Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 41: Unprecedented Shamelessness

"Mmm, it smells so good! I didn't know you were such a good cook, Katsuragi!" Choji drooled as he admired the grilled fish in front of him. "Always topping the exams, popular with the girls, and even great at cooking, Katsuragi, you're just perfect!"

"Not at all!" While Katsuragi internally agreed, he modestly replied, "There's still a lot I can't do."

"Katsuragi, Katsuragi, can you teach me how to grill fish? I tried it myself before, but it never turns out as good as yours," Naruto chimed in eagerly.

"Go away!" Katsuragi waved him off. He didn't have the time to teach him; he'd rather figure out how to use Yuki-onna's powers more effectively in Konoha, as always hiding them wasn't a solution.

"Eh!" Seeing Katsuragi's blunt refusal, Naruto didn't take it to heart and just scratched his head, continuing to watch Katsuragi grill the fish, seemingly trying to memorize the technique for future practice.

"All done!" After grilling five fish, Katsuragi set aside the remaining three, handed one to each of his companions, and then called out in a specific direction, "It's noon, aren't you going to eat, or are you planning to join us?"

"Eh!?" His words caught everyone off guard, and Naruto couldn't help but ask, "Katsuragi, who are you talking to?"

"Your wife!" Katsuragi shot a glance at Naruto and continued, "Hurry up, come out now, or there won't be any left for you. I never invite people a third time!"

"My wife!?" As the group was still puzzled, a sulking Sasuke emerged from behind a tree, his face slightly red but still trying to maintain his cool demeanor, "Hmph! I didn't expect to be discovered by you!"

"Obviously!" Katsuragi thought internally: Even these little kids could tell, let alone someone like you.

"Here!" Katsuragi handed over a grilled fish, but before Sasuke could take it, Naruto jumped in front, protesting, "Katsuragi, why are you giving the grilled fish to this arrogant guy!"

Sasuke paused as he reached for the fish, his gaze turning icy as he stared at Naruto, "I never planned to eat anything made by a dead last like you!"

Unfortunately for him, just as he finished speaking, his stomach growled loudly, betraying his earlier statement and leaving the moment awkwardly silent.

"Ha...uh, Katsuragi, why did you hit me!?" Just as Naruto was about to burst out laughing at Sasuke, Katsuragi smacked him on the head, cutting off his laughter abruptly, leaving him puzzled.

"Go eat your fish and check if the soup is ready!" Katsuragi glared at Naruto, thinking about the future Naruto would chase after this man, it would be regrettable if his laughter caused him to turn away now.

Of course, Katsuragi wouldn't admit that he was trying to foster a good relationship with Sasuke to ensure Naruto followed the original storyline by persistently pursuing him.

"Ignore that idiot, come eat with us!" Katsuragi said to Sasuke, who was still standing awkwardly aside. His gentle invitation seemed to ignore everything that had just happened, evidently trying to distance Naruto from the conversation.

Whether it was Katsuragi's gentle smile or the thought of discovering how Katsuragi had become so strong, Sasuke hesitated for a moment before accepting the fish, muttering a quiet "Thanks."

Shikamaru and Choji exchanged glances. While they weren't particularly fond of Sasuke, who was second in their class, they didn't dislike him as much as Naruto did. Since Katsuragi had invited him, they didn't make any comments and continued eating their own fish.

"Hmph!" Naruto, who was busy eating his fish and tending to the mushroom soup, snorted when he saw Sasuke sitting next to Katsuragi. For some reason, he just didn't like Sasuke.

Sasuke accepting the fish and sitting down took Katsuragi by surprise; perhaps because Sasuke hadn't yet experienced the traumatic events that would harden him, he was willing to accept the invitation.

But thinking about the upcoming massacre, Katsuragi inwardly sighed. It was a complicated issue—both the Uchiha and Konoha had their faults, and he wasn't in a position to judge which was worse.

Regardless of who was more at fault, Katsuragi currently couldn't change what was to come. He could only wait for the day when his own power was sufficient to alter the events he wished to change.

"Speaking of which, you've been following us since this morning, haven't you? What's up?" Katsuragi asked Sasuke, who was quietly eating his fish. He didn't particularly dislike the Sasuke before the Uchiha Massacre, but he was curious about his actions.

Sasuke paused, surprised that Katsuragi had noticed him from the beginning. After a moment of silence, he asked, "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" Katsuragi looked puzzled.

"Your strength... despite never seeming to try hard or study intensely, how are you this powerful?"

Katsuragi was speechless: Who said I don't try? It's just that you haven't seen me at it.

Facing Sasuke's expectant gaze, Katsuragi thought for a moment and replied, "You know, Sasuke, people are born differently. Some are born handsome, some are not. Some need to work hard to gain strength, and others don't."

Sasuke looked confused, not understanding what Katsuragi was getting at.

"And me," Katsuragi continued, pointing at himself with a serious but clearly fabricated gravitas, "I belong to those who were born good-looking and naturally gain strength without much effort."

Not only was Sasuke dumbfounded, but so were Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji, who had been eavesdropping. If they knew a certain phrase, it would perfectly describe their thoughts at that moment.

"Unbelievable cheek!"

Of course, if they had to use a phrase to describe it, it would be "Never before have I seen such shamelessness!"

Fortunately, Sasuke's intelligence wasn't as low as Naruto's, and he didn't believe Katsuragi's nonsense. But even if it were, it's doubtful he would have believed it, seeing even Naruto was at a loss for words.

"Hmph!" Sasuke scoffed, continuing to eat his fish. He understood that Katsuragi didn't want to answer his question and so didn't pursue it further. If it had been Naruto, who knows how long the pestering might have continued.

End of Chapter 41