Natsuki's cooking skills did not disappoint everyone.
Although in Natsuki's opinion it was just some home cooking, because there wasn't much good food in Konoha, even home cooking was delicious in everyone's eyes.
Moreover, Natsuki cooked a large amount of meat dishes, making Xiao Li, who came from a poor or even impoverished family, eat with tears in his eyes, almost exaggeratedly declaring Natsuki the God of Cookery.
"Natsuki, your cooking is too delicious!" Xiao Li said while eating and giving a thumbs-up with his free hand.
"Right? It's with this skill that I completely captivated Tenten, and she can never leave me," Natsuki said with his eyes wide open, telling a lie.
"Yes, yes, my boyfriend's cooking skills are the best, I really like it," Tenten reluctantly agreed.
However, seeing Xiao Li like this, Natsuki couldn't help but worry.
Xiao Li's poor family background meant insufficient meat intake, not to mention a balanced diet, but Xiao Li trained intensely under these conditions. Not only was his progress slow, but it was also bad for his body.
Kai probably also knew, as he had gone through the same thing himself, but he could provide very little support to Xiao Li. Even though he was already a Jonin and could take on high-level missions to earn money, under his own even more intense training conditions, he needed more nutrition and naturally spent more money, completely unable to take care of Xiao Li.
This won't do!
Natsuki couldn't help but interject: "Xiao Li, your training intensity is very high, so you must consume enough meat and nutrients. I also know your family is not well off and you don't have money to eat well, but you can't go on like this. You have to find a way!"
Hearing this, Tenten and Neji also nodded in agreement.
If you don't consume enough energy after high-intensity training, it can lead to physical depletion, which has serious consequences and cannot be ignored.
Xiao Li paused, unsure how to respond.
He naturally understood this principle. He also wanted to eat well to supplement himself, but he truly had no money.
Kai shed tears of self-reproach: "This is all my responsibility. It was I who made Xiao Li train at such high intensity, but I cannot help Xiao Li with food. I am truly an unqualified teacher... !"
Xiao Li became anxious and quickly said, "That's not true! Teacher Kai has taught me a lot and is the best teacher! It's just this little difficulty, I will definitely overcome it!"
"Xiao Li! What a youthful and passionate answer!"
"Oh!!! Teacher Kai!"
The two embraced with tears in their eyes, the background like a setting sun, so beautiful and romantic.
Tenten, however, kept twitching her mouth, trying hard to resist complaining.
Natsuki also rubbed his forehead and could only suggest, "Xiao Li, how about this? I'll lend you money, and later when you earn money, you can pay back a part each month to first solve the problem of your physical deficiency. If you can't pay it back later, just come and help out more at Tenten's family's Ninja Tools shop. How does that sound?"
Tenten also agreed, "Exactly, Xiao Li. You're at a critical period for training right now. You can't let a lack of nutritional intake cause physical deficiency. Just borrow money to get through this period, and you can pay it back slowly later."
Neji also said, "If you need money, I can lend it to you too. There's no rush to pay it back."
"You guys, boohoohoo, are really too good!"
Xiao Li was deeply moved, "Then I won't be polite! I, Rock Lee, will never forget your kindness. If you need help in the future, just come find me; I will not shirk my duty!"
No, no, no, you don't need to do that. Just work hard to pay back the money later. Who doesn't have a difficult time?
After the meal, Natsuki gave Xiao Li a thick wad of money. He had been poor before and knew best how awful it was to lack money, so he didn't mind helping his friends.
Xiao Li quickly took it and even wrote an IOU seriously before leaving contentedly.
"Natsuki, Tenten, as a teacher, I really thank you. There are some things I can't do, and it's really great that you can help Xiao Li." Kai couldn't help but want to cry again, but he still gave a thumbs-up and showed his big white teeth.
Natsuki and Tenten quickly waved their hands, "Xiao Li is our friend too, helping him is what we should do."
Kai didn't say anything more. As soon as he left the door, he did a handstand and chased after Xiao Li.
Neji looked at Natsuki, "Natsuki, thank you so much today. In the future, I might have quite a few difficult problems to ask you about. Of course, if you need any help, just say the word."
Natsuki, however, laughed and said, "Then when Tenten and I get married, your wedding gift can't be cheap."
Tenten pinched someone's arm and glared at him.
He really dares to say anything.
Neji, however, nodded very seriously, "That's right. It seems I need to think carefully about what gift to give. After all, you'll be getting married in a few years."
With that, he left with a thoughtful expression.
It wasn't until Neji was out of sight that Tenten asked in a low voice, "Natsuki, does Neji have some kind of story?"
Natsuki silently closed the door, "The Hyuga Clan's situation is complicated, and it's generally not something you can talk about outside. When Neji came to talk to me about this topic before, I quickly brought him home. If you want to know, I'll tell you slowly tonight, but you must keep it a secret when you're outside."
"What kind of person do you think I am? Don't you know? I've never talked carelessly about the things you've told me outside."
Tenten was a little unhappy because Natsuki seemed to not trust her ability to keep secrets.
Natsuki quickly pulled her into his arms, "Of course I trust you, it's just that the Hyuga Clan's affairs are indeed very troublesome, so I need to give you a special reminder. I'm afraid you might accidentally complain."
Tenten opened her mouth, but didn't refute. She sometimes really couldn't help but complain.
Moreover, she didn't mean to blame Natsuki. The two had been together since they were young. While not exactly having telepathic understanding, they could at least understand many of each other's inner thoughts.
It was clear that the Hyuga Clan's problems were very serious, and even Neji's personality was due to this. Even Teacher Kai had his reservations, and others wouldn't dare to easily interfere. Neji actively sought out Natsuki this time to discuss the Hyuga Clan's problems, and Natsuki couldn't help but be cautious, which was why he gave the extra reminder.
But the more this was the case, the more curious Tenten became. Her complaining nature actually made her quite gossipy.
Natsuki looked at the sky, "It's getting dark. Are we still going back to the Ninja Tools shop?"
Tenten subconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "I... I sent a small hawk to deliver a message to my dad before I came back, saying I'd be eating here tonight and wouldn't be going back."
Oh, it seems Tenten also doesn't want to sneak around at night and doesn't want to even have to speak softly.
"That's good too, save our dad from worrying."
Natsuki agreed decisively, then his smile became a little meaningful, "Well then, my dear future wife, I'll tell you about the Hyuga Clan tonight. Do you want to listen while bathing, or while sleeping?"
Tenten's face turned red, naturally understanding the implication in Natsuki's words.
If she wanted to listen while bathing, then they would have to bathe together. It felt a little dangerous, but it also seemed quite exciting, just afraid of not being able to resist.
Finally, she gritted her teeth, "Then, then, listen while bathing, but you have to be outside the door!"
Natsuki's smile froze instantly, sweating.