Chapter 34: Akiyama Makoto's Network
Akiyama Makoto put away the scroll and glanced toward the spot where Uzuki Yūgao usually hid. Naturally, it was now empty. Although he had long known that it would be difficult for them to have any real interaction, the thought that the Yūgao who had confessed her feelings and kissed him in the simulation was now a stranger to him still brought a pang of melancholy.
Forget it. There was no point in dwelling on something when he already knew the outcome. But what did Yūgao mean when she said she understood his intent? It probably just meant that he had discovered her and was thanking her for her help, right? Perhaps he would wait and see if there was any reaction from the Hokage's Office.
With that, Makoto began his new daily routine.
Tenten also arrived early at his house, bringing with her the cooperation agreement. The two of them signed their names. Makoto was surprised that Tenten was the one signing on her family's behalf.
Tenten smiled confidently. "Because I've been the one handling this from the beginning, it's only natural that I see it through to the end."
What she didn't say was that she was worried that while she was away from the village, her family or the shop's staff might get into a conflict with him over money. Tenten had no desire to let a paltry sum of money ruin their relationship. After all, she saw a much broader future with him.
Afterward, the two continued their training outside the village. Today, however, they finished by ten o'clock, returned to the village, and parted ways at the gate. They both had a series of tasks to complete.
After returning home and washing up, Makoto took out his calligraphy brush and, looking at the scrolls he had bought yesterday, began to write. Tenten also went to act according to his plan. The two agreed to meet at the barbecue restaurant at eleven o'clock.
At eleven, Makoto arrived in front of the restaurant carrying a large stack of scrolls. Compared to yesterday, the place was much livelier. Even from outside, he could hear the bustling noise from within. It seemed the people he had invited had already arrived.
Makoto pushed open the door. The atmosphere in the room quieted for a moment as everyone looked at him. It wasn't because he was overly attractive, but because he was the organizer of today's gathering.
"Yo, you're here!"
Shikamaru was the first to speak. Although he didn't know Makoto well, one doesn't bite the hand that feeds them. Especially since Chōji had already devoured a stack of plates of yakiniku, he had to at least say something.
"Good morning, Makoto!" Chōji said indistinctly. He then glanced at the large stack of plates beside him with a sheepish expression. After swallowing his mouthful of meat, he added, "I'll pay for it later!"
"No need. I'm a shareholder in this restaurant now. Treating you all to a meal at cost price is no pressure at all. Everyone, eat to your heart's content."
"Just remember to sign your name and leave some comments on this scroll after you've eaten, so we can improve the restaurant's flavors."
Hearing this, Chōji's eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly. Seeing him about to dump another plate of meat onto the grill, Ino couldn't help but say, "You! Eat some vegetables!"
"Our restaurant just added vegetables, mushrooms, and fish to the menu. How can you review it if you don't try everything?"
Chōji didn't dare to defy Ino and could only start grilling things other than meat with a pained expression.
At this time, Makoto turned his attention to another table. He walked over and gave a deep, unreserved bow.
Might Guy was slightly taken aback. Lee and Neji quickly stood up to make space, as Makoto was thanking their Guy-sensei.
"Good day, Lord Guy. You and your students saved me last time. I've been wanting to find an opportunity to express my gratitude."
"Thank you for gracing us with your presence. I will personally toast you with a drink later. I hope you will do me the honor."
Guy burst out laughing. "I heard you and Tenten are already good friends. That makes you our comrade, so there's no need to be so formal."
"A toast isn't necessary. I heard from Tenten that you're planning to develop a new batch of ninja tools. When the time comes, how about you equip my two students first?"
Neji and Lee didn't use ninja tools often, but Makoto's Fragmentation Kunai was an exception. Used correctly, it could have miraculous effects. Guy wanted his students to be equipped first for their own safety.
"But of course!"
Makoto greeted Neji and Lee. "You two are Tenten's teammates, which makes you my friends as well. From now on, I will cover the cost of your Fragmentation Kunai."
Lee scratched his head, about to refuse, but Neji said, "In that case, it would be rude to refuse."
After Makoto excused himself from the three of them and went to get Ino and Tenten, Lee asked with a puzzled expression, "Neji, why did we accept his gift? As ninja, it's not appropriate for us to accept things from a civilian, is it?"
Neji glanced at Guy, who was smiling without a word, seemingly only interested in the yakiniku. Taking this as permission, Neji calmly said, "He is close with Tenten, so we are not accepting his things, but Tenten's."
"In the future, we just need to protect Tenten well during missions, and we won't owe him any favors."
"Most importantly, Guy-sensei sees a great future for him, doesn't he?"
Neji looked around the restaurant and said in an amazed tone, "If we hadn't seen it with our own eyes, would you believe that not long ago, he was just a sallow and emaciated, down-on-his-luck commoner?"
Lee seemed to understand. He clenched his fist and shouted, "Is Guy-sensei using Makoto-kun's example to teach me that it is not the body that is strong, but the spirit?!"
"As long as one has a will of tempered steel, even a civilian's youth is endless! Is that right?!"
"That's right, Lee! You've finally had an epiphany!" Guy struck a cool pose, pointing at Lee with his chopsticks. "After we finish eating, we'll run ten laps around Konoha on our hands! We can't let this sinful yakiniku raise our body fat!"
"Understood, Guy-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Guy-sensei!"
Neji watched the tearfully passionate master and student with a dark expression and shot an apologetic glance at Shikamaru and Chōji at the other table.
Shikamaru nodded with a smile. But compared to the noisy Guy and Lee, he was more interested in what Akiyama Makoto was up to.
Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he walked out of the restaurant and was immediately stunned by the scrolls hanging on the wall.
"Yakiniku Kazuma's Grand Re-Opening! New Family, Party, and Banquet Set Menus! 20% Off Everything for One Week! Seniors Over 60 and Children Under 11 Eat for FREE!"
"Sign Up for a Membership Card Today! Pre-load 1000 Ryō and get 100 FREE! The More You Load, the More You Get!"
"Congratulations to Chūnin Shimura Taiji for Winning This Month's 'Best Customer' Award with 10 Consecutive Days of Spending Totaling 50,000 Ryō (on credit)!"
"Today's Limited Time Offer! Mushroom and Vegetable Platters 50% Off! Buy One, Get One FREE! Discounts on top of DISCOUNTS!"
But that wasn't what shocked Shikamaru the most.
What he couldn't understand was that a huge crowd, three layers deep, had gathered outside the restaurant!
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