Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

The boss couldn't help but wonder, "Is this child's cooking skill really that good?"

However, being so highly praised by his nephew was no small thing. Even if it wasn't as exaggerated as Choza claimed, it surely couldn't be far off.

As a member of the Akamichi clan, the boss considered himself a qualified gourmet. If someone like Dingza admired this boy's cooking so much, it had to be worth seeing for himself.

With a wave of his hand, the boss said, "You can use the kitchen as you like, and you don't need to pay anything. It's all on me."

Then, with a slight smile, he added, "But on one condition—how about letting me taste the food you cook, young man?" The boss's eyes gleamed as they settled on Chiba.

Hearing this, the group turned their expectant gazes toward Chiba, awaiting his reply.

After a moment of thought, Chiba nodded and responded softly, "Alright."

The boss beamed with satisfaction. "Good! Then I won't disturb you. If you need anything, let me know, and I'll help out."

With that, the boss left the kitchen.

After the boss's departure, Chiba turned to his friends and said, "Alright, let's get to work. I'll assign tasks now."

Everyone nodded in agreement and got busy.

Time flew by, and soon it was noon—mealtime.

Customers began filling the barbecue restaurant, and the atmosphere grew lively.

At the same time, the future Sannin—Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—stepped into the restaurant.

Orochimaru scanned the bustling room and pointed to an empty table near the wall. "Jiraiya, Tsunade, let's sit there."

Tsunade and Jiraiya followed his gaze and nodded in agreement.

After they had settled at the table and called the waiter to place their order, Tsunade turned to Jiraiya and asked, "Jiraiya, what have you been up to lately?"

Jiraiya, wearing a smug smile, replied, "Oh, Tsunade, take a guess."

Tsunade raised her fist and shook it menacingly. "Either you tell me now, or I'll let you feel my fist."

Jiraiya's confident grin froze in an instant.

Orochimaru, observing their familiar antics, smirked slightly. "Jiraiya, unless you want to be punched in public, you should stop showing off. Besides, it would be quite embarrassing for you."

Reluctantly, Jiraiya slumped his shoulders and admitted weakly, "I've been working on my novel lately."

Tsunade's eyes lit up in understanding. "Ah, so that's why I haven't heard about you peeping at the women's bathhouses recently. That makes sense."

Flustered, Jiraiya leaned forward and whispered, "Tsunade, keep your voice down! There are so many people here!"

Tsunade smirked but decided to let it slide. After all, drawing more attention wouldn't be good for the Senju clan's reputation.

Orochimaru, genuinely curious, asked, "How's the novel coming along?"

Jiraiya's defeated expression shifted back to confidence. "It's nearly finished! Let me tell you, Orochimaru, this book is going to be a bestseller in the ninja world."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That confident, are you?"

Jiraiya nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. I even got advice from someone recently. Thanks to them, I've made major improvements to the story. When it's published, it'll be a hit—I guarantee it!"

Recalling the publisher's ecstatic reaction to his manuscript, Jiraiya couldn't help but let his mind wander, a sly smile creeping onto his face.

TWHACK!

Tsunade slapped Jiraiya on the back of his head.

Startled, Jiraiya turned and glared at her. "What was that for?"

Tsunade calmly inspected her nails before replying sharply, "You were grinning like an idiot again. Do you have any objections to me hitting you?"

Jiraiya sighed and quickly gave in. "No objections... none at all."

Tsunade crossed her arms and huffed. Just as she was about to say something else, the aroma of food wafted through the air, capturing everyone's attention.

"What's that smell? It's amazing!" one diner exclaimed.

"I smelled it too. It's coming from the kitchen," another added.

The entire barbecue restaurant buzzed with excitement as the enticing fragrance spread.

Tsunade froze for a moment as a certain young face popped into her mind—a face that was both immature yet undeniably handsome.

Without a word, she stood up abruptly.

Jiraiya frowned. "Tsunade, where are you going? The food will be here soon."

"Don't worry about it," Tsunade replied dismissively, heading toward the kitchen.

Seeing her determination, the waitress hesitated to intervene and instead hurried upstairs to inform the boss.

In the kitchen, Chiba was busy cooking, completely focused on his work.

Hearing a familiar voice, he paused and turned toward the entrance. When he saw Tsunade standing there, he smiled.

"What a coincidence, Sister Tsunade. I didn't expect to see you here."

Tsunade smirked. "I should've known. Only you could make a dish that smells this good in all of Konoha."

Nawaki, who was preparing dishes nearby, perked up and asked, "Huh? Sister, didn't you say you weren't going out today? What are you doing here?"

Tsunade ignored Nawaki completely and walked straight over to Chiba. "Well, I guess I was wrong. Today turned out to be more interesting than I expected."