Hokage's Office
The newly appointed Sandaime Hokage removed his hat, massaging his temples as Suzuki delivered the mission report.
He took a long drag from his pipe, the smoke curling around his weary face.
"I didn't expect Iwagakure to make moves so soon after the First Shinobi War," he muttered. "To think they'd already infiltrate our borders…"
He exhaled sharply. "This mission will be upgraded to A-rank. Eliminating Iwa's covert forces—and encountering their jōnin—warrants it."
A pause. The pipe glowed ember-red as Sandaime inhaled again.
"How is Yuta performing?"
Suzuki straightened. "Observant. Decisive. Strong enough for chūnin promotion."
Sandaime sighed.
The answer confirmed his fears. "Still guarded, then. Misa and Shiya's deaths wounded him deeply. Like Orochimaru." He met Suzuki's gaze. "Guide him gently. He needs to learn trust again."
"Hokage-sama, Yuta is improving."
A noncommittal hum. "Dismissed. Your reward will be delivered."
As Suzuki turned to leave, he hesitated—eyes flickering to the Hokage's hunched shoulders—but left unsaid what weighed on his tongue.
Outside, sunset bathed the Hokage Monument in gold. Suzuki stared at Shodaime's stony face.
'The Will of Fire…?'
A wry smile twisted his lips. 'Yuta was right. We all wear masks.'
Hands in pockets, he sauntered home, trading lazy waves with passing villagers.
—
Barbecue Restaurant
Six pairs of eyes fixed on the tower of empty plates.
"You're seriously broke?" Jiraiya loomed over Kiko, disbelief sharpening his voice.
Tsunade and Orochimaru mirrored his shock, staring down at Yuta's team.
"You dragged us here!" Akano's hair bristled like his temper. He slammed the table. "We thought you were paying! Suzuki-sensei promised to treat us—"
He froze.
Kiko's whisper was a death knell. "We… forgot to wait for him."
Five faces paled.
Yuta sighed. Of their group, five were penniless genin. The sixth—Tsunade—had gambled away her clan's fortune last week.
"Senpai wouldn't abandon us… right?" Tsunade ventured.
Kiko's weak protest dissolved under memories of Suzuki's absenteeism.
Jiraiya groaned. "We're screwed. If we don't pay, the owner'll skin us alive!"
Tsunade's glare could melt steel. "Got any bright ideas, genius?"
Jiraiya pointed wildly at Yuta and Orochimaru. "They're the brains! Ask them!"
Orochimaru shook his head, but all eyes locked onto Yuta—their last hope.
A slow, foxlike smile curled Yuta's lips.
"There is one way. But it requires… discussion."
"SPIT IT OUT!" Tsunade's fist cratered the table.
Yuta's grin widened.
The other three leaned in impatiently. Kiko watched Yuta with starry-eyed admiration, while Orochimaru studied him thoughtfully—then flicked a glance at Tsunade.
When Yuta gave a barely perceptible nod, Orochimaru inhaled sharply. 'That eye squinting fox is vicious.' The plan was ruthless… but with no alternatives, he stayed silent.
Yuta motioned them closer. Six heads huddled together, whispering—until Tsunade shot upright, face flushed.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Jiraiya and Akano gaped. Kiko's hands flew to her mouth.
Yuta shrugged. "Only idea I've got. Otherwise…" He gestured to the kitchen. "Dishwashing brigade, assemble."
As closing time loomed, all eyes locked onto Tsunade. She clenched her fists, shaking them under their noses. "Do you have ANY idea how humiliating this is?!"
Jiraiya, emboldened by desperation, blurted, "Better than scrubbing pans all night! We'll split your share five ways—consider it a dignity tax!"
The others nodded frantically.
Tsunade's fists trembled… then uncurled. "Fine. But if you welch," she snarled, "I'll break every bone you've got."
With the gravitas of a martyr marching to battle, she strode to the counter—flanked by five pleading faces.
"Ahem. Boss!" Tsunade jutted her chin. "You know who I am?"
The Akimichi owner glanced up from his ledger, jowls quivering. "Princess Tsunade! Settling your bill?"
Her bravado wavered. "We, ah… forgot funds. Put it on the Senju tab?"
"NO tabs." His smile stayed saccharine. "House rules."
That damn squinting bastard. She cursed Yuta internally.
Defeated, Tsunade slumped against the counter and whispered:
"…Can you take me as collateral? Let them fetch the money... then redeem me?"
The boss's eyes bulged like overstuffed takoyaki.