The quick walk from the chaotic popularity of Ichiraku Ramen to the calmer, more spacious atmosphere of Yakiniku Q was a welcome relief to everyone, especially Nawaki, whose initial "date" plans were now completely derailed into a group outing. Makima, however, moved with purpose.
Yakiniku Q, owned and managed by the influential Akimichi Clan, was more than just a restaurant; it was a social hub, often frequented by clan heirs and high-ranking shinobi. It was the perfect, highly visible venue for Makima to perform her next strategic maneuver.
As Makima led the group through the entrance, her perfect composure drew the immediate, polite attention of the Akimichi staff. Before they could be seated, the group's attention was instantly drawn to a large booth in the center of the room.
Seated there, already surrounded by platters of pre-barbecue appetizers, were three Academy students from a parallel class—three of Minato's closest friends and the next generation of clan leaders: Shikaku Nara, the perpetually bored tactical genius; Choza Akimichi, the massive, good-natured powerhouse; and Inoichi Yamanaka, the sharp, perceptive sensory specialist. Though they were all Minato's age, their reputations in the Academy were already formidable.
Minato, who maintained a close, friendly acquaintance with the trio through shared training exercises and a natural rapport among the top students, waved politely.
Before the group could ask for a table, the adult Akimichi Host (Choza's father, the owner and patriarch) approached them. With a deep, booming laugh that echoed slightly off the tiled walls, he waved a massive hand.
"The Senju heir! What a surprise! You are here just in time. Come, come! The boys have a huge booth and they're done with the heavy appetizers. Join them! We always have room for the future generation!"
The invitation was a privilege. Nawaki instantly went rigid with excitement, while Minato, ever calm, led the way toward the booth, bowing politely to the Akimichi Host.
The four young shinobi approached the booth. Shikaku looked up, groaning dramatically as if sitting still were the greatest exertion in the world. Choza (the student) offered a friendly, wide smile, already pushing a pile of chips toward Kushina.
"Shikaku, Choza, Inoichi," Minato greeted them easily. "Thanks for sharing your space. These are my classmates: Kushina Uzumaki, and this is Makima Utatane."
Kushina performed a hasty, excited greeting. "Hi! I'm Kushina! Your dad's food is amazing, Choza!"
Nawaki puffed out his chest and bowed with theatrical deference. "It is a privilege! I am Senju Nawaki, and I will be the next Hokage!"
Shikaku merely grunted, his eyes already drifting back to the ceiling. "Troublesome." His mind, however, was already dissecting the new arrivals. The Senju kid smells like raw ambition and cheap charm, he mused, watching Nawaki hover near Makima. He's trying to impress the trophy, not win the war. Shikaku narrowed his eyes at Makima. But she is the one setting the terms. More importantly, she's Utatane. Koharu-sama's clan. If she's this controlled at their age, she's destined for the Council or worse. It's always smart to have the political future indebted to you.
Makima executed a flawless, graceful bow toward the three heirs. She offered her warmest, sweetest, most humble smile—the perfect image of a respectful, delicate, and intelligent peer. Inoichi watched her performance closely, his sharp blue eyes assessing her every movement.
Choza (the student), being the most hospitable, started clearing space. "Plenty of room! Minato, squeeze in. We just got the premium beef delivery, it's amazing!"
The group squeezed into the booth. Minato sat next to Shikaku, and Kushina wedged herself next to Choza. This left Makima and Nawaki to sit opposite them, side-by-side.
As the raw meat began to sizzle on the central grill, Makima, maintaining perfect poise, distributed the tongs and serving plates. She held her calm, receptive posture, ready to engage the three strategic minds across the table.
Shikaku, who had been observing the Utatane heiress through narrowed eyes, finally dropped his gaze and fixed his sharp, highly intelligent eyes on Makima.
"So, Makima Utatane," Shikaku drawled, his voice slow and lazy. "We already know who you are. The Utatane Heiress is rarely a quiet factor. The reports on the Academy tournament final were mandatory reading for our strategy class."
He paused, letting the weight of the peer assessment settle. "You beat Minato-kun, but only with a tactical score of three to two. We calculated the move with the paper bomb—a brilliant use of a consumable resource, but a razor-thin margin against Minato's pure technical execution."
Nawaki, sitting beside Makima, immediately bristled. "It was a brilliant strategy, Shikaku! A win is a win! Makima-san is the top of the class!"
Makima placed a calming hand on Nawaki's knee, signaling for him to quiet down. She met Shikaku's gaze, her gold eyes locking onto his without breaking. She offered no false denial, only calm acceptance.
"Shikaku-kun is quite right," Makima replied, her voice soft and entirely unbothered. "It was an exceptionally close match. Minato-kun's skill required me to use every asset available. A shinobi must use all tools at their disposal to secure a victory, regardless of the margin, to maintain the village's efficiency."
She offered the trio that captivating, sweet smile that promised devotion and protection.
"I simply believe that Konoha deserves perfect efficiency from all its assets," she reiterated, adapting her purpose for her esteemed peers. "I only hope to be a loyal friend and a positive role model to all my classmates. I've heard much about the brilliance of the Ino-Shika-Cho, and I hope we can all learn and improve together."
Shikaku shrugged modestly, picking up a chopstick to turn a piece of sizzling beef. "We're just good at sitting still and watching, Utatane-san. Minato's the one who truly moves the fastest. We mostly just try to keep up with his calculations."
Minato watched the exchange, his mind processing Makima's effortless maneuver to turn a tactical criticism into a statement of philosophical alignment with their collective mission. She had secured the respect of the clan heirs with one perfectly calculated response.
Inoichi gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, acknowledging Makima's mastery of social control. Choza, meanwhile, simply began stacking meat onto the grill.
"Alright, enough talk of efficiency and standards!" Choza roared happily. "Time for some proper protein! Let the village's future powers relax and enjoy themselves!"