Tejima Shinichi stepped out of the Hokage Building, the copied scroll clutched tightly to his chest.
The night wind stung his face, yet it could not cool the blazing fire in his chest.
When he pushed open the door, the living-room light was still on and the aroma of Stewed Meat greeted him.
"Yo! Our big hero's back!"
Tejima Kazuto bounced off the sofa with an exaggerated grin, bounded to the entrance in a few steps and slapped Shinichi's shoulder hard.
"Brat, your first mission kept you out this late? Were you so outstanding the teacher kept you for extra training? Come on, tell your old man what earth-shaking feats you pulled off today!"
He winked and spoke with boundless energy and curiosity.
Mori Chie poked her head from the kitchen, spatula in hand, and smiled helplessly:
"Kazuto, stop it. Let Shinichi catch his breath." She looked at Shinichi, gentle eyes tinged with puzzlement. "Shinichi, why so late? The food's almost cold; I'll reheat it."
Shinichi stood in the entrance watching his over-energetic father and listening to Chie's nagging, and instantly understood.
News of that afternoon's storm must have been completely sealed.
They probably knew nothing.
But… that was fine. If Chie were still the Special Jonin she once was it would be different, but now…!!
"Nothing special. After the mission I just talked a bit longer with Yū and Takeshi."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entrance fell into an odd hush.
Kazuto's smile froze; the arm around his son's shoulder tightened slightly.
Chie, halfway to the kitchen, stopped and slowly turned back.
"Yū and Takeshi… Satō Yū and Kobayashi Takeshi? The two kids in your squad?"
Chie's voice was soft, as though afraid of disturbing something.
Shinichi nodded. "Mm."
Kazuto suddenly brightened, his grin now several times wider:
"Great! Wonderful! Chat more! Young people should do exactly that! After missions go walk and talk —build those bonds! Hahaha!"
He laughed until crow's-feet crinkled, looking at his son as if to say, 'My boy's finally growing up.'
It was a sore spot for them.
All these years they had hardly seen Shinichi speak voluntarily to any peer, let alone "chat after a mission".
Hearing that he had stayed to talk with teammates delighted them more than any first-place exam result.
Chie wasn't as effusive as her husband, but her eyes were unmistakably brighter.
She hurried to the kitchen, her tone noticeably lighter:
"I'll reheat the food —won't be a minute. Shinichi, sit and rest first."
Seeing their unguarded joy at those few words, Shinichi's gaze flickered; he said nothing and walked to the table.
He knew why they were happy.
Simply that he was finally acting like a "normal kid" and socializing with peers.
They had no idea how hard that "normal" was for him.
He understood their hopes —but sorry, he couldn't do it.
He couldn't chatter all day about pointless things like the real Ninja Academy kids, or quarrel over childish trifles.
That wasn't him.
Chie set the reheated dishes on the table; the fragrance spread. She placed the big bowl of beef stew right in front of him and said lovingly:
"Eat up. I stewed your favorite beef for hours —really tender and flavorful."
With serving chopsticks she lifted a large, sauce-glossed chunk of beef into his bowl.
Kazuto also raised his chopsticks, targeting a piece, urging, "Yes, eat more! Grow strong to become a great Ninja! Your mom's cooking speaks for itself!"
Shinichi lowered his eyes at the conspicuous beef atop the white rice.
Chie and Kazuto watched, expecting him to dig in as usual.
Yet looking at the beef, a familiar figure inexplicably flashed through his mind.
"Hah…"
A soft laugh escaped his lips.
"Hm?"
Both parents froze, exchanging glances.
Had their son… just laughed?
Because of a piece of beef?
"What is it, Shinichi?" Chie couldn't help asking. "Did… Mom season it wrong?"
Shinichi looked up; the faint smile had already vanished:
"No, nothing. Just suddenly thought of someone… said to never eat beef."
"Never eats beef?" Kazuto scratched his head, puzzled. "Who refuses something this tasty? What a weirdo! Forget him —try it while it's hot!"
Shinichi replied meaningfully:
"He sure is a weirdo."
"But today… was also the closest I've ever come to that weirdo."
As the words fell, even he couldn't restrain a ripple of emotion inside.
On the sealed scroll's page, the words "Wood Release Ninjutsu" seemed to hover before his eyes once more.
So near, yet out of reach.
He had clearly awakened the power, yet lacked the techniques to unleash its true might.
Only this… just this, and he could truly set foot on the path toward that beef-abstaining… destination.
Though Kazuto found the joke odd, seeing his son in a rare good mood, he happily dropped the subject.
Chie also relaxed, smiling gently. "Yes, eat while it's hot."
Shinichi picked up his chopsticks, lifted the beef, and placed it in his mouth.
The soft, flavorful meat melted on his tongue, its aroma mingling with the warmth of home.