After returning to the village, Asuka told the squad members to go home and rest. After agreeing on a time for dinner, he headed to the Mizukage's Office Building to report on the mission.
Knock, knock, knock.
After three knocks, a deep voice came from inside.
"Enter."
Hearing this, Asuka pushed the door open and saw the Third Mizukage sitting behind his desk reviewing documents. The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room. The Mizukage sat within the shade, making his face difficult to see clearly.
Seeing Asuka enter, the Third Mizukage set down his pen and spoke calmly.
"It's you, Asuka. When did you return to the village?"
"Mizukage-sama, I just returned not long ago."
"I already learned about your achievements from Terumi Kenshi's report. You did well."
"Thank you for the praise, Mizukage-sama. I was also planning to report the current situation at the border."
"Go ahead."
Asuka then explained the details of their patrols and activities during this period.
After listening, the Third Mizukage thought for a moment before speaking again.
"You completed this mission exceptionally well, Asuka. You did not disappoint my expectations. You've been stationed at the border for a long time—go back and rest."
The Third Mizukage watched Asuka leave, narrowing his eyes slightly. Without saying anything further, he returned to reviewing his documents.
Walking out of the Mizukage's Office Building, Asuka checked the time and realized it wasn't long until dinner. He immediately headed toward the agreed meeting place.
---
Inside the barbecue restaurant, Asuka walked in and found that most of the squad members had already arrived.
When they saw him enter, they all stood up.
"Hello, Captain!"
Asuka waved his hand.
"This is just an internal squad gathering. No need to be so formal. Relax, everyone."
After speaking, he sat down at a table where the core members of the Fourth Squad were gathered.
They were Hōzuki Mangetsu, Minazuki Murasaki, Miyagawa Ryosuke, Sato Kenta, and the newest member, Mei Terumī.
With Asuka seated, the gathering officially began. The restaurant quickly became lively. Squad members raised their glasses, toasted one another, shared their experiences, and boasted about past missions. Many of them also came over to toast their captain.
At Asuka's table, the atmosphere was especially lively. With Hōzuki Mangetsu acting as the mood-maker, no one else needed to worry about keeping the energy up.
As the drinks continued, everyone gradually became a little tipsy.
"Boss Asuka…" Mangetsu mumbled, "how long can we rest this time?"
"I can't guarantee that," Asuka replied. "The ninja world is chaotic right now. We might be sent back to the battlefield at any time. But don't worry—our squad should have at least half a month of leave. That's enough time for you to enjoy yourselves."
Before Mangetsu could respond, Miyagawa Ryosuke suddenly asked,
"Captain, do you mean our Hidden Mist Village might join the war?"
Asuka didn't answer immediately. He finished the wine in his glass before speaking.
"I'm not certain. But in my opinion, it's only a matter of time before Hidden Mist enters the war. The battle between Kumogakure and Sunagakure is just the beginning. The flames of war will eventually spread across the entire ninja world."
"When that happens, Hidden Mist won't be able to stay out of it."
Miyagawa Ryosuke frowned.
"So… war is unavoidable?"
This time Asuka didn't answer. He simply poured himself another glass of wine.
Seeing the mood at the table turn heavy, Hōzuki Mangetsu quickly jumped in.
"Hey, why talk about depressing things like that? We finally have time to relax. Come on, drink!"
Under Mangetsu's enthusiastic urging, the atmosphere gradually warmed again. Everyone stopped thinking about the war and resumed chatting and drinking.
After a while, Mei Terumī, sitting beside Asuka, smiled as she refilled his empty glass.
"Speaking of which, Asuka-kun, didn't we have barbecue together not long ago?"
"Yes," Asuka said thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, you're right. It hasn't been that long, but it feels like ages ago."
While he was reminiscing, Minazuki Murasaki suddenly spoke from the side.
"Captain, I didn't realize you liked barbecue so much."
Her words instantly created a strange atmosphere at the table.
No one dared interrupt. Even Mangetsu, who normally loved stirring up the mood, suddenly focused on stuffing meat into his mouth.
"Uh…" Asuka was momentarily speechless.
At that moment, Mei Terumī spoke with a gentle smile.
"I don't think Asuka-kun likes barbecue that much. I think he simply values the people he eats with."
"Oh?" Minazuki Murasaki raised an eyebrow. "It sounds like Miss Terumī knows our captain very well."
"Of course," Mei Terumī replied calmly. "After all, Asuka-kun and I grew up together. It's normal for me to understand him better… wouldn't you agree, Senior Murasaki?"
Listening to the verbal sparring, everyone else lowered their heads and ate silently, their chopsticks moving so quickly they almost left afterimages.
"In that case," Minazuki Murasaki said, raising her glass, "I should learn from you and get to know our captain better. A toast to you, Miss Terumī."
Mei Terumī accepted without hesitation and clinked her glass against Murasaki's.
From that moment on, the dinner table seemed to transform into a battlefield.
Glasses clinked repeatedly as bottle after bottle of alcohol disappeared. Even Asuka's attempts to stop them were useless.
In the end, both women drank themselves completely unconscious.
Looking at the two sprawled across the table, Asuka sighed helplessly.
Turning to Mangetsu, who was barely suppressing his laughter, he said,
"Mangetsu, take Murasaki home."
Mangetsu glanced at the motionless Murasaki, sighed dramatically, and nodded.
Meanwhile, Asuka lifted Mei Terumī onto his back.
"I'll take her home first," he told the others. "I've already paid the bill, so you all can continue without me."
Amid the squad's laughter and thanks, Asuka carried Mei Terumī out of the barbecue restaurant.
---
Soon they arrived at the Terumī Clan's compound.
After the guard ninja announced his arrival, Asuka carried Mei Terumī to her room. After handing her over to a maid, he prepared to leave.
However, just as he stepped out of the building, a figure appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
"Lord Asuka, our Elder invites you."
Looking at the ninja before him, Asuka immediately realized that the Terumī Clan's elder had been observing him since his return to the village.
However, he showed no reaction.
"Lead the way," Asuka said calmly.
Following the ninja, they passed through several winding paths until they arrived at a secluded building.
The ninja stopped outside and made a gesture of invitation before stepping aside.
Asuka looked at the small building before him. He knew the person he wanted to meet was waiting inside.
Composing himself, he stepped forward and knocked on the door.
After receiving permission, he pushed it open.
Inside was an empty dojo, lit only by candles placed around the room.
In the flickering candlelight, a figure knelt silently in the center of the dojo, half-hidden between light and shadow.
---
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