Konoha Notes.

Chapter 22 Hot Pot and the Sound of the Wind

The streets of Konoha were gently bathed in the soft twilight at dusk.

The air was filled with the aromas of dinners from countless families, mingled with the fresh scent of grass and trees carried on the evening breeze. Xiuji led the two into a quieter alley and stopped in front of a shop with an indigo-blue noren curtain hanging in the air.

The traditional Chinese character for "pot" was embroidered in white silk thread on the curtain, and warm yellow light and faint, sweet-smelling steam wafted from inside the door.

Lifting the noren curtain, a rich aroma of soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and high-quality beef fat wafts towards you like a warm embrace.

The shop is small, with a natural wood color scheme. There are cushions around a few low tables. There aren't many customers, and the conversations are kept low, making it feel particularly warm and quiet.

In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of a barbecue restaurant, this place is filled with a comforting, homely warmth unique to hot pot cuisine.

"Welcome!" The female general, dressed in a plain-colored kimono, smiled gently and led them to sit down at the back. In the center of the low table was a black earthenware pot, with a small gas stove underneath.

"Three people, sukiyaki," Shuji said to the female general, his gaze sweeping over Anko and Itachi across from him. "Is that alright?" He knew these two preferred sweet flavors.

Red Bean nodded vigorously, her eyes glued to the menu: "Yes, yes! Of course!" Itachi also gave a soft "hmm," his eyes revealing a hint of anticipation.

This kind of restaurant with a home-cooked atmosphere gave him a rare sense of relaxation.

"Special selection beef, tofu, konjac noodles, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, chrysanthemum greens, scallions, and udon noodles." Shuuji skillfully ordered the side dishes. "One egg per person, to dip the meat in."

"Okay, please wait a moment." The female general noted it down and smiled as she withdrew to prepare.

Soon, a black casserole was placed on the stove and filled with a dark brown, oily, sweet broth.

The gas stove was lit, and blue flames licked the bottom of the pot. The broth began to bubble and produce tiny bubbles, and the rich, sweet aroma rose with the steam, spreading even more freely and tantalizing the taste buds.

The female server brought over neatly arranged side dishes: thin slices of top-grade Wagyu beef, with its red and white stripes and snow-like marbling; tender tofu cubes; grayish-white konjac noodles; plump shiitake mushrooms and delicate enoki mushrooms; vibrant green chrysanthemum greens; and tender white scallions cut diagonally. There were also three bowls of clear raw egg liquid.

The broth in the pot began to boil, steam rising from it. Shuji used long chopsticks to pick up a few slices of Wagyu beef and placed them in the boiling broth in the center of the pot.

The pink slices of meat quickly curled up and changed color in the dark brown broth, the fat melted, and they released an even more enticing aroma, perfectly blending into the sweet and savory base of the broth.

"Eat the meat first," Xiu Si gestured.

Red Bean couldn't wait any longer. She picked up a perfectly cooked slice of beef with slightly curled edges and quickly rolled it in the raw egg mixture.

The warm beef, coated in cool, smooth egg yolk, was placed in her mouth. Instantly, its exquisite tenderness melted on her tongue, the rich meat flavor enveloped by the creamy egg yolk, while the unique sweet and salty flavor of sukiyaki sauce layered and assaulted her taste buds. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, letting out a muffled sigh: "Mmm... the sweetness is amazing! And the beef is unbelievably tender!"

Following Anko's example, Itachi carefully picked up a slice of beef and dipped it in the egg yolk. The rich, savory beef, the silky smooth egg yolk, and the sweet, fresh broth blended perfectly in his mouth, creating a warm and satisfying feeling. He chewed quietly, but noticeably faster than usual, his dark eyes appearing especially gentle behind the rising steam.

Seeing the two looking satisfied, Shuji also picked up a slice of beef. As the egg-coated meat entered his mouth, the distinct sweetness of the mirin melted on his tongue, and he subtly furrowed his brow. He took a sip of tea to wash away the sweetness in his mouth.

When it comes to hot pot, he prefers either clear broth or a slightly spicy flavor; he's not really used to sweet hot pot.

"Three guests, the dishes are ready, please enjoy." The female server brought out the last udon noodles and vegetables, and her smile deepened as she saw the steaming pot and the three people's focused expressions.

