"Hey, Menma, what are you zoning out for!"
Naruto slung an arm around Boruto's shoulder and loudly introduced him to everyone present.
"This guy's name is Menma! He's a distant relative of Kakashi-sensei and just joined Team 7 today!"
"A distant relative?"
Asuma and Kurenai exchanged glances. They were a little puzzled about when Kakashi had suddenly gained a relative, but out of trust in their comrade, neither pressed the matter.
"Since we ran into each other, let's push the tables together!" Asuma waved enthusiastically.
"Boss! Add two more tables and push them together! Kakashi's here today—we've got to make him bleed his wallet dry!"
"Hey, hey…"
Kakashi patted his wallet, which already seemed to ache in anticipation, and let out a helpless sigh.
"I'm just an ordinary jōnin. Are you guys planning to eat me into bankruptcy?"
Despite his complaints, Kakashi still allowed Naruto to drag Boruto into the crowd.
Before long, three teams plus Yakumo—more than a dozen people in total—were gathered around an enormous long table.
Charcoal crackled as thin slices of meat sizzled enticingly on the iron grill.
Choji and Naruto immediately started a full-scale war over the meat. Ino desperately tried to curry favor with Sasuke, while Sasuke remained utterly indifferent, focused solely on eating. Kiba and Akamaru bounced all over the table, Shikamaru sighed helplessly as he flipped the barbecue for them, Hinata blushed as she quietly placed grilled meat onto Naruto's plate, and Haku gently helped Yakumo and Shino pass the seasonings around.
Seated beside Naruto, Boruto watched the noisy yet overwhelmingly warm scene, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously.
Kakashi sat on the outer edge of the table, picked up a cup of clear tea, and took a light sip.
As he looked at this group of lively young shoots, his gaze softened without him realizing it.
Just then, a pair of chopsticks carried over a perfectly grilled, sizzling slice of premium beef short plate and set it neatly onto the plate in front of him.
Kakashi followed the chopsticks with his eyes. Kurenai Yūhi withdrew her hand, her ruby-colored eyes meeting his with a gentle smile.
"Don't just drink tea, Kakashi. It's your treat today. If you don't eat soon, these kids will snatch everything."
"Ah… thank you."
Kakashi was momentarily startled, then his eyes curved into relaxed crescents.
Sitting beside Kurenai, the barbecue tongs in Asuma's hand froze midair.
The cigarette between his lips trembled from a mixture of shock and jealousy, and a chunk of ash dropped onto the table with a dull thud.
He stared fixedly at the slice of meat on Kakashi's plate, alarm bells suddenly blaring in his mind.
He recalled what had happened not long ago—when Kakashi had casually pulled down his mask to eat ramen in front of the kids. Ichiraku's daughter, Ayame, had been so stunned by that face that she nearly spilled the broth, and Asuma had teased him about it for days afterward.
If this guy pulled down that mask—something that could genuinely be called a "weapon of mass destruction"—in front of Kurenai right now…
"W-Wait! Kakashi!"
Asuma shot to his feet, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He pointed the barbecue tongs at Kakashi like a kunai, shouting as if facing a mortal enemy.
"You… you're not planning to eat right now, are you?!"
"I'm warning you, this is a public place! You are absolutely not allowed to take that mask off!"
Seeing Asuma's panicked expression, Kakashi's mischievous streak was instantly triggered.
"What are you spouting, Asuma?"
His eyes curved into a beautiful arc, playful amusement flickering deep within them.
"Since it's Kurenai's kindness, barbecue should be eaten while it's hot. Otherwise, it would be a waste."
With that, Kakashi set down his teacup and slowly raised his right hand, slender fingers lightly hooking the edge of his mask.
"Stop—!" Asuma let out a despairing cry.
But under everyone's curious gazes, Kakashi's fingers gently pulled downward.
The dark-blue fabric slid down, and the face hidden for more than a decade was revealed openly to everyone.
It was a face that could only be described as flawless.
A sharply defined jawline as if carved from marble, a high, straight nose bridge, and thin lips carrying a lazy, effortless smile. Beneath the corner of his mouth, a small beauty mark added an unmistakably lethal hint of roguish allure.
More than that, under the subtle influence of natural energy, Kakashi's skin was fair and unblemished, his entire presence radiating a deep, mysterious, and languidly mature charm.
Calmly, Kakashi picked up his chopsticks, grasped the sizzling slice of beef short plate, and brought it to his mouth with effortless elegance.
He chewed slowly, his lips parting slightly as he offered an appreciative remark.
"Mmm. The heat really is perfect. Thanks, Kurenai."
Clatter.
Someone's chopsticks slipped from their fingers and struck the table, breaking the stunned silence.
The next instant, the girls in the entire barbecue restaurant collectively collapsed.
Sizzle—
Ino had been holding a carefully grilled piece of meat meant for Sasuke, but the moment she saw Kakashi's true face, the tongs slipped from her grasp. The meat fell into the charcoal, burning into a lump of blackened coal, yet she noticed nothing at all.
The girl who usually only had eyes for Sasuke now had hearts practically pouring out of her gaze. She cupped her flushed cheeks with both hands, breathing rapidly.
"K-Kakashi-sensei is… is actually this handsome?! That's just not fair!"
Beside Naruto, Hinata had been trying to quietly give him some food. After accidentally catching sight of Kakashi's face, her entire body turned red like a cooked crab, from her neck all the way to the tips of her ears.
Even Yakumo, who was usually cold and seemingly indifferent to everything around her, was staring blankly at Kakashi.
Her ethereal eyes widened slightly, two rare blushes blooming on her pale cheeks. The teacup in her hand tilted, tea spilling across the table, yet she failed to notice.
And as the "culprit," Kurenai Yūhi undoubtedly suffered the greatest impact of all.
From such close range, Kakashi's perfect features and lazy smile filled her entire vision.
As a mature female jōnin, Kurenai felt her heart skip uncontrollably.
Her ruby eyes widened just a fraction, and a faint crimson spread along her fair neck.
She hurriedly looked away, lifting her teacup to conceal herself, but inwardly she was shaken to the core.
'With a face like that… why on earth does this man usually wear a mask?'