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Many ninjas, just like those outside, were gathered in small groups. Su even saw quite a few 'acquaintances'. In the middle of the barbecue restaurant, at one table, sat several Konoha ninjas: Might Guy, Kurenai YÅ«hi, a young man chewing on a toothpick, and a young man with a big beard, who seemed to be Asuma Sarutobi, the Third Hokage's son.
Several people were talking while eating barbecue, appearing quite lively. Another table, however, seemed a bit subdued. There, one person, a red-haired boy with panda eyes carrying a large gourd on his back, had a cold expression. His lifeless eyes were filled with endless chill, occasionally flashing with a hint of killing intent. He slightly lowered his head, contemplating something.
The other two people were mostly normal. One of them, a female ninja carrying a large fan on her back, was speaking to the red-haired boy in a gentle tone, but the red-haired boy showed no sign of responding. The other, a young man with colorful markings painted on his face and a strange appearance, wearing a black ninja suit, looked at the red-haired boy with terror, as if the red-haired boy was some kind of primeval savage beast.
Next to the three of them sat a middle-aged man in his thirties, wearing a white bandana on his head. His skin was dark, and the white bandana covered his left eye. The middle-aged man looked somewhat gloomy, frowning at the red-haired boy, seemingly lost in thought.
There were also ninjas from other villages dining and socializing around, but their voices weren't loud. After all, everyone sitting there was a ninja, and some things were not suitable for others to hear.
As Su and his group walked into the barbecue restaurant, they immediately attracted everyone's attention. Seeing the Hokage forehead protectors on Su and the others, people were instantly startled. Some of the more experienced ninjas couldn't help but exclaim, "Hokage Village!!"
"What? Hokage Village? That Hokage Village!!?" Many ninjas who were dining immediately looked up, staring in surprise at Su and his group entering the barbecue restaurant.
"Why are people from Hokage Village in Konoha? Are they here to participate in this Chūnin Exams?" some ninjas asked with a hint of suspicion, looking at the Hokage Village group.
"Hmm, it should be. You know, Hokage Village has been a rising powerful ninja village in recent years. To be able to develop amidst the encirclement of the Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Stone Village is truly not simple. Konoha has no reason not to pull in this new force. You know, the relationship between Konoha and Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud is not very good," another older ninja spoke. This person was a squad leader and teacher from a small ninja village's genin team here to participate in the Chūnin Exams, so he knew more.
Su and his group paid no mind to the crowd's discussions. Led by the waiter, they came to an empty table in a secluded corner and sat down. The waiter then began preparing ingredients and a grill.
"Hokage Village? How could they be here!!!?" The middle-aged man from Hidden Sand Village, wearing a white headscarf, was instantly shocked. He was Baki, an elite Chūnin from Hidden Sand, and the team leader for the three examinees who came from Hidden Sand Village this time to participate in the Chūnin Exams.
"Damn it!! It must be that old fox Hokage who invited them. He's truly cunning, using the timing of the Chūnin Exams to rope in Hokage Village. His timing is excellent; it makes people feel like it's not abrupt, yet achieves his goal. He's truly an old fox," Baki thought coldly to himself.
However, thinking of this, a sneer crossed Baki's lips, "But so what? Even roping in Hokage Village won't save Konoha. Hokage Village only has four people; even if they help Konoha, they won't make a big difference. They might even kick them when they're down. Judging by this village's conduct these past few years, I'm afraid they aren't very benevolent either. Hidden Sand Village should be cautious and prepare." Baki thought to himself.
"Hokage Village? I heard this village is quite extraordinary, isn't it? They wouldn't be here to help Konoha, would they?" Kankuro quietly sneered and spoke, looking at the Hokage Village group not far away. "Don't say too much, Kankuro!!" Temari quietly scolded Kankuro, giving him a look in the direction of the Konoha ninjas. "Tsk!! I know," Kankuro pouted and said impatiently.
"Hokage Village? Interesting!!" Gaara slowly raised his head, looking at the Chūnin from Hokage Village. A furious killing intent flashed in his bloodshot eyes.
Su sensed that killing gaze from Gaara. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Heh heh, Gaara, you're an important chess piece for me. When the time comes, I'll help you release all the killing intent in your heart!!" Su inwardly sneered.
"Are those the ninjas from Hokage Village? They certainly look unusual," Genma Shiranui said indifferently, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.
"Ah, the development process of this village and its country is truly too strange, exceeding everyone's expectations, which is why it attracts attention. But now it seems this country and village are quite extraordinary. The strength of these few young people participating in the Chūnin Exams is not to be underestimated," Asuma said, taking a puff from his cigarette.
"I heard that inviting Hokage Village to Konoha to participate in the Chūnin Exams was Lord Hokage's decision," Might Guy asked while chewing on a piece of barbecue.
"That's right, it was Lord Hokage's order. I also heard that he probably made this decision hoping to foster a good relationship with this village (which is wealthy), after all, this village doesn't have a very good relationship with Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone," Genma Shiranui said.
Kurenai YÅ«hi did not speak. She stared intently at Su's figure, a hint of contemplation flashing in her eyes. "What's wrong, Kurenai?" Asuma turned to look at Kurenai YÅ«hi and asked, somewhat puzzled, as she hadn't spoken.
"No, nothing," Kurenai YÅ«hi shook her head and said faintly, "That young man gives me a familiar feeling. It feels like I've seen him somewhere before, but I'm absolutely certain I've never seen that face. Perhaps it's just my imagination." Kurenai YÅ«hi said faintly.
"Is that so? You must be mistaken. There are quite a few people who look similar in this world," Might Guy said with a laugh. "Let's hope so," Kurenai YÅ«hi nodded, then turned her head away and no longer paid attention.