"It's been a while since we last met—how about we hang out together? Barbecue's on me."
As they left the academy, Izayoi extended an invitation to Class 7 and Class 10.
Upon hearing that, Akimichi Choji and Uzumaki Naruto's eyes lit up immediately.
"Sounds good, but let's split the bill." Nara Shikamaru nodded, but still made a suggestion.
After all, he knew very well just how terrifying Choji's appetite could be.
Even someone as elite as Asuma-sensei had been forced to ask the shop owner for credit after Choji devoured too much food more than once.
Shikamaru also had a rough idea of Izayoi's family situation.
A civilian orphan, living off his parents' inheritance and the village's compensation.
Even after being a genin for several months, the money he earned might not even cover a single meal for Choji.
"No worries. Eat as much as you like. I've still got plenty saved up."
Now a super-wealthy figure in the ninja world, Izayoi flashed a smile that filled Naruto and Choji with awe and admiration.
Seeing that, Shikamaru didn't say any more and made a note to treat him to a meal next time.
Just then, Uchiha Sasuke suddenly killed the mood by saying, "I want to go home and train."
"You can train anytime. Take today to relax a little," Izayoi said as he reached out and patted Sasuke on the shoulder—with a gaze that clearly carried a threat.
"…Fine."
Knowing full well what would happen if he refused, Sasuke crossed his arms with a tsundere look of reluctant acceptance.
Meanwhile, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino both lit up, each fantasizing about sitting beside Sasuke during the meal.
Then, as if they could read each other's minds, they turned to glare at one another. Sparks practically flew from their eyes.
At Konoha's largest yakiniku restaurant, the nine genin pulled three tables together and kicked off their first barbecue gathering.
Naruto, who rarely got to eat good food, ended up in an eating contest with Choji to see who could down more grilled meat.
Ino and Sakura sat on either side of Sasuke, trying hard to impress him—only for Sasuke to look at them with pure disdain.
Shikamaru and Aburame Shino sat together, sipping juice and chatting with Izayoi about the other genin they had observed during the exam.
Izayoi casually responded to them while expertly grilling meat for Hinata and placing it on her plate.
Hinata quietly ate with her head down, appearing graceful and ladylike—but if you looked closely, you'd see that her eating speed was no less intense than Naruto and Choji's.
Her appetite was even more astonishing than Naruto's and easily rivaled Choji's.
Gradually, Shikamaru noticed this too, casting a surprised glance in her direction.
Someone who could match Choji's appetite?
And a noble lady at that? She's something else.
As the party came to an end, Izayoi somehow pulled out a camera and had a shadow clone take a group photo of everyone.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen this, he would've surely sighed in admiration, "This is the future of Konoha!"
The meal cost Izayoi over a hundred thousand ryo.
Back in the day, that would've been a huge loss for him.
After all, in six years, he had only managed to save a little over 300,000.
But now, this amount was hardly even a drop in the bucket.
And this meal helped draw closer bonds between classmates who had studied together for six years.
They hadn't been part of the same circles before, but now, they'd loosely formed a small group.
Only Izayoi truly understood how valuable this group was.
Two of them would become saviors and Hokage. The rest were either heirs to great clans or future pillars of the Konoha Hospital, Intelligence Division, or even the village's top military supply lines...
In the past, Izayoi had only focused on grinding for keywords, with no time to make friends.
But now that his ninja talent had reached Six Paths-level, and since he planned to stay in Konoha long-term, he didn't mind expanding his network.
…
The Next Day, 2:00 PM
Ring ring ring...
The sound of the alarm woke Hinata from her afternoon nap.
Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at Izayoi still sleeping beside her, then quietly got out of bed, tied her hair into a bun, and went to the bathroom to wash up.
"Izayoi-kun, it's time to wake up."
After washing up herself and squeezing his toothpaste, Hinata went to rouse him.
"What time is it…?" Izayoi mumbled groggily.
"It's already 2 in the afternoon."
"Give me another hour… just a little longer…"
"Nope~ Time to get up!"
Hinata yanked off the blanket and gently pushed his shoulder to stop him from going back to sleep.
"Then give me a kiss, or I'm not getting up." Izayoi began making demands.
"Mm…"
Hinata pouted, her cheeks turning pink, but still leaned in and kissed his forehead.
"Too light. Didn't feel anything."
Mu~~a!
"On the cheek."
Mu~~a!
"And now the other side." Izayoi pointed to his other cheek—his eyes now open, wearing a mischievous grin.
"You know who you're acting like right now, Izayoi-kun? Just like Hanabi."
Hinata rolled her eyes at him, but still, cheeks burning, leaned in and gave him a peck on the other cheek.
Then she pulled him upright.
"We practically watched Hanabi grow up. What's weird about us being similar?" Izayoi chuckled and rubbed Hinata's soft cheeks before planting a kiss on her blushing face.
"Go brush your teeth! Your breath stinks."
Hinata's face turned redder, and she shoved Izayoi into the bathroom, pretending to be annoyed.
While brushing his teeth, Izayoi mumbled, "Hinata, open the drawer in the desk and bring me the red box inside."
"Okay."
Hinata, who was about to go pour him a glass of milk, nodded and quickly returned with a box.
She didn't leave afterward but waited by the side while Izayoi finished washing up.
After rinsing and drying his face with the towel Hinata handed him, Izayoi opened the box—inside were two contact lenses.
"Are those… glasses?" Hinata asked in surprise.
"No, they're colored contacts."
Izayoi activated his Tenseigan, then put the lenses on.
His originally sky-blue eyes, surrounded by glowing white patterns, instantly returned to their natural deep-blue color.
These were something he had bought in the city where his villa was located before returning to Konoha.
Watching Izayoi conceal his Tenseigan, the perceptive Hinata immediately sensed something and her expression grew serious.
"Izayoi-kun… is the Chunin Exam dangerous?"
Having seen the power of repulsion and attraction firsthand, Hinata didn't believe any genin would pose a threat to him.
But now, with Izayoi using colored contacts to hide his dojutsu while preparing to use it, clearly he was anticipating a situation where he'd need it—but didn't want others to know.
What kind of enemy could force him to take such precautions?
Hinata's heart grew heavy.
"It's just in case. If things go smoothly, it'll be a breeze. If not… there might be a serious fight."
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Izayoi revealed a meaningful smile.