No Interest!

At the barbecue restaurant.

Kakashi picked up a slice of meat and said with a smile, "I heard you really like barbecue and often come here for group meals?"

"Only when someone else is paying."

Shinji stared at Kakashi, wanting to see how he ate with a mask on.

Kakashi raised a hand to block the view, then instantly stuffed the meat from his chopsticks into his mouth. Judging by how practiced he was, he seemed to eat this way all the time.

"Doesn't he find that troublesome?"

Shinji grumbled inwardly.

After swallowing the barbecue in his mouth, Kakashi said, "Shinji, can you tell me why you aren't taking the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Shinji, focused on grilling the meat, glanced at Kakashi. Understanding why he had been invited, he replied, "I just don't want the trouble. There's no special reason!"

Kakashi was slightly surprised. "Quite a few experts have come from the various villages this time. Don't you want to test yourself against them?"

"Not interested!"

Shinji shook his head again and concentrated on eating his barbecue.

"Uh..." Kakashi was somewhat speechless. He could only say, "You're the top student at the Ninja Academy, so I'll be frank with you. Although the various ninja villages are now allied, competition still exists. This Chunin Ninja Exam is a continuation of that competition. As the host, Konoha can't lose!"

"I remember quite a few people from the Ninja Academy signed up, right? Sasuke and Yakumo seem to be among them too. There shouldn't be any problem, should there?"

Shinji brushed him off casually.

Even if he hadn't been trying to awaken the Rinnegan, he wouldn't have had much interest in taking the Chunin Ninja Exams. Now that he was at a critical juncture in his attempt to awaken the Rinnegan, he was