"Everyone, why so serious?"
Seeing nearly a thousand people rise to their feet in unison, all eyes focused on him, the atmosphere instantly becoming as solemn as a military rally, Shinichi seemed momentarily taken aback by the spectacle. Then a warm, amused smile spread across his face.
"I noticed none of you were eating. Is it because the food I made doesn't suit your tastes? Or..."
He deliberately drew out the last word, his gaze sweeping across the room.
Among those present were teammates who had shared life-and-death battles with him in the Shinichi Battalion, medical-nin and logistics personnel who had once served under his command on the southwestern front, classmates who had graduated alongside him, and many comrades from other units who had fought or worked with him before. Familiar and unfamiliar faces alike looked back at him, each wearing a different expression.
Before he could finish, waves of good-natured laughter and overlapping responses broke out from every direction.
"How could that be, Captain Shinichi? You're a special-grade chef who won the Land of Fire Culinary Competition!"
"Exactly! The author of Number One Chef personally cooking for us? Who wouldn't be jealous of that treatment?"
"Being able to eat food made by Captain Shinichi himself? I'd wake up laughing from a dream like that!"
"Come on, Captain! Start the meal already! We're practically drooling ourselves dry over here!"
The laughter and shouted replies washed away the earlier formality, and the atmosphere quickly returned to something lively and relaxed.
Shinichi chuckled and waved a hand. His gaze once again swept warmly across the crowd before he raised his voice.
"Then I'm relieved."
"So what are we waiting for?"
"Let's eat!"
Movement erupted throughout the restaurant once more, but this time it was filled with eager excitement. Everyone hurried back to their seats, and chopsticks and spoons that had long since exhausted their patience immediately descended upon the dazzling spread of fragrant dishes covering the tables.
Laughter, conversation, clinking bowls and plates, and endless praise for the food instantly filled the entire restaurant.
At another table farther away on the first floor, Obito watched the perfectly coordinated scene with unconcealed envy.
That young figure seemed to possess an invisible pull, effortlessly guiding the actions of everyone present.
At his current age and level of maturity, he still didn't fully understand complicated concepts like connections, networks, influence, or political capital.
But instinctively, he could feel the weight of that glory—the honor of being voluntarily recognized, respected, and even followed by so many people.
'Everyone really acknowledges Shinichi now...'
The thought flashed through Obito's mind, filling him with envy.
'One day, I'll earn that kind of recognition too!'
He secretly clenched his fist, familiar flames of determination igniting in his eyes.
His dream had always been to become Hokage, earn everyone's acknowledgment, and protect the people important to him.
But then the fire of motivation abruptly faltered, as though someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over it. His expression suddenly twisted into one of distress and despair.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no..."
The words slipped out before he could stop them. Agitated emotions caused his voice to rise several notches.
"With Shinichi around, he's so outstanding! A genius, incredibly strong, and everyone likes him! People are definitely going to acknowledge him more than me! How am I supposed to become Hokage in the future? The competition is way too fierce!"
Perhaps because his emotions were running high, the second half of his muttering came out even louder.
As a result, Guy, Asuma, Genma, and the rest of their graduating class sitting at the same table all turned to look at him simultaneously.
"Idiot."
Sitting beside him, Kakashi didn't even bother raising his eyes. He merely spat out two indifferent words.
The word hit Obito like a dart.
"Damn you, Kakashi! Who are you calling an idiot?!"
Obito's face instantly turned bright red like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He nearly slammed the table and jumped to his feet.
"All right, all right, everyone, let's eat!"
Sitting beside him, Rin quickly grabbed his arm and gently intervened.
"Shinichi worked really hard to prepare all this delicious food for us. We shouldn't waste his kindness! Besides, Obito, wanting to become Hokage is a good thing. We can all work hard and improve together, right? Why think so much about it now? Eating comes first!"
Rin's words were like a spring breeze, easing some of Obito's frustration.
He looked at the concern in her eyes, then glanced at Kakashi's expression of complete disinterest.
In the end, he reluctantly sat back down.
"Hmph!"
Grabbing his chopsticks, he transformed his frustration into appetite and launched an assault on the plate in front of him, glistening with red chili oil and radiating an irresistible aroma.
