Chapter 114: On the Value of Skewered Barbecue

“Listen to me, this is a misunderstanding, really just a misunderstanding…” Yun Xuan forced a smile that was more painful than tears.

He never expected that the Demon Wolf Erha would run straight into the temporary camp of the Leaf Village ninja and get involved with the Inuzuka clan’s ninja dog in such a way.

Erha, oh Erha, you’re a wolf after all—why would you mess with someone else’s ninja dog? Even if you had to, couldn’t you at least be a little more discreet?

Yun Xuan had been jolted awake by Erha’s urgent voice. If it weren’t for Yun Xuan’s command, Erha could have easily shaken off the chasing Chunin within minutes.

The Inuzuka clan’s young woman clenched her silver teeth in anger, wishing she could kill both Yun Xuan and Erha on the spot. She was accompanied by four Leaf Village ninja.

Her clan’s ninja dog was barely clinging to life, but upon seeing Erha, it gave a faint whimper.

Erha rubbed his head against Yun Xuan’s leg, looking innocently oblivious. Yun Xuan desperately wished he could unleash his wolf-form beast to teach Erha a proper lesson.

The speed and strength of the Demon Wolf Erha made the four Leaf Village ninja wary, and Yun Xuan, as Erha’s master, made them feel even more threatened.

“A misunderstanding? Your summoned beast has already bullied my Shikamaru to this state, and you still say it’s a misunderstanding?” The Inuzuka young woman’s eyes were filled with tears as she glanced at her ninja dog, her heart aching.

“Fine, since we can’t talk this out calmly, then… goodbye.” Yun Xuan turned and ran, with Erha carrying him away.

“…” The Leaf Village ninja were left speechless.

…

Yun Xuan and Erha avoided the Leaf Village ninja’s temporary camp and entered the main road of the Land of Fire.

“Erha, if you cause me trouble again, don’t blame me for cutting off your tools of ‘crime,’” Yun Xuan threatened fiercely.

Erha was terrified and promptly howled twice in obedience.

As a Demon Wolf with ambitions, what good would he be without his “tools”?

They traveled along the road for four hours. Compared to a Jonin, Erha’s speed was about the same. Yun Xuan, clad in his powered armor, flew to a point near the Leaf Village.

Arriving at the main gate of the Leaf Village, Yun Xuan carried two suitcases. The Leaf Village was indeed powerful; he sensed many hidden ninjas lurking in the shadows.

Although it was a tense time of preparation for war, the Leaf Village did not ban outsiders from entering. After all, its vast size made tourism a significant source of income.

“Please register your identity, and we need to inspect your belongings,” a gatekeeper ninja blocked Yun Xuan.

“These are knives, and this is some premium wild boar meat. I’m a chef,” Yun Xuan opened the suitcases with a smile.

“A chef?” The gatekeeper was taken aback. He had seen traders and tourists come and go, but never a chef.

“Judging by your expression, you look down on chefs. Don’t think just because you’re a Leaf Village ninja, you’re superior. My cooking is unmatched across the entire ninja world,” Yun Xuan retorted bluntly.

“...Here’s your pass. You’ll need this for lodging tonight,” the Chunin guard handed over the pass, too tired to argue further.

“Hmph,” Yun Xuan snorted disdainfully and walked away.

In the shadows, several ninjas kept a close eye on him.

Once inside the village, Yun Xuan headed straight for the tool-making district, purchasing a barbecue grill. Then he bought seasonings and some meat at the general store.

With these in tow, Yun Xuan pushed a cart near the Hokage’s office.

He expertly started a fire, and the aroma of grilling meat soon wafted through the air. Sprinkling seasoning, the scent became intoxicating, spreading throughout the vicinity.

Ninjas were human, after all, and it was lunchtime.

As Yun Xuan grilled and ate, passersby were drawn to the smell. Upon reaching Yun Xuan's stall, they were left speechless.

“One skewer, 100 ryo. No bargaining.”

“What kind of barbecue is this? So expensive?”

“One skewer costs more than a bowl of ramen.”

“But it smells amazing.”

“I wonder what flavor it is.”

A crowd quickly gathered, made up of both ninjas and civilians.

Yun Xuan glanced around and sprinkled more seasoning, intensifying the fragrance.

“Three skewers,” a ninja finally gave in, drawn by the unprecedented aroma and Yun Xuan’s evident enjoyment. It was only a bit pricier than ramen—worth it!

“Thank you for your patronage,” Yun Xuan smiled, collected the money, and handed over the skewers.

By the way, the Leaf Village had no strict street planning, and this spot near the Hokage’s office was outside the jurisdiction of the Uchiha clan’s security division. Yun Xuan had deliberately chosen this location, knowing there was no patrol.

With one customer came another, then another.

Those who tasted the skewers were enchanted. This spicy barbecue was a first for them.

A four-star chef’s cooking—how could ordinary people truly comprehend it?

“Give me five skewers,” someone appeared at the stall. The use of the Flash Step technique indicated he was at least a Jonin.

“Wait a moment.” Yun Xuan glanced at the emblem on the visitor’s attire—it was the Uchiha clan, prompting an extra look.

The Jonin paid for the barbecue and vanished with a flash step.

Not far away, inside the Hokage’s office:

The Third Hokage frowned at Yun Xuan’s barbecue stall. This man’s appearance was odd, but the aroma was quite appealing.

After some thought, the Third Hokage summoned his guards to buy some and try it.

…

At five o’clock in the afternoon:

Yun Xuan closed his stall, having sold nearly 500 skewers—amounting to 50,000 ryo. Even all the restaurants in the Leaf Village combined probably didn’t match that figure for a single day.

His raw materials cost less than 1,000 ryo—he had made a huge profit.

With money in hand, Yun Xuan indulged in some flower wine, savoring the decadent lifestyle.

Having wealth was pleasant, but if Yun Xuan hadn’t wanted to save his first time for someone he cared about, he would have lost control long ago.

After drinking, Yun Xuan slept soundly through the night at an inn, guarded by Bai Xue and Bing Xue, their eyes locked in silent vigilance.

…

Meanwhile,

In the Land of Rain:

Nagato trembled as he looked at the corpse before him. Konan was the same, tears streaming down her face.

They hadn’t expected it to be a trap. Yahiko died protecting Konan, and in his fury, Nagato unleashed some of the power of the Rinnegan.

The Land of Rain remained as bleak as ever, the sorrowful rain breaking hearts.

From that day forward, Pain appeared.

(PS: Monday, please vote to recommend. Begging, kneeling, 360-degree begging for recommendation votes.)