Neji and Kiba, however, still weren't quite used to it so neither of them said much.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru, who had long since become completely accustomed to Yagyu and Ino's behavior, spoke without any reaction at all,
"This mission was successfully completed."
"But since you acted alone afterward, everyone was pretty worried."
"Now that we've seen you return completely unharmed, we can finally relax."
Hearing Shikamaru's words, Neji and Kiba beside him both nodded.
"That's right, exactly."
After the two echoed in agreement, Shikamaru spoke again,
"Also, Gaara and the other two are waiting for you as well."
"Now that you're back, you'll probably need to properly host them."
"To be honest, that Gaara guy is way too intimidating."
"Among all of us younger generation ninja, you're probably the only one who can suppress his presence."
Hearing that, Neji and Kiba nodded once again.
"That's right, exactly."
After taking a sip of water, Shikamaru raised his head to look at Yagyu and asked,
"So what are you planning to do?"
"How are you going to thank them?"
"Did Lady Tsunade say anything about it?"
The moment Shikamaru finished asking, Neji and Kiba both looked toward Yagyu, waiting for his answer.
Although Yagyu's temporary squad had already disbanded, during this S-rank mission, Yagyu had chosen to act alone in order to create a safer environment for the rest of them.
That single act of self-sacrifice alone had already earned the admiration of Neji, Kiba, and the others.
Even though they had never personally witnessed Yagyu's true strength that alone was enough to completely win them over.
Returning to the topic after hearing Shikamaru's question and seeing the somewhat foolish looking expressions on Neji and Kiba's faces,
Yagyu's expression turned a little strange for a moment.
But he quickly returned to normal and answered,
"This afternoon, I'll invite them out for yakiniku."
"And since it's been a while since everyone gathered together, let's just invite everybody."
Yagyu turned his gaze toward Neji,
"Neji, your Team Guy should come too."
"We're all around the same age anyway, so everyone should get along well enough."
Neji nodded and replied,
"Understood."
"I'll notify Lee and Tenten later. We'll definitely arrive on time."
Satisfied, Yagyu nodded.
After checking the time, he spoke again,
"Then it's settled."
"Today at six in the evening."
"Let's meet at the yakiniku restaurant."
Shikamaru and the others all agreed.
After chatting for a little while longer everyone gradually took their leave one after another.
After everyone had left, Yagyu smoothly laid his head down on Ino's lap.
"Ah… I'm exhausted."
"Although this mission didn't take too much time, going all the way to Sunagakure was still pretty tiring."
Looking at Yagyu resting on her lap Ino smiled brightly as she spoke,
"You've worked hard, Sousuke!"
"You have no idea, everyone in the village is constantly talking about how talented and promising you are, calling you Konoha's future and hero!"
"Even I've been getting envied by tons of pretty girls because of it."
Reaching up to rub Ino's little head, Yagyu smiled and replied,
"Oh really? Tons of pretty girls?"
"Ino, aren't you worried I might get stolen away by some other beautiful girl?"
Rolling her pretty eyes at him Ino replied with absolute confidence,
"Impossible!"
"Who do you think I am?"
"I'm the future of the Yamanaka Clan, one of Konoha's top beauties."
"How could they possibly compete with me? Keep dreaming!"
"And besides…"
She glared at Yagyu with a deliberately fierce expression.
"You wouldn't dare!"
Smack.
Ino suddenly lowered her head and kissed him once before standing up.
"You keep lying there."
"I'll go prepare hot water for you so you can take a nice bath."
"After resting a bit, we'll head to the gathering tonight."
"I'll go notify Sakura and the others from Team Seven."
"As for you, you just need to pick up Gaara and his siblings later."
Watching Ino's hopping figure disappear into the bathroom, a faint smile appeared on Yagyu's face.
That little girl…was genuinely wonderful.
Although she usually acted carefree and energetic, there was no doubt that Ino possessed her own unique charm.
Thinking about the future, when she would grow into a woman overflowing with feminine allure, Yagyu couldn't help but wish time would pass faster.
He really wanted to grow up sooner.
That evening.
Inside one of the oversized private rooms of Konoha's yakiniku restaurant the entire Konoha Twelve, along with Gaara and his siblings plus Yagyu, who was treating everyone made a total of sixteen people seated together around the table as plate after plate of grilled meat was served.
Everyone chatted freely the girls had endless shared topics while the boys also had their own interests to talk about.
Even Gaara, under Naruto's influence, had a faint smile on his face as he joined in the conversations with everyone else.
Sitting beside Shikamaru, Yagyu leisurely ate grilled meat while quietly enjoying the atmosphere around him.
"This feeling really isn't bad."
Looking at the lively and harmonious scene, Yagyu thought inwardly,
"This is what a true group should feel like."
After eating for quite a while, Yagyu finally put down his chopsticks, took a sip of fruit juice, and looked around at everyone present.
In the end, his gaze landed on Gaara and his siblings as he smiled and asked,
"Gaara, Temari, Kankurō!"
Hearing Yagyu call out to them.
Everyone gradually quieted down a little, their gazes all falling onto Yagyu.
That invisible sense of respect also reflected Yagyu's unique standing among the younger generation of ninja.
"As for the past grudges between Konoha and Suna, let's not bring them up anymore."
Looking at Gaara, Yagyu's eyes carried a trace of expectation as he spoke,
"I hope that in the future, we'll always remain friends."
"And Gaara… I believe you already have a dream now, don't you?"
Gaara nodded lightly.
After glancing at Naruto, he answered,
"Yes."
"I want to become the Fifth Kazekage."
Yagyu nodded knowingly.
With genuine anticipation in his gaze, he said,
"I'll be looking forward to the day you become Kazekage."
"When that day comes, I believe the future between Konoha and Suna will become bright and hopeful."
"And achieving everlasting peace between our two villages may no longer be impossible."
Gaara nodded.
He agreed with Yagyu's words.
If he became Kazekage then the friendship between Konoha and Sunagakure would undoubtedly continue for a very long time.
Perhaps eternal peace was not such an unreachable dream after all.
After Yagyu finished speaking with Gaara,
Temari, who had been chatting with Ino and the other girls nearby, suddenly turned toward Yagyu with blazing eyes.
"The future between Konoha and Suna may indeed become better."
Looking at Yagyu, Temari spoke as though encouraging herself,
"But Yagyu Sousuke, one day I will definitely surpass you and defeat you!"
"I absolutely have to break free from that feeling of helplessness during the Chunin Exams!"
Hearing Temari's declaration everyone present froze for a moment before smiling good-naturedly.
Especially Sasuke.
In his eyes, the current Temari looked exactly like how he himself had been several years ago a fearless newborn calf unafraid of the tiger.
----------
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com/OneFic