Sakura was able to recognize it because of her medical knowledge and familiarity with biological traits.
As for Shikamaru—
That was purely because he loved food.
He knew the characteristics of good food by heart. He didn't even need to look; just the smell alone was enough.
In a flash, Shikamaru appeared beside Sasuke and began opening the metal lids one after another.
"Sasuke, your right arm's injured. It's inconvenient for you to move—let me help."
As he spoke, his hands moved smoothly, already opening more than a dozen cans with practiced ease.
"Pork stew, rice, beef and potatoes, canned fish…"
Chōji read out the contents one by one, his eyes practically glowing ✨. Still, he restrained himself and asked first,
"Is this… for everyone?"
The eagerness in his expression was completely sincere—pure, honest desire for food.
Sasuke smiled faintly and nodded.
"Of course. My mother always said good things should be shared."
That was only part of the truth.
Orochimaru had once told him that prestige was built from countless small actions, slowly accumulating until people followed you without realizing it.
If he wanted to become Hokage one day, he needed the support of the new generation—especially those of his own age.
Naruto was his strongest rival. As the son of the Fourth Hokage, Naruto naturally held advantages Sasuke did not.
Sasuke had to take the initiative.
He couldn't afford to follow Orochimaru's path—earning countless military achievements, yet never truly being accepted, never gaining the trust of the majority.
Everyone gathered around the campfire, placing the cans directly into the flames to heat. Before long, the tent was filled with rich, mouthwatering aromas.
Sakura glanced at Sasuke's right arm, a thought forming in her mind.
"Sasuke, your right hand needs time to recover before you can use it properly," she said softly.
"Let me feed you."
Sasuke instinctively glanced around.
He wanted to refuse—but no one was paying attention to them.
After a moment's hesitation, he didn't object.
Over the past two years, he had long realized how deeply Sakura cared for him. This time, unlike in that other world, he didn't push her away.
Besides…
With his right arm injured, and Sakura taking the initiative, refusing would only make things awkward.
I'll just go along with it, he thought.
It's… not bad. (￣▽￣)
Sakura scooped up rice mixed with beef and potatoes using a wooden spoon and gently fed it to him.
At that exact moment, Naruto—who had just arrived at the frontline camp—rushed over after asking for the location of Sasuke's tent.
Before he even reached the entrance, the scent in the air hit him. His lips curled upward, his face lighting up.
"Hmph~ Sasuke, you knew I was coming, didn't you? Pretty considerate of you!"
"Making something this good just for me—guess you really are my best friend!"
He lifted the tent flap and called out cheerfully,
"Sasuke! I'm here!"
All eyes instantly turned toward the entrance.
Everyone still had food in their mouths, cheeks puffed out as they chewed, frozen in place—like a group of startled groundhogs watching a drama unfold.
"Tch… what a drag."
Sasuke spoke subconsciously while chewing, his words slightly muffled.
Naruto's gaze immediately locked onto Sakura at Sasuke's side—and his smile widened.
"Sakura! You're here too."
"I thought Nagato-niisan said you were with the logistics unit. Why are you—"
He suddenly stopped.
His eyes landed on the wooden spoon in Sakura's hand as she scooped another bite—rice, potatoes, beef—and fed it into Sasuke's mouth.
Sasuke opened his mouth instinctively.
Crack.
Naruto heard a sound.
Something inside him had just shattered.
Sakura nodded calmly, her eyes still fixed on Sasuke's profile.
"I am in the logistics unit. I'm here to treat the injuries of the frontline shinobi. I'll be heading to other units later."
That was the sound of heartbreak.
Naruto hurried to Sasuke's other side, snatched the spoon from Sakura's hand, and forced a stiff smile.
"Haha… yeah. That makes sense."
"Sasuke's right arm is injured, right?"
"Then let me do it, Sakura. You should focus on healing him—there are lots of other people waiting for you."
Anyone with eyes could see what Naruto was doing.
Unfortunately, Sakura didn't care at all right now. She nodded absentmindedly.
"That's true. I'll leave it to you."
She placed both hands over Sasuke's right arm and activated a Medical Ninjutsu.
Naruto fed Sasuke with a deeply aggrieved expression (ಥ﹏ಥ).
As for everyone else, an unspoken agreement formed—they all looked away.
Even as trained shinobi, they were afraid of laughing at the wrong moment. That kind of embarrassment would be fatal.
Several minutes passed before Sakura finally withdrew her hands.
"I'll go help treat the other units now," she said reluctantly.
"Sasuke… everyone… see you later."
And she left in a hurry.
The moment she was gone, Naruto abruptly shoved the wooden spoon into Sasuke's right hand.
"Your arm's healed now. Eat it yourself!"
Anyone could tell—Naruto was jealous. Intensely so.
Unfortunately, there was still one person present who didn't understand human emotions at all.
Sai—the one who had temporarily replaced Naruto in Team 7.
He wore the friendliest smile he could manage, sat beside Naruto, and handed him a rice ball.
"You must be Uzumaki Naruto from Team 7, right? I'm Sai. I joined the team during your training. Please take care of me."
Naruto knew better than to take his frustration out on others.
Even though he was still upset inside, he smiled back.
"Yeah. I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Nice to meet you."
Sai's friendliness eased his mood a little.
From observing everyone's behavior—and from what he'd learned these past few days—Sai had already formed a rough understanding.
There's some kind of complicated relationship here…
Sakura feeding Sasuke.
Naruto looking upset, yet stepping in to let Sakura heal Sasuke, then taking over feeding him himself.
A bold conclusion formed in Sai's mind.
As Naruto took his first bite of the rice ball, Sai smiled brightly and said something absolutely explosive:
"So… you like Sasuke-kun?"
"It's okay. Love is inclusive. Even if it's between boys, that's fine. I respect your feelings."
Silence.
Everyone stared at Sai in horror.
Sasuke spat out his food.
Naruto froze completely—turned to stone on the spot.
Akamaru tilted his head, eyes full of confusion.
Do humans really have relationships like that…?
"Ouch?" 🐶
...