Is This Really Worth Arguing Over? [Third Update, Please Bookmark and Send Flowers~]

"Awesome!!!"

Tsunade jumped up, beaming as though her own application had been approved.

Jiraiya scratched his head with a silly grin, chuckling nonstop. Though he looked a little lecherous, he was genuinely happy for Hiko.

"Should we celebrate?"

"The four of us are about to leave the Ninja Academy. That's worth celebrating."

Jiraiya's eyes suddenly rolled as he suggested a celebration and wanted to invite Orochimaru along. Though he disliked Orochimaru and couldn't stand him, Jiraiya didn't actually hate him.

Tsunade rolled her eyes at Jiraiya and shot him down. "Don't celebrate too soon, especially certain people. The application was only approved. Whether you can pass the assessment is another matter."

"Tsunade!!!"

Jiraiya bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Tsunade's words were a huge blow; she was indirectly saying that he, Jiraiya, might not pass the assessment. He would celebrate for nothing, go into the test brimming with confidence, then fail. Just thinking about it was embarrassing.

Teacher would definitely announce their participation in the assessment directly, so everyone would know. Success would be fine, but if they failed and came back with their tails between their legs, it would be humiliating. No one wanted to experience that.

"Don't underestimate people. I'm afraid you're the one who won't pass."

"Who it'll be is still unknown. Certain people really have no self-awareness."

"You..."

"Want to fight? Come on! If I'm scared of you, my name isn't Tsunade!!!"

Here they went again...

Hiko sighed softly and raised his hands in surrender. "You two, that's enough. Is something like this really worth arguing over? Didn't you want to celebrate? Let's invite Orochimaru and go eat barbecue together. My treat."

"Awesome!!!"

The moment he heard they were having barbecue, Jiraiya lost all interest in competing with Tsunade and shouted loudly.

Tsunade wasn't happy at all. Instead, she moved closer to Hiko and whispered worriedly, "How about I pay?"

She knew Hiko was having financial difficulties, not to mention that she and Jiraiya often mooched meals off him.

Among the four of them, Hiko was the poorest, but he was also the best at planning his money.

Tsunade simply couldn't hold on to money. Whenever she had any, it felt as though it was biting her hand. If she didn't gamble it away, she felt uncomfortable. Jiraiya was no better—between food and buying porn books, he never had enough to spend.

Orochimaru used his money elsewhere. Although Hiko had many expenses, he was still the wealthiest of them, at least in terms of savings. Of course, he didn't throw money around by the handful like Tsunade did.

"It's fine."

Hiko rubbed Tsunade's head and laughed. "I can afford barbecue. Just eat your fill. I'll go invite Orochimaru."

Head pats and hand-holding were perfectly normal between Hiko and Tsunade, but only between the two of them. If anyone else dared do that to Tsunade, they would definitely be beaten until they were crawling around looking for their teeth.

Jiraiya was used to it as well.

"Orochimaru, we're going to celebrate having our early graduation applications approved. Are you coming?"

The best place to find Orochimaru was the Playground. Whenever he had nothing to do, he would sit beneath a tree and read.

Orochimaru looked up at Hiko, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. He set down his book, thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

With Orochimaru joining them, the four left the school and headed for the Barbecue restaurant.

Jiraiya was undoubtedly the happiest among them. Orochimaru was the most reserved; if no one spoke to him first, he simply wouldn't talk. Tsunade and Hiko chatted on and off, and before long, the four arrived at the Barbecue restaurant.

Barbecue actually wasn't that expensive. As long as they didn't run into Ino-Shika-Cho, a meal usually wouldn't cost much. Children's appetites were limited, after all.

"This sucks!! They won't sell me alcohol!!!"

Inside the Barbecue restaurant, Hiko and Tsunade turned slices of meat sizzling with grease. Orochimaru sat off to the side with his arms folded, saying nothing, while Jiraiya sulked. He wanted to drink, but the owner had refused him!!

"It's not fair!! Why can Hiko smoke while I can't drink!!!"

Hiko wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, but he occasionally smoked. In his previous life, he had been quite addicted to cigarettes. After coming to this world, because of his age, he only took a few puffs when he was utterly exhausted.

The smell of smoke and alcohol could expose a ninja's position, but if a ninja couldn't even deal with the smell of cigarettes or liquor, then they might as well not take missions and just smash their head into a wall.

"Because you're stupid!! Can't you buy it outside and drink it here?"

Tsunade immediately slapped the label of idiot onto Jiraiya's head. He couldn't even figure out something so simple, yet he wanted to drink?

"Besides, Hiko only smokes occasionally. Occasionally. Unlike you, you drunkard!!"