Chapter 9 — Kato's Day of Disaster
Barbecue Restaurant
When Auntie Akimichi saw Kinoshita Hikaru, her gaze turned deadly serious, as if she had encountered a nemesis. Any trace of a smile vanished.
"You're here!"
"I'm here!"
"You shouldn't have come…"
"Is it because my free meal chances for this month are used up?" Hikaru asked sheepishly.
Auntie Akimichi's expression froze. Indeed, the free quota for this month was already gone. That must mean →_→
"Little one, welcome~ (￣▽￣～)~ right this way."
"Uh… (︶︿︶)=凸"
Hikaru realized at that moment that a woman's skill at flipping moods seemed completely unrelated to age.
After the seven of them sat down, Kato Tokuyoshi took a seat next to Kinoshita Muraichi and lowered his voice.
"This counts as two times. Otherwise, I wouldn't acknowledge it."
Muraichi gasped loudly, shouting, "What~! Senior Kato actually thinks someone who doesn't keep promises can be a teammate?!"
All eyes turned to Kato Tokuyoshi, and he broke out in a cold sweat.
"Senior Kato, someone who breaks promises is not fit to be a teammate," Saisei said firmly.
"Teacher Kato, don't make a lousy person your comrade," Uchiha Mikoto added.
Hikaru caught his brother's hint and asked adorably, "Teacher, who are you talking about? (๑•́₃•̀๑)"
"It's… oh—"
Before Muraichi could answer, Kato Tokuyoshi immediately covered his mouth and muttered awkwardly, "Uh… uh… don't mind the details. Let's just eat, everyone. This is the… first time I'm treating you to a meal, so make sure to enjoy it! Haha (ಡωಡ) hiahiahia."
Muraichi raised his hands in surrender, nodding gently.
Kato Tokuyoshi exhaled in relief. That was too close. Losing money is one thing, but social death is not an option. Otherwise, I'd literally have to cut myself in front of everyone.
Still, four kids can't eat that much, so no worries (ΘдΘ;).
Just as Kato was reassuring himself, Uchiha Shigeru slammed the table and looked at Hikaru.
"Let's have a real man's showdown. Let's see who can eat the most. Do you… dare accept?"
Kato Tokuyoshi: ∪･ω･∪
Brat, don't use my money as a bet…
Minato Namikaze: (x_x;)
Shigeru really has guts…
Kinoshita Muraichi: (^_^)
"Alright! I'll be the referee. You two have a showdown, men to men. Hikaru, go for it! (ง•̀_•́)ง"
Hikaru ignited with determination, springing to his feet.
"Shigeru, if that's the case, then let's settle this once and for all…"
"Alright!"
Kato Tokuyoshi: "…"
He suddenly felt uneasy, but chuckled at himself. It's just two kids. How much could they possibly eat?
"Seeing you two so full of energy makes me happy. But don't eat so much that it harms your health."
"Teacher Kato is so gentle!" Hikaru's eyes sparkled as he exclaimed, then shot a dissatisfied glance at his brother.
Muraichi muttered inwardly, Just wait—if your gentle teacher goes berserk, this brother will be the first to pay!
…
At that moment, Auntie Akimichi appeared like the herald of war.
"What will the customers be having?"
After the adults had ordered, it was finally Hikaru's turn. With a little push of his hand, he said boldly,
"Meat… 50 pounds! (ಡωಡ)"
"Kya~" Kato Tokuyoshi nearly choked on his tea. "Hikaru, wastefulness is wrong. Can you really eat that much?"
Before Hikaru could answer, Muraichi said,
"Go ahead. If he can't finish it, our agreement is void."
Kato Tokuyoshi felt not a trace of inspiration—only complete collapse. He slumped over the table, face pale and lifeless. He wasn't a mindless villain; of course, he understood that Muraichi had everything under control.
There were all sorts of strange jutsu in the ninja world, like those of the Akimichi family.
Kato couldn't help but glance around, thinking about making a run for it.
Ninjas could make good money, but Kato Tokuyoshi was just a teacher. Every month he only got a C-rank mission—and that was the minimum value, just 10,000 ryō.
Ten thousand ryō equaled roughly 100,000 yen, with a purchasing power equivalent to about 30,000 yuan.
A pound of premium pork belly cost 30 ryō. Hikaru had just ordered 50 pounds—that's 1,500 ryō—not counting what everyone else would eat.
At that moment, Muraichi leaned forward with a dark grin:
"Don't even think about running. A ninja without virtue cannot carry the Will of Fire."
Kato Tokuyoshi: "..."
This guy is insane! ∪･ω･∪
…
Sizzle. The fresh pork belly released a rich, tantalizing aroma over the flames.
Hikaru Kinoshita and Uchiha Shigeru didn't move at first, instead locking eyes with each other. Once everyone else had eaten their fill, the real battle began.
Since Namikaze Minato was too exhausted, Muraichi didn't personally serve the meat. Instead, he entrusted Saisei to grill it for the two boys, with Uchiha Mikoto assisting, claiming that meat cooked by a beautiful woman tastes better…
This is a recipe for tragedy…
Shigeru struggled through one pounds, two pounds, ten pounds—he was utterly defeated.
Hikaru, however, kept going. Amid Kato Tokuyoshi's wails, he reached twenty pounds, fifty pounds, one hundred pounds.
"Teacher Muraichi, don't let little Hikaru eat any more! He's turning into a ball!" Kato Tokuyoshi tried to intervene.
"It's fine. Kids need to eat a lot to grow properly."
Kato's mouth twitched. Grow properly? Even with steroids, it doesn't happen this fast.
As time passed, Hikaru shoved meat into his mouth: 150 pounds, 200 pounds, 250 pounds, 278 pounds.
"Enough~" Hikaru brought his hands together lightly, nodding. "I'm full!"
"Impressive!" Uchiha Mikoto exclaimed, genuinely amazed. To eat that much in one go and actually turn into a chubby little ball… unbelievable.
She asked with concern, "Are you really okay? How will you go to school tomorrow after this?"
"No worries. I digest fast."
Muraichi smiled and stood, saying, "That's enough for today. Owner, check, please~"
Auntie Akimichi, holding the bill, smiled brightly and walked over to Kato Tokuyoshi, following Muraichi's gesture.
"The total is 9,324 ryō. You can just pay 9,300 ryō."
Kato Tokuyoshi froze. The number 9,300 ryō rang in his ears, and his mind had only one thought:
I'm bankrupt…
He waved dejectedly, signaling the others to leave first. Once they were gone, he whispered, "I didn't bring enough money today… can I run a tab? (´罒`)"
"Run a tab? You trying to dine and dash?" Auntie Akimichi's smile vanished, her expression darkening as chakra subtly gathered around her.
Autumn Bean Sack!
…
Outside the Barbecue Restaurant, Uchiha Mikoto asked,
"Teacher Kato, are you okay?"
"You have to trust your teacher."
"Oh!" Mikoto nodded, saying nothing further.
Actually, she wanted to say that she had a lot of fun today and maybe even treat everyone herself (ಡωಡ).
But she remembered what her mother had said: "Mikoto, don't make decisions for men—they're all too prideful."
…
Kato Tokuyoshi: "Save me… I don't need pride…"