A New Order

"Everyone, make yourselves at home!" Naruto's pockets were bulging. The mission at Konoha Hospital had gone smoothly, and the reward money had naturally found its way into his pocket.

Hinata understood what Naruto meant and boldly told the waiter, "Bring one of every vegetable on the menu to start, and three servings of meat. Fill the table!"

The waiter immediately took back the menu, beaming. "No problem. It'll all be here in a moment."

Naruto's friends from Konoha sat along both sides of the long table.

From left to right:

Naruto, Hinata, Sakura Haruno.

Karin, Haku, Kimimaro.

Neji, Lee, Tenten.

Across from them, from right to left:

Shino, Kiba, Yo Uchiha.

Shikamaru, Choji, Ino.

The other four seats were left for their team leaders.

Choji was grinning from ear to ear, eagerly waiting for the grill to heat up. "Finally, we can eat as much meat as we want. Naruto, you'll always be my big brother."

Shino suddenly sent a chill Naruto's way. "Choji calls Naruto his big brother. Why? Because as long as there's meat, anyone can be Choji's big brother."

What a friend.

Naruto rolled his eyes at Shino. "Did anyone tell your teachers?"

Everyone looked at one another. It seemed they'd all forgotten.

Naruto gave the table a light tap. "It's fine. Kakashi's nose is sharper than a dog's. If he doesn't see us around, he'll find us for sure. Today's get-together is to celebrate how we've all worked together and to usher in a new era for Konoha's ninja. Come on, everyone, raise your glasses!"

Kiba was the most enthusiastic, raising his drink along with Akamaru.

One by one, the others raised theirs.

"Cheers!"

The barbecue began.

Naruto grilled beef for Hinata and mixed up some sauce for her.

But Hinata kept wrapping meat in lettuce and stuffing it into Naruto's mouth.

Lee and Neji both had their eyes on the same chicken wing, and they reached for it at the same time.

Lee grabbed the drumette, while Neji took the tip. They silently struggled over it.

Tenten couldn't stand watching them. She picked up the scissors on the table and cut the chicken wing in half. "You've been competing since you were little, and neither of you will ever give in."

Lee and Neji stuffed their pieces into their mouths and mumbled, "We'll settle it over the next slice of pork belly."

Shikamaru, his hair tied back, lounged around drinking. After finishing a cup, he realized his drink wasn't cold enough and held it out to Haku. "Haku, could you chill this for me?"

Haku reached out and tapped the bottle with a finger. Tiny points of frost appeared, soon making the drink ice-cold.

"Kimimaro, would you like some more?" Haku asked, turning her head.

Kimimaro lowered his head and covered his mouth as he gave a couple of quiet coughs. In response to Haku's question, he shook his head. "My old illness is acting up. I'll just watch everyone eat."

Before long, the others had loosened up. They wandered around, while the girls claimed one of the grills and refused to let the boys near it.

Except for Naruto, not one of the boys noticed that the girls were failing to get any grilled meat because they were so busy trying to maintain their ladylike dignity.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

The Ninja Dog Pakkun leaped onto Naruto's head. "There you are!"

Kakashi rushed in with the teachers.

Smelling the mouthwatering meat, Guy began spinning around. "Lee, barbecue tastes even better when you share it!"

"Teacher Kurenai!"

"Teacher Asuma!"

"I heard Naruto's treating us?" Kurenai Yuhi had wavy black hair and red eyes, and was gentle by nature. "This must have cost quite a bit."

Kakashi said in a strange tone, "Kurenai, don't worry about Naruto being unable to pay. He can take missions and earn money without a teacher's approval now."

Naruto hugged Pakkun. "Kakashi-sensei, I did tell you. You're the one who likes to be late. We finished the mission early and got our reward early. What's wrong with that?"

Guy picked up meat with lightning-fast chopsticks and agreed with Naruto. "Kakashi, Naruto's growth has surpassed your expectations. Don't hold him back. Let him spread his wings and soar!"

Asuma stubbed out his cigarette and said warmly to Kurenai Yuhi, "Let's take the empty seats on the right. Tell me what you want, and I'll grill it for you."

Kurenai Yuhi was a little bashful. "Let's just relax and enjoy ourselves."

Ino and Sakura teased her enviously. "Teacher Kurenai's blushing!"

Now that everyone had arrived, the fun of the barbecue continued.

Waves beat against the rocks along the shore.

Two swallows searched for food along the coast.

On the half-built bridge to the left, the bridge workers faced off against a group of laughing ninja.

"Anyone who moves, dies!" These ninja were ruthless.

The leader stood respectfully beside a short, stout, middle-aged man wearing round brown glasses. "Boss Gato, we've captured the one leading the resistance. How would you like us to deal with him?"

Gato polished his shoes. "Did you catch Tazuna?"

The leader looked around, then angrily pointed at his men. "That old man got away. Are you all useless? Hurry up and find him. Capture him!"

"Yes, boss!"

Gato said in a low voice, "If this bridge gets any longer, I'll make sure you've got less meat on your bones. Understand?"

The leader bowed and lowered his eyes. "Boss Gato, there isn't much value in the meat on my bones."

Gato shot him a disdainful glance. "Hang the troublemaker in front of everyone."

"Drag him over and string him up!"

The thugs among the ninja hoisted the struggling Kaiza into the air.

Kaiza had once come to the Land of Waves as a fisherman in pursuit of his dreams. He had been captured while protecting Tazuna's escape, then hanged in public from a wooden post.

"Gato, your crimes will send you to hell."

Kaiza's dying curse sounded utterly powerless.

In the crowd, Inari, who had been like a son to Kaiza, wept in agony. "It was all a lie. There are no heroes in this world. How could a hero die at the hands of villains?"

Construction on the bridge came to a halt. The people of the Land of Waves remained under Gato's control, and poverty and unrest continued to define the little island.

Taking advantage of the thick sea fog, Tazuna escaped the Land of Waves. But he was determined to return.

Only by completing the bridge could the people of the Land of Waves be freed from Gato's grip.

Tazuna carried the hopes of far too many people on his shoulders.

Out at sea, Tazuna studied the map in his hands, thinking about what he could do to give himself the best chance of success. His gaze settled on the Land of Fire.

"I'll hire ninja from Konoha to escort me back to the Land of Waves. If Konoha's ninja really are as righteous as everyone says, then when they learn about Gato's crimes, there's a good chance they'll help me deal with him."

Tazuna had thought of the only solution.

Gato Company.

Furious, Gato lashed the ninja leader. "You're all useless! You let an old man get away. As long as he's alive, he's a ticking time bomb. Do you understand?"

"I'll send more men," the leader said, cowed by Gato. "We'll definitely catch Tazuna."

Gato pressed down on the ninja leader. "I've already hired a powerful ninja to deal with Tazuna. You're no longer of any use."