After the battle between Kakuzu and ANBU outside the village, Konohagakure fell into a rare moment of tranquility. Whether it was Danzō or the Uchiha clan, both kept unusually quiet—as silent as obedient grandchildren. But beneath the surface, the undercurrents of conspiracy continued to stir.
Akimichi Chōza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi—an early incarnation of the Ino-Shika-Chō formation—had recently been gathering frequently at Yakiniku Q, the local barbecue shop. The three young shinobi whispered in daylight, exchanged glances, and joked with one another. What secret plot could be brewing behind such casual camaraderie?
Is it a distortion of human nature? A sign of moral decay?
...No. It's just a regular dinner.
As a firm supporter of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Yuhi Shinku had long maintained close ties with the Ino-Shika-Chō trio. To help young Feng Huo integrate better into the community, Shinku began introducing him to his trusted circle.
"Feng Huo, I'm Akimichi Chōza. My hobby is eating! Call me anytime you want to grab barbecue," said the 18-year-old Chōza, already a mountain of a man, unmistakably part of the Akimichi clan.
"My name's Yamanaka Inoichi. Nice to meet you." With his neatly tied ponytail and defined features, Inoichi looked especially refined standing next to Chōza.
"I'm Nara Shikaku." He looked half-asleep even while speaking, his laziness evident. With a crooked grin, he muttered, "Troublesome…" It was no mystery where Shikamaru inherited his demeanor.
Feng Huo had no choice but to introduce himself too.
He was only 8, but his serious tone and composed actions made him seem far more mature. It didn't take long for the Ino-Shika-Chō trio to recognize his potential.
Chōza, ever the most enthusiastic, kept dropping sizzling slices of meat into Feng Huo's bowl. "Eat up, Feng Huo! You'll grow strong like me!"
"…You mean fat," Feng Huo thought to himself.
"I heard your taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu are all impressive," said Inoichi. "We should spar sometime."
In contrast, Feng Huo found himself liking Shikaku more. The Nara genius hadn't spoken more than one sentence.
"Ah, he hates trouble the most," Inoichi chuckled, elbowing Shikaku. "But he's got a crazy high IQ and never loses at shogi!"
"Heh… it's just a hobby," said Shikaku, finally breaking his silence.
Feng Huo couldn't match them in shogi, but if they tried Chinese chess, he might stand a chance—not that they'd know the difference.
Yuhi Shinku observed the gathering with quiet satisfaction. He was about ten years older than the trio, and Feng Huo was ten years younger than them. To Shinku, this was how the Will of Fire was passed on—through bonds and mentorship.
Aside from training, Shinku took Feng Huo to meet Aburame Shibi, a quiet man who controlled insects, and Inuzuka Tsume, who raised ninja dogs.
These clans were all staunch supporters of Sarutobi Hiruzen. Under the Hokage's guidance, their families were thriving and gaining influence.
As for Feng Huo, while he made many new acquaintances, he remained focused. The decade-wide age gap made most interactions shallow. His true goal never wavered—training and getting stronger.
His shadow clones studied sealing techniques day and night, regularly seeking advice from Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
Genjutsu practice became harder. Yuhi Shinku had recently obtained access to classified Uchiha genjutsu from Hiruzen: techniques like Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change, and Binding Illusion: Chains of Gold.
These weren't just hand signs—they required the Sharingan. And with only a two-tomoe Sharingan, Feng Huo couldn't properly cast them.
"So hard…"
Still, Feng Huo persevered, sharpening his ocular abilities with relentless determination.
He also trained with Maito Dai and his son in a nearby grove.
"Uncle Dai, how's the development of the Front Lotus going?" Feng Huo asked.
Kai lay sprawled on the ground, covered in bruises. His thick eyebrows were scrunched so tight it gave Feng Huo goosebumps.
"You came at the right time!" Dai said brightly. "Kai pushed too hard—fractured his leg!"
Feng Huo sighed. "Like father, like son…"
He inspected Kai's leg. It was bent in an unnatural way. Using the Palm Healing Technique, he stabilized the injury, then fashioned splints from nearby wood.
"No physical training until that bone heals," he warned.
Kai looked miserable. "But the graduation exam is only three months away! I need to train!"
"Relax. You'll be healed in a month, and you'll definitely pass."
"Really? That's awesome!" Kai beamed. "Then I'll take the Chūnin Exams and challenge you!"
"Uh…" Feng Huo looked at Kai's uninjured leg ominously.
"Feng Huo, I've got great news!" said Maito Dai. "The Front Lotus is nearly perfected! Kai's been a huge help—he's truly my son!"
"Father!" Kai cried, tears brimming. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance!"
"Kai! This is youth!"
Wait a minute… what does this have to do with me? Don't drag me into this emotional performance!
The father and son embraced dramatically. Only when it ended did they remember Feng Huo and tried to rope him into a group cry.
Feng Huo flatly declined. "I'll spend my crying time on training."
Dai approved and immediately assigned him enhanced "hell training." It nearly broke him.
Thankfully, Feng Huo's special constitution let him recover overnight. Without it, Dai's brutal training regimen might have crushed him.
After dragging his sore body back from the grove, Feng Huo showered, cooked two dishes, and had dinner ready just as Yuhi Shinku came home under the red sunset.
"This is amazing!" exclaimed Yuhi Kurenai, who used to eat half a bowl but now ate two thanks to Feng Huo's cooking.
"Hong, don't eat too much," Feng Huo warned. "Or you'll end up like Akimichi Chōza."
Kurenai tilted her head. "Who?"
Meanwhile, Yuhi Shinku—deadpan serious—cut in. "He's right. Eat too much, and you'll ruin your figure. No one will want to marry you."
Kurenai peeked shyly at Feng Huo and nodded.
Shinku gave Feng Huo a very dangerous look.
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