"Yo! Isn't that Kakashi? Long time no see! Kakashi!
How about a duel to celebrate the power of youth?"
When Might Guy spotted Kakashi, his eyes lit up. He dashed straight over to him.
"...Hey, Guy! Could you take a look at the situation before shouting?
My friends are still here!
You're making this really awkward for me!"
Kakashi's eyes immediately drooped. He wore an expression that was both embarrassed and exasperated.
Guy was taken aback by Kakashi's words.
Then, brimming with enthusiasm, he offered his opinion.
"Friends?! Anyone who's friends with you, Kakashi, must be someone who loves youth!"
"...Guy~"
Guy's behavior left Kakashi feeling helpless and speechless.
"Heh! Anyone who's friends with Kakashi must be no ordinary person!
Aren't you going to introduce us, Kakashi?"
After exchanging a glance with Kurenai, Asuma asked with a smile.
"Sorry! I'll introduce everyone now!"
Asuma's reminder finally made Kakashi snap out of it.
"These two are old friends I met many years ago! Lin Cheng and Kimimaro! They once saved my life!"
After introducing Lin Cheng and Kimimaro to Asuma and the others, Kakashi turned around and introduced his friends to them.
"These three are also my friends and former classmates! Asuma, Kurenai, and Might Guy!"
"Nice to meet you! We just joined Konoha today. We hope you'll look after us from now on!"
Lin Cheng smiled and nodded politely.
"Nice to meet you!"
When Kimimaro noticed Lin Cheng looking at him, he understood what his brother meant and nodded to greet Asuma and the others.
"Nice to meet you!" Kurenai.
"You've joined Konoha already? That's great! We're all family now!" Asuma.
"Welcome to Konoha! Let's burn with the fire of youth together!" Might Guy.
"Thanks!" Lin Cheng.
"To celebrate Lin Cheng and Kimimaro joining Konoha, lunch is on me today!"
Kakashi shrugged and led the way into the barbecue restaurant.
"Kakashi's treating? Since my destined rival is paying, I'd better eat as much as I can!"
Kakashi's words reinvigorated Might Guy, and he dashed into the restaurant.
Seeing this, Lin Cheng and the others exchanged glances, then nodded understandingly.
The group began choosing their food.
Since Lin Cheng and Kimimaro were new here and didn't know what the place served, the enthusiastic Might Guy, along with Asuma and Kurenai, picked out all the various cuts of meat for them.
Afterward, as they ate, Kakashi introduced everyone to each other in detail.
When they learned that Lin Cheng and Kimimaro were bloodline ninja from the Land of Water, Kurenai, who had been quiet until then, suddenly exclaimed.
"What's wrong, Kurenai?"
Asuma asked, puzzled by her sudden outburst.
"Laughing Asura Lin Cheng? Bone Lord Kimimaro?"
Ignoring Asuma beside her, Kurenai looked at the friendly-looking Lin Cheng across from her, her expression uncertain.
Then she glanced at Kimimaro, who seemed rather shy.
"Yes, people have called us that before."
Lin Cheng nodded, readily admitting the titles.
"I never imagined that the famous Laughing Asura Lin Cheng and Bone Lord Kimimaro were so young!
That's quite a surprise!"
Kurenai shook her head and sighed, despite her usual composure.
"Laughing Asura? Bone Lord? Those names sound awesome!"
A flicker of curiosity crossed Asuma's eyes as he praised them.
"Of course! Those titles were given to them by their enemies. They didn't give them to themselves!"
Kurenai's expression turned serious, and her voice grew grave.
"Oh? Then after lunch, we should definitely spar!
It'll give us a chance to learn each other's fighting styles and lay the groundwork for working together in the future."
Kurenai's reaction surprised Asuma, and he began to consider testing Lin Cheng's strength.
Kurenai was curious about the brothers' abilities too, so she didn't try to stop him.
Might Guy, meanwhile, was already looking fired up.
"A spar? Count me in! Youth should burn with passion!
Kakashi! As my eternal rival, how about we fight first?"
"I refuse!"
"Uh... why?"
"I think Lin Cheng and Kimimaro would be more interested. They both love fighting."
Kakashi shrugged as he explained.
"Oh? Then I'll choose Kimimaro! Don't worry, I'll go easy on him!"
As soon as he said it, Might Guy realized it might sound like he was picking on someone younger, so he quickly added the reassurance.
"Then I'll thank you on Little Kimimaro's behalf!"
Lin Cheng stopped Kimimaro from speaking and thanked Guy with a smile.
Everyone saw the exchange.
The straightforward Might Guy didn't care about such details.
Kimimaro, who was always in sync with Lin Cheng, understood what his brother meant.
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai, on the other hand, seemed to ponder the matter.
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