreed, and together they strolled to a park pavilion. Kushina quizzed him on some advanced Fuinjutsu knowledge.
His responses exceeded Kushina's expectations, answering everything smoothly, not like someone who had studied Fuinjutsu for just over two years.
"You must be exhausted, training and spending so much time on Fuinjutsu studies," Kushina admired, thinking it was due to sheer effort.
"Not really," Mokgetsu replied.
He did spend considerable time on Fuinjutsu, but his training wasn't as strenuous as she assumed, with many skills enhanced through system points.
Kushina taught him more Fuinjutsu techniques, believing soon she might no longer be able to teach him, given his talent and dedication.
As they parted, Mokgetsu told Kushina she could have him notified by a ninja anytime she wanted a hot meal.
The next morning, Mokgetsu reached the Southern Border Forest to find an eagerly waiting Obito.