Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 111: Another Twenty Bowls!

"Hey, why are you all just standing there? Have a seat already!"

A cheerful yet slightly hoarse voice rang out.

Asuma stepped closer and immediately spotted Uchiha Kagami.

It was as if he'd stumbled across a rattlesnake in the desert, and he shuddered in surprise.

Unlike Asuma and Might Guy, many of those present hadn't participated in the civil war years earlier.

But the fear Kagami inspired in Asuma had been ingrained since childhood.

Kagami's gaze fell on the figure behind Asuma—Kurenai.

One of the post-war policies had been to encourage population growth, not just among civilians but among ninja as well.

Arranged social events for ninjas of appropriate age had become common. Over time, natural pairs emerged.

In such an environment, the budding affection between Asuma and Kurenai had naturally developed into something more.

At fifteen or sixteen years old, they were certainly young, but the ninja world matured people quickly.

Kagami wiped his mouth.

"I'm more or less full. Take my table."

More or less...

Asuma glanced at the mountain of empty dishes piled high on the table and silently marveled.

Was Kagami always such a voracious eater? Did this habit exist before?

Well... maybe he had been rather possessive about his food back then.

...

Once the table was cleared, Kagami's attention shifted to Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Yezuki.

"Shinnosuke, you're aware of Yezuki's family situation, right?"

For a ninja, growing up without parents was almost standard.

After Yezuki's husband had died, she had returned to the clan with her daughter.

As clan head, Kagami felt it was his duty to act as Yezuki's guardian and get a clear understanding of the situation.

Shinnosuke and Yezuki seemed almost as nervous as teenagers meeting their partner's parents, sitting stiffly in their seats.

Even Asuma and Kurenai looked a bit uneasy.

"Yes, I've spent time with Izumi. She's a well-behaved child, and I'll do my best to earn her trust!"

Kagami nodded, locking eyes with Shinnosuke.

"I won't allow you to toy with Yezuki's feelings, nor will I permit her to marry outside the clan.

Have you really prepared yourself to abandon the Sarutobi name and join the Uchiha clan?"

The two exchanged a glance, and Yezuki gave a gentle smile.

"Shinnosuke-kun and I have already discussed this. He's willing to join the Uchiha clan.

We've decided to hold the wedding during Izumi's school break."

"This meeting with Asuma and Kurenai was to invite them to be the best man and maid of honor."

Kagami took a deep breath, thinking of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Should he invite the old man back for this special occasion to see his son join the Uchiha clan?

The Senju and Uchiha clans were old enemies, and in truth, so were the Sarutobi and the Uchiha.

In the Warring States Period, the Sarutobi had been allies of the Senju.

"Do whatever you two decide," Kagami said at last.

He raised his hand, signaling the restaurant owner.

"From now on, whenever Shinnosuke and Yezuki come to eat barbecue, put it on my tab. I'll settle everything at the end of the year."

"Understood."

Kagami stood up and smiled at Yezuki.

"I might not be able to attend your wedding, so consider this my wedding gift.

Yezuki, I'll be on my way. Take your time and enjoy your meal."

"Thank you, Kagami-kun. Have a safe trip," Yezuki replied.

As Kagami stepped outside, a stealthy figure approached him.

"Hey, Kagami…"

Asuma leaned in close and whispered, "What exactly did you mean back then?"

Ever since he started dating Kurenai, Kagami's past words had occasionally echoed in his mind.

He often wondered...

Did Kagami mean he would die young, and Kurenai would remarry into the Uchiha clan?

Or would they break up, and Kurenai would end up with an Uchiha?

Asuma was one of the few classmates who still felt comfortable around Kagami, perhaps because he and Obito had endured years of Kagami's beatings.

Normally, someone of Asuma's rank should have addressed Kagami with honorifics.

But Kagami didn't care about formalities. A name was just a name; there was no need for excessive titles.

"It was just a childhood joke."

"Really?"

Kagami began to wonder if his credibility was really that low.

"If you don't believe me, I'll kill you right now and let Kurenai marry an Uchiha."

...

"I believe you!"

That settled, Asuma brought up another matter, his tone more serious.

"Kagami... did you hear about what happened to Kakashi and Might Guy? They came back seriously injured not long ago."

"I don't know the details, but it's probably related to Obito."

Kagami paused, pulled out his wallet, and bought a candied apple from a street vendor.

Jiraiya's wallet hadn't been enough to cover the bill earlier. Kagami would have to send someone back to settle it later.

"Kagami? You know what's going on, don't you? I mean, they're—"

Taking a bite of the apple, Kagami replied casually,

"They're playing their game of bonds. You should focus on playing your romance game."

...

Walking side by side, Asuma continued talking.

"Kagami, do you think the village's most important asset is the Hokage or the people?"

"The most important is me." Kagami finished his candied apple, core and all.

"...Okay, other than you."

Asuma pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Kagami.

Kagami wasn't a smoker; his eyes wandered to other snacks being sold at nearby stalls.

Asuma lit a cigarette, his expression growing serious.

"I've thought long and hard, retracing everything from the start of the Third Ninja War to now.

I used to hate you for destroying the peaceful village we had.

But after going on missions…

Almost everyone agrees the current Leaf Village is better.

The redistribution of power clarified the ninja's role again: we're here to protect civilians and the next generation, not to be the blades of the nobility."

"Besides, since my brother started dating Yezuki, I've learned more about your clan.

You and Obito are polar opposites.

Obito's too kind and too naïve; you're too clever and too cold.

Most of the Uchiha are just like us—just a bit more proud.

But when I was young, I'd hear those old advisors talking to my father, saying the Uchiha needed oversight.

I admit I had my own biases back then. Sorry about that."

"Doesn't matter. Your opinion doesn't bother me at all."

Kagami purchased some stewed snacks, planning to try them out at Ichiraku Ramen.

"Keep talking, and I'll hit you."

Asuma instinctively stepped back.

Lowering his gaze, he looked at Kagami with a complex expression.

"Kagami… do you think this way of life can last?

Will you bring peace to this war-torn world?"

"I make no promises."

Pushing past Asuma, Kagami headed toward Ichiraku Ramen.

"Don't be so weak-minded. If you want to keep this life, work for it yourself."

...

Without even stepping inside, Kagami could spot a familiar, plump orange-furred figure on a specially made seat.

The slurping of ramen was audible even from a distance.

Really, why is everyone so free? I keep bumping into familiar faces… or familiar cats.

"Boss! Another twenty bowls of pork bone ramen, meow!

And put it on Lord Kagami's tab. He won't mind, meow!"

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