By the time Erina arrived at the Akimichi Clan, it was already past noon.
For the Akimichi Clan, whose members were born with hearty appetites, the routine of six meals a day during peacetime was as unshakable as thunder.
This was not only to store energy for their secret Multi-Size Jutsu, but also to deliberately train their bodies to adapt to consuming large amounts of food in a short time. That way, in an emergency, they could reduce the number of meals and remain on standby for as long as possible.
Yet in the face of this cheerful "battle to eat," Akimichi Todo had unusually become a "deserter"...
More precisely, ever since learning that Uncle Torifu and the clan head had jointly removed him from the roster for the Mist ninja extermination operation, the fat boy had remained sullen, displaying clear resistance.
After all, whether as a member of Team Five or as Director Yamada's close friend, Todo had formed a sincere bond with his comrades, who had lived and died alongside him ever since their first mission together.
His honest nature perhaps meant he lacked Soji and Erina's lofty ambitions, but with Director Yamada seriously ill in the hospital and Princess Sarutobi working herself to the bone, Todo simply could not bear to stand obediently in the rear and enjoy the fruits of everyone else's labor!
What was more, as the only ninja so far to have successfully carried out the Meteor Plan in actual combat, the fat boy could not understand why Uncle Torifu and the clan head had singled him out for removal from the air raid team!
These feelings, tangled with inferiority and anger, brewed repeatedly within Todo's heart, until he completely overlooked the hidden goodwill behind his elders' decision...
Fortunately, under Teacher Motochika's guidance, Erina