As far as Chiya knew, there was only one barbecue restaurant in Konoha besides the Uchiha Clan Compound.
He had gone there a few times with Uchiha Izumi.
He thought it was called Kozo BBQ Restaurant.
"Of course! My dad owns it." At the mention of her father, Akizuki Airi clasped her hands excitedly to her chest. A faint blush spread across her sweet, lovely face.
"Forgive me for asking, but who is your father?" Seeing Airi act like a total daddy's girl, Chiya's mouth twitched. He silently wondered if her father might be Akizuki Kozo.
"Akizuki Kozo," Airi replied with a blush and an adoring smile.
"..." Chiya's mouth twitched.
Damn, it really was him!
Black, tousled hair; a Konoha Ninja Headband tied around his forehead; handsome, striking features; a black, close-fitting combat outfit; Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu and a ninja tool pouch at his waist; a Kunai pouch strapped to his right thigh; over 1.7 meters tall, with a lean, well-proportioned build.
That was Chiya's appearance and outfit now.
Three days later.
Led by Yuhi Kurenai, Chiya arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, I've brought Chiya. Chiya, come on, greet Lord Hokage." The last part was directed at Chiya.
"Hello, Lord Hokage."
"I've admired you ever since I was very young."
"You're the strongest and greatest Hokage in Konoha's history. For the village—"
"My greatest dream is to become a great ninja like you."
Keeping up his persona as a fan of the Third Hokage, Chiya wasted no time showering Sarutobi Hiruzen with praise.
He recited Hiruzen's "glorious record" from the Ninja Academy textbooks.
His expression was just like a fan seeing his favorite singer in person in his previous life.
He was practically on the verge of shrieking.
Yuhi Kurenai, standing nearby, twitched at the corners of her mouth. She suddenly felt that Chiya was nothing like the person she knew.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was quietly sizing Chiya up, trying to figure him out. When Chiya immediately declared his admiration and listed Hiruzen's "glorious record," his clear, pitch-black eyes held not a trace of deceit.
Hiruzen couldn't help but feel much more warmly toward him.
So Danzo had just been suspicious.
How could an outstanding ninja who had inherited the Will of Fire, was determined to protect the village, and admired him—the "strongest Hokage in history"—so deeply ever betray Konoha?
It was pure nonsense.
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled. "You're quite the thoughtful young man."
"Chiya, this is actually our first official meeting. I've been keeping an eye on you since you were very young. You're an outstanding ninja who inherited the Will of Fire, just like your parents. I'm proud of you."
Chiya solemnly spouted nonsense. "Thank you for your praise, Lord Hokage. I'll devote myself to you and the village until my dying breath."
Just look at that expression, that tone.
He put the Hokage before the village.
It was as if he'd gladly die for Konoha the moment the Third gave the word.
By every measure, he looked like an outstanding heir to the Will of Fire.
"Devote yourself until your dying breath, you say..." Sarutobi Hiruzen repeated, liking Chiya more with every passing moment. He laughed heartily. "It's good that you feel that way, but we're not at war now. Don't keep talking about dying. You're the young shoots of Konoha, and what you need now is to grow strong. The future of Konoha rests in your hands."
"I won't let you down, Lord Hokage." Chiya wore a reverent expression. Flattery was free, after all, so he might as well lay it on thick.
Yuhi Kurenai, standing beside him, got goosebumps all over.
Was this really the Chiya who used to stay calm and collected no matter what happened?
"Mm." Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't notice the change in Yuhi Kurenai's expression. Chiya's praise had already sent him soaring. He stood and said, "I assume Kurenai has told you about your promotion to Chunin."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Chiya replied respectfully.
"Then come with me. Kurenai says you already have strength comparable to a jonin, so this is a good chance to test you. If you can demonstrate enough power, I can make an exception and promote you to jonin."
As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen led the way out of the Hokage's office. Chiya and Yuhi Kurenai exchanged glances and followed.
Before long, the three of them reached an open area bordering the outer edge of the Forest of Death.
Danzo, the two Hokage Advisors, and numerous Anbu were already there. Nearly all of Konoha's top figures had gathered.
Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi were there as well.
The others merely seemed a little curious to see Chiya and showed no strong reaction. But beneath his Fire Fox Mask, Uchiha Itachi's face was especially grave. Under the gaze of his Mangekyō Sharingan, Chiya seemed to have become even more unfathomable.
The unusually powerful, strange chakra within him seemed to have been deliberately concealed. If Itachi didn't possess the Mangekyō Sharingan, he might not have noticed it at all.
Uchiha Itachi thought, Could you be the one who took Shisui's right eye? Chiya, why have you suddenly become so conspicuous? What are you after?
No one knew that Uchiha Itachi, whose emotional intelligence was zero but whose intellect in every other area was off the charts, had already begun to suspect that Chiya was the mysterious person who had stolen Shisui's right eye right out from under Danzo.
Of course, Chiya wasn't the only one he suspected.
There was also the Masked Man, Uchiha Obito, who had killed Itachi's teammate when Itachi was eight, causing him to awaken his Sharingan.
Chiya's senses were exceptionally sharp, so he naturally noticed Uchiha Itachi's hostile gaze.
But he didn't pay it much attention. He'd soon achieve his goal anyway.
"Chiya, these two are the Hokage Advisors, Lady Utatane Koharu and Lord Mitokado Homura. And this is the leader of Konoha's Root Division, Lord Shimura Danzo."
When they reached the group, Yuhi Kurenai quietly introduced them to Chiya.
Hearing this, Chiya put on a sunny, respectful expression and bowed to the three old foxes. "Lady Koharu, Lord Homura, Lord Danzo."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura nodded, evidently pleased with Chiya's attitude. Danzo remained expressionless. He detested sunny types, and his voice was indifferent as he said, "Since you're here, let's get started. He'll be your opponent."
"Kakashi, step forward."
As soon as he finished speaking, a white-haired man wearing Anbu gear and a dog mask stepped out.
"Hatake Kakashi? I never thought we'd meet like this." A faintly amused look flickered through Chiya's eyes as he thought.
Before you continue