Inside Yakiniku Q.
The group had booked a private room.
This was the Konoha 12's first gathering with everyone present.
Even Sasuke, who had been learning new ninjutsu from Kakashi, had been tracked down and brought back.
Amid everyone's teasing, Naruto took the seat facing the door. To his left sat Karin, Sakura, Sasuke, Kiba, Shino, Hinata, and Neji.
To his right were Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Hanabi, who had tagged along to join the fun.
Of course, besides the approaching Chunin Ninja Exams, one of the gathering's focal points was Karin, who sat quietly beside Naruto, seeming somewhat out of place amid the lively atmosphere.
As Konoha's young ninja arrived one after another and crowded into the private room, their reactions varied when they saw the unfamiliar red-haired girl sitting pressed close to Naruto.
Some were surprised, while others offered their congratulations.
Those congratulations were heartfelt.
Naruto was an orphan. Finding someone from his clan was undoubtedly a happy occasion worth celebrating.
That knowledge brought the young ninja present a different kind of warmth and sense of fulfillment amid the tension of preparing for the exams.
Listening to the congratulations coming from all around her, Karin watched Naruto's profile, a little embarrassed yet unable to hide his happiness. As she felt the goodwill these unfamiliar boys and girls offered her, the tension in her heart finally eased a little more.
She quietly raised her head, the dancing flames of the grill and the lively, smiling faces around her reflected in her purplish-red eyes.
This unfamiliar place, these noisy people... perhaps they weren't so frightening after all.
"The Chunin Ninja Exams are about to start, so everyone had better give it their all!"
Kiba looked eager to get started.
"Woof, woof!"
Akamaru barked twice in agreement.
"If