Two stories unfolded in parallel; let us follow one at a time.
After leaving Naruto's home, the four of them talked it over and decided against the barbecue restaurant, heading toward Ichiraku Ramen instead.
They had already eaten barbecue for lunch after returning to the village. Asuma had taken Kurenai home first, and Kakashi had gone to report on the mission, so only the Konoha New Generation had gone out for barbecue.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long, and the boys' and girls' laughter filled the street.
"Hey, Naruto!"
A hearty greeting came from up ahead.
Asuma was walking toward them with a cigarette between his lips and a paper bag full of groceries in his hand.
When he noticed Hanabi among them, he immediately took the cigarette, still more than half unsmoked, from his mouth, dropped it on the ground, and carefully stamped it out.
"Heading out to have some fun with your friends?"
Smiling, he pulled his wallet from his jacket's inner pocket, fine lines gathering at the corners of his eyes.
"I did promise to treat you to barbecue, but Kurenai still needs someone looking after her for the next few days..."
He gave Naruto a meaningful look.
"Go eat with your friends. My treat."
Naruto waved his hands, refusing the money held out to him.
"There's no need, Asuma-sensei."
Without taking no for an answer, Asuma slapped a stack of bills into Naruto's arms. "What do you mean, no need? I already promised to treat you to barbecue. Besides, Ino and Hinata are students of mine and Kurenai's. They just finished a difficult mission, so they deserve to relax.
"You taking them out works perfectly. That way, Kurenai and I won't have to arrange another meal to reward them later. Two birds with one stone,