While they waited for the meat to arrive, Asuma Sarutobi struck up a conversation with Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi only answered occasionally, but Asuma still picked up some information. He was surprised to hear that they had already started taking missions.
He turned toward Luo Mang.
"I didn't expect you to be taking missions that involved killing already. I'm impressed."
He was curious about what made the boy so special that the laid-back Kakashi would make an exception and even add another person to his team.
"Wow, that was fast! We weren't planning to go until the day after tomorrow."
Shock appeared on Ino Yamanaka's face. She hadn't expected Sakura and the others to be taking such serious missions already. She turned to compliment her.
She had meant to trade a few barbs with her friend, but when she turned, all she saw was the back of Sakura's head.
Sakura was gazing at Luo Mang attentively, even humming softly, as though imagining some lovely scene that would soon unfold.
Huh? What?
Ino opened her mouth. As Sakura's close friend, how could she fail to recognize that expression?
Wasn't that how she used to look at Sasuke? Had she really switched her affections that quickly?
"My feelings were wasted!"
She muttered under her breath. She had thought Sakura had sat beside her because she wanted to compete over something.
After all, it wasn't unusual for sparks to fly whenever they met. Whether they were discussing Sasuke or pretty clothes, it always turned into an argument and a battle of words.
It turned out she had overthought it. That really hurt.
How could her close friend treat her like this?
Shikamaru Nara idly fiddled with his chopsticks. The thought of going on a major mission soon left him feeling irritated.
Noticing Ino Yamanaka's