Inside a private room at the barbecue restaurant.
The charcoal crackled, and slices of meat sizzled with fat on the grill.
Naruto's eyes shone, his chopsticks poised and ready to strike.
Sasuke sat beside him, keeping up his cool-guy act, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward the grill.
Itachi and Shisui sat on one side, exchanging a few words now and then.
Konan sat beside Genya, a gentle light flickering in her eyes as she watched the lively scene before her.
"Konan, try this."
Genya placed a grilled slice of beef tongue in her bowl.
"Konoha's barbecue is something special."
Konan lowered her head, tasted it, and nodded.
"Not bad."
"Hehe, you bet!"
Naruto's mouth was stuffed full, but that didn't stop him from chiming in.
"Everything in Konoha is great! The barbecue is the best! Or is ramen the greatest?"
Sasuke gave him a look of disgust.
"Could you finish eating before you talk?"
Naruto swallowed and made a face at him.
"Mind your own business!"
The two were about to start bickering again when Sakura knocked Naruto on the head.
"Eat quietly!"
For once, Naruto and Sasuke agreed on something.
When Sakura was angry, it was best to behave.
Shisui shook his head with a smile and said to Itachi,
"Ah, to be young."
Genya poured Konan a cup of tea and asked softly,
"Settling in all right?"
Konan nodded.
"Yes."
"That's good."
Genya smiled.
He placed a grilled slice of pork belly in Konan's bowl and said something with a smile.
Konan was just about to speak...
The doorway curtain swept aside with a rustle.
"Hey! You're here too!"
Asuma sauntered in with a cigarette between his lips. Three people followed behind him.
Shikamaru had both hands behind his head, his face practically saying, "What a drag."