After the three of them finished introducing themselves, Tōichi-sensei smiled slightly.
"Alright. That's enough for today. Meet me here tomorrow morning — I'll be taking you to your first mission."
Before anyone could respond, he vanished — just like that.
Itsuki and Tanako stood frozen, staring at the empty spot where their new teacher had been.
"W-What just happened?" Itsuki blinked. "Did he just… leave?"
Tanako sighed softly. "He looked so scary, and now he's gone? I have a bad feeling about this…"
Arata shook his head with a helpless smile.
Yeah… definitely another unreliable type.
He turned to them. "Alright. See you both tomorrow."
But as he was about to leave, Itsuki called out, "Wait, Arata!"
Arata paused mid-step.
"Today's our graduation day — and our first day as a team. Shouldn't we, you know… celebrate?"
Before Arata could answer, Tanako's soft voice chimed in.
"That's a great idea. Let's go for barbecue. My treat."
She smiled, her golden hair glinting under the sunlight.
"Besides, Itsuki and I haven't really gotten to know you yet, Arata."
Arata rubbed the back of his neck.
Even he couldn't find a polite way to refuse that.
"Well… if you insist. Sorry for the trouble, Tanako."
Itsuki laughed. "Don't worry about it, Arata! Tanako's loaded. Her dad's one of Konoha's top merchants. Her monthly allowance equals a B-rank mission reward!"
Tanako frowned instantly. "Itsuki, one more word and you're paying for everything."
Itsuki raised both hands in surrender, grinning. "Got it, got it! I'll shut up."
Arata blinked, slightly surprised.
He had guessed that Tanako came from a good family, but he hadn't expected this level of wealth.
A B-rank mission reward? That's around eighty to two hundred thousand ryō.
Her monthly allowance alone could buy a thousand bowls of Ichiraku ramen.
He sighed internally.
So this is the wealth gap, huh… I'm living on five thousand ryō a month.
Still, free food was free food.
"Alright," Arata said, smiling faintly. "Let's go."
They went to one of Konoha's most popular barbecue restaurants — a favorite hangout for off-duty ninja.
The place was lively, the air filled with the smell of grilled meat and chatter.
As soon as they stepped inside, a familiar voice called out:
"Arata! Over here!"
Arata turned — and saw Ino waving from a nearby table.
Sitting with her were Shikamaru, Choji, and their new sensei, Asuma.
He looked toward Tanako, silently asking for her opinion.
Tanako smiled, her eyes glinting.
"So, Arata, you and Ino are close?"
"Not really," Arata replied casually. "We just met recently."
He didn't think much of her question — but Itsuki, watching from the side, shivered slightly.
Oh no… Tanako's smiling. That's bad news.
He knew her well enough to recognize that tone — quiet jealousy wrapped in politeness.
Tanako's smile softened.
"Well then," she said sweetly, "let's go say hi."
Itsuki sighed.
Yeah. This dinner's not going to be peaceful…
The three joined Ino's group.
Sure enough, the whole Team Ten was there — Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Asuma.
As they approached, Tanako subtly slipped between Arata and Ino before they could sit down side by side.
She smiled charmingly.
"Ino! What a coincidence. You're here too?"
Ino blinked, momentarily thrown off.
"Tanako? Oh — hey! Yeah, we came to celebrate after our team meeting."
The two girls actually knew each other fairly well.
Ino didn't see Tanako as a rival; she had never been obsessed with Sasuke like the others, and Tanako wasn't the type to fight over boys.
Her family's wealth also gave her an air of distance — someone admired but not competed with.
Still, something about Tanako tonight felt… different.
Softer on the surface, sharper underneath.
Even Shikamaru and Itsuki exchanged a look that said, We can both feel the tension.
Arata, oblivious, sat down beside Itsuki.
Shikamaru gestured toward their teacher. "Arata, this is our instructor — Sarutobi Asuma."
Arata and his teammates immediately stood and bowed slightly.
"Nice to meet you, Asuma-sensei."
Asuma waved his hand modestly.
"No need for formalities. Have a seat."
When they sat, he chuckled.
"You three are pretty polite. My students could learn a thing or two."
Shikamaru sighed. "Yeah, yeah…"
He wasn't wrong — the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans were prestigious enough that even the Hokage's son didn't intimidate them.
Ino, meanwhile, leaned forward with a curious smile.
"So, Arata — you're already done with your team assessment? That was fast. Didn't your teacher make you take a test?"
Her tone was casual, but her eyes were bright with curiosity.
Even Tanako leaned forward slightly, though her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Arata nodded calmly.
"Our teacher's test was… simple."
Itsuki immediately interrupted, waving his hands. "Simple?! We almost died!"
Everyone turned toward him, eyes widening.
Shikamaru frowned. "Wait — what kind of test was that?"
Even Asuma's easy smile faded.
"Hold on. Who's your instructor again?"
Itsuki scratched his head. "Uh… Kimoto Tōichi-sensei."
Asuma froze.
"…Kimoto Tōichi?"
A deep frown creased his forehead.
He leaned back, thoughtful.
"I don't recall any jōnin by that name…"