Tugging back her sleeve, Tenten carefully lifted the fish from the batter, checking to make sure both sides were coated just enough to pick up the bits of breadcrumbs in the next mixture. And then it was a simple motion to slip the piece into the oil for a few minutes to let it fry.

Already, her kitchen smelled like a vending stall, the sharp scent of butter and spices wafting through the apartment as the fish bits sizzled in the pan. The first few had been a bit soft by comparison - not exactly crunchy like she wanted - but by the second batch, the oil had finally turned hot enough to give the right amount of crisp to each bite. And after just a few moments, the bit she had dropped in had already turned a beautiful golden brown.

Smiling at the prospects, the kunoichi fished the bit out from the vat and placed it with the rest of the finished batch. "I should be almost done with these, Lee. Then I can help you with the riceballs."