New Pattern

"Everyone, make yourselves at home!" Naruto's purse was bulging; with the mission at Konoha Hospital successfully completed, the reward had naturally found its way into his pocket.

Hinata understood the look in Naruto's eyes and boldly told the waiter, "Bring one of every vegetable on the menu, and three servings of meat to start. Fill the table."

The waiter immediately took the menu back, a smile blooming like a flower: "No problem, coming right up."

Seated around the long table were the companions Naruto had made in Konoha.

From left to right:

Naruto, Hinata, Sakura Haruno.

Karin, Haku, Kimimaro.

Neji, Lee, Tenten.

Opposite them, from right to left:

Shino, Kiba, Yo Uchiha.

Shikamaru, Choji, Ino.

Four additional seats were left open for their senseis.

Choji was grinning the whole time, waiting in anticipation for the grill to heat up: "Finally, I can eat meat to my heart's content. Naruto, you'll always be my big brother."

Shino suddenly blew toward Naruto like a gust of cold air: "If you want to know why Choji calls Naruto big brother, it's because as long as there's meat to eat, anyone can be Choji's big brother."

What a frenemy.

Naruto rolled his eyes at Shino: "Did anyone notify the senseis?"

Everyone looked at each other, seemingly having forgotten all about it.

Naruto tapped the table lightly: "It's nothing. Kakashi's nose is sharper than a dog's; if he doesn't see us, he'll definitely be able to track us down. Today's gathering is to celebrate our unity and cooperation as we forge a new era for Konoha ninjas. Come on, everyone, raise your glasses!"

Kiba was the most enthusiastic, holding his drink high with Akamaru.

The others raised theirs one by one.

"Cheers!"

The barbecue began.

Naruto grilled beef slices for Hinata and mixed the seasoning for her.

Hinata, however, kept wrapping meat in lettuce for Naruto, stuffing it into his mouth.

Lee and Neji locked eyes on the same chicken wing, their chopsticks striking at the same time.

Lee clamped onto the head, Neji onto the tail, both secretly exerting force.

Tenten couldn't watch anymore; she picked up the scissors from the table and snipped the wing in two: "You two have been fighting since you were kids, and neither of you ever gives in."

Lee and Neji popped their halves into their mouths, mumbling, "We'll settle this with the next pork belly."

Shikamaru, his hair tied up, sipped his drink leisurely. Just as he finished a glass, he noticed it wasn't quite cold enough, so he handed it to Haku: "Haku, please help me chill this."

Haku extended a finger and tapped the bottle. Tiny frost crystals appeared, quickly cooling the drink.

"Kimimaro, do you want some?" Haku asked, tilting his head.

Kimimaro kept his head down, covering his mouth to cough softly. He shook his head in response to Haku: "My old ailment is acting up. I'll just watch everyone eat."

Before long, the initial restraint vanished, and everyone was moving about. The girls occupied one grill, refusing to let the boys touch it.

Except for Naruto, not a single boy noticed that the girls were failing to get any grilled meat because they were too busy trying to maintain their elegance.

Woof woof woof!

The ninja dog Pakkun jumped onto Naruto's head: "Found you."

Kakashi led the group of senseis as they burst in.

Guy caught the mouth-watering scent of meat and began to spin: "Lee, barbecue is always tastier when shared!"

"Kurenai Yuhi sensei."

"Asuma sensei."

"I heard Naruto is treating?" Kurenai Yuhi, with her black curly hair and red pupils, spoke with a gentle personality: "This must be quite expensive."

Kakashi said in his usual eccentric tone, "Kurenai, don't worry about Naruto not being able to pay. He's already at the point where he can take missions ahead of schedule without a sensei's approval to earn his own reward."

Naruto hugged Pakkun: "Kakashi sensei, I did notify you. It's your habit of being late that's the problem. We finished the mission early and got the reward early—isn't that a good thing?"

Guy used his chopsticks to grab meat with lightning speed, agreeing with Naruto's approach: "Kakashi, Naruto's growth exceeds your imagination. Don't restrict his development; let him spread his wings and fly!"

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

Kurenai Yuhi was a bit shy: "Let's just be casual."

Ino and Sakura teased them enviously: "Kurenai Yuhi sensei is blushing!"

With everyone present, the joy of the barbecue continued.

Waves crashed against the rocks along the shore.

Two petrels searched for food by the coast.

On the left side of the coast, atop the half-finished bridge, the construction workers stood in a tense standoff with a group of laughing ninjas.

"Whoever dares to move, we'll kill them!" these ninjas snarled, radiating malice.

The ninja leader stood respectfully beside a short, stout middle-aged man wearing round brown glasses. "Boss Gato Company, we've caught the ringleader of the resistance. How would you like us to handle him?"

Gato Company wiped his shoes. "Have you caught Tazuna?"

The ninja leader scanned the area, then pointed angrily at his subordinates. "That old man escaped! Are you all useless? Go find him, go catch him!"

"Yes, boss."

Gato Company said in a low voice, "If this bridge doesn't progress any further, I'll make sure there's less meat on your bones. Do you understand?"

The ninja leader lowered his head submissively. "Boss Gato Company, the meat on my body isn't worth much."

Gato Company shot him a glance. "As for the troublemaker, hang him in front of everyone."

"Drag him over and string him up."

The ninja thugs hoisted the struggling Kaiza into the air.

Kaiza, the fisherman who had once come to the Land of Waves to pursue his dreams, had been captured while protecting Tazuna's escape, and was now being hanged from a wooden post in public.

"Gato Company, your sins will drag you to hell."

Kaiza's dying curse sounded incredibly pale and hollow.

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

Work on the bridge stopped, and the people of the Land of Waves remained under the control of Gato Company; poverty and turmoil remained the only themes on this small island.

Tazuna took advantage of the thick sea fog to escape the Land of Waves, but he was determined to return.

Only by completing the bridge could the people of the Land of Waves be liberated from the clutches of Gato Company.

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

Out on the open sea, Tazuna looked at the map in his hands, pondering how he could maximize his chances of success. His gaze settled on the Land of Fire.

"If I hire ninjas from Konoha to escort me back to the Land of Waves, and if the ninjas of Konoha are truly as righteous as everyone says, they will likely help me deal with Gato Company once they learn of his crimes."

Tazuna realized this was his only option.

Gato Company.

A furious Gato Company whipped the ninja leader. "You're all trash! You actually let an old man get away. If he doesn't die, he's a ticking time bomb. Do you understand?"

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

Gato Company pressed down on the ninja leader. "I have already hired powerful ninjas to handle Tazuna. You are no longer of any use."