Wait, what did that little brat just shout?
Konohamaru?
I pulled back the foot I had just planted across the dining room threshold.
My stomach growled even louder.
The aroma of pork rib soup drifted through the crack in the door, straight into my nose.
Wearing a white apron, Hinata was coming out of the kitchen with a clay pot.
Fine beads of sweat still dotted her forehead.
"Sen, eat first. Whatever's happening outside can wait until afterward."
Her voice was soft and soothing.
I swallowed, fighting the urge to sit down and dig in.
I rubbed between my brows.
"I won't be able to eat in peace until I send this brat packing."
I turned toward the front door.
That little brat Konohamaru had always thrown his weight around as the Third's grandson.
Ever since he was little, he had stuck to Naruto, learning all sorts of ridiculous jutsu.
Now that he was grown, he had started going around challenging people.
The front door was still rattling under a barrage of bangs.
I yanked open the solid wooden door.
The hinges creaked.
The sunlight outside was blinding, and I instinctively narrowed my eyes.
Konohamaru wore a crisp Elite Jonin vest.
The blue scarf around his neck fluttered in the wind.
He was also forming a vivid blue Rasengan in his hand.
The chakra on its surface churned erratically, hissing.
"Sen Senju!"
He roared and thrust the ball toward my stomach.
Three young Genin stood behind him.
Two boys and a girl watched him with wide, admiring eyes.
I couldn't even be bothered to dodge.
I lowered my eyelids.
A thin layer of Wood Release armor covered my right hand.
It was dark gray, almost black, and looked like sheet metal.
Smack.
I slapped the Rasengan.
The blue chakra ball