"Mr. Iruka, it's that red-haired kid who's been bullying our children!" The parents of Passersby A, B, and C rushed over after hearing that their children had been beaten.
A, B, and C immediately looked to their parents for support and began accusing the red-haired kid of bullying them.
The parents didn't waste any time and quickly found Iruka.
Red hair? Could it be him? The only redhead in the entire Konoha Village—Menma.
But something felt off. Didn't Shikamaru and the others just say that Menma Uzumaki wasn't involved?
Iruka frowned and turned to check on the four students and Akamaru, whom he had punished earlier—but they vanished into smoke.
His expression instantly shifted.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Four Irukas popped into existence, nodded to each other, and immediately jumped out the window.
Meanwhile, at the Akimichi Barbecue Restaurant, mouth-watering dishes were already laid out on the table.
Menma and Choji wasted no time, diving into the feast, with the rest quickly following suit—because if they didn't eat fast, there would be nothing left.
"Sooooo gooooooddd," Choji mumbled between mouthfuls.
Kiba paused mid-bite, gave a thumbs-up, and said, "Choji, your Akimichi clan's barbecue is absolutely amazing!"
But no one acknowledged him. The others were completely immersed in their food. Only Akamaru gave him a response: "Woof! Woof!"
Kiba sighed. "At least you're listening, Akamaru. I'll stop talking."
A moment later, a stern voice broke through the cozy atmosphere.
"Menma, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Kiba—you five little troublemakers! Do you think Iruka-sensei doesn't exist?!"
Iruka had tracked them down. The sight of them enjoying barbecue so casually made him boil inside.
Shikamaru, Shino and Kiba froze. They stared at Iruka with wide eyes and slowly set down their food like guilty kids caught red-handed.
Seeing their reaction, Iruka's expression softened a little. At least they knew they were in the wrong. There was still hope for them.
But the other two? Menma and Choji continued devouring their meal without a care in the world.
Menma had already sensed Iruka's arrival but made a judgment call—what was more important? Iruka or the delicious barbecue?
Obviously, the barbecue.
As for Choji, he truly hadn't noticed—his entire world was just the food in front of him.
Boom!
"Are you still eating?!" Iruka slammed the table in frustration, glaring at the two.
Choji snapped out of his food trance, saw the furious Iruka, and slowly put his food down with a guilty expression.
But Menma didn't even flinch.
"Menma!" Iruka shouted his name.
Without looking up, Menma calmly replied, "I hear you, Mr. Iruka, but please don't raise your voice in public. It disrupts other people's meals."
Sure enough, the surrounding tables turned their attention toward them.
Realizing the situation, Iruka quickly bowed in apology to the other diners.
Turning back to the students, he said, "All five of you, come back with me now."
"Woof!" barked Akamaru.
Iruka paused. "…Right, six."
Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji reluctantly stood up, but Menma continued eating like nothing had happened.
Iruka took a deep breath. "Menma, come back with me—now."
"Oh? Mr. Iruka, I'll go with you. But let me settle the bill first."
He waved over a server. "Please give the bill to my teacher."
Iruka took the bill without thinking—but when he looked at the total, his mind blanked.
So much?! Are you pigs?!
"Uh… can I put it on credit? I don't have enough cash," Iruka said awkwardly.
This was the first time he'd ever experienced something like this. Embarrassing.
"Sorry," said the worker, "Akimichi BBQ doesn't accept credit." Then he leaned over the railing and shouted downstairs, "Someone wants to pay on credit!"
In an instant, a crowd thundered up the stairs.
Five large members of the Akimichi Clan appeared.
"Who dares to try paying on credit?"
"It's him!"
And just like that, Iruka was surrounded.
"You trying to skip out on your bill?" one of them growled.
"No, no! This is a misunderstanding! A big misunderstanding!" Iruka stammered.
"Misunderstanding?"
At that moment, Menma stood and spoke, "Uncle Akimichi Sinan."
The leading Akimichi's face instantly brightened. "Menma! What a surprise! Why didn't you say so? Let me treat you!"
"Thanks, Uncle Sinan, but maybe next time."
Menma pointed at Iruka and said, "This is my teacher. He wants to take me away, but I ordered a lot. I probably won't finish everything. Can you return the leftovers?"
Uncle Sinan scratched his head awkwardly. "Well… it's already cooked. We can't return it."
Menma smirked. "I figured. So how about this—you hold off Iruka-sensei for a bit, and I'll finish everything, then head back with him."
"No problem!" Akimichi Sinan replied, gesturing to the others, who immediately surrounded Iruka again.
Iruka: "…"
He realized that Menma held authority here. Trying to drag him out of the Akimichi BBQ surrounded by five clan members? Not happening. And even if he did, the consequences wouldn't be worth the fallout.
"Menma, why won't you just come back with me?" Iruka asked.
"I will. Just let me finish eating. Then I'll go."
Menma sat back down, waved over the server, and ordered 20 more plates.
"Right away!" the worker replied. Definitely a VIP customer.
Menma turned to the others. "You guys should eat too. You'll be scolded when we get back, so might as well enjoy a good meal now."
Choji silently resumed eating.
Shikamaru, Shino, and Kiba exchanged looks, then glanced at Menma and Choji. Finally, they gave in and sat down to eat too.
Iruka: "…"
"Mr. Iruka, come eat with us! This is the best barbecue in Konoha Village!" Menma called out.
Before Iruka could respond, Akimichi Sinan chimed in proudly, "Of course! Our Akimichi BBQ is second to none in the entire village!"
Menma gave him a thumbs-up.
Iruka looked at the sizzling barbecue on the table.
Should I eat or not...?
(End Of Chapter)
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