Night in Konoha was exceptionally lively, the air in the streets thick with a joyful sense of liberation.
Pedestrians crowded in front of vibrant neon lights.
Outside Yakiniku Q, the barbecue restaurant owned by Choji’s family, the aroma of charcoal-grilled meat had drifted three streets away.
Today was a special occasion.
The newly minted Genin had just survived the insanely brutal survival tests administered by their respective Jonin leaders—Naruto had been tied to a wooden post by Kakashi, questioning his life choices; Ino had spent the afternoon dodging through Asuma’s smoke screens; everyone was so exhausted they looked like salted fish pulled straight from the water.
“I don’t care!
Tonight I’m eating at least twenty plates of prime short ribs!
Asuma-sensei is paying anyway, so I’m not holding back!” Choji tied on his bib, his eyes burning with a passion for fatty meats.
“Take it easy, Choji.
My wallet isn’t that bottomless.” Asuma’s mouth twitched.
This was easily the worst decision he had ever made—at this rate, his house savings were going to be eaten away.
“Choji, if you keep bingeing like that, I might have to write you a prescription for digestive medicine tomorrow.” A crisp, pleasant voice broke in.
Hoshi walked casually into the private room, hands tucked in his pockets, his short black hair neat and untamed.
His overly clean gray outfit stood in stark contrast to the mud-covered Naruto beside him.
“Hoshi!
You finally made it!” Ino bounced up excitedly and pulled him down into the seat beside her.
She had dressed up specifically for tonight, wearing a cosmos flower pinned to her blonde ponytail—just as Hoshi had suggested last time.
In the corner of the private room, Kakashi crouched over a copy of *Make-Out Paradise*, while Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi spoke in low tones, sharing their insights on leading their teams.
When Hoshi walked in, the eyes of the three Jonin shifted slightly.
“Come on, everyone, tell me about your test today!” Naruto blurted out around a mouth full of meat.
“Kakashi-sensei is so underhanded!
He actually used that…
that unspeakable Taijutsu to ambush me!
But I learned it—it’s an incredible Ninjutsu.
It’ll definitely work wonders on Sasuke later!” “That’s just because you’re stupid.
With your pathetic moves, I’d knock you down before you even got close,” Sasuke scoffed.
Though he had passed the test, his fists clenched involuntarily at the thought of Kakashi’s unfathomable strength.
Shikamaru sighed.
“Asuma-sensei had us play steal-the-rug.
What a pain.
I was this close to just lying down and surrendering.” Kiba deliberately wrestled with Naruto for meat, Hinata’s cheeks flushed red as she stared at a certain someone, lost in thought, and Shino seemed to have been completely forgotten by everyone.
Everyone took turns complaining about their teachers’ twisted senses of humor.
Even the usually shy Hinata blushed as she shared how she had searched for Kurenai-sensei’s trail.
Just then, Naruto suddenly stopped his chopsticks and squinted suspiciously at Hoshi, who was gracefully turning pieces of grilled meat.
“Huh?
Hoshi, how come we haven’t heard a word about your test?” Naruto’s eyes widened, full of schadenfreude.
“Don’t tell me…
you got disqualified outright because you were too handsome?
Haha!
If you failed, I can ask Kakashi-sensei to take you in!” Ino also paused nervously, looking at Hoshi with concern.
Hoshi unhurriedly placed a piece of sizzling, golden-brown beef into Ino’s bowl before speaking at a leisurely pace.
“Test?
I wish I had one.
As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I was assigned an office, handed a stack of medical records, and told to personally audit last year’s medical supply expense reports.” “Huh?” Naruto froze.
“What kind of test is that?” “Naruto, that’s what we call a gap in class status,” Hoshi offered a bright, sunshiny smile that landed like a heavy blow.
“Maybe it’s because my attainment in Medical Ninjutsu is a bit higher.
Feel free to drop by the hospital to visit sometime.
I have an independent office with great lighting and window views.
I can give you free checkups now and then.” “An independent office?!” The chopsticks slipped from Naruto’s fingers and clattered onto the floor.
He pictured himself eating dirt in the woods while Hoshi sat in a leather swivel chair sipping tea and reading the paper.
Suddenly, the beef in his mouth lost all its flavor.
“I even get designated lunch breaks and afternoon tea provided by the ladies of the Medical Corps,” Hoshi added, driving the knife in with surgical precision.
“Damn it!
That’s not fair!” Naruto wailed in jealousy.
“We all just graduated!
Why is the treatment so different?!” “Because all you can summon is a pile of doughy rejections, while Hoshi can save lives.
That’s the difference between a genius and a Dead-last,” Sasuke spoke up suddenly, his tone cold.
He glared at Hoshi, a fiery defiance glinting in his eyes.
In Sasuke’s eyes, Hoshi’s “special treatment” was not just proof of strength, but an insult to him.
Why should a genius of the Uchiha Clan be out here wrestling for bells while this war orphan had already entered the hospital as a manager?
“Hoshi, since you’re so capable, let me challenge you to this.” Sasuke picked up a slice of raw meat with his tongs, his gaze sharp.
“Let’s see who can grill meat to the exact right temperature.
It’s a test of judgment.” “A grilling contest?” Hoshi raised an eyebrow, his hidden mischievous streak immediately surfacing.
“Sasuke, my friend, that comes with a price.
If you lose, you have to help me clean up and do chores at the rehabilitation center for an hour every day after school.
How about it?” “Deal!” Sasuke scoffed.
His hands flicked the tongs rapidly, and he even mobilized a tiny trace of Fire Style Chakra to maintain a precise, constant heat over the charcoal.
For a moment, smoke drifted through the room.
Sasuke concentrated completely, his movements as precise as calculating the trajectory of a shuriken.
Hoshi, on the other hand, appeared utterly relaxed.
With a slight twitch of his fingers, he used the sensitivity of medical Chakra to heat, catching the exact moment when the meat fibers broke down to perfection.
“Done,” Hoshi said, lifting his meat first.
As the guest judge, Choji tasted both pieces.
His eyes lit up instantly, and he pointed with difficulty at Hoshi.
“Sasuke’s meat is cooked to perfection, but Hoshi’s…
it actually locked in every drop of juice!
This texture…
it’s practically art!” “Good game, Sasuke.
Remember to report to the Senju compound on time tomorrow.
No need to bring tools—everything’s provided.” Hoshi smiled brightly as he collected his won free labor, not forgetting to hand the last grilled piece to Ino, who was looking at him with utter admiration.
To the side, Kakashi snapped his book shut and let out a deeply profound sigh.
“Asuma, Kurenai, do you see that?
The kid is petty and scheming.” Kurenai Yuhi said wistfully, “He doesn’t feel like that person’s disciple, but his Medical Ninjutsu was definitely taught by her.
Man, I really want to learn that Yin Seal.” “Sigh, too bad it’s a Secret Technique.” Asuma took a drag from his cigarette and shook his head helplessly.
That night, laughter, jealous groans, and the sizzle of barbecue blended together.
Hoshi looked at his earnest companions, feeling the warm weight of Ino resting against his shoulder, and quietly plotted in his heart: *I’ve got the office, and I’ve got free labor.