At 6:50 in the evening, I arrived at BBQ, Konoha's most famous high-end yakiniku spot, wearing a black robe stitched with silver patterns. Anko walked beside me, practically bouncing in anticipation.
The Ninja World War was long over, and peace had brought prosperity.
Inside, the place was buzzing. Shinobi from every corner of the village were here, eating, drinking, and spending their hard-earned mission pay.
I wore no Uchiha crest tonight. Between that and my low profile outside the clan, no one gave us a second glance. Their focus stayed on the sizzling meat in front of them.
When I slid open the door to Box Three, the chatter inside spilled out.
Already seated were Kurenai, Asuma Sarutobi, Ebisu, Aoba Yamashiro, Bizuku Leidō, Diewaki, Genma Shiranui, Hayate Gekkō, and Uzuki Yugao.
Asuma stood out instantly; young, cigarette in hand, already carrying himself with that easy defiance. He'd been the "bad boy" type even back in school.
Others from our year were there too; Tomoe Totake; the Four Heavenly Gates, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, Iruka Umino, Mizuki, and Morino Ibiki.
Missions, duties, and personal business; it was rare for so many of us to gather like this. 'Classmates' here didn't just mean same graduation year. Even if you'd only shared the Academy halls for a few months, you were part of the same generation.
"Gen and Anko are here!"
"Sit here, Anko."
"Gen, long time no see."
"I heard you're a jōnin now, like Kakashi. Impressive."
"You were always near the top in school."
"And now Orochimaru's disciple? You're set for life."
The greetings came all at once. I answered each warmly, without the aloof edge I'd had in the Academy.
Back then, I hadn't been arrogant exactly, but I hadn't been easy to approach either. Tonight, I chose to be the classmate they remembered, not the jōnin they imagined.
When I reached Yugao, I couldn't resist teasing: "You've gotten even more beautiful."
She stood out; long purple hair, soft features, pale skin, a light violet dress that flattered her height and poise. She was the picture of a young kunoichi in her prime.
Hayate glanced over at me, expression unreadable.
Yugao's cheeks flushed faintly. Flustered, she blurted out, "Thank you, Gen. You've gotten more handsome too… and your personality's improved."
That set off a chorus of whistles and teasing. She ducked her head, embarrassed, while under the table Hayate's hand curled into a fist.
I knew her talent. For a civilian-born shinobi to reach special jōnin and join the ANBU was no small feat. Without clan resources, such promotions were rare.
In peacetime, becoming a full jōnin usually meant a hundred A-rank missions, the dangerous ones. Still, I believed she had the skill to break through, if given the right opportunities.
"Thank you for the compliment," I said easily. "I hear you're skilled with a blade. If you have time, we should spar, help each other improve."
Her eyes brightened. "I'd like that. But… can I even enter Uchiha territory?"
I laughed. "It's not a dragon's lair. Come whenever you like. If anyone gives you trouble, just tell them my name."
More whistles from around the table.
Hayate didn't sit beside her, leaving the seat open, so I took it. We slipped into easy conversation, her laughter light and frequent. I caught Hayate watching us more than once.
Elsewhere, Kurenai and Anko whispered together, faces close, Kurenai's eyes widening at whatever Anko was saying.
Asuma smoked in silence, though I could feel him sizing me up.
Did he really beat Anko with a shadow clone?
The door banged open.
In strode Might Guy, green jumpsuit blinding as ever, arm slung around a silver-haired man who looked like he'd left his soul somewhere else entirely.
"Guy, Kakashi... finally," someone called.
"Sit down already," another added.
"Oh, grill it, grill it!"
"Kakashi," Guy boomed, "Rin and Obito wouldn't want to see you like this! You have to live bravely, with their expectations in your heart!"
Kakashi's dead-eyed stare didn't waver until I spoke. "She wouldn't want you to waste away either. And neither would he. Live well, Kakashi — for them."
Something in his shoulders eased. He managed a thin smile and sat down quietly.
"I've tried to snap him out of it before," someone whispered. "Didn't work. Gen, you're amazing."
"Youth should be full of passion!" Guy declared, thumb up, teeth shining like a lighthouse.
A few people winced at the display. I just smiled.
Who could dislike Might Guy? A man with no bloodline, no special talent, yet one day, he'd stand shoulder-to-shoulder with gods.
"Alright, Guy, sit and eat," I said.
"Youth is incomplete without meat!"
"Meat is the best fuel for youth!"
"Didn't think you understood me so well, Gen," Guy said, voice breaking. "I'm… so moved!"
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
"If you cry any longer, we'll grill all your meat for you," I warned.
"Ah! No—!"