"You'll be departing tomorrow."
"Let's make an exception tonight—everyone should have a little to drink."
Inside an unknown barbecue restaurant in Konoha, only one table was occupied.
With no elders present, Nawaki took the role of big bro, pouring sake into each cup.
"A little less for Konan."
Misaki stopped Nawaki gently and handed the smallest cup to Konan.
"Thank you, Misaki-nee."
Konan accepted the cup but showed no smile on her face.
Everyone present counted among the few people they knew in Konoha. This was a send-off.
"Missy-nee, you're playing favorites."
Kushina pouted with jealousy, wondering why her own glass was filled to the brim.
"Don't you usually drink enough?"
Misaki rolled her eyes at her. That wild girl already knew how to hold her liquor but was pretending otherwise.
Did she really think Minato, that lovestruck guy, didn't know?
He just didn't feel like exposing her act.
"People, when do I ever drink?"
Kushina pulled a face, her tone exaggerated and over-the-top.
"Oh please, you never learned any of the good stuff from my sister, but picked up all the bad."
Nawaki didn't hold back at all—but then again, this was mostly because Tsunade wasn't here.
Otherwise, he wouldn't dare speak like that even with twice the courage.
"Buzz off!"
Kushina lost her composure over Nawaki's words, grabbing chopsticks and tossing them at him.
"You're not even going to defend me?"
Nawaki happily caught the flying chopsticks mid-air, leaving Minato as the usual punching bag.
"My bad, my bad."
Minato took two punches without complaint, his face filled with affection.
"Hahaha~"
After all the commotion, the mood at the table finally lightened somewhat.
"After everything these years, thank you all for your support."
"We'd like to propose the first toast."
Yahiko led the way, together with Nagato and Konan, raising their glasses along with everyone else.
"You flatter us—we've received plenty of support from you three as well."
Tsunade had reassigned the Lion trio from Nawaki's squad, yet they remained under his command.
They shared a bond forged through life-and-death experiences with Yahiko's group.
"You guys don't need to be so polite."
"It's all right there in the drinks."
Without hesitation, Nawaki emptied another cup of sake.
"Big Bro Nawaki is right."
"Tonight, let's all try to be happy."
"It's not like we'll never see each other again."
Minato followed closely behind, though his eyes were slightly red-rimmed.
"That's true. It's not that far away."
"Come visit whenever you get the chance."
Yahiko chimed in after Minato, though even he couldn't say exactly when that "whenever" would be.
"Eat more now. When you're outside, it won't be like being at home."
"Take care of yourselves."
Misaki heaped grilled meat onto Nagato and his companions' plates until they overflowed.
She remained as soft-spoken, gentle, and kind as ever.
"We know."
Nagato stuffed his mouth bite after bite, hardly tasting any of it.
"And what was Brother-in-law thinking, sending you to such a dangerous place?"
Kushina could only grumble. She couldn't understand Kawaki's mindset.
What kind of mission required his own disciples to go in person?
"Don't talk nonsense. Teacher must have his reasons."
Minato actually defended Kawaki with those words—truly not a thankless wretch.
"I can't talk about it yet—not while he's not even here."
Kushina shot Minato a glare, clearly annoyed.
"Oh yes, you definitely can!" Minato nodded furiously in agreement, though he barely got that one sentence out.
"There's no point in talking about it now anyway."
"They volunteered for this mission themselves."
"Whatever. Let's drink."
Nawaki knew the situation better than Kushina ever could. After all, when it came to strength and status, he'd already carved out a place for himself in Konoha.
"Cheers, cheers!"
The group picked up the sake cups again, passing them around with enthusiasm.
Young and carefree as they were, they drank without holding back.
The shopkeeper was practically ecstatic, constantly refilling trays of alcohol and meat.
Tonight was turning into the best deal he'd had in ages—he was practically floating.
"Heard our teacher brought your long-lost crush over here?"
"For you, this is definitely good news."
With flushed cheeks, Nawaki winked playfully at Nagato. His intel network was top-notch—probably thanks to Minato's big mouth.
"Hehe~"
Nagato just laughed, offering no explanation whatsoever. Truth was, he couldn't wait to see Nonou again.
"In that case, congratulations are definitely in order."
The Lion trio piled in behind Nawaki, teasing Nagato until his face burned red.
Gossip kept things lively, slowly pushing away the sadness of parting.
"Alright, alright! Look how embarrassed he's gotten!"
Misaki stepped in to save Nagato from the endless teasing—mainly because these guys just wouldn't quit.
At this rate, they'd be picking out baby names next.
"My future's not even decided yet—you're jumping way too far ahead!"
Rubbing his flaming cheeks, Nagato finally got a word in. He hadn't even considered half the stuff they were saying.
"Not far off at all—it's bound to happen sooner or later."
Nawaki spoke confidently, as if he could see right into fate itself.
"If it's 'sooner or later,' then you're even earlier than us."
"You and Misaki first, then Senior Minato after you."
"I'm still a long way behind them."
As Nagato spoke, he glanced at Yahiko and Konan—they were probably ahead of him too.
"This you're not wrong about."
"When I get married, you all better come back for it."
Throwing an arm around Misaki's shoulder, Nawaki pulled her close with a quick squeeze.
"Aww, so sweet."
"Flattery gets you everywhere."
One sentence from Konan had Nawaki beaming.
"Well duh—we were made for each other!"
Seizing the moment and the buzz from the alcohol, Nawaki planted a kiss on Misaki's cheek.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? Don't be so embarrassing!"
Misaki quickly pushed him away—there were entirely too many people watching.
"What's embarrassing about it? We're all family here."
Laughing loudly, Nawaki wore his pride like a badge.
"We will come back."
Said Yahiko and his trio, their voices carrying the weight of a vow.
"And when *I* marry Kushina, you'd better show up for that too—no playing favorites."
Minato joined in the teasing, but Kushina was starting to turn unusually quiet.
"Who said I want to marry you?"
Kushina blushed, and her delicate, feminine charm stirred Minato's heart.
"Don't worry, we'll get there, we'll get there."
The three men—Yahiko included—burst into laughter. It was a beautiful promise that resonated with all of them.
"You're all paired up while we three are still flying solo."
"Looks like it's time we picked up the pace."
Lion gave a self-deprecating chuckle and pulled his two teammates along with him.
"How'd your blind date go, by the way?" teased one of them—the Nara guy—with a smirk.
"Don't even ask—I ended up liking someone else instead."
"But she didn't like me back. What can I do?"
As his name suggested, Lion had a huge build and a full beard covering his face.
Though he was only in his early twenties, he looked more like thirty. It was perfectly normal for younger girls not to take a liking to him.
"Next time'll be better—cuter too," the other teammate said casually, pushing Lion's buttons effortlessly.
After all, Lion had already been through at least ten dates.
Nowadays, whenever the matchmaker mentioned the "next one," his head would start throbbing.
"I really appreciate it, but please stop, just stop."
Lion made a 'pause' gesture with his hand. At this rate, either the matchmaker or I am gonna lose it.
"Don't hurry. You just haven't met your destined person yet."
Misaki thought about herself and Nawaki. Who could ever tell how fate would unfold?
"Sigh...I hope you're right."
Lion poured himself a drink and took a quiet sip, a shadow of melancholy across his face.
...
No one could say how long that dinner lasted—when they finally stepped outside, none of them could walk straight anymore.
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