Hatake's Visit

Kakashi stood where he was, one hand tucked into his pocket.

He silently muttered to himself, Rin usually takes pretty good care of me. As her friend, I should get her a little gift too.

So he casually took the pink cat-ear accessory off the wall.

Guy picked out the heaviest pair of weighted leg wraps nearby and happily headed for the register.

Seeing that everyone had made their choices, Ye clapped his hands.

"All right, got your gifts? Come on, I'm treating you to barbecue. Eat as much as you want."

The five of them carried their bags and packages as they marched grandly toward the most popular Barbecue Q on Konoha Commercial Street.

Inside the private room, the charcoal beneath the grill burned fiercely, while a platter was covered in premium marbled beef streaked red and white.

Fat dripped onto the coals, and the rich aroma of meat rushed at them amid sizzling sounds.

Obito and Guy's chopsticks clashed wildly in midair as they fought over the first slice of prime pork belly.

Under the table, they were kicking each other with invisible leg strikes.

Guy remained expressionless, while Obito bared his teeth in pain. His calves were probably close to breaking.

Asuma had no interest in the barbecue at all.

Distracted, he poked at the dipping sauce while carefully polishing the exquisite pipe he had stolen.

His mind was entirely occupied with figuring out how to continue showing Kurenai Yuhi the "damned charm" of a mature man tomorrow.

"Ye."

Kakashi, seated across from him, suddenly put down his chopsticks.

"I'll compensate you for that Short Sword."

Kakashi spoke steadily, but there was an unmistakable stubbornness in his voice.

Ye was chewing on a charred, fragrant rib when he heard that. He casually waved a hand.

"No need.