When Asuma heard that, everyone instantly erupted into cheers.
"As expected of Big Beard Teacher—he always keeps his word. Haha!"
"Thinking about it now, Lu Yu was right. The teacher only looks a little fierce; he's actually a pretty good person."
They had assumed they would have to do more training after the practical exercise. They never expected they could go eat barbecue right away, and their opinion of Asuma changed completely.
Choji's eyes lit up. He couldn't help wiping the drool from his mouth.
"Wow, today's a great day! I've never managed to eat my fill of barbecue before. This time, I'm going to eat until I'm satisfied."
Seeing Choji's expression, Naruto was just as fired up.
"Choji, I'm not going to lose to you this time."
"Hmph, dead last. I'll show you that even when it comes to how much we can eat, you're still no match for me."
"Damn it, you jerk, Sasuke! I'll show you what I can do in a bit."
Watching the competitive boys, Ino and Shikamaru couldn't help feeling a little sorry for Asuma. The teacher probably had no idea what he was about to face.
As he watched the children cheer and celebrate, Asuma took a deep drag on his cigarette, looking thoroughly pleased.
He held up both hands to quiet everyone down. Once they had settled, Asuma said with a smile:
"No time like the present. Let's head out!"
Everyone nodded and followed behind Asuma. Ino quietly moved over beside Lu Yu and asked curiously:
"By the way, Lu Yu, where's the Masked Teacher?"
At her question, the others looked over curiously.
Lu Yu sighed helplessly and glanced at Shikamaru, who was eavesdropping with his ears perked up a few meters away.
"I couldn't help it. My own little brother had set me up, so I had no choice but to step in."
Shikamaru awkwardly scratched his head and looked at Lu Yu, speaking timidly.
"I thought this was the best chance of winning. Hey, big bro, you're not mad, are you?"
"Haha, what are you talking about? I'm glad you thought of all that."
Asuma watched the others gather around Lu Yu with curiosity. It was obvious that Lu Yu had a lot of influence, but he wondered just how strong the kid really was.
Earlier, he had seen Lu Yu holding the three bells he'd taken from Kakashi, but hadn't thought much of it.
The more he thought about it now, the stranger it seemed. That was Kakashi—the strongest jōnin in Konoha. Had this kid really beaten him on his own?
Soon, Asuma spotted Kakashi in the distance and was surprised to see him standing perfectly still.
Asuma walked over to Kakashi, looking puzzled.
"Kakashi, what's wrong with you?"
"Huh?"
Kakashi gave a wry smile.
"It's nothing. I'm just not feeling too good. Did you lose too?"
"Yeah. That Uchiha kid was pretty impressive, and—"
Asuma stopped mid-sentence, then looked at Kakashi in disbelief.
"Too? Does that mean you lost to Lu Yu from our class?"
Kakashi was about to say something when he noticed Lu Yu casting him a threatening, warning look from nearby. He laughed awkwardly and said:
"It's embarrassing to admit, but I let my guard down and fell into that kid's trap... Anyway, Asuma, take the kids to get barbecue. Let me know how much it costs afterward, and we can split it fifty-fifty."
"No, no, I can afford one meal of barbecue. All right, I'll get going."
Asuma turned down Kakashi's offer and headed for the Barbecue Restaurant with the kids.
Since Kakashi had put it that way, Asuma couldn't very well press him for details.
After all, it wasn't something a jōnin would want to talk about—letting a newly graduated Genin get the better of him.
Still, when Asuma looked back at Lu Yu, his eyes were full of curiosity.
Kakashi watched Asuma and the kids disappear into the distance. He exhaled in relief, dropped onto the ground, then lay back in the grass and gazed comfortably up at the sky.
For a moment, Kakashi felt as if he'd narrowly escaped disaster.
As he watched the clouds drift by, the events from earlier replayed in his mind. He still couldn't understand how a student who had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy could have such a terrifying presence.
A monster?
Then Kakashi frowned, his head beginning to ache.
"This is bad. How am I supposed to report this to the Third Hokage? Should I just say I lost because I let my guard down and didn't get a chance to test him? Hmm, this is going to be troublesome..."
While Kakashi was still agonizing over it, Asuma wasn't having a much better time elsewhere.
With Sasuke, Naruto, Lu Yu, and Choji going all out, the plates piled more than a meter high, and it looked as if they were only getting started.
Asuma watched the four bottomless pits wolfing down food, his mouth twitching and his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
Choji eating a lot was understandable. After all, he was from the Akimichi Clan, and they were known for their huge appetites.
But the other three could eat just as much as Choji. What was going on? Had they not eaten in a month?
In the end, when Asuma saw the bill, which stretched to three and a half meters, his face went completely pale.
A minute later, Asuma stared at his empty wallet, wishing he could cry. He couldn't help thinking regretfully:
If only I'd split the bill with Kakashi...
By evening, in the Hokage's Office,
Kakashi, Yūhi Kurenai, and the Third Hokage were there.
Before long, Asuma knocked and came in.
"Lord Hokage."
After entering, Asuma nodded to Kakashi and Yūhi Kurenai, then turned to face the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage took a puff on his pipe, looked at Asuma, and asked:
"Asuma, what did you think of today's practical exercise?"
Before you continue