"It's been a while. How about we all go out and hang out? Yakiniku's on me."
Outside the school, Izayoi invited Team 7 and Team 10.
Upon hearing that, Chōji Akimichi and Naruto Uzumaki's eyes lit up instantly.
"Sure, but let's split the bill," Shikamaru Nara nodded, but raised a condition.
After all, he knew just how terrifying Chōji's appetite could be. Even a jōnin like Asuma-sensei had been forced to run a tab more than once thanks to Chōji's eating habits.
Shikamaru also knew a bit about Izayoi's background—an orphan from a civilian family who relied on his parents' inheritance and the village's pension support. Even after months as a genin, Izayoi probably hadn't earned enough to cover one of Chōji's meals.
"No worries. Eat as much as you like. I've got plenty saved up."
Now a ridiculously wealthy man in the ninja world, Izayoi flashed a dazzling smile that left Naruto and Chōji looking at him with absolute awe.
Seeing this, Shikamaru didn't press the issue. He figured he'd just repay the favor another time.
Just then, Sasuke Uchiha had to be a buzzkill.
"I want to go back and train."
"You can train anytime. Just think of this as a little break for yourself," Izayoi said as he clapped Sasuke on the shoulder—though his gaze carried a veiled threat.
"…Fine."
Knowing all too well what would happen if he said no, Sasuke begrudgingly crossed his arms and agreed, pretending like he was being dragged along against his will.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Ino both lit up with joy and immediately began fantasizing about sitting next to Sasuke during dinner.
Then, as if reading each other's minds, the two girls locked eyes and sparks flew.
At Konoha's biggest yakiniku joint, the new generation of the "Rookie Nine" pushed three tables together and began their first big group dinner.
Naruto, who had rarely eaten well, competed with Chōji to see who could devour more grilled meat.
Ino and Sakura sat on either side of Sasuke, falling over themselves to impress him—only to be met with his trademark look of disdain.
Shikamaru and Shino sat together drinking juice, chatting with Izayoi about the other examinees they'd observed during the written test.
Meanwhile, Izayoi skillfully grilled meat and placed it on Hinata's plate with the precision of a seasoned pro.
Hinata, for her part, quietly ate with the poise of a proper young lady—but if you looked closely, you'd see that her eating pace was just as fast as Naruto's and Chōji's.
In fact, her appetite was even more astonishing than Naruto's, rivaling Chōji's without question.
Eventually, Shikamaru noticed and stared at Hinata in amazement.
Someone who could match Chōji in sheer food intake? This heiress of a noble clan was seriously something else.
As the meal drew to a close, Izayoi pulled out a camera from who-knows-where and had a shadow clone take a group photo of them all.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen the moment, he'd surely have sighed, "So this is the future of Konoha."
The meal cost Izayoi over 100,000 ryō.
In the past, that would've been a huge hit to his savings. After all, he'd only saved up about 300,000 ryō in six years.
But now? That amount didn't even make a dent.
And that dinner helped tighten the bond between classmates who had spent six years together but had never truly formed a clique.
Now, they'd become a low-key new circle.
Only Izayoi knew how valuable this group truly was.
Two future saviors and Hokage, a collection of clan heirs, the future heads of the hospital and intel department, even the supplier of the famed soldier pills…
Before, Izayoi had only been focused on farming trait cards and had no time to make friends.
But now that he'd reached the level of "Six Paths" in terms of talent, and considering he planned to live in Konoha long-term, he didn't mind expanding his network.
…
The next day, 2:00 PM.
Riiiiing—
An alarm went off, waking Hinata from her afternoon nap.
Rubbing her eyes, Hinata looked over at the still-sleeping Izayoi beside her. She quietly got out of bed, tied her hair into a bun, and headed to the bathroom to wash up.
"Izayoi-kun, time to get up."
After finishing her own routine and squeezing toothpaste onto his brush, she returned to wake him.
"What time is it?"
"Already two in the afternoon."
"Just one more hour…"
"Nope! Get up now."
Hinata pulled back the blanket and gently nudged him.
"Only if you give me a kiss," Izayoi bargained.
"Mwah…"
Hinata pouted, blushing slightly, then leaned down and kissed his forehead.
"Too light, I didn't feel anything."
Muuu~~a!
"On the cheek, too."
Muuu~~a!
"…And the other side."
Izayoi, now clearly wide awake, opened his eyes with a cheeky grin.
"You're acting just like Hanabi," Hinata huffed, rolling her eyes, though she blushed again and kissed his other cheek too—then helped pull him out of bed.
"Well, we did help raise her. Isn't it natural we're alike?"
Izayoi chuckled, pinched her cheeks, and pecked her red face in return.
"Go brush your teeth! Your breath stinks."
Blushing furiously, Hinata pushed him into the bathroom.
While brushing, Izayoi mumbled, "Hinata, can you grab the red box in the desk drawer?"
"Okay."
Hinata, who had just been about to get milk, nodded and returned a moment later with the box in hand.
She didn't set it down. Instead, she stood quietly nearby until Izayoi finished.
When he was done rinsing, Hinata handed him a towel.
After drying his face, Izayoi opened the box, revealing a pair of tinted lenses.
"These are… contacts?" Hinata asked curiously.
"No, they're colored lenses," Izayoi replied, activating his Tenseigan and popping them in.
His light blue pupils with white glowing flower patterns immediately returned to their usual deep blue color.
He had bought them in the city before returning to Konoha.
Seeing Izayoi hide his Tenseigan, Hinata instantly sensed something and asked solemnly, "Izayoi-kun… is the Chūnin Exam dangerous?"
Having witnessed the destructive power of his repulsion and attraction abilities, Hinata couldn't imagine any genin posing a threat to him.
But now that he was disguising his eye powers, it meant he was prepared to use them without revealing his true identity.
What kind of opponent could make that necessary?
Hinata's heart grew heavy.
"It's just in case. If things go smoothly, it'll be easy. If not… it might turn into a real battle."
Looking at his reflection, Izayoi's smile turned mysterious and profound.
~~~
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