The Akimichi restaurant was far busier than usual that afternoon.
Several long tables had been pushed together, nearly all of them occupied by Academy students. Their uniforms were still far too clean for children who had supposedly just finished physical evaluations. The air was thick with the scent of grilled meat, sweet sauce, and sizzling fat, blending with the lively chatter of voices too young to fully grasp the significance of the moment—yet old enough to feel it.
It was a celebration.
Unofficial. Unannounced by the Academy.
But important all the same.
"I told you we'd be eating like this," Masaru Uchiha said proudly, arms crossed as if the entire restaurant were a natural extension of his achievement. "First place doesn't come out of nowhere."
"You still ranked below Ren overall," Gaku Inuzuka laughed, already stacking empty plates beside him. "Does that really count as winning?"
Masaru clicked his tongue.
"Only because the written exam boosted him."
"Theory is part of being a ninja," Kenta Sarutobi replied evenly, taking a calm sip from his cup. "Ignoring that just means you're sloppy."
Masaru shot him an irritated look but chose not to argue.
Nearby, Hiashi Hyūga ate in silence, posture flawless even while seated. Hizashi, in contrast, looked far more relaxed, eyes roaming the room with open curiosity.
"Interesting," Hizashi murmured. "Never thought I'd see an Uchiha paying for everyone."
"It isn't payment," Hiashi replied coldly. "It's a display."
"Of ego," Reiji Nara muttered lazily, chin resting on his palm, eyes still closed.
Ren sat slightly away from the center of the table.
He observed.
Who spoke the loudest.
Who listened.
Who watched.
Atsuo Kanzaki remained composed, far too polite for a child his age, speaking little and listening much. Shin Shimura stayed silent, eyes sharp and unreadable, as if constantly assessing unseen threats.
Kohari Aoyama spoke softly with Ikkaku Umino, smiling now and then. When Ren happened to glance her way, she quickly looked down, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Ren returned his attention to the table.
This dinner wasn't just a celebration.
It was a miniature version of the village itself.
"I still think Ren only won because of luck," Masaru said, his voice rising again.
"Luck doesn't answer every question correctly," Reiji replied, opening one eye. "And it doesn't keep fourth place in a long run while dragging invisible weights."
Ren didn't react.
He already knew.
First place hadn't erased his shortcomings. Losing the system's bonus reward still lingered in his mind. That stung far more than any childish provocation.
The bell above the door chimed.
The sound gradually cut through the noise.
A woman with a firm, composed presence entered first, wearing simple but well-kept clothing. A discreet Akimichi clan symbol was embroidered on her haori. Her gaze swept across the room before settling on one table.
"Chōbee," she called, her voice warm but authoritative.
"Mom!" Chōbee replied immediately, twisting around in his seat.
Behind her came a slightly younger boy, already noticeably larger than most children his age. His cheeks were full, his expression curious, and he was still chewing something he had clearly grabbed on the way in.
"Hm?" he mumbled, looking around.
"That's my little brother," Chōbee said proudly. "Chōza Akimichi."
Chōza swallowed quickly and lifted a hand.
"Hi…"
A few of the students smiled.
"So these are your Academy classmates?" Chōbee's mother asked, eyeing the stacks of empty plates. "Looks like you enjoyed yourselves."
"It was a celebration!" Chōbee said quickly.
"And you ate more than you should have," she replied, arms crossing—though she was smiling.
Chōza tilted his head.
"Are they strong?" he asked, eyes drifting toward Masaru and the Hyūga twins.
"They're still learning," his mother answered. "Just like you."
Chōza then looked at Ren.
"He looks serious."
Ren met his gaze briefly and gave a small nod.
"He's weird, but he's cool," Chōbee blurted out.
"Chōbee," his mother warned.
"What? It's true!"
Laughter spread around the table.
She clapped her hands lightly.
"It's getting late. Time to go."
"But I'm still eating…" Chōbee complained.
"You always are."
Chōza tugged at his brother's sleeve.
"Let's go. If we're late, dinner will get cold."
Chōbee sighed but stood up.
"See you tomorrow!"
"See you," several voices replied.
Their mother gave a small bow.
"Take care of one another."
Chōza waved awkwardly as he was led out by the hand.
The bell chimed again as the door closed.
For a moment, the restaurant grew quieter.
"He's pretty different from Chōbee," Gaku commented.
"Still an Akimichi," Reiji murmured.
Ren watched the closed door for a second longer.
Chōza Akimichi.
Still just a gluttonous child.
But one day, a pillar of his clan.
He turned back to his classmates.
That night marked something simple—
But real.
Bonds were forming.
And some of them, he knew, would last longer than any mission.
---
The gathering slowly came to an end.
Empty plates were stacked. Conversations faded. One by one, the students left—some in small groups, others with family members who had come to pick them up. The earlier excitement gave way to a comfortable exhaustion.
"See you tomorrow," Ikkaku Umino said, adjusting his backpack.
"Don't be late," Kenta Sarutobi added with a polite wave.
Masaru Uchiha left with an adult from his clan, posture rigid, saying nothing. Hiashi and Hizashi Hyūga departed together in silence, while Gaku Inuzuka loudly argued with a family member about who had eaten more.
Kohari Aoyama waved shyly at Ren before leaving with an older woman—likely her mother. Reiji Nara yawned exaggeratedly and wandered off, hands in his pockets, as if the entire evening had been a chore.
Atsuo Kanzaki was the last to leave, accompanied by two men far too discreet to be ordinary civilians. Before going, he cast Ren a calculated glance—not hostile, but observant.
Shin Shimura had already left without a word.
Ren exited the restaurant alone.
The night in Konoha was alive. Lanterns glowed softly, distant voices echoed, and the smells of food, wood, and earth filled the air. He walked without haste, absorbing the atmosphere, until he turned onto a quieter street.
And bumped into someone.
"Hey," a rough female voice snapped. "Watch where you're going, kid—"
Ren stepped back instinctively.
Before him stood a tall blonde woman, her haori worn loosely open, a cup of sake still in her hand. A discreet Senju clan symbol was visible, along with an overwhelming presence she carried effortlessly.
Tsunade Senju.
She stared at him for a second… then blinked.
"…Huh?"
Her sharp expression softened.
"Sorry," she said, shifting aside. "Didn't see you."
Ren bowed his head slightly.
"My apologies as well."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Too polite for your age." She took another drink. "You're from the Academy, aren't you?"
"Yes. My name is Ren. Ren Kurosawa."
"Kurosawa…" she repeated thoughtfully, then shrugged. "Hm."
Ren hesitated—then spoke.
"Senju Tsunade… you're an idol to me."
She nearly choked on her sake.
"What?"
Ren remained serious.
"You're one of the strongest medical ninja in the village. One of the Sannin. You've saved countless lives." A pause. "I admire that."
It wasn't a lie.
Just not the whole truth.
Tsunade studied him for several seconds, deciding whether it was flattery or sincerity.
Then she laughed.
"Hah… you're a strange kid." She ran a hand through her hair. "But you've got guts saying that to my face. I like that."
She turned away, jerking her thumb over her shoulder.
"I'm going drinking. A lot. So you should head home before someone thinks I'm corrupting minors."
"Understood," Ren replied.
She took two steps—then stopped.
"Keep training," she said without looking back. "Ninjas who think too much either go far… or die early."
Ren nodded.
"Thank you for the advice."
Tsunade waved dismissively and disappeared down the lantern-lit street, swallowed by laughter and the sound of a door opening—probably another bar.
Ren stood still for a few seconds.
Then took a deep breath.
And headed home.
The night had been long.
But, strangely—
Peaceful.