It was night, and the Konoha BBQ restaurant was busy.
Within Konoha, long-established eateries like Ichiraku Ramen and the Konoha BBQ restaurant had built up a loyal customer base over the years.
Many ninjas, after finishing their missions, would gather with comrades here to strengthen their bonds. After all, in battle, ninjas must rely on each other. If trust is broken, it could lead to critical failures in the field due to a lack of cooperation, even to the point of deliberately holding back during a mission.
At a table by the window, a variety of raw meat and vegetables were neatly arranged. A middle-aged man sat on a sofa, his hair styled into a neat watermelon-shaped head, with thick, heavy eyebrows. He wore a tight green suit and a leather armor set, signaling that he was a ninja at or above the Chūnin level in Konoha!
This man was none other than the renowned Taijutsu specialist, the elite Jonin, Might Guy — also known as Konoha's proud Blue Beast. At that moment, he raised his cup with a bright smile, his white teeth reflecting the light from the restaurant.
"Great job on this mission!" Guy said, holding up his cup with one hand while giving a thumbs up to his companions seated beside him. "This is what youth is all about! You should always maintain that energy and enthusiasm, no matter what you do!"
Sitting next to Guy was a young girl with long, black hair styled in a bun, wearing a pink short-sleeve shirt with a Chinese-style design. Her delicate, serious face was focused as she picked up the grilled meat and vegetables, placing them on her companions' plates, before adding fresh pieces to the grill. Upon hearing Guy's words, she reluctantly put down her chopsticks and picked up her cup.
Across from Guy sat two boys, one with a nearly identical appearance to him. His watermelon head was neatly styled, and he wore the same green tight suit with thick eyebrows. Apart from lacking the leather armor, he looked almost like a smaller version of Guy. Hearing his beloved teacher's praise, he clenched his fists excitedly, fire seemingly burning in his eyes. "I'll do my best! Sensei Guy!" he shouted.
Beside him, another boy with long hair, tied at the end with a silk cord, was quietly resting. Hearing the conversation, he opened his eyes. His pale eyes, resembling a still pool of water, left a strong impression. These eyes were none other than the Byakugan, a bloodline limit of the Hyūga clan, on par with the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
This was Team 3 of Konoha's lower-ranked ninjas. After a long and exhausting mission, they had come together with their sensei Guy to share a meal and strengthen their bonds. It was also an opportunity for Guy to share some important news with them.
"Cheers! To youth!" Guy said with a hearty laugh, clinking cups with the girl Tenten, the Byakugan user Neji Hyūga, and his student, Rock Lee.
"To youth!" Lee stood up, slamming his hand on the table as he forcefully clinked cups with Guy, splashing tea onto the grill, which caused Tenten to yelp.
"To youth." Neji muttered, somewhat awkwardly, as he gently clinked his cup with Guy's.
Tenten, pouting slightly, reluctantly clinked her cup with Guy's, mumbling, "To youth…"
"Neji, Tenten, you two are no fun!" Guy said, crossing his arms with a playful smile. "Where's your energy?"
Neji and Tenten remained silent, unable to match the enthusiasm of Guy and Lee.
"Well," Guy said with a grin, his bright teeth sparkling, "Let me share a bit of news that might get you excited!"
The three younger ninjas instantly perked up, already guessing what it might be. Sure enough, Guy continued, "You've probably guessed it. The Chūnin Exams are approaching! After a year of training, I think you three are ready to become Chūnin. I'm going to sign you up!"
"That's awesome!" Lee shouted excitedly, jumping to his feet.
"But don't underestimate this exam just because you've made some progress over the last year! Many outstanding Genin will be participating." Guy said, seeing Lee's exuberance, and reached out to grab the collar of his clothes. He gave him a light punch on the head, and once Lee settled down, Guy nodded with satisfaction. "There are plenty of excellent Genin in Konoha, so don't take them lightly."
"You've heard the rumors, right?" Guy continued with a sly grin. "If Nara Shikamaru participates, he's definitely going to be a tough opponent. Youth should be displayed without hesitation. While I'm sure you three can beat him, if you underestimate him and lose, it'll be a waste of the year you've spent training."
"Don't worry, Sensei Guy!" Lee said, his right cheek bruised but his resolve clear. "I'll defeat him in the exam and prove that hard work can surpass talent!"
"Hmph!" Neji laughed lightly.
"What are you laughing at, Neji!?" Lee suddenly turned to Neji, pointing at him. "I'm going to defeat you and Nara Shikamaru and become the strongest Genin in Konoha!"
Meanwhile, Nara Shikamaru, whom they were discussing, had no interest in the upcoming Chūnin Exams. Not long ago, a ninja wearing a beige trench coat, a white mask resembling an animal, and dark-division captain attire knocked on the door of the Nara household. Without saying much, he informed Shikamaru that a higher-up wanted to see him.
Although Shikamaru was puzzled — it was already dinner time, and the sky was darkening — as a member of the Anbu, he knew that such missions and orders didn't require too many explanations. Shikamaru reluctantly informed his parents and followed the Anbu ninja to the Hokage building.
The Anbu didn't take him through the front gates but instead led him over the walls, entering through a back entrance. Inside the building, most of the staff were at dinner, but as they walked, Shikamaru realized that they seemed to be avoiding the main areas, passing by empty hallways. Something felt off, and Shikamaru's senses heightened as he became more cautious.
The Anbu didn't take him directly to the Hokage's office but stopped in front of a regular conference room.
"We're here," the Anbu said quietly.
"Who is summoning me?" Shikamaru frowned and asked, not opening the door immediately.
The Anbu remained silent, but after a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice cold and emotionless. "Are you going to disobey orders?"
Shikamaru's anger flared. He realized the Anbu was likely a sensor type. He had suspected something was wrong when they had been avoiding the staff, and now the Anbu's threat confirmed it. His eyes narrowed, and he gave a cold smirk. Years of training had cultivated a dangerous aura within him, and he let it slip without hiding it. In a cold voice, he asked, "Orders!? Whose orders?"
At that moment, the door to the conference room opened with a soft creak. A hoarse voice answered Shikamaru's question.
"It's me...," the voice said as a figure stepped out, revealing himself. "Shimura Danzo!"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin