"Brother, what are you standing there for? Sit up."
A cheerful, slightly husky young voice rang out.
As Asuma got closer, he saw Kagami Uchiha.
It's like encountering a rattlesnake in the desert, giving you a fright.
Asuma, Might Guy, and others did not participate in the civil war many years ago.
However, the terror that Kagami Uchiha instilled in Asuma was something that had been present since childhood.
Kagami Uchiha caught a glimpse of Yuhi Kurenai behind Asuma.
One of the main postwar policies was to develop the population, not only encouraging civilians to have children, but also ninjas.
For some ninjas of marriageable age, participating in social gatherings is also part of their mission; there's always someone they click with.
In this environment, Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai, who already had some feelings for each other, naturally came together.
Fifteen or sixteen years old, that's about right, anyway, Shinobi World mature earlier.
Kagami Uchiha wiped his mouth.
"I'm a little full, you can sit at my table."
A bit...
Asuma was astonished when he saw the mountain of plates.
Is Jing a competitive eater?
Was this setting present before?
Hmm... it seems like she's quite possessive of her food.
After everyone had cleared the table, Kagami Uchiha's gaze shifted between Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Hazuki.
"Shinnosuke, you should know about Hazuki's family situation, right?"
It's common for ninjas to be without parents, and Hazuki is one of them. After her husband died, she was taken back to her clan with her daughter.
As the clan head, Kagami Uchiha felt it necessary to understand the situation as a parent to Hazuki.
Shinnosuke and Hazuki were genuinely awkward, like they were meeting the parents, and sat up straight.
Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai both felt a little uncomfortable.
"Yes, I've spent time with Izumi. She's a very well-behaved girl, and I will try my best to gain her approval!"
Kagami Uchiha nodded, looking directly at Shinnosuke.
"I will not allow you to toy with Hazuki's feelings, nor will I allow her to marry someone else."
"Are you really ready to give up the Sarutobi surname and marry into the Uchiha?"
The two exchanged a glance, Uchiha Hazuki revealed a gentle smile.
"Shinnosuke-kun has already spoken with me and he is willing to join the Uchiha Clan. We have decided to hold the wedding during Izumi's vacation."
"The reason for this meeting with Asuma and Miss Hong is to ask them to be our best man and maid of honor."
Kagami Uchiha took a deep breath.
It reminded me of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Should we make an exception and have this old man come back to see if his son has joined the Uchiha Clan?
The Senju and Uchiha were sworn enemies, just as Sarutobi and the Uchiha were.
During the Warring States Era period Sarutobi and Senju were allies.
"You can decide for yourselves."
Kagami Uchiha raised his hand to beckon the boss over.
"From now on, when Shinnosuke and Hazuki come to eat barbecue, it will all be on my tab. I will send someone to settle the accounts at the end of the year."
"Understood."
He stood up and smiled at Hazuki, saying, "I might not be able to make it to your wedding, so consider this my wedding gift."
"Sister Hazuki, I have to go now. You guys enjoy your meal."
"Okay, take care, Kagami-kun."
As soon as Kagami Uchiha stepped out the door, a dog's furtive figure scurried up to him.
"Hey, Mirror..."
Asuma leaned close to Kagami Uchiha's ear and asked, "Um... what exactly did you mean when you were little?"
When he started dating Hong, Jing's words would occasionally come to mind.
He often thinks...
Is she going to die young and Kurenai remarry the Uchiha?
Or maybe we broke up for some reason, and Kurenai married the Uchiha...
Asuma is one of the few classmates who doesn't feel any distance from Kagami, which is probably because he and Obito were beaten up by Kagami for more than two years.
Normally, someone of his Special Jonin should be called Kagami-sama.
However, Jing didn't care what others called him. A name is meant to be called; there's no need to add any honorifics.
"It was just a joke from when we were kids."
"Real?"
Kagami Uchiha couldn't help but start to reflect.
Does he really have no credibility whatsoever?
"If you don't believe me, I'll kill you right now and make Kurenai marry an Uchiha."
"I believe you!"
With one matter settled, Asuma inquired about another.
His tone became much more serious.
"Mirror... Do you know about Kakashi and Might Guy? They recently returned severely injured..."
"I don't know the specifics, but it's probably related to Obito."
Kagami Uchiha paused for a few seconds, then took out his wallet and bought Candied Apple from a roadside vendor.
Jiraiya's wallet definitely wasn't enough to pay just now. He'll have to send someone to settle the bill later.
"Mirror? You know them, right? They are now..."
Taking a bite of his apple, Kagami Uchiha said calmly, "They're playing a game of bonds, so you should just play your game of love."
Asuma and Kagami Uchiha walked side by side, talking to themselves.
"Kagami, do you think the most important person to the village is the Hokage or the villagers?"
"The most important thing is me." Kagami Uchiha finished the Candied Apple in a few bites, even eating the core.
"... Okay, except for you."
Asuma took out a cigarette case from his pocket, intending to offer one to Kagami Uchiha.
Kagami Uchiha didn't have this hobby; his gaze wandered over the other goods in the food street.
Asuma lit a cigarette, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
"I've thought about it carefully and reviewed the Third Shinobi World War from its beginning to the present."
"I hated you too, hated you for destroying the peaceful village."
"But when I started going out on missions..."
"Almost everyone thinks that Konoha is better now."
"The centralization and redistribution of power allowed ninjas to redefine their own position."
"We are the protectors of the common people and the next generation, not the blades between Noble."
"Haha, because my older brother and Sister Hazuki are dating, I've learned more about your clan."
"I've discovered that you and Obito are completely opposite."
"Obito is too stupid and too kind, you are too smart and too cold-blooded."
"Most Uchiha are just like us, only a little arrogant."
"But when I was a child, I often heard... those old men talking to the old man say that the Uchiha were a clan that needed to be supervised."
"I admit that I also had some prejudice against the Uchiha when I was a child. I'm sorry."
"No need, your opinion is completely irrelevant."
Kagami Uchiha packed some braised dishes, planning to try Ichiraku Ramen later.
She looked at Asuma with some impatience.
"If you don't get out of here, I'm going to beat you up."
Asuma's conditioned reflex of jumping back one step.
He lowered his eyes and looked at Kagami Uchiha.
"Mirror... do you think this kind of life can continue?"
"You will bring peace to the war-torn Shinobi World."
I will not make any guarantees.
Pushing aside Asuma who was blocking his way, Kagami Uchiha walked toward Ichiraku Ramen.
"Don't have such cowardly thoughts. If you want to make a living, work hard yourself."
Without even getting close, Kagami Uchiha could see the plump figure sitting in the specially made chair, with most of his orange fur showing.
The slurping sound of noodles could be heard from a great distance.
Seriously, are you all so free that you can just run into acquaintances... or even familiar cats?
"Boss! Twenty more bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen, please!"
"Same here, put it on Kagami-sama's tab, he won't mind, meow!"