It was the first time Team 7 had dinner together, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Naruto turned to Sasuke and Sakura with a warm smile. "How about coming to my place? I'll cook us a big meal."
Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression cool. "I don't mind," he said, though his tone suggested otherwise. Truthfully, he was curious. Rock Lee had mentioned Naruto's cooking skills in passing, describing them as "godlike." Sasuke, who had struggled to master even the basics of cooking after the Uchiha massacre, found it hard to believe. But if Naruto could cook, maybe there was something to learn.
Sakura, on the other hand, was ecstatic. "Yes! I'd love to!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with excitement. The idea of spending more time with Naruto, especially in such a personal setting, made her heart race.
Naruto led them to his small apartment, a modest space that surprised Sasuke. The room was tidy and well-organized, a stark contrast to the chaotic, cluttered homes of most boys their age. The kitchen, though small, was spotless, and the scent of cleaning products lingered in the air.
"Your place is… clean," Sasuke remarked, his tone neutral but his eyes betraying his surprise.
Naruto chuckled. "I like to keep things in order. It helps me focus."
Sakura, meanwhile, was practically glowing. "It's so cozy! I love it!"
As Naruto tied on an apron and began preparing the meal, Sasuke watched with a critical eye. He had always struggled with cooking, finding it frustrating and time-consuming. But Naruto moved with a practiced ease, his hands deftly chopping vegetables and seasoning meat. It was almost… mesmerizing.
"Cooking is a lot like training," Naruto explained as he worked. "You have to focus, use just the right amount of force, and pay attention to the details. It's a form of meditation, really."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he considered Naruto's words. "So you're saying you've integrated training into your daily life?"
Naruto nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. Every moment is an opportunity to improve."
Sasuke's expression shifted, a spark of understanding lighting his eyes. "I see… That's why you're so strong. You've turned everything into practice."
Naruto's smile widened. "You're catching on."
Half an hour later, the table was laden with dishes: mapo tofu, salmon sushi, fragrant fish soup, steak, and green pepper stir-fry. The aroma filled the small apartment, making Sakura's mouth water.
"Dig in," Naruto said, gesturing to the food. "Let me know what you think."
Sakura didn't need to be told twice. She eagerly picked up a piece of tofu and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened in delight. "This is amazing! Naruto, you're a genius!"
Sasuke, ever the skeptic, took a bite of the green pepper stir-fry. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he forgot to maintain his usual aloof demeanor. "This… is good," he admitted reluctantly.
Naruto chuckled. "Glad you like it."
As they ate, the atmosphere grew warmer. Sakura couldn't stop gushing about the food, while Sasuke quietly devoured everything on his plate. Naruto watched them with a satisfied smile, pleased that his cooking had brought them together, even if only for a moment.
As the meal wound down, Sakura turned to Naruto with a curious expression. "Naruto, why do you wear glasses? You're not nearsighted, are you?"
Naruto paused, his hand instinctively touching the frames of his glasses. "It's… complicated," he said after a moment. "Let's just say I'll take them off when the time is right."
Sakura pouted, clearly unsatisfied with the answer, but Sasuke's curiosity was piqued. There was something about Naruto's demeanor—something hidden beneath the surface. But before he could press further, Naruto changed the subject.
"Eat up," he said, his tone light but firm. "Tomorrow's going to be a big day."
As the night deepened, the trio parted ways, each heading home with full stomachs and lingering thoughts. For Sasuke, the evening had been a revelation. Naruto's strength, his discipline, his ability to turn even cooking into a form of training—it was all something to aspire to. And for Sakura, the dinner had only deepened her admiration for Naruto. He was kind, talented, and, most importantly, he made her feel seen.
As Naruto closed the door to his apartment, he let out a quiet sigh. The dinner had gone well, but he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get much more complicated. The bell test loomed on the horizon, and with it, the first real test of Team 7's cohesion.
But for now, he allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. Tonight, at least, they had been a team. And that was a start.