After the Smoke Clears

Yakiniku Q.

The official after mission meeting spot, introduced naturally by yours truly.

Because if we left it up to Itachi, we'd be chewing on Dango sticks in silence. And if it was up to Sensei, we'd be stuck in some broody Izakaya meant for war veterans and jaded Jōnin.

As for Inari?

Let's be real.

I'm not even sure she knows where shops are.

So here I was ironically the first one to arrive.

I actually laughed at myself for that.

Until I spotted them waiting.

Flames practically poured out of Minazukin sensei's eyes the moment he saw me. Itachi stood cool and quiet like the world couldn't touch him. And Inari was waving at me with both hands like we weren't trained shinobi from a prestigious village.

"Hey! You're late!" she called out, grinning.

I opened my mouth to greet them but didn't even get the chance to spit out an excuse before Itachi flicked a shuriken at me.

Smiling. I jumped back, mid laugh, and countered with a kunai straight at his chest which he caught. Effortlessly, like always.

"Both of you"

WHACK.

Sensei's hands came down like hammers on both our heads.

"Fighting in public. With civilians around. Really?" he said, voice low and full of suppressed rage. "Next time I'll let the ANBU detain you for 'improper decorum.'"

We both muttered apologies and rubbed our heads.

After kneeling for a quick apology to the staff and getting a glare from a lady at a nearby table, we finally followed Sensei into Yakiniku Q. He asked for a booth We slid in as our Orders were placed. Grills heated, Meat sizzled and peace returned.

Well semi peace.

Sensei briefed us as we waited.

"The mission was a success, Minimal losses and You all made it back, which is more than I can say for some teams," he added, looking slightly tired now that the shouting was over. "As of today, you've all been granted a two week break. No missions until then."

I grinned until he added:

"But there will be a group training session tomorrow morning And an announcement So expect you Early. No excuses."

And like a single organism, all three of them turned to look at me.

"Why are you all looking at me?" I asked, scandalized. "Shouldn't we be worried about Inari, the human compass malfunction?"

Inari just looked away, cheeks puffed out.

Sensei sighed. "I had to find her again after the split. She ended up near the east border marker thinking it was the rendezvous point."

"Again?" I groaned.

"I panicked!" she snapped. "All the rocks looked the same!"

Itachi just shook his head. I could've sworn I saw the ghost of a smirk on his face.

Soon enough, the food arrived. There was laughter, chewing, and congratulations. Sensei handed over our earnings folded envelopes for each of us. And then, just like that, he stood up.

"Bill's on me," he said, already pulling on his gloves. "I've got a friend to meet."

And then he was gone.

We all blinked.

"Think he's meeting a lady?" Inari asked with a glint in her eye.

"Nope," Itachi said, standing. "Probably another Jōnin Or paperwork."

"Buzzkill," she muttered.

We paid with our time cleaning up some dishes and stepped outside into the evening light.

Before I could say anything, Itachi stretched his arms and said, "I'm already tired of seeing your faces. I'm going to train in the Uchiha compound."

Cold as ever. But classic Itachi.

Inari looked around. "I need to restock my kunai and get more explosive paper. I think I dropped half my gear during the chase."

I sighed. "Guess I'll head to the Sarutobi training ground Some light drills should help me digest."

We all nodded, shared a lazy wave, and split off three paths diverging in the quiet twilight of Konoha.

And just like that, the team was scattered again.