Dinner Gathering

"Ugh!!! Why? I put in so much effort too, why did you get promoted to Chunin? This isn't fair! It's so unfair!"

Otoha shouted in a very unladylike manner, his emotions too excited, his Sharingan involuntarily activated, his scarlet eyes filled with jealousy as he looked at the light green vest on Katsuki's body.

"Can't you just be quiet? You maggot!"

The girl had a fierce look in her eyes, her icy and sharp gaze like a long sword that could pierce right through a person. Someone with a more sensitive heart might even burst into tears.

However, Otoha showed no reaction to this, having completely fallen from grace. The nobility and honor of the Uchiha Clan were completely undermined by this guy, and he wailed without any regard for his image or demeanor, which made Kushina laugh loudly beside him.

Q Barbecue, is located on the second floor by the window.

A gentle breeze blew in through the open window, carrying away some of the heat from the charcoal fire, and the aroma of meat wafted far away on the wind.

It was unusual for Q Barbecue not to be full, or rather, the second floor was almost empty except for Katsuki and her group. The recent chaos, coupled with the pressure of war, had made fewer and fewer people want to go out to eat, especially since many of the Akimichi Clan's fat men had gone to the battlefield, and these were Q Barbecue's main customers.

The boss and his wife are still sighing and praying that the fat men of the Akimichi Clan will return safely.

This was a special gathering organized by Kushina and Otome to celebrate Katsuki's promotion Chunin Hyuga Tenzan. Kushina, Otome, Otoha, Minato, and Nawaki, who had just returned to the village after completing a mission, were all having a meal together.

"Katsuki, you're a monster! You just graduated and you've already become Chunin. You're definitely among the top few in the village Chunin the fastest Chunin promotion... Hmm, watch out, you might get beaten up when you go out."

Hyuga Tenzan glanced at Katsuki, but his gaze couldn't help but fall on the light green vest, and the boy felt a surge of envy and jealousy.

Chunin! I haven't seen him for only a few days, and he went out on a mission. When he came back, I heard he'd been promoted to Chunin!

For these newly graduated teenagers, Jonin was still an unattainable dream. Their most realistic and tangible wish was to be promoted to Chunin as soon as possible. However, a certain bastard, having graduated only seven days ago and not having done a single proper mission, became Chunin just like that.

My feelings were like a jumbled mess of emotions—a mix of envy and a little joy!

Of the seven people present, only Katsuki was promoted to Chunin.

Neither Minato nor Otoha performed exceptionally well that night, yet neither of them were promoted to Chunin. According to the Third Hokage, they were still lacking in merit. The main force that killed Araki was Katsuki, and although Minato and Otoha assisted from the sidelines, it wasn't enough.

However, given Minato and Otoha's strength, once they're on the battlefield, they'll easily chop off a couple more heads, Chunin without a doubt.

It was only a matter of time.

"If I get beaten up, I'll definitely go after you two and beat you up." Katsuki squinted, picked up a piece of sizzling, dripping pork belly, dipped it in some chili sauce, and put it in her mouth, a happy look on her face.

While quickly eating the barbecue, he also bantered with Tenzan and Otoha, holding his own.

"Tenzan, are you also going to the front lines?"

Minato held a glass of juice, took a slow sip, and changed the subject.

"Yes, we're leaving the day after tomorrow, but we're going to the Land of Rivers, to the western border garrison. Come to think of it, we just got back from there not long ago, and now we have to rush there again. It feels quite strange. What about you guys? Minato, are you staying in the village, or...?"

Tenzan stopped arguing with Katsuki and started chatting with Minato.

"We're going to the front lines too, but not to the Land of Rivers, but to the Land of Rain," Minato replied.

"Haha, then I'm luckier than you guys. I don't want to go back to the Land of Rain. Staying there will make me feel like I'm going to rot." Tenzan laughed smugly, raising his eyebrows slightly.

The Land of Rain is perpetually shrouded in rain, which is certainly not a pleasant sight.

"That's the order, there's nothing we can do about it."

Minato shook his head and sighed. He didn't particularly like that rainy land either, and he was currently obsessed with the Flying Thunder God Technique, so he had no desire to go to such a place. But... an order is an order, and they had no room to disobey.

The first thing a ninja learns is not fighting, but obedience.

This is how they were taught to grow up; obedience to orders is deeply ingrained in their bones and has become their instinct.

"Tsk tsk, you're in for it this time."

Tenzan beamed with joy, his mood brightening considerably; his happiness was built upon the misfortunes of others.

"Actually, I think it's the same no matter where we are. In the end, we're fighting against the Sand Ninja. It's actually not so bad in the Land of Rain. The continuous rainy environment has a much greater impact on the Sand Ninja than on us," Nawaki interjected.

"That's true, the Land of Wind is supposedly all desert."

"... This time we must slaughter as many Sand Ninja as possible..."

"As for the Sand Ninja, be careful of their Puppet Master. It's said those treacherous fellows are adept at using poison, and the frontline troops have suffered considerable losses because of them..."

"Poison? That disgusting stuff..."

The conversation gradually shifted to the war. After all, it was wartime, and everything revolved around the war, which was beyond anyone's control.

After the dinner, everyone quickly dispersed.

They're all going to the front lines soon, and being able to find time to have a meal together is already the limit. This time, unlike when they went to the battlefield as students for internships, they are real 'soldiers'. There are no more special privileges for them. Well, although they will still receive some preferential treatment given their circumstances, there are no mercy on the battlefield, and no one dares to say that they can leave the battlefield alive.

Even a master like Sakumo wouldn't dare to guarantee this. On the battlefield, especially on the battlefield of ninjas, seemingly unbelievable things like the weak defeating the strong, one against a thousand, suddenly unleashing their full potential, or making a desperate comeback are all possible.

There have been plenty of instances of ships capsizing in ditches on the battlefield, let alone these young people. They are far from being a large ship; at best, they are just small sampans. Any slightly larger ditch could swallow them all up.

So I've been busy making preparations these past few days. After all, while it's good to offer incense regularly, you should also try to be a good help when it comes to this special occasion.

Minato stayed home, engrossed in studying the Flying Thunder God Technique. Otoha and Otome also underwent intensive training arranged by their families. Otoha, in particular, had his Sharingan- focused training scheduled, and he was exhausted every day since returning. Nawaki was the same; with his elders supervising his training at home, he was only allowed to go out for some fresh air today because of Kushina.

Everyone's very busy!

Tenzan watched Otoha and the others leave in a hurry and sighed.

"There's no other way, we're going to the battlefield after all. By the way... aren't you going to make any preparations? Tenzan, aren't you going to the Land of Rivers too?"

Katsuki stared wide-eyed at the lazy kimono-clad boy beside her.