"Wah! This is amazing! As expected of Shinichi!"
After only two huge mouthfuls, Obito's eyes lit up instantly.
All his previous worries vanished, replaced entirely by the explosive pleasure assaulting his taste buds. His chopsticks immediately began moving faster.
Rin was right!
Why overthink things?
Food came first!
Right now, delicious food was king!
Meanwhile, at the main table—
The atmosphere couldn't have been more different from the warm bickering among the younger generation.
It was far more boisterous and unrestrained.
Jiraiya was laughing heartily, one arm slung around Yūhi Shinku's shoulders while holding a sake cup in his other hand, insisting on a drinking contest with the elite jōnin known for his genjutsu and relatively reserved personality.
"Come on, come on, Shinku! Vice-Captain of the Shinichi Battalion! I've heard all about what you guys did in the Land of Lightning! Four trips into and out of Kumogakure, smashing the Raikage Building, and even bringing that old bastard Danzō back alive after being surrounded by an entire army! That was incredible! Absolutely incredible! We have to drink another one for that!"
"Those were all Shinichi's accomplishments."
Shinku wore an expression of helpless discomfort, clearly struggling to deal with Jiraiya's overwhelming enthusiasm.
Still, he couldn't exactly refuse one of the legendary Sannin, so he could only raise his cup and respond somewhat stiffly.
Jiraiya had not yet returned to the southwestern front.
After hearing that Shinichi was hosting this grand appreciation banquet, he had directly invited himself over under the pretext of being Shinichi's former superior officer from the southwestern battlefield, then boldly planted himself at the main table.
Shinichi naturally welcomed the idea.
In fact, after hearing that Jiraiya was still in the village, Shinichi had already planned to invite him personally. Unfortunately, when he visited Jiraiya's residence earlier, he had come up empty-handed. No one knew where the elusive bestselling author had disappeared to in search of inspiration this time.
Shinichi had assumed the banquet would probably miss the chance to host him.
Yet unexpectedly, Jiraiya had shown up right on time for the meal, saving him quite a bit of effort.
As time passed, the atmosphere around the main table and the surrounding seats grew increasingly lively under Jiraiya's influence. Cups were raised and emptied, laughter rang out without end, and after several rounds of drinks, many faces had begun to flush with the glow of intoxication.
After downing yet another cup, Jiraiya's gaze naturally settled on the figure who had remained relatively quiet throughout the gathering.
A warm and courteous smile rested on Shinichi's face.
As colleagues, seniors, and subordinates continuously came over to offer toasts, express their admiration, or share their well wishes, he calmly responded to each of them with tea in place of alcohol.
He rarely spoke.
Most of the time, he simply listened quietly as others spoke passionately or reminisced about events from the battlefield.
Occasionally, he would offer a brief comment or a perfectly timed response, and that alone would often trigger a round of approving laughter.
The more Jiraiya watched, the stronger the thought that had long been growing in his heart became.
Setting down his cup, he looked directly at the young man.
Some of his usual carefree demeanor faded, and he spoke in a serious, solemn tone.
"Shinichi... there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Please, Jiraiya-sama."
Shinichi set down his teacup, straightened his posture, and calmly met Jiraiya's gaze.
"I've read several of the analytical reports you've written. The insights in them were profound, and they left a deep impression on me. So now I want to ask you something..."
Jiraiya paused.
His voice grew lower and more deliberate.
Some of the people seated near the main table seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, and their conversations gradually quieted.
"Shinichi... regarding how to prevent war and achieve peace throughout the world—do you have an answer in your heart? Or at least a direction for thinking about it?"
The question landed like a mountain.
The moment he posed it with such gravity, the lively atmosphere at the main table froze.
As if affected by some invisible force, the sudden silence spread outward like ripples.
The nearby tables, which had been bustling with conversation, gradually noticed the change and turned their attention toward the main table.
Soon, the noise throughout all three floors of the restaurant receded like a falling tide.
"Mmph... this is so good..."
Not far away, Obito had been competing with Guy and Ishizuka Ryū to see who could eat faster.
Even he belatedly sensed the subtle shift in atmosphere and looked up in confusion, half a piece of meat still hanging from his mouth.