289.The Culinary Master

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After listening to Kaito's words, Jiraiya averted his gaze. 

"No, I can't accept your proposal. It's practically suicide." 

"In my opinion, it's no different from what Lady Tsunade wants to do herself," Kaito turned and walked toward the hospital room. "It's just a matter of changing bodies. I'll propose it to Lady Tsunade myself." 

"Wait." Jiraiya's hand landed on Kaito's shoulder. "Let me think about it some more." 

"Fine," Kaito agreed readily. "I'll be staying at Minato's place for the next few days." 

With that, he strode off toward the staircase. 

Jiraiya watched Kaito's figure disappear from his sight, then turned back to the window and let the cold wind blow on his face for a long time. 

When Kaito returned to the Namikaze household, he found the trio still making a ruckus. 

Kushina, in high spirits late at night, had started cooking enthusiastically. 

Kaito glanced at Kushina, who was bustling around the kitchen, and Naruto, who was waiting eagerly at the doorway, then turned to Minato with a questioning look. 

"Kushina said she wants Naruto to taste his mother's cooking," Minato said, gazing tenderly at his wife and son with a blissful smile. 

Kaito looked at him with a complicated expression and said softly, "If I recall correctly, your wife Kushina once asked my sister for cooking lessons. But after teaching her for a while, Mikoto gave up." 

"Don't say that," Minato still wore a dreamy expression. "Kushina's cooking has improved a lot since then." 

"Really?" Kaito didn't believe it at all. 

Minato nodded firmly. 

"Yeah, before, her cooking would give me a stomachache, but now it doesn't at all." 

"You..." Kaito's gaze turned into one of blatant disdain. "Your standards are way too low." 

"Hahaha... It's fine, I'm here anyway," Minato said nonchalantly. "Now that I'm no longer Hokage, I can spend more time with Kushina and Naruto. Cooking for my family every day is a kind of happiness." 

"That might not last," Kaito poured cold water on his optimism. "Now that Lady Tsunade has lost her combat ability, Konoha might ask you, the Fourth Hokage, to come out of retirement." 

"No way, I won't agree to that," Minato shook his head. 

Kaito raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further. 

"I'm done!!" 

Kushina walked out of the kitchen, holding plates in both hands. 

"Wow! It smells amazing! You're amazing, dattebayo!" 

Naruto cheered enthusiastically. 

Kushina smiled proudly and, noticing Kaito sitting on the couch, quickly invited him, "Kaito-kun, you're back! Join us for some food!" 

"I'm really sorry, Kushina-nee, but I just ate something outside. I'm full, so I'll have to pass on your kind offer," Kaito apologized with a smile. 

"What a shame," Minato stood up and patted Kaito's shoulder. "You missed out on Kushina's specialty dish. You really have no luck when it comes to food!" 

"Really, Minato, it's not that good, dattebane!" Kushina pretended to be modest. 

"Yes, I have no luck when it comes to food," Kaito nodded seriously, then gave Minato a push. "Go on, don't mind me." 

Naruto, full of energy, busied himself setting the table, and the family of three sat down to eat. 

"Let's eat!" 

Naruto eagerly picked up his chopsticks and put some food into his mouth. 

"Huh?" 

His expression froze instantly. 

"How is it? Your dad has always praised this dish," Kushina looked at him expectantly, waiting for compliments. 

"This..." Naruto was about to speak... 

"This dish is as delicious as ever!" Minato immediately cut him off. 

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto blinked and nodded in agreement. 

"I'm glad you like it!" Kushina kept serving food to Minato and Naruto. "If you like it, eat more, Naruto, Minato." 

Kaito, sitting far away on the couch, watched as the father and son kept putting Kushina's lovingly prepared food into their mouths. He couldn't help but shiver. 

This must be love! Look at Naruto, practically rolling his eyes with every swallow, yet still managing to give a thumbs-up with great difficulty. 

In the end, all the food ended up in the stomachs of the father and son, while Kushina didn't eat a bite. 

Minato even put on an act of apology: "It was so delicious, I'm sorry you worked so hard to make it but didn't get to eat any yourself." 

"It's fine. As long as you two enjoyed it, I feel happy," Kushina beamed even more. 

The moment she turned to the kitchen to clean up, Minato and Naruto immediately covered their mouths and rushed to the bathroom. 

After a long while, the two collapsed on the couch, utterly drained, yet still forcing smiles and claiming they were just too full. 

Kaito sat across from them, propping his head up with his hand, watching them with an amused smile. 

"Dad, starting tomorrow, you should handle the cooking!" Naruto groaned, rubbing his stomach. 

"Alright, we can't let Kushina overwork herself," Minato nodded in agreement. 

"I don't mind working hard, dattebane!" Kushina walked over. "I love cooking for you two!" 

"No, no, no, no..." Naruto shook his head vigorously. 

"We can't let you overwork yourself." 

Minato stood up, took Kushina's hand, and sat her down beside him. Looking into her eyes, he asked, "Do you not like my cooking, Kushina?" 

"Of course not!" Kushina gripped his hand tightly. "Then I'll leave it to you, Minato." 

The two held hands, gazing at each other and smiling, surrounded by a sweet atmosphere. 

Why do I feel like I'm really too full? 

Naruto rubbed his stomach in confusion. 

"It's late, so I won't disturb you any longer," Kaito stood up. "Goodnight, Minato, Kushina-nee, Naruto." 

With that, he headed upstairs to the guest room. 

"Wait for me!" 

Naruto, following his instincts, quickly followed. 

Instinctive people are really sharp like that. 

After exchanging goodnights, Kaito and Naruto returned to their respective rooms. 

The night passed without incident. 

The next morning, when Kaito came downstairs, he saw Minato busy in the kitchen alone. 

"You're really going all out," he said, walking to the kitchen door. "You woke up early, didn't you?" 

Minato turned around, giving him a look that said, "I don't know what you're talking about." 

"As long as you're happy..." Kaito's words were cut off by the sudden ringing of the doorbell. 

Kaito walked to the door and opened it to find Jiraiya standing outside. 

"Good morning, Senior Jiraiya." 

"Jiraiya-sensei! Come try my cooking," Minato immediately greeted him warmly. 

"Kaito," Jiraiya looked at the young man with a somewhat dejected expression. "I don't know if everything I've done is right, but in any case, Tsunade wants to see you."