"It's been a while. How about we hang out? Barbecue's on me."
Leaving the academy, Izayoi extended an invitation to Teams 7 and 10.
Choji Akimichi and Naruto Uzumaki's eyes lit up instantly.
"Sounds good, but let's split the bill," Shikamaru Nara said with a nod, setting a condition.
He knew all too well how staggering Choji's appetite could be.
Even an elite jonin like Asuma-sensei had been forced to beg for credit at restaurants more than once because of Choji.
Shikamaru also knew a bit about Izayoi's situation.
A civilian orphan, living off his parents' inheritance and village stipends.
Even after months as a genin, his earnings probably couldn't cover Choji's barbecue feast.
"No worries, eat as much as you want. I've got plenty saved up," said Izayoi, now a ninja world tycoon, flashing a grin that left Naruto and Choji in awe.
Seeing this, Shikamaru dropped the issue, planning to return the favor later.
Sasuke Uchiha, however, dampened the mood. "I'd rather go train."
"You can train anytime. Today's for relaxing," Izayoi said, clapping Sasuke's shoulder, his eyes glinting with a subtle threat.
"Fine," Sasuke relented, crossing his arms with a haughty air, as if doing Izayoi a favor.
Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka's eyes sparkled, each imagining sitting beside Sasuke at dinner.
Catching each other's thoughts, they locked eyes, sparks practically flying between them.
At Konoha's largest barbecue joint, the nine rookies pushed three tables together, kicking off their first group barbecue.
Naruto, who rarely ate anything fancy, competed with Choji to see who could devour more meat.
Ino and Sakura flanked Sasuke, fawning over him, only to earn his visible disgust.
Shikamaru and Shino Aburame sat together, sipping juice and chatting with Izayoi about the candidates they'd observed during the exam.
Izayoi kept the conversation flowing while deftly grilling meat for Hinata, placing it on her plate.
Hinata ate quietly, the picture of refinement, but a closer look revealed her pace matched the ravenous Naruto and Choji.
Her appetite outstripped Naruto's and rivaled Choji's.
Gradually, Shikamaru noticed, his gaze toward Hinata filled with astonishment.
Someone whose appetite matched Choji's?
This clan heiress was incredible!
As the meal wound down, Izayoi produced a camera from somewhere, having a shadow clone snap a group photo.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen this, he'd have sighed, "This is Konoha's future!"
The meal cost Izayoi over a hundred thousand ryo.
In the past, it would've bled him dry.
Six years of saving had only netted him three hundred thousand.
Now, though, it was a drop in the bucket.
The meal also brought the classmates of six years closer together.
They'd never been in the same circle before, but now, a small clique was forming.
Only Izayoi knew the true weight of this group.
Two future saviors and Hokage, plus clan heirs, future heads of Konoha's hospital and intelligence, and even a supplier of soldier pills…
Before, Izayoi had focused on grinding entries, with no time for friends.
Now, with his ninja potential at Six Paths level and a future in Konoha ahead, he didn't mind expanding his network.
…
The next day, two in the afternoon.
Ring, ring, ring…
The alarm clock roused Hinata from her nap.
Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at Izayoi, still fast asleep beside her, then slipped out of bed quietly. Tying her hair into a bun, she headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Izayoi-kun, time to get up," Hinata called after finishing her routine, having squeezed toothpaste for him.
"What time is it?" Izayoi mumbled groggily.
"It's already two."
"There's still an hour. Let me sleep more."
"No way, get up already!" Hinata pulled off the blanket, gently nudging him to keep him from dozing off.
"Kiss me first, or I'm not getting up," Izayoi teased, setting conditions.
"Mm…"
Hinata pouted, cheeks faintly pink, but leaned down to peck his forehead.
"Too light, didn't feel it."
Muah!
"On the cheek."
Muah!
"And the other side," Izayoi said, pointing to his other cheek, eyes now open, grinning mischievously.
"Izayoi-kun, you know who you're acting like? Hanabi," Hinata said, rolling her eyes. Still, her cheeks flushed as she leaned in, giving his other cheek a soft kiss.
She pulled him upright.
"We practically raised Hanabi. What's weird about us being alike?" Izayoi chuckled, ruffling Hinata's face before planting a kiss on her warm cheek.
"Go brush your teeth. Morning breath," Hinata said, her face redder, feigning disgust as she pushed him toward the bathroom.
Brushing his teeth, Izayoi mumbled, "Hinata, open the desk drawer and grab the red box for me."
"Okay."
Hinata, about to fetch milk, nodded instead.
She returned with the box, standing by as Izayoi finished.
He rinsed his mouth, washed his face, and dried it with the handkerchief Hinata handed him. Opening the box, he revealed two contact lenses.
"Those are… glasses?" Hinata asked, surprised.
"No, colored contact lenses."
Izayoi activated his Tenseigan, then slipped the lenses on.
His sky-blue pupils, rimmed with white, flowing patterns, reverted to a deep, ordinary blue.
These were what he'd bought in the city with the villa before returning to Konoha.
Seeing Izayoi conceal his Tenseigan, the sharp-minded Hinata's expression grew serious. "Izayoi-kun, is this Chunin Exam dangerous?"
Having witnessed the might of repulsion and attraction, Hinata doubted any genin could match Izayoi.
Yet now, he was hiding his Tenseigan, clearly preparing to use those powers without revealing his dojutsu.
What kind of enemy warranted such caution?
Hinata's heart grew heavy.
"Just a precaution," Izayoi said, studying his reflection with a cryptic smile. "If things go smoothly, it'll be easy. If not, we might face a tough fight."
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