"Then everyone stay for dinner today. I happened to buy quite a lot of things recently."
The bitterness slowly faded from Chiba's face. Since there was no avoiding this, he no longer wanted to avoid it. After leaving behind those words, he stood up and walked straight into the Japanese-style wooden house. Before long, the sounds of pots and pans came from within.
The three remaining men looked at each other while Kurenai Yuhi calmly drank her tea beside them.
"He... didn't just run away, did he?"
Then, about five minutes later, Might Guy suddenly jumped up, blurting out that startled realization.
"He's in the kitchen..."
Kakashi, who was close to him, immediately wore a strange expression and could not help but retort.
At that moment, the sounds of pots and pans were still coming from the kitchen, there were no footsteps indicating anyone had left, and the small Barrier he had set up around the place had not reacted at all. How could Chiba have run away?
"Stop doubting him. This time, I think Brother Chiba intends to have a proper talk with you. He's even keeping us for dinner."
At that moment, after exchanging a look with Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi stood up. After saying that, she turned and headed toward the Japanese-style wooden house.
"Brother Chiba, I'll help."
Before long, Kurenai Yuhi's voice came from the kitchen.
"Oh, thank you, Kurenai."
Then came Chiba's slightly stunned but grateful reply.
"See?"
At that, Kakashi shrugged at Might Guy and spoke.
"All right."
Might Guy was no longer the reckless youth he had once been. Hearing that, he sat back down.
After all, none of the little traps he had set had been triggered either, which also proved that Chiba had not run away.
"Kakashi, are you sure? Something major