Barbecue Restaurant.
Kakashi picked up a slice of meat and chuckled, "I heard you guys love barbecue and often come here to eat together?"
"Only when someone's treating."
Shinji eyed Kakashi, curious to see how he ate through his mask.
Kakashi raised a hand to block the view, and in a flash, the meat on his chopsticks disappeared into his mouth. His practiced motion suggested this was his usual routine.
"Talk about a hassle," Shinji muttered to himself.
After swallowing the grilled meat, Kakashi said, "Shinji, can you tell me why you're not joining the Chunin Exams?"
Shinji, focused on grilling, glanced at Kakashi, catching the real reason for the invite. "Just don't want the trouble. No special reason."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "There are some strong contenders from other villages this time. Don't you want to test yourself against them?"
"Not interested!"
Shinji shook his head, concentrating on his barbecue.
Kakashi was at a loss for words. "You're the First Chair of the Ninja Academy. I'll be straight with you. Even though the villages are allied, competition still exists. The Chunin Exams are an extension of that. As the host, Hidden Leaf can't afford to lose!"
"I recall plenty of people from the academy signed up, right? Sasuke, Yakumo, and the others should be enough," Shinji replied casually.
Even without his pursuit of the Rinnegan, Shinji had little interest in the Chunin Exams. Now, at a critical moment in his quest, he was even less inclined to get sidetracked.
Kakashi shook his head. "Things aren't looking great. Some of the participants from other villages are exceptionally strong. You've probably heard about Sasuke losing to Cloud's Darui, right? Relying on just Sasuke and Yakumo isn't secure, so the village hopes you and Neji will join too."
Shinji looked at Kakashi. "And if I don't want to?"
Kakashi frowned slightly, then clarified, "Don't misunderstand. The Chunin Exams are voluntary. If you really don't want to participate, the village won't force you."
"Sorry, I'm not interested in the Chunin Exams!"
Shinji's apology carried no trace of regret.
Kakashi hadn't expected such a firm refusal. He shifted the conversation elsewhere, mentally noting that if Shinji wouldn't join, Neji would have to.
After the meal, they parted ways at the restaurant's entrance.
Watching Shinji's retreating figure, Kakashi sighed, "What a headache!"
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Suddenly, several Anbu darted across the restaurant's rooftop, heading toward some part of the village.
"Trouble again?" Kakashi's heart sank.
He leaped onto the roof and stopped an Anbu. "What's going on?"
"Kakashi-senpai, we just got a report of a ninja brawl in the village with injuries. We're heading there now!"
With nothing better to do, Kakashi said, "I'll come with you!"
Moments later, they arrived at the scene.
A crowd had gathered, and a bloodied teenager lay on the ground, badly injured.
"Kiba?" Kakashi recognized the fallen boy instantly.
Kiba wasn't a standout at the Ninja Academy, but he was far from weak. Seeing him so gravely injured puzzled Kakashi.
Then he noticed the Anbu detaining several Sound ninja.
Approaching, Kakashi got the rundown.
The incident was straightforward: Kiba had a verbal spat with Sound Village's Kidomaru, which escalated into a fight. Unexpectedly, Kidomaru's strength was formidable, and he overwhelmed Kiba in moments, too fast for the patrolling Anbu to intervene.
Unfazed, Kidomaru smirked at the Anbu. "Blame your Hidden Leaf ninja for being too weak. I barely even tried!"
The Anbu's faces darkened, but since Kidomaru had won in a spar, they couldn't do much to him or his group.
Kakashi ordered, "Register them and let them go."
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu nodded, taking down basic records for the Sound ninja.
The Sound group casually complied, then swaggered off.
Watching them leave, Kakashi's expression grew grim.
He wasn't shocked that they defeated Kiba. What truly surprised him was their nonchalance in front of Hidden Leaf's Anbu, as if they didn't take them seriously at all.
Taking the Anbu's register, Kakashi glanced at it: "Sound Village's Kidomaru, Sakon and Ukon, Tayuya, Jirobo… More troublesome players."
...
Elsewhere in the Village.
Sasuke walked through the bustling streets, feeling out of place.
His loss to Cloud's Darui had left him in a foul mood. If he'd been hesitant about transplanting First Hokage's cells to restore his dojutsu before, now he was willing to try anything to regain his power.
Just then, he noticed a group of Grass Village ninja approaching, their headbands gleaming. They seemed curious about everything, looking around eagerly.
Seeing they weren't from Cloud, Sasuke brushed past them.
As they passed, a surprised voice came from the group, "Huh? The Uchiha clan crest?"
Sasuke paused, noticing one Grass ninja staring at his clothing's emblem.
The mention of the Uchiha sparked hushed discussions among the others.
Having arrived late, they hadn't witnessed Sasuke's fight with Darui, but the news of Hidden Leaf's Mangekyo Sharingan Uchiha losing to Cloud's Darui had spread throughout the village.
Sasuke ignored them, turning to leave.
The Grass ninja who recognized the crest grinned. "Hey, you're the Uchiha Sasuke who got beat by Cloud's Darui, right?"
Before Sasuke could respond, the Grass team's jonin leader scolded, "Shinji, don't start trouble!"
The ninja called Shinji laughed. "I'm just curious what a Mangekyo Sharingan Uchiha looks like. Doesn't seem like anything special!"
Sasuke's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Looks like anyone thinks they can provoke me now! You want to see what I'm like? I'll show you!"
Swoosh.
Before his words faded, Sasuke vanished in a Body Flicker Technique, reappearing before Shinji, his kunai pressed against the ninja's throat. "Special enough for you?"