"Chicken, You Are So Beautiful… Baby!"
"Alright! Let's all eat together!"
Ito Hirofumi was never stingy. With an easy smile, he placed his oversized bento box directly in the center of the table, where everyone could reach it.
The aroma alone was enough to make even the laziest shinobi straighten up.
Immediately after, Hirofumi turned toward Yamanaka Ino, who was seated beside him.
"Arigatō, Ino. This bento you prepared looks as exquisite as you do. I'm sure it tastes just as good."
Ino froze.
Her mind blanked for a split second before erupting into a whirlwind of thoughts.
As exquisite as I am?
Was that… a compliment?
Did Hirofumi just praise my appearance?!
Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she quickly lowered her gaze, pretending to adjust her chopsticks while her heart pounded louder than a taiko drum at a festival.
Shikamaru sighed lazily, Choji's eyes gleamed with anticipation, and Kiba leaned forward with open curiosity. Even Aburame Shino appeared slightly more attentive than usual.
Just as everyone prepared to begin, Hirofumi suddenly stood up.
The movement drew confused glances from the group.
Across the room, by the window, Uchiha Sasuke looked up.
Hirofumi walked straight toward him.
"Yo, Sasuke. Want to join us? Everyone brought a lot of food. Eating alone is pretty dull."
Sasuke's dark eyes flickered.
Inside, something stirred an unfamiliar warmth.
Outwardly, however, he remained composed.
"Hmph. I"
"Oh, come on."
Before Sasuke could complete his carefully rehearsed aloof response, Hirofumi grabbed his sleeve and gently but firmly pulled him up, steering him toward the group.
There was no hostility in the gesture only sincerity.
Sasuke felt heat creep up the back of his neck. Being the center of attention like this felt… strange.
"I… I…"
"Oh, what 'I'?" a voice interrupted loudly.
"Looks like Chō-Pi Sasuke's going to act cool again! Hurry up and eat!"
Uzumaki Naruto shoved one of his misshapen creations forward with dramatic flair.
"Here! This is Uzumaki Naruto-sama's Secret Mini Hamburger! You should feel honored!"
Naruto's grin was wide and genuine.
Truthfully, he was happy Sasuke had joined them.
Even though Sasuke always competed with him especially over Sakura Naruto knew something important in his heart.
Most of the class still looked at him as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. A vessel. A demon fox.
But Sasuke despite calling him "idiot" daily had never once looked at him that way.
"Hmph. Idiot."
Sasuke said it automatically.
But he still took the mini hamburger.
"Hey! Chō-Pi Sasuke! How dare you call the great me an idiot?!"
"You are an idiot. Baka Naruto."
"Chō-Pi Sasuke!"
"Baka Naruto."
"Chō-Pi Sasuke!"
"Baka Naruto."
Back and forth they went, voices rising, the exchange escalating into a rapid-fire verbal duel.
Sasuke, surprisingly, seemed energized almost enjoying himself. Naruto, meanwhile, was getting increasingly flustered.
"Damn you, Sasuke! Traitor! Villain! Do you dare fight me?!"
"Heh. Idiot Naruto."
"AHHH! SASUKE!"
Naruto suddenly jumped onto his stool, pointing dramatically.
For reasons even he didn't understand, Sasuke felt something snap like a switch flipping deep inside.
He leapt onto his own chair.
"NARUTO!"
"SASUKE!"
"NARUTO!"
"SASUKE!"
The entire classroom fell silent.
Even Haruno Sakura stared, stunned.
In all their years at the Academy, no one had ever seen Sasuke shout in class let alone engage in such chaotic theatrics.
Kiba blinked.
"Is this… a genjutsu?"
Shino adjusted his glasses thoughtfully.
"No chakra fluctuation indicative of illusion techniques."
Hirofumi rubbed his forehead.
As expected.
Whenever Naruto and Sasuke collided, sparks were inevitable.
"Alright, everyone, ignore those two. They've both lost it. Let's eat."
He paused for effect.
"Oh, and my mother packed fried chicken today."
Naruto instantly froze mid-shout.
"…Fried chicken?"
In less than a heartbeat, he dropped back onto his stool with lightning speed.
"Fried chicken! Fried chicken! That's what I'm talking about!"
Sasuke, seeing Naruto suddenly abandon their duel, calmly sat down as well though his dignity had clearly taken minor damage.
Without hesitation, he stuffed Naruto's secret mini hamburger into his mouth.
"…Ugh!"
His expression twisted.
"What is this?!"
Naruto gasped dramatically.
"What do you mean what is this?! This is Uzumaki Naruto's secret sauce, combined with over a dozen carefully selected ingredients to create the ultimate Secret Mini Hamburger!"
"Are you trying to poison someone?!"
"Tch! You're not poisoned, are you?!"
"Sasuke!" Naruto barked.
"Sasuke!" Sasuke reflexively shouted back
but Naruto wasn't looking at him anymore.
Naruto's full attention had shifted to the open bento in the center of the table.
Golden-brown pieces of perfectly fried chicken glistened under the sunlight. The crisp batter shimmered lightly, and the savory aroma drifted upward like a summoning technique for gluttony.
So this is fried chicken… Sasuke thought.
Isn't it just… frying chicken?
Meanwhile, Naruto had crouched on his stool in an absurd pose.
One hand rested on the table, two fingers extended and "walking" slowly toward the chicken like tiny legs.
In a dramatic, overly emotional tone, he began to sing:
"You're so beautiful, chicken… baby…
The way you walk toward me makes my heart restless…
One more glance, one more glance, and I'll explode…"
As he sang, his hips wiggled enthusiastically.
He had learned the ridiculous song from Hirofumi years ago and had since made it his sacred ritual whenever fried chicken appeared.
To Naruto, fried chicken was nothing short of legendary.
Choji wasted no time grabbing a piece. His eyes widened.
"This is amazing!"
Kiba immediately followed.
"Whoa! The seasoning is incredible!"
Even Sasuke, after a moment of hesitation, picked up a piece with measured calm.
He took a bite.
The crunch was crisp yet light. The meat inside was tender and juicy, infused with layered flavor not overly salted, not greasy, but perfectly balanced.
His eyes widened ever so slightly.
"…Hn."
It was the highest compliment Sasuke could give.
Hirofumi watched them all with quiet satisfaction.
In this small classroom of the Ninja Academy far from the looming shadows of war, clan politics, and destiny the future pillars of Konohagakure shared food, laughter, and ridiculous songs.
Power would come later.
Rivalry would intensify.
The weight of the shinobi world would one day press down upon their shoulders.
But for now
They were simply children.
And the fried chicken truly was delicious.