Asuma Sarutobi held his Chakra Blades horizontally, shielding Kurenai Yuhi as fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
They had yet to exchange blows, but he instinctively sensed that the two figures in black cloaks patterned with red clouds were even more dangerous than Orochimaru had been.
Especially the man whose face was hidden beneath the shadow of his bamboo hat. He was every Jonin in Konoha's nightmare-Uchiha Itachi.
"Kurenai, take Goten and go."
Asuma lowered his voice, his throat tight. "Leave this to Kakashi and me."
Outside the shop, Kakashi had his right hand pressed against the ground, ready to provide support with Earth Release at any moment.
Just as the standoff reached a breaking point, with blood threatening to spill at any second-
A hand impatiently reached over and shoved Asuma in the backside.
"Move, bearded old man. You're blocking me from picking out ingredients."
Asuma stumbled from the shove and turned around, his face full of disbelief. "...Ingredients?"
Son Goten leaned halfway out from behind Asuma, still holding a half-finished skewer of dumplings.
His large, clear black-and-white eyes were looking Kisame Hoshigaki up and down.
"Kurenai-sensei."
Son Goten turned toward Kurenai Yuhi behind him and pointed at Kisame's blue face, his tone utterly serious.
"I heard deep-sea fish look so slapdash because nobody can see them. But isn't this one a little too slapdash?"
Everyone fell silent. The knuckles of Kisame's hand creaked around his teacup.
Son Goten completely ignored Kisame's murderous glare and continued complaining to Kurenai. "Can you even eat blue meat like that? Would it be poisonous? He looks like he's been poisoned. Nobody would buy sashimi made out of him."
Kurenai Yuhi had been so tense that her palms were sweating, but at his words, she nearly choked to death on her