Silence settled over the private room for a moment. Fat sizzled on the grill, and the aroma filled the room.
Jin Uchiha picked up the tongs and placed several cooked slices of meat onto Aya Hyuga's and Kazama Nara's plates. "You know what Shisui's like, don't you?" he said casually. "The ANBU handover just finished. He's buried in work. Once he gets through this stretch, he'll have time."
Aya accepted the meat, but instead of picking up her chopsticks, she looked up at him, a trace of scrutiny in her white eyes.
"Jin, you make it sound so easy. But tell us the truth. How is Shisui really doing? I heard about him standing up to support you at the last Jonin Meeting. They said the Hokage's expression was downright frightening."
Kazama set down his sake cup as well, his expression turning serious.
"Aya's right. Shisui may have joined ANBU, but it's still an organization directly under the Hokage. Becoming ANBU Captain looks like a promotion, but in reality, he's been put in the hot seat. I know Inoichi Yamanaka. He seems mild-mannered, but underneath, he's extremely shrewd."
The smile on Jin's lips faded slightly at those words, only to return a moment later.
He leaned back, his gaze passing over both his comrades before settling on the meat turning on the grill.
"You still see things as clearly as ever, Kazama."
"Shisui's situation certainly isn't easy. I won't hide that from you. But don't underestimate him, either. Shisui seems gentle on the surface, but he understands things better than anyone. If he accepted the position, that means he's already worked out how to handle it."
"Besides, having Inoichi Yamanaka there isn't necessarily all bad for Shisui."
Aya frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Jin transferred some cooked meat to