Wok Shadow Ninja

Chapter 99: Kakashi's True Face

Treating others to a meal has always been a necessary way to build relationships, no matter the era. With Kakashi, the wealthy benefactor, footing the bill, everyone ate heartily. Hinata, however, maintained her timid demeanor while eating the barbecue.

"Ino, I really can't eat anymore."

"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei, I'm really full."

"Really, I'm full... I really can't eat anymore."

Hinata's pace of eating barbecue was consistently steady. If you weren't paying attention, you'd never guess that she was the one who ate the most among the group.

Ino didn't miss this opportunity either. Asuma had been pushing her to train in taijutsu whenever he had the time, and after hearing about how she had been repeatedly overpowered by the Mist trio in close combat, Inoichi also urged her to strengthen her training in that area. Her energy expenditure was high, and without eating meat, she simply didn't have the strength to train.

Sakura, on the other hand, wasn't focused on the meal.

She chatted with Hanare about all sorts of gossip. The wide-foreheaded girl was clearly more interested in these topics. Hanare, as a spy who had traveled far and wide, had mastered the art of saying the right thing to the right person. She effortlessly charmed Sakura, who was easily swayed. While Hanare seemed to talk endlessly, upon closer inspection, she hadn't actually revealed anything substantial.

Kurenai and Asuma were whispering quietly at another table.

On the main table, there were four girls: Hanare sat on the far left near the aisle, Sakura and Ino were in the middle, and Hinata, trying to hide her identity as a member of the Hyuga clan, sat on the innermost side.

Sakura was chatting happily, but when she turned her head, she noticed that both Hinata and Ino were eating voraciously.

Her thought process was always a bit different from others, often noticing things that others missed.

She nudged Ino with her elbow. "Ino-pig, look at Kakashi-sensei."

What's wrong? Ino looked up and glanced over. "Nothing's wrong. What's the issue?"

Sakura lowered her voice. "Kakashi-sensei hasn't taken off his mask while eating. Do you think under his mask he might have..."

Her eyes wandered, and her expression turned strange. "Maybe buck teeth? Or thick lips? Or..."

She guessed several possibilities, and Ino shivered at the thought. Hanare, overhearing, simply covered her mouth and chuckled. Naruto, meanwhile, was sneakily eyeing Kakashi, his exaggerated movements causing Sasuke to also glance over.

As everyone looked, they realized something was off.

Kakashi usually didn't eat in public. Whenever the server brought out a new dish or someone blocked the view, he would swiftly devour an entire plate of barbecue in the blink of an eye! His cheeks would puff up as he chewed slowly inside his mouth.

Noticing their stares, Kakashi swallowed the meat in his mouth and explained matter-of-factly, "It's a habit from the war days. I eat too fast, and I can't break the habit. Hey, boss, bring another plate of barbecue for Miss Hyuga!"

This attempt to divert attention was too transparent. They weren't children. Straightforward guys like Naruto and Sasuke didn't care how much Hinata ate; they were more interested in seeing what was under Kakashi's mask.

"Say what you mean!" That was Naruto's ninja way.

He directly asked Kakashi to reveal his true face.

"You've been staring at me instead of eating, just for this?" Kakashi's gaze swept over their faces before he asked.

Everyone, including the usually low-profile Shino, nodded vigorously.

Asuma and Kurenai chuckled softly but didn't join in the "activity."

"You kids are so curious..." Kakashi grabbed his mask and slowly began to pull it down.

Even Ino, who had been five-tenths focused on the Steam Danger Explosion technique and four-tenths on scheming, now watched intently.

Naruto was sweating, nervously swallowing a large gulp of saliva. Everyone stared at Kakashi's right hand, feeling that his movements were agonizingly slow.

Just as they were about to protest, Kakashi swiftly yanked off his mask, only to reveal another blue mask underneath.

"Pfft!" Naruto spat out the barbecue in his mouth, then coughed violently, bending over and unable to straighten up for a while. Sasuke's expression darkened, feeling thoroughly fooled. Sakura was utterly disappointed. That's it?

"Hahaha" Asuma and Kurenai burst into laughter. They had clearly been tricked by Kakashi before and were now laughing so hard that tears streamed down their faces.

Kakashi never revealed his true face.

The atmosphere at the gathering was good, so no one pressed the issue further. Jokes were fine, but going too far would ruin the mood.

Ino took the opportunity to lighten the mood. She started promoting her wares to Kakashi. Now that he had a girlfriend, shouldn't he buy some flowers? Maybe some jewelry? Gold and silver accessories? She had it all, and delivery was free.

"No, no, Hanare and I are just friends," Kakashi waved his hands, trying to explain.

Hanare smiled without saying a word, appearing gentle and ladylike, completely unlike the master spy who had navigated through numerous ninja villages.

"Kakashi-sensei, how did you and Miss Hanare meet?" Sakura, with her romantic mindset, eagerly asked the question.

Everyone perked up their ears, and even Asuma and Kurenai glanced over subtly.

Kakashi scratched his head, unsure how to answer.

Hanare, however, was more forthcoming. "I'll tell the story. I remember I was very young, about your age. I was lost and confused, the training was harsh, and I just wanted to find my way back to the village, but I got lost."

She glossed over the details about her village, then blushed slightly as she looked at Kakashi. "When I was at my most helpless, I met him. He encouraged me. He said that if I missed my family, I should look up at the white clouds in the sky and imagine them as my family..."

Sakura occasionally glanced at Sasuke, never expecting Kakashi-sensei to say something so sweet. If only Sasuke would say something like that.

After the barbecue gathering at "Yakiniku Q," Kakashi called Ino aside. Once everyone else had left, he asked seriously, "Inoichi mentioned that you want to become Lady Tsunade's disciple. Can you tell me why?"

Ino, with nine-tenths truth and one-tenth fabrication, replied, "Actually, when Haku stabbed my palm and Chojuro's Hiramekarei slashed my back, it hurt so much. I'm afraid of pain, afraid of death... and even more afraid of watching my comrades die in front of me while I can do nothing. I want to learn advanced medical ninjutsu so that I won't be helpless when tragedy strikes."

Kakashi said, "Your ninjutsu is already impressive. I believe few ninjas your age can match you. Learning medical ninjutsu on top of your water and earth styles will spread your focus too thin."

Ino shook her head. "But ninjas always get injured in battle. Once injured, their combat ability drops significantly. I think healing techniques are essential."

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