As the group heads toward the BBQ restaurant to celebrate Hiro and Natsume’s acceptance into the Academy, they are suddenly stopped by a man with long white hair, wearing a Konoha jōnin outfit with a sword at his waist. Shinji immediately recognizes him and introduces the group to Sakumo Hatake, the renowned White Fang of Konoha. Sakumo greets them with a kind smile, and after some encouragement from Shinji, he agrees to join them for the meal.
During their walk, Shinji asks about Sakumo’s son, Kakashi. To his surprise, Sakumo informs him that Kakashi has already graduated the Academy and has been promoted to chūnin. Shinji is visibly shocked, turning to the group and expining that Kakashi is only a few years older than they are, making his accomplishments even more impressive.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the group settles onto the tatami mats around the low BBQ table. The atmosphere is warm and celebratory, with Aoi taking every opportunity to draw Sakumo and Kaya into conversation, even arranging for them to sit close together. Her teasing nature becomes evident as she nudges them into shared discussions, much to Kaya’s mild exasperation.
As the meal continues, Shinji takes a moment to expin to Kaya that Sakumo is one of the most proficient swordsmen in the vilge and that he personally learns from him whenever possible. This leads to a conversation about Hiro’s fighting style, with Sakumo showing genuine interest in the boy’s unorthodox use of the whip.
Sakumo then offers to give Hiro a few lessons in weapons combat, specifically focusing on how to counter sword users effectively. Hiro hesitates at first, unsure of what to say, but before he can fully respond, Kaya accepts on his behalf, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to learn from someone as skilled as Sakumo.
Meanwhile, Hiro and Natsume take an interest in learning how to cook the meat properly over the charcoal BBQ. The two excitedly try flipping the pieces at just the right moment, Natsume ciming that her mother taught her the best way to keep the meat tender. Hiro listens carefully, genuinely focused on improving, but he is soon caught off guard when Natsume starts repeatedly trying to feed him, insisting that it tastes better when someone else gives it to you.
Hiro, completely overwhelmed, finds himself blushing furiously as Natsume grins and persists in offering him bite after bite. Aoi, watching from across the table, can barely contain her ughter at the scene unfolding before her. She nudges Kaya pyfully, both of them enjoying Hiro’s clear discomfort as he fumbles to find a way out of the situation without offending Natsume’s well-meaning enthusiasm.
As Hiro processes the offer from Sakumo, he notices Aoi’s expression shift into something mischievous, a glint of excitement in her eyes as she grins knowingly. He can’t quite pce what she’s pnning, but something tells him that she’s enjoying this moment far too much.
