23 - Accident

At six o'clock, the tantalizing aroma of sizzling meat wafted from a barbecue restaurant in Konoha.

"It's so slow..." Chiba mumbled, his mouth watering as he inhaled the enticing scent. The sound of meat hitting the grill and exclamations of "Delicious!" drifted from inside, tormenting his empty stomach.

Behind him, Yukina Hyuga and Hirohiko Uchiha waited silently. The trio had arrived punctually, but their teacher, Kushina Uzumaki, was unexpectedly tardy.

Hirohiko cleared his throat. "Shall we go in first?"

"That doesn't seem right," Yukina hesitated, her pale eyes scanning the area for any sign of their absent sensei. "It would be improper to start without her."

Chiba sighed, swallowing hard. "Let's wait." His stomach growled in protest, but his wallet remained firmly in his pocket. After all, without their teacher, who would cover the bill?

"Okay," Hirohiko nodded, crossing his arms and leaning against the restaurant's facade.

Yukina stepped closer to Chiba, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure what's happening with your body. That sudden increase in Chakra and those unusual point openings... I'll keep your secret, but you must share it with me."

Chiba glanced at her, noting how she pretended to survey their surroundings, ensuring their conversation remained private. He realized she had noticed something significant but probably wasn't aware of the *Eight Gates* technique.

"I will," he nodded, a silent promise passing between them.

A fleeting smile touched Yukina's lips before vanishing.

"Lady Yukina! Why are you here so late?" A voice, laced with surprise and annoyance, cut through the evening air.

The trio turned to see Kayami Hyuga approaching, flanked by two young ninjas. The newcomers, a boy and a girl around eleven paled in comparison to Kayami's striking features.

Kayami rushed forward, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Chiba. "Lady Yukina, why are you with this filthy traitor? It's getting late, and the Patriarch will worry. Please, come back with me."

Chiba's jaw clenched, his gaze flickering to Yukina. Her face was a mask of apology and worry.

'For Yukina's sake, I'll let this slide,' Chiba thought, tamping down his anger.

The girl behind Kayami gasped. "Kayami, who is this? She's so cute!"

"Oh! Is this the one you've been talking about?" The boy stepped forward, giving Kayami a thumbs-up.

Chiba frowned, recalling that in both Japan and presumably the world of Naruto, such gestures could imply a romantic relationship.

Yukina's eyes widened, her head shaking vehemently.

"Satai, I didn't say she's my girlfriend!" Kayami snapped. "I'm just protecting her from being bullied." His glare left no doubt as to who he considered the bully.

Chiba, resisting the urge to retaliate, turned to Hirohiko. "Who is this guy?" he muttered.

Hirohiko's usually impassive face darkened.

"Lady Yukina, please come back with me," Kayami implored, reaching for Yukina's hand.

Yukina deftly sidestepped his grasp. "Kayami-san, today is our team's first dinner together. I cannot return with you."

"Haha, rejected!" Satai crowed, earning a giggle from the girl.

Kayami's face flushed. "This person?" He jabbed a finger at Chiba. "This filthy traitor is your teammate?"

"No!" Kayami's voice rose in anger. "I must report this to the Patriarch. How can the noble Hyuga clan associate with such filth? You will come back with me now."

"My father is already aware and he approves," Yukina countered, her voice steady.

Kayami recoiled as if struck. 'Impossible!' his thoughts raced. 'This can't be happening! It must be the influence of some vile traitor around Lady Yukina!'

In a flash, Kayami's hand shot out, grasping Yukina's wrist. "Come back with me!"

"Snap!"

The crisp sound of flesh meeting flesh rang out as Chiba's hand connected with Kayami's, forcing him to release Yukina.

"Didn't you see?" Chiba's voice was low, dangerous. "She doesn't want to go back with you." He positioned himself protectively in front of Yukina, his anger palpable.

As Chiba moved, Hirohiko stepped forward, his Sharingan blazing to life.

"U... the Uchiha clan?" The girl stammered, her eyes wide with shock.

Satai's face paled. "Hey! Kayami, this is a bit much. When he was seven, Hirohiko Uchiha activated the Sharingan. He alone here can match the both of us! We can't take on so many."

Kayami ignored his teammates, his gaze locked on Chiba. The intensity radiating from the boy caused Kayami's companions to step back, but Chiba remained unfazed. After experiencing a Jonin's killing intent, Kayami's anger was nothing.

Yukina bit her lip, torn between her teammates and her clan. Just as she was about to speak, a new voice cut through the tension.

"What's going on here?"

Six heads turned to see a red-haired beauty approaching, her fiery locks flowing freely in the evening breeze.

"Teacher Kushina!" Yukina's face lit up with relief.

Kushina's lips curved into an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I was delayed by some errands."

"Hey! Kayami, let's go!" Satai and the girl whispered urgently. "It's 'Blood Red Pepper,' the one teacher fears the most!"

Kayami and Chiba remained locked in a silent battle of wills.

Kushina's voice cut through the standoff. "Isn't this Kayami Hyuga, the Hyuga clan's prodigy? Today marks the first dinner of our team. Do you have any issues with my students?" With each step, her Jonin-level presence grew more oppressive.

Kayami squinted against the overwhelming pressure. 'Is this the aura of a Jonin?' he wondered.

With a final cold snort, he addressed Chiba. "You'll see me again."

Chiba's face remained impassive, too indifferent to respond.

"Let's go!" Kayami barked, leading his teammates away.

As the trio departed, Chiba turned to Yukina. "Are you okay?"

Hirohiko's concerned gaze mirrored Chiba's question.

Yukina shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Won't this cause you any trouble?" Chiba asked, suddenly aware of the potential consequences of his impulsive action.

"No," Yukina assured him. "My father is aware of our dinner, and he approves."

Chiba nodded, relief washing over him.

Kushina approached, her eyes scanning her students for any signs of harm. Satisfied, she patted Chiba's shoulder. "Chiba, in the future, if you face trouble, you're allowed to decide whether to fight back. You must not allow yourself to suffer."

Chiba looked at Kushina thoughtfully. 'Was she like this in the original story?' he wondered. The manga had mainly portrayed her as the Fourth Hokage's wife and Naruto's mother, with little detail about her younger days.

As Kushina led Hirohiko and Yukina into the restaurant, Chiba lingered, lost in thought.

"Chiba, coming or not?" Kushina called out. "I won't save you a seat if you don't show up!"

"Coming!" Chiba hurried after them, a grin spreading across his face. 'Regardless, Kushina has a great personality! And I certainly don't want to suffer!'