"Thank you." Shuji nodded. Just as the woman was about to leave, Shuji casually asked, "The shop's quite busy today, is something good happening?"

The woman stopped, a warm smile spreading across her face: "Thanks to you, business has been going well. But these past few days, everyone seems to be in a better mood."

She lowered her voice, her tone filled with shared joy, "Everyone's saying that the Hidden Cloud Village is finally sending a formal delegation to negotiate peace!"

"After fighting for so long, we've finally seen a glimmer of peace. Everyone feels much more relaxed and is more willing to go out and eat something good."

She pointed to several tables in the restaurant where customers were clearly having family gatherings.

"Look, there are more and more people bringing their children out now."

The Cloud Hidden Envoy? Has the news already reached the ears of ordinary shopkeepers? Shuuji paused slightly as he picked up some food with his chopsticks.

"An envoy?" Red Bean asked vaguely, her mouth stuffed with a shiitake mushroom soaked in soup. "Is the information accurate? Those Cloud Ninja were quite fierce before."

"It's accurate, it's accurate!" A woman with a child at the next table couldn't help but chime in when she heard the conversation, her face filled with simple anticipation.

"My husband works odd jobs in the administration department, I've heard about it!"

"They say the delegation is of very high rank, led by a close confidant of the Raikage! They can't be here to fight, can they? They must genuinely want peace talks!"

She gently patted the child's head beside her, "If only the war could end, the children could grow up in peace."

"Yes, it's always good that it's over," an elderly man at another table remarked. "Too much blood has been shed on the border. Peace is more precious than anything else."

The shop was filled with anticipation of the arrival of peace and relaxed whispers.

The conversation was quickly diverted by the aroma of food bubbling in the pot and the rising steam. The woman and the other guests returned to their respective tables.

"Kumakuha..." Anko swallowed her food, licked the corners of her mouth that were still wet with sweet sauce, and the satisfaction in her eyes faded a little, replaced by the scrutiny of a ninja. "The Raikage's confidant is leading the team? Quite a large force. I wonder what they're up to."

"It's an inevitable trend."

Shuji placed the perfectly cooked tofu cubes, soaked in the sweet and savory broth, onto Itachi's plate in a calm voice.

"Kumakure cannot win. Negotiation is the only option. As for sincerity..."

He paused, looking at the bubbling broth in the pot: "It's not about what you say, but about what you do next and what price you're willing to pay for it."

Itachi quietly ate the tofu that Shuuji had picked up; it was tender and smooth, and the sweet and savory broth had completely permeated it.

His gaze fell on Shuji's calm profile. Although he had lost his teammates during the mission at the border, the senior did not seem to have any particular feelings towards Kumogakure.

Hongdou pursed her lips, clearly uninterested in this pragmatic argument, but didn't say anything more. Her attention was quickly drawn back to the konjac noodles bubbling in the pot, coated in a sweet and salty sauce.

"Forget it, why think so much! These konjac noodles are absolutely amazing after absorbing the broth! Boss, another serving of konjac noodles, please!" She waved her hand to call out.

"Four more servings of meat, please," Shuji added. Ninjas have big appetites and can always finish their food.

Outside the window, the lights of Konoha gently illuminated the deep blue twilight. Inside the sukiyaki restaurant, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevailed, with the clay pot bubbling and releasing a sweet aroma.

The three sat around the hot pot, focused on the food in front of them. The warm broth, tender beef, and vegetables soaked in flavor brought a comforting satisfaction that went from their stomachs to their hearts.

The fatigue and tension after training seemed to be dissolved by the rising heat and rich, sweet aroma.

The last bit of udon noodles slid into her stomach, and Anko let out a satisfied sigh, leaning back on the cushion. Itachi also put down his chopsticks and quietly sipped his tea.

Shuji picked up his teacup, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Anko's faded black mesh short-sleeved shirt with slightly worn cuffs, and then over Itachi's neat but clearly everyday clan attire.

"Are you full?" Shuuji put down his teacup, his voice breaking the post-meal tranquility. "Perfect timing, we still have some time." He stood up. "The team has just been formed, and as the captain, I should do something to show my support."

Both Anko and Itachi looked at him with slight confusion.

"Go buy something." Shuuji's tone was casual, as natural as arranging the next training session. "It's a gift from the captain, you can't refuse."