Once again completing an S-rank mission, Uchiha Shinji and Yakumo unsurprisingly became the center of discussion among the students at the shinobi academy.
Especially since their mission wasn't some secretive operation but the capture of an 'Upper Moon,' a figure whose infamy had recently skyrocketed in the shinobi world, the fervor of the discussions reached new heights.
"What was 'Upper Moon Five' like?"
"Did it really have words carved in its eyes?"
"I heard those 'Upper Moons' eat people! Yakumo, is that true?"
"How strong was 'Upper Moon Five'?"
Their classmates crowded around Yakumo, bombarding her with questions.
Yakumo didn't put on airs and shared all the information she could.
When they heard her describe 'Upper Moon Five's' towering, two-to-three-story-tall frame, the surrounding classmates let out gasps of amazement!
In the distance.
Neji, Tenten, and Lee gathered around Shinji, also inquiring about the battle to capture 'Upper Moon Five.'
"That's the gist of it…"
Shinji smiled as he recounted the capture of 'Upper Moon Five.'
With the village now in possession of an 'Upper Moon'-level demon, the live testing of the aging potion could finally proceed.
Tenten and Lee kept asking questions, while Neji listened quietly.
If one observed closely, they'd notice Neji wasn't as calm as he appeared. His slightly perked ears betrayed his keen interest.
After Shinji answered their questions, Tenten suddenly looked at Haku and Karin with curiosity. "Huh, aren't you two curious at all? You haven't asked a single question!"
"Uh…"
Haku and Karin exchanged glances.
They genuinely weren't curious, as they were the ones who had driven 'Upper Moon Five' straight into Tsunade's team.
Haku, quick on his feet, said, "Didn't you already ask everything we wanted to know?"
On the other side of the training field.
Naruto hurriedly ran up to Sasuke and Sakura, shouting, "Yakumo got a big mission reward! She said she's treating everyone to barbecue tonight!"
"Awesome! It's been forever since we had barbecue!"
Sakura cheered.
Sasuke, however, kept a dark expression. "I've got things to do. I'm not going!"
Naruto said, "But everyone's going!"
"It's just an 'Upper Moon Five,' what's the big deal!" Sasuke snorted. "Just you wait, I'll rip off 'Upper Moon Two's' head!"
After school, the classmates invited by Yakumo gathered at the barbecue restaurant.
In truth, Yakumo wasn't the only one footing the bill. Shinji, who had also received a mission reward, was co-hosting the feast.
The classmates, who hadn't had a group meal in a while, dove into the delicious barbecue with abandon, throwing decorum to the wind.
Inspired by Yakumo and Shinji's examples, their classmates' training enthusiasm had surged recently. Almost everyone was putting in extra effort, even the usually laid-back Shikamaru.
Training hard naturally made them hungrier.
Not just the boys, but even the girls ate with a ferocity that shattered Shinji's expectations. The normally delicate-looking girls fought over the meat with ruthless intensity.
Sakura and Ino were snatching pieces from each other, their cheeks stuffed full.
Hinata, who usually blushed just speaking, was clearing plate after plate.
Yakumo and Tenten started off reserved, but seeing the situation, they quickly joined the fray.
Watching the plates of barbecue vanish at lightning speed, Shinji swallowed hard, thinking, I hope this mission bonus is enough!
Naruto, his mouth full of meat, mumbled to Shinji, "Sh-Shinji, we're out of meat again!"
Shinji sighed and called for the owner.
The owner hurried over, all smiles. "Everyone, how's the fresh beef we just served?"
Lee, still chewing, gave two enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Burp.
Neji wiped his mouth after a burp and said, "The flavor's great!"
"Glad to hear it!" The owner smiled, then looked at Shinji. "Anything else you'd like to order?"
Feeling the group's expectant gazes, even Karin's eyes gleaming with rare longing, Shinji braced himself. "Bring another twenty plates of meat—no, make it fifty! The same beef as before!"
"Shinji, you're the best!"
"Hahaha, we can eat our fill this time!"
"Yakumo, sorry for making you guys splurge!"
The classmates erupted in cheers, and the atmosphere in the private room grew even livelier.
"Alright, I'll throw in five extra plates!" The owner rubbed his hands, leaving with a spring in his step.
Shinji forced a smile. "No worries, as long as everyone's happy!"
You can't skimp on the kids, especially since Karin was at a critical stage in her pursuit of the Rinnegan, and Kimimaro and Neji were diligently storing chakra for their respective 'biological exoskeletons.' Nutrition was crucial at a time like this.
So, this expense could technically be chalked up to the 'Rinnegan Plan' and the 'Tenseigan Plan.'
Plus, Yakumo was covering half the cost, so Shinji only had to pay for half. All things considered, he wasn't losing out at all!
"No loss!"
With that thought, Shinji quickened his pace in grabbing food.
Having gone this far, there was no way he'd let himself go hungry. Even Yakumo, beside him, was too busy eating to talk!
It wasn't until late evening that everyone in the room was finally full and satisfied.
After some casual chatter, with the night growing late, the group reluctantly left the barbecue restaurant.
Just as Shinji was about to head to the hospital's laboratory, a voice called out to him.
Turning around, he saw it was Shion calling him, so he walked over. "What's up?"
Shion looked at Shinji. "Shinji, can you keep me company and talk for a bit?"
Shinji didn't agree right away. He considered that even though the research team now had 'Upper Moon Five' as a test subject, they'd need to conduct live tests with the Type II aging potion first. Improving the potion wouldn't likely be on the agenda until tomorrow or the day after. Even if he went to the lab now, there wouldn't be much for him to do.
After thinking it over, Shinji nodded. "Alright."
"Thank you!"
Seeing Shinji agree, Shion let out a relieved breath.
Shinji said casually, "You seemed like you had something on your mind today. You were kind of distracted even during the barbecue."
Shion pouted. "Was it that obvious?"
Shinji thought to himself that it wasn't that obvious—everyone was too busy fighting over the meat to notice Shion's mood. He asked, "So, what's going on with you?"