Natsuki's cooking didn't disappoint anyone.
To him, it was just some simple home-cooked dishes—but in a village like Konoha, where cuisine options were limited, even basic meals tasted amazing.
Especially since the portions were generous, particularly the meat dishes. For someone like Lee, who came from a humble or even poor background, being able to eat so much meat brought tears to his eyes. He almost exaggeratedly declared Natsuki a "God of Cooking."
"Natsuki, your cooking is incredible!" Lee praised between mouthfuls, giving a thumbs-up with a hand that never stopped eating.
"Right? I used this exact culinary skill to completely win over Tenten. Ever since then, she hasn't been able to leave me," Natsuki said shamelessly, eyes wide with a straight face.
"Yes, yes, my boyfriend's cooking is the best. I love it."
Tenten sighed but went along with the nonsense.
Still, seeing Lee like that made Natsuki a little worried.
Lee's poor upbringing meant he had limited access to meat and nutrients—especially critical when doing intense training. His progress would be slower, and the damage to his body would be serious.
Gai probably knew this. He'd gone through it himself. But even as a Jōnin who could take high-level missions to earn money, his own intense training regimen already consumed most of his income for his own nutritional needs. There was little left to support Lee.
That wouldn't do.
Natsuki couldn't hold back anymore.
"Lee, your training intensity is really high. You have to get enough meat and nutrition. I know you're short on money and can't afford good food, but you can't keep going like this. You've got to figure something out."
Tenten and Neji both nodded in agreement.
Training hard without replenishing enough nutrients would lead to bodily damage. That could have serious consequences.
Lee froze, unsure how to respond.
Of course he knew this. He wanted to eat well and keep his body healthy—but he truly didn't have the money.
Gai suddenly burst into tears.
"This is all my fault! I'm the one who pushed Lee to train so hard, yet I can't even help him eat properly… I'm such a failure of a teacher!"
"Not at all!"
Lee panicked and rushed to defend him. "Gai-sensei taught me so much! You're the best teacher! This kind of hardship, I'll definitely overcome it!"
"Lee! Such a youthful and passionate answer!"
"Gai-sensei!!!"
They embraced, tears in their eyes, like a poetic sunset unfolding behind them—a touching, emotional scene.
Tenten's mouth twitched uncontrollably, doing her best not to blurt something out.
Natsuki covered his face and sighed.
"Alright, how about this, Lee? I'll lend you some money. You can pay it back gradually once you start earning. For now, the most important thing is fixing the deficit in your body. If you really can't repay it, you can just come help out at Tenten's ninja tool shop. How's that sound?"
Tenten nodded.
"Exactly. You're at a critical stage in your training. You can't afford to let malnutrition hold you back. Borrow the money now and repay it slowly later."
Neji also added,
"If you need funds, I can lend you some too. No rush to pay it back."
"You guys… you're all so kind!!"
Lee was overwhelmed. "Then… I won't hold back! I, Rock Lee, will never forget your kindness! If you ever need help, just say the word—I'll never hesitate!"
No, no, no—just pay the money back when you can. Everyone faces tough times now and then.
After the meal, Natsuki pulled out a thick stack of cash and handed it to Lee. Having struggled with poverty before, he understood how painful it could be, so he didn't mind helping a friend.
Lee eagerly took it and even wrote a detailed IOU, finally leaving content and grateful.
"Natsuki, Tenten... as a teacher, I really want to thank you both. There are some things I just can't do. I'm grateful you stepped in to help Lee."
Gai, nearly tearing up again, flashed his signature thumbs-up with a big grin.
Natsuki and Tenten quickly waved it off.
"Lee's our friend. Helping him is the right thing to do."
Gai didn't say more. He flipped into a handstand and chased after Lee.
Neji looked at Natsuki seriously.
"Natsuki, thank you for today. I might come to you with lots of problems in the future. Of course, if you ever need help, just ask."
Natsuki grinned.
"Then when Tenten and I get married, your wedding gift better not be cheap."
Tenten pinched his arm and shot him a glare.
He really had no filter.
But Neji nodded sincerely.
"You're right. I better start thinking of the perfect gift. After all, your wedding's probably not far off."
With that, he walked away in deep thought.
Once Neji was out of sight, Tenten whispered,
"Natsuki... does Neji have some kind of story?"
Natsuki quietly shut the door.
"The Hyuga clan's situation is complicated. Not the kind of thing we can discuss in public. That's why I brought him home when he brought it up earlier. If you want to know, I'll tell you tonight—but you've got to keep it secret."
Tenten gave him a look.
"Hmph. Do you not trust me? You do know I've never once spilled your secrets, right?"
Natsuki quickly pulled her into a hug.
"Of course I trust you. But the Hyuga clan's stuff is really sensitive. I just wanted to be extra careful. I'm just worried you might joke about it by accident."
Tenten opened her mouth to argue but didn't. She did have a tendency to tease at times.
Not that she blamed Natsuki. They'd been together for years—maybe not perfectly in sync, but close enough to understand each other's thoughts.
And clearly, the Hyuga clan's problem was serious. Even Neji's personality was shaped by it. Even Gai didn't dare interfere too much, let alone anyone else. The fact that Neji had voluntarily opened up to Natsuki meant it was no small matter. That's why Natsuki had to be cautious.
Still, the more mysterious it was, the more curious Tenten got. She had a teasing personality and a bit of a gossip streak.
Natsuki looked at the sky.
"It's getting late. Should we head back to the ninja tool shop?"
Tenten instinctively tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered,
"Um… before coming here, I sent a message to my dad with a little hawk. Told him I'd be staying over tonight…"
Oh?
So Tenten didn't want to sneak around or whisper after dark. She was being open about staying.
"That's good," Natsuki said without hesitation. "Wouldn't want to worry your dad."
Then, with a mischievous grin:
"So, my lovely future wife, I'll tell you all about the Hyuga clan tonight. Do you want to hear it while you're bathing, or while you're in bed?"
Tenten's face turned crimson.
She definitely caught the implication in that question.
If she chose to listen while bathing… that meant bathing together. That was dangerous—but also kind of thrilling.
After hesitating, she bit her lip and said,
"Then… let's talk while I bathe. But! You have to stay outside the door!"
Natsuki's smile instantly froze.
(End of Chapter)
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