After the three of them finished their introductions, Kimoto Doichi smiled.
"Alright, that's it for today. Gather here tomorrow morning—I'll take you to accept missions."
Without giving them a chance to respond, he vanished.
Yamata Jumoku and Motoya Tako stood there, stunned, staring at the now-empty space.
Orion shook his head helplessly. "Looks like our teacher isn't very reliable either."
"Jumoku, Tako… see you tomorrow."
Since their instructor had already left, Orion had no reason to stay.
But just as he was about to leave, Jumoku called out.
"Wait, Orion! Today's our graduation—and our first day as a team. Shouldn't we celebrate?"
Before Orion could answer, Tako quickly added, "Let's go eat barbecue. My treat."
She blinked at Orion with a gentle smile.
"We haven't really gotten to know you yet."
Orion hesitated for a moment. It felt a bit awkward to accept.
"Well… I guess I'll be troubling you."
After all, barbecue in Konoha wasn't cheap—nothing like ramen.
Jumoku laughed. "Don't worry about it. Tako's family is super rich. Her monthly allowance is equal to the reward of a B-rank mission!"
"I'll make you pay if you keep talking like that," Tako said, clearly displeased.
Jumoku scratched his head. "Alright, alright, I'll stop."
Orion was slightly surprised.
Even at the lowest estimate, a B-rank mission paid around 80,000 ryō. That meant Tako's monthly allowance alone could buy over a thousand bowls at Ichiraku Ramen.
Meanwhile, Orion's monthly living expenses were only about 5,000 ryō.
The gap was enormous.
The difference between rich and poor is really something… Orion thought.
Still, since someone was treating, he didn't refuse.
"Alright, let's go."
They arrived at one of Konoha's most famous barbecue restaurants, a place often frequented by ninja gatherings.
As soon as they stepped in, a familiar voice called out:
"Orion, over here!"
Orion turned and saw Ino Yamanaka and her group already seated.
He glanced at Tako, silently asking for her opinion.
Tako smiled. "You and Ino seem pretty close."
"We just met today," Orion replied calmly.
Jumoku, however, suddenly felt a chill.
Is she… jealous?
He knew Tako well—she looked gentle, but could be subtly sharp when she wanted to be.
Hearing Orion's answer, Tako smiled again. "Then let's join them."
Jumoku swallowed.
This meal might not be peaceful…
The three of them walked over.
As expected, Ino, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and their instructor Asuma Sarutobi were all there.
As Orion approached Ino, Tako deliberately sat between them.
She smiled. "Ino, I didn't expect to see you here."
Ino looked at her.
The two actually had a decent relationship. Back in the Academy, Tako had been one of the few girls not obsessed with Sasuke, so there was no rivalry between them.
And although Tako wasn't from a ninja clan, her wealthy background gave her status in the village.
Still, today, Ino felt something different about her.
Both Jumoku and Shikamaru noticed it.
Orion, on the other hand, didn't think much of it and sat beside Jumoku.
Shikamaru introduced, "Orion, this is our instructor—Asuma-sensei."
Orion, Jumoku, and Tako immediately stood up.
"Asuma-sensei."
Even without considering that Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage, his status as an elite jōnin alone commanded respect.
Asuma waved his hand. "No need to be so formal. Sit, sit."
After they sat down, Asuma sighed.
"Look at these kids—so polite. You three should learn from them."
But Shikamaru's group didn't take it seriously. Coming from powerful clans, they respected Asuma, but didn't feel the need to be overly formal.
The Ino–Shika–Chō clans were no weaker than the Sarutobi clan.
Ino ignored Asuma completely and focused on Orion.
"Orion, why did you finish so early? Didn't your teacher test you?"
She leaned forward slightly, speaking past Tako.
Tako's expression didn't change, but there was a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
Everyone looked at Orion, curious.
Although they had graduated, they still had to pass their instructor's test. If they failed, they could be sent back to the Academy.
Orion explained calmly, "Our teacher's test was… simple. So we finished quickly."
Before he could say more, Jumoku blurted out:
"That's not true! Our teacher's test was terrifying! Tako and I almost died!"
Just recalling it made him shiver.
That overwhelming killing intent—it had felt like death itself.
His words immediately caught everyone's attention.
Asuma frowned slightly. "Who is your instructor?"
"Its Kimoto Doichi-sensei," Jumoku answered.
Asuma paused, confused.
"Kimoto Doichi? I don't recall any jōnin in Konoha by that name…"
His brows furrowed as he tried to remember.