After overcoming the "Eight Inner Gates," Hyuga Kagami had more or less completed the preparations before the ritual. To calm his mind and ease the pressure that had built up over this period, he prepared a lavish feast and invited his two disciples, Naruto and Neji, along with Shion, who could only rely on him in Konoha, to his home.
To his surprise, Naruto brought Sakura and Sasuke along, while Neji brought Rock Lee and Tenten. Shion, meanwhile, invited Yakumo and Sai from her team.
Since things had already turned out this way, Hyuga Kagami simply invited Hinata's class and Shikamaru's class as well.
Thus, the Konoha Twelve—no, now the Konoha Fifteen—gathered noisily at Hyuga Kagami's home, while their Jonin instructors also came over after hearing the news to join in the fun.
Looking at the house packed full of guests, Hyuga Kagami's mouth twitched. What is this, are they all here to eat me out of house and home?
Rin held her forehead. "Oh no, I didn't expect so many guests. We haven't prepared enough food or drinks!"
Helplessly, Hyuga Kagami said, "Have Hayate and the others go buy some ingredients from a restaurant."
Rin glanced at Hyuga Kagami and asked softly, "Then... how much should they buy?"
Hyuga Kagami waved grandly. "Let these guys eat their fill. It's only one meal—can I, the Hokage, really not afford to treat them? Can I afford to lose that kind of face?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Rin nodded.
Unlike Hyuga Kagami and Hyuga Rin, who were huddled in the kitchen discussing ingredient purchases in hushed voices, the living room was exceptionally lively.
Since graduating from the Ninja Academy, Naruto and his classmates had rarely gathered together, so this dinner hosted by the Hokage was a rare opportunity for them. Naturally, everyone was in high