After gaining the approval of Aburame Shigeo, Akimichi Yoshimaru was very happy. When handing him the snacks, he seemed much more generous than before.
Of course, he still felt a little reluctant.
Aburame Shigeo didn't mind, as he knew that the obsession with food was a common trait of the Akimichi clan. It was already rare for Yoshimaru to share with him.
So, he just symbolically picked up a french fry from the snack bag and didn't take any more, which made Yoshimaru feel relieved.
The stingy look on his face made Yoshimaru laugh.
"Haha, look at you, so nervous! Don't worry, I won't eat any more of yours. I've got something even better!"
"Something better?" Upon hearing this, Yoshimaru's eyes immediately lit up. "What is it? Can I see it?"
"Hmm!"
Aburame Shigeo nodded and then pulled a squirming big green worm out of his pocket. "It's this!"
"Uh…"
Looking at the big green worm wriggling in his hand, Yoshimaru's face instantly showed disappointment.
"So it's a bug. I've already tried that. It was disgusting!"
"…"
This guy's a tough one!
Aburame Shigeo immediately understood Yoshimaru's gluttonous nature and became more confident in his upcoming plan.
He stretched out his index finger and waved it.
"No, no, no… Yoshimaru, you're wrong. This isn't just any bug. It's a secret, specially researched gourmet insect. Ordinary snacks can't even compare to it."
With that, he immediately threw the worm into his mouth, chewing it with an expression of enjoyment.
"Gulp!"
Seeing this, Yoshimaru couldn't help but swallow his saliva, a little tempted. "Is it really that good?"
"Hmm!"
Aburame Shigeo nodded again, then pulled out another big green worm and offered it to him. "Here, try it!"
"…"
Looking at the big green worm Aburame Shigeo handed him, Yoshimaru hesitated and seemed conflicted.
But soon, his craving for food overcame everything. He grabbed the worm and, closing his eyes, popped it into his mouth, chewing it.
After two bites, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face full of surprise. "Mmm… it tastes like hawthorn… Mmm… sweet and sour, it's so good!"
"Heh, right?"
Aburame Shigeo grinned, then took out a handful of worms from his pocket and offered them.
"There are more. Want to try some?"
This time, he had a variety of worms: not just the big green worms, but also grasshoppers, ladybugs, longhorn beetles, rhinoceros beetles, and more.
Yoshimaru no longer hesitated. He grabbed them and, without saying a word, tossed them into his mouth.
His face was filled with more and more delight.
"Mmm… this one tastes like roasted chestnuts, this one tastes like peanuts, this one's banana-flavored, mmm… there's even pineapple flavor! So delicious, and they're still wriggling…"
In less than a minute, he had devoured the whole handful of worms, then looked eagerly at Aburame Shigeo.
"Is there more?"
"None left!"
Aburame Shigeo shrugged, pulling out his pants pocket to show him. "See? Really none left!"
"Oh!" Yoshimaru replied with some regret, then asked with a hint of hope. "Will there be more in the future?"
"Not sure!"
Aburame Shigeo shook his head, a troubled look on his face.
"Making these worms isn't easy. Not only do you need the bugs and fruit, but you also need a lot of soldier's pills. The first two are easy to get, but the soldier's pills…"
He trailed off, but Yoshimaru already understood, and a look of realization appeared on his face.
"Oh, so you wanted the soldier's pills for this? That's easy. I can get them for you, but…"
At this point, he gave Aburame Shigeo a sly look and raised his index finger.
"Next time, the gourmet worms you make have to share half with me!"
"…"
He agreed that easily? And the condition was half of the worms?
Aburame Shigeo was so surprised he couldn't even speak, and Yoshimaru thought he hadn't agreed, so he quickly added cautiously.
"Thirds would be fine too…"
"No, half!"
Snapping back to reality, Aburame Shigeo immediately pulled Yoshimaru into a hug.
"Yoshimaru, you're my best friend. Sharing half with you is only right, but you have to promise me one thing: you can't tell anyone about this."
"Okay!"
Yoshimaru nodded without hesitation.
"I promise I won't tell anyone. After all, if people knew about these delicious worms, I'd never get to eat them again!"
"…"
Looks like a food lover is easier to deal with!
Aburame Shigeo quietly let out a sigh of relief.
He had to admit that this was a bit of a risky move, but it was a gamble he had to take. War was looming, and his strength was too weak. If he didn't take risks now, he'd be facing even greater danger once the battle started.
On the other hand, creating delicious bugs wasn't that big of a problem. Even if it got exposed, he could just say it was a bloodline limit.
After all, he was from the Aburame clan, and it wouldn't be strange to have some weird bug-related abilities, right?
Of course, it was better not to expose it, but that depended on Yoshimaru.
Thinking of this, he spoke up again.
"Yoshimaru, if possible, I hope you won't even tell your family. Can you do that?"
"Sure!"
Yoshimaru nodded again and raised his palm.
"This is a secret between friends. I promise!"
"Hmm, I believe you!"
Aburame Shigeo nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "By the way, Yoshimaru, how do you plan to get the soldier's pills? You're not thinking of stealing…"
"Of course not!"
Yoshimaru immediately waved his hand, looking unconcerned.
"My dad makes soldier's pills! We have so many at home, they're practically piling up. Last time, we even threw away a bunch!"
"…"
So is it true what they say? "The rich waste food while the poor starve?"
Should I go through the Akimichi family's trash cans?
Aburame Shigeo was momentarily tempted, but quickly abandoned the idea.
After all, Yoshimaru had just said that his dad specialized in making soldier's pills, which meant there were bound to be both successes and failures.
The ones they threw away were probably the failed products. After all, even the Akimichi clan couldn't afford to throw away good soldier's pills as garbage.
With this thought in mind, he quickly reminded Yoshimaru.
"Hey, Yoshimaru, you can't give me any of the failed ones. Don't joke about this!"
"Hmm, I know!"
Yoshimaru nodded again and smiled at Aburame Shigeo.
"Don't worry, Shigeo. When it comes to soldier's pills, I know more than you do. Just wait here, I'll be back soon!"
With that, he turned and left.
Watching his back as he left, Aburame Shigeo couldn't help but smile thoughtfully.
"Maybe I've underestimated Yoshimaru all along."
(End of this chapter)