Once Sarutobi Hiruzen got a grip on the situation, he waved his hand with authority!
A squad of Anbu ninja appeared outside the Hokage Building in perfect unison!
"Quick! Search every corner of the Leaf Village! Find Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Hirofumi Ito, and Sakura Haruno!!! Go now!!!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!!!" ×n
Dozens of Anbu ninja scattered in an instant.
Meanwhile, Hirofumi Ito and his crew were happily chowing down on barbecue and singing their hearts out at the barbecue joint.
Just then, Asuma Sarutobi walked in with Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka.
"It's your first day as a team! Your teacher's treating you all to some barbecue!"
"Thanks, Sensei!"
"Wow, Asuma-sensei, you're so generous…"
"Sensei, I can eat a ton!"
Asuma Sarutobi let out a hearty laugh.
"No worries! Eat as much as you want! Your teacher's got some cash to spare! Haha…"
"Huh? Hirofumi? You guys are here too?!"
Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji spotted Hirofumi Ito's four-person squad, though they didn't see their team leader.
"Oh! Ino! Come join us for some food!"
"Alright!!!"
Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji eagerly joined Hirofumi's group at their table.
Asuma Sarutobi strolled over, seeing the lively scene.
Just then, another team of ninja arrived at the barbecue shop's entrance—Kurenai Yuhi with Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka.
And just like that, the Leaf's young ninja gathered together again. Asuma's face flushed when he saw Kurenai—he'd been pursuing her for a while now, after all.
"Kurenai! Since all these kids know each other, why don't you join us too? My treat!"
"Sure… thanks for splurging, Asuma!"
"Hey, what's a little spending? It's just a meal for these kids!"
Asuma glanced curiously at Hirofumi Ito, Naruto Uzumaki, and their group.
"By the way, where's your team leader?"
Naruto, munching on some barbecue, grumbled in frustration.
"No clue! Who knows where that weak-kidney guy went?! We were the last ones left in the classroom, and our team leader never showed up. We got so hungry waiting that we just came here to eat!"
"Why do you call him 'weak-kidney guy'?" Asuma's expression was a bit odd.
"Because we figured it out! The guy didn't show up even though it's the middle of the day. He's gotta be sleeping, right? Sleeping in broad daylight? That's weak kidneys, obviously!"
Asuma snuck a glance at Kurenai.
He used to take naps all the time—crap, he'd have to break that habit! If he kept sleeping during the day, Kurenai might think he had weak kidneys!
At that moment, Hirofumi Ito hauled over a few jars of sake. Ninja Academy students weren't allowed to drink, but now that this group had graduated and become real ninja, no one was going to stop them. They'd all been dying to try alcohol for ages!
So, like a bunch of bandits, they cracked open the jars and started pouring!
Right then, Might Guy burst in with his three students. Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten's eyes lit up when they saw the crowd.
The three dragged Might Guy over to join the party…
"Hell yeah!!! I've been wanting to try this stuff forever!"
"Damn it, let's get wasted tonight!!"
"Just drink, brothers!!!"
"Chug it! Chug it!!!"
"Damn it, Kiba! Fill my cup properly! You pouring half a glass to mess with me or what?!"
"Tch! Acting tough, huh? I'm gonna drink you under the table today!!"
"Hell yeah!!! Bottoms up, brothers!!!"
"…"
And just like that, the Leaf's young ninja and their three team leaders came together in the weirdest way possible.
Might Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai watched their students with twitching eyelids!
Asuma shakily lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
"These kids… they don't seem easy to handle. Why do they act like they're in some kind of gang?!"
"Asuma… you're getting that vibe too?" Kurenai said, dumbfounded by the scene.
Might Guy was even more stunned. Forget about Lee and Tenten—Neji was usually so cold and distant. Why was he acting like a completely different person now?!
Especially since these kids were drinking and singing…
"Chug it! Drink!!!
Roaring through the storms, I charge as the world looks on~
Roaring through the storms, I never look back~"
"Keep going! Sasuke, what, you raising fish over there?!
Hahaha…
Brother, give me a hug~
Tell me what's in your heart~
Spill all the grievances and changes you've faced through the years~"
After another song, the group kept cracking open more sake!
Naruto Uzumaki grabbed a bottle, slammed it down, and jumped onto the table!
The ninja world bows to my shine! I'm the king!
The Leaf Village rules the land~~~
Even Hirofumi Ito was getting tipsy, holding a bottle and glancing at Ino Yamanaka sitting next to him…
You're my little, oh, little apple~
I can't love you enough~
Your rosy cheeks warm my heart~
Lighting the fire of my life~~~
Ino's face was as red as a monkey's butt!
Oh no~ Is Hirofumi confessing to me?!
My head's spinning!!!
Asuma and the others were floored. Drinking? Fine. Acting like gangsters? Whatever. But now they're confessing?!
Asuma suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. He'd been chasing Kurenai for so long and hadn't even dared to confess!
Just then, he noticed his cigarette pack was gone.
"Yo, Asuma-sensei, nice smokes! Gimme one!!"
Hirofumi Ito snatched a cigarette and tossed the pack onto the table.
"Come on, everyone, grab one! We can't let ninja from other villages think Leaf ninja can't afford smokes!!!"
After lighting his cigarette, Hirofumi gave Asuma and Kurenai a sly look.
Those two ended up together in the end, but it was such a tragic outcome… Asuma died, leaving Kurenai alone with their unborn child.
One of Naruto's biggest regrets…