The sounds of crowds echoes about the arena, as the four stepped from their seats in the stands and walked down a large pathway and into a tall winding area built into the lacquered wood stands above and in-front and the stonework around otherwise. The space was moderately busy with several shopping stands opened to the public. The largest of these were dedicated to the restaurant known as Akimichi Barbeque, ran and operated by the matron of the Akimichi Clan and her children while another albeit smaller stand to the side was dedicated to the Akimichi Sweet Shop.
Kenshiro, Emiko, Utsukushi, and Neji stepped into the line awaiting the front of Akimichi Barbecue, standing behind a number of small lords within the Fire Country, as well as other chunin and jonin. It was another thirty minutes before the four of them reached the front of the stall. Kenshiro spoke up, "We'll take four of your platters, one with brisket, two with pulled pork sandwiches, and one with ribs. As for sides, spicy peppers for the brisket, rice for both of the sandwiches, and roasted corn on a stick for the ribs. That sounds good to you all right?"
With affirmation from the three of them, Kenshiro offered his ryo for the four meals and the overly-sized male in the back of the stall, looking to be in his early fourties, began grilling the ordered food on the spot. The nice lady working the register returned Kenshiro's change and gave him a wood token as it was understood that when the number on the token was called, your order was ready. The four of them stepped out of line and found a picnic table with benches to wait out their food on. Neji was the first to speak up. "While we are waiting on our food, who do you think will win between Mizore Su of the Mist or our village's Hiori Toshiro?"
"While I'd like to believe in our village's representative, Su's bloodline is that of the Hyouton whereas Toshiro is merely a swordsman specializing in taijutsu with some albeit minor skill in Suiton Ninjutsu." spoke Neji thoughtfully, he had fully thought about the circumstances facing the village representative in the next bout. Both Emiko and Utsukushi nodded their heads and intoned in agreement, yet it was Kenshiro this time that seemed doubtful. Neji leaned inwards on the table when Kenshiro wouldn't give his own thoughts, "So then, what do you believe Kenshiro? Or are you just going to sit there and remain silent throughout our meal"?
"Don't give up hope in our village that quickly, Neji-Kun. While on the surface it seems that Hiori Toshiro is merely a taijutsu swordsman, he wields a katana passed down from him through his samurai ancestors that is made of chakra-conducting metal and, might I add, is not just a minor practitioner of ninjutsu but a skilled one. Do not believe something just because all signs point to it's truth. Investigate." spoke Kenshiro with wisdom well beyond his years - of course he could not tell them he knew this because he was a reincarnator so had need to invent a cover as to why he possessed such knowledge.
"Then you are voting for Toshiro to win?" asked Neji, to which Kenshiro smirked and replied, "Ahh but that's not what I said. Please listen closely next time, my friend. Su has the higher likelyhood to win out the day, just that Toshiro isn't going to make it easy on him. Su's hyouton also obtains the advantage over suiton. In the end however, either fighter could make a mistake which will shift the momentum for the other fighter as well. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that this match won't be easy for either Shinobi."
Just as the two were discussing the bout, their number was called resulting in Kentsuru quickly bounding up and stepping over towards the 'Pick-Up' section of Akimichi Barbeque. Kentsuru quickly gathered the four plates in wood and paper containers and brought them back over to the picnic table. The two pulled pork sandwich platters were handed over to Emiko and Utsukushi while the rib platter was given to Neji, and after taking his seat, Kentsuru opened the brisket platter.
All four friends dug in to their food with the two girls eating with respectable table manners but perhaps Neji showing the best manners present. Kentsuru had chosen to start eating the grilled bell peppers with his chopsticks before eventually consuming brisket. All four of them remained silent while eating though not out of habit but rather due to Eula's table rules that had been drilled into their heads, especially about talking with a mouthful of food.
"Akimichi Barbeque, sure lives up to the reputation. That was really good." Kentsuru said, the other three nodding in agreement. As they could hear the proctor announcing g the next match-up, the for of them quickly threw their trash and head back up to their seats.