A group of two girls and three boys made their way to a cozy restaurant. Shorai led them to the same place where he and Ino had shared her birthday date.
He requested the specific spot with wide open windows, good scenery, and fresh air, then quickly followed an attendant to the second floor. There, they met Asuma, Shikamaru, and Choji, already seated. After greetings and mutual agreement, everyone settled behind a long wooden table on wide benches.
Ino and Naruto took seats beside Shorai, to his left and right. Across from them, Sakura sat beside Sasuke, with Asuma, Shikamaru, and Choji completing the group.
Shorai smiled warmly and raised his drink. "Congratulations to everyone on passing and officially becoming Genins."
Laughter and happiness spread through the group, growing as plates of raw meat arrived.
Amid the celebration, Shorai noticed Ino and Sakura exchanging subtle glances and bickering quietly. Ino's usual mischievous side surfaced in Sakura's presence, turning their interaction into a silent battlefield.
Though both girls looked worried about Shorai's recent training ordeal, his narrowed eyes caught Ino's tactics instantly, a crescent smile forming as he anticipated what was coming next.
"It was just a momentary setback," Shorai assured them, "something unexpected."
"Even so... Shorai-kun... you might hurt yourself more than improve your strength... you need to be careful!" Ino's eyes softened with genuine warmth.
"I assure you, this was an uncalculated mistake. It probably won't happen again." Shorai locked eyes with her, understanding her concern.
Ino blushed and averted her gaze, turning to Sakura with a sly expression.
Shorai's puzzled look shifted between the two. Huh? Is she planning something?
When the meat was ready, Ino took the initiative, swiftly stealing the first batch with her chopsticks and bringing the plate toward Shorai.
"You need to recover. Here, open your mouth, ah!" Ino teased, holding the food near his lips.
Shorai blinked, stunned and surprised, a quiet happiness stirring inside. He glanced across the table; Sakura's face showed annoyance, anger, and a hint of jealousy.
The scene made him smile as he fought back laughter. It's like watching a melodrama play out in real life.
He stared into Ino's azure eyes and silently took a bite.
"There you go! Good... Here, have another!" Ino chuckled, clearly provoking Sakura.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Ino... but take it easy. I can't chew that fast." Shorai flinched as another portion was already waiting at his mouth.
"Hi-hi! Oh, sorry, Shorai-kun." Ino blinked, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Sakura tried to make her move. "Sasuke-kun... here... this one looks yummy! Say ah!"
"Sakura, I can do it myself." Sasuke leaned forward, ignoring her outstretched hand, but as he reached for meat, Naruto snatched it away.
Before Sasuke could retort, Naruto grinned smugly. "So slow... this is my piece, Sasuke-chan!"
"W-wha? You... teme..."
Another quiet food fight erupted between the boys.
"Pff... Hahaha!" Shorai, amused and holding back laughter at Ino and Sakura's battle, finally gave in.
Ino and Sakura blinked, surprised by the sound of his laugh—apparently the first time they'd heard it.
Asuma and Shikamaru raised eyebrows; Naruto and Sasuke paused to look at Shorai. Choji seized the distraction to grab a smoking BBQ skewer from the grill.
The group chatted and laughed, and Shorai felt happiest watching the people he'd grown up with sharing a meal.
"Alright, alright, you two, slow down. There's enough food—no need to fight over it." Shorai shook his head, reminding the boys.
He turned to Ino and prepared a dipping sauce mix.
"Ino, try this!"
She paused, then smiled widely and leaned forward to taste it. "Uhuh! That's good! What did you dip it in?"
Mid-curiosity and happiness, Ino smiled gleefully at Sakura, suggesting a small victory, which Shorai quietly noticed.
The subtle exchange caught the attention of Asuma and Shikamaru, who were among the few beside the table to read the room.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, and Asuma leaned forward with interest. "Shorai? I've heard quite a bit about you," Asuma said thoughtfully. "You're highly regarded by the Hokage, yet shrouded in secrecy. Your academic scores are impressive and now public knowledge."
"Thank you for your praise, Asuma-san," Shorai replied politely, as others exchanged questioning looks.
The evening unfolded with laughter and camaraderie. A playful eating contest neared its end. Shorai, usually reserved, found himself distracted by Ino's sly attempts to feed him, followed by Sakura's sharp, annoyed glances. Sakura's efforts to do the same for Sasuke were politely declined, leaving her looking downcast.
Finally, the bill arrived for their side. Asuma paid for his group, while Shorai swiftly took the bill for theirs.
"Ehm..."
"I'll be paying for this. I won't accept no." Shorai shared his philosophy. "When a person invites someone somewhere, they pay."
The group exchanged amused looks.
He added, "If I suggest going somewhere, it's just a hint—something you can accept or decline based on your own means. But when I invite, it means I'm covering the cost. Like a friend should."
This explanation piqued Asuma and Shikamaru's curiosity, while Ino and Sakura looked pleasantly surprised. Ino, in particular, seemed increasingly drawn to Shorai the more she interacted with him.
After farewells, the group thinned out. Shorai walked Ino home, chuckling, "Good luck with your upcoming D-rank missions. You'll understand soon enough what that means."
Ino looked puzzled but smiled as they shared a warm hug before parting ways.
"Good night, Shorai-kun!"
"Pleasant dreams, Ino!"
Shorai then made his way to the Hokage's office, where he found Hiruzen still present.
The Hokage's face brightened at the sight of Shorai, now well and out of the hospital. "Good to see you up and about. Tomorrow at 8 AM, be at the private training spot for your next ANBU test."
Hiruzen smiled warmly and continued, "Your passing the combat and mental trials is more than just a test—it's your first real experience of what any shinobi might face during a mission or crisis."
Shorai bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Lord Hokage, for this opportunity."
He hesitated, then asked, "About yesterday's abnormal event… do you know anything?"
Hiruzen's expression grew thoughtful but guarded. "Only that Naruto's passing was well-earned. You were right to have confidence in him."
After a brief exchange, Shorai understood the secret wouldn't be shared and soon left, anticipation buzzing in his veins as he prepared for the challenges ahead.