The barbecue for Naruto's table was brought out quickly. The waiter lit the coals, bowed, and hurried away as if trying to avoid a curse.
Naruto had long since grown used to that — for him, it was already good if people didn't direct mean words at him.
Carl picked up a few slices of pork belly and tenderloin and laid them on the grill. Fat dripped from the meat onto the coals with a sizzle; the aroma spread, and Naruto's mouth immediately watered.
Carl glanced at Naruto and let out a small, gentle laugh.
"How's that? Doesn't it look a lot better than instant noodles?"
Naruto nodded vigorously, eyes shining as he stared at the sizzling meat on the grill, drooling as he asked,
"Carl—how long until this is ready to eat?"
"What's the rush? Meat isn't going to sprout legs and run away. Watch carefully — I'll only demonstrate once how to grill it. After that, it's your turn."
"All right! No problem!"
Only when he was with Carl did Naruto truly let his optimistic, cheerful nature free; the oppressive weight he usually felt vanished, and he wished time would stay frozen in this moment forever.
Carl watched Naruto, his face in the shadows revealing nothing. He thought: if he told Naruto now that freeing him from the seal would cost Naruto his life, Naruto would very likely agree to pay that price.
Naruto had lacked care since childhood; he had probably already come to see Carl as a father figure.
Carl shook his head slightly. Never mind — soon he would be able to break the seal with his own strength. If he wanted, he could just absorb that fox and immediately manifest his true body into the world.
Only… he no longer wanted to do that.
On the other side, Asuma, who had been watching this table, frowned. Even though the waiter had already put out the dishes, Asuma didn't seem to notice until Kurenai nudged him.
"Asuma! Asuma! The food's here!"
Asuma came back to himself, turned to Kurenai and made a shushing gesture, his expression very serious.
Kurenai's face went grave as well. In a low voice Asuma said,
"I suspect Naruto's so-called shadow clone is actually the Nine-Tails."
"What?!" Kurenai's eyes widened. Asuma continued, "No matter how strong a clone's independent consciousness, it shouldn't be that extreme. I suspect it's actually condensed Nine-Tails chakra."
While the two of them whispered, Carl picked a piece of grilled meat and placed it on Naruto's plate, speaking calmly,
"Why don't you two come a little closer to talk."
Asuma's body shuddered — it felt like some terrifying presence had its eyes on him. For a Jonin of his level, the sensation was one of total helplessness.
That only strengthened his suspicion. Kurenai looked ready for combat, one hand already on the kunai at her waist.
Carl continued picking up meat.
"You'd better behave. I don't want to kill anyone right now — it would ruin my appetite."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Kurenai's body tensed. An invisible, overwhelming force pinned her to her chair. Asuma leapt to his feet the moment he noticed Kurenai's condition, staring fixedly at Carl.
The other diners scattered in panic. The barbecue shop owner was on the verge of tears; he dared not cry out — if he weren't so attached to his shop, he would have fled with the customers.
Naruto sat tensely in his chair, voice trembling,
"Carl, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
Carl frowned. "This has nothing to do with you. Just eat."
Then he turned to Asuma, his voice ice-cold. "Do you want to die?"
A cold drop of sweat slid down Asuma's forehead. His hands had already gripped his chakra swords — but under the pressure of Carl's terrifying presence, he couldn't even bring himself to draw them. How could he fight like this?
The gap between them was simply too great. Even without fighting Carl before, Asuma was certain he was no match.
Damn it — was the Nine-Tails' power really this frightening? He was a Jonin, one of the better ones, and yet facing some inexplicable clone of the Nine-Tails he didn't even have the right to act?
Across from them, Carl had raised a finger. Just as he was about to press it down, an old voice suddenly sounded from the doorway.
"Asuma, interrupting someone's meal is extremely rude. Apologize at once, won't you?"
The moment the shop owner saw the figure at the door, his eyes lit up. He shouted excitedly, "Hokage-sama!!!"
The newcomer was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back, calmly looking in.
Carl lowered his hand and tapped the table lightly.
"Peeking at others from inside is also an extremely rude and sleazy thing to do. That's not what a Hokage should be doing, is it?"
The Third Hokage was taken aback by being called out so directly, but he didn't show it on his face. He forced a smile and bowed slightly.
"My apologies — Naruto is far too important, I had to take measures to protect him."
Carl sneered and popped a piece of grilled meat into his mouth. The Third gave Asuma a sharp look and barked,
"What are you still standing there for?!"
Startled, Asuma hurriedly apologized to Carl. Carl said,
"An apology alone isn't enough. Pay for this table."
Asuma froze for a moment, then, under the Third's glare, hastened to say,
"Of course — and those who haven't paid yet…"
Hearing that, the owner's eyes brightened — but Carl's next words quickly snuffed out that light.
"What others do is none of my concern. Just settle this table's bill. Don't do anything unnecessary."
Asuma could only comply. Feeling the weight of Carl's power, he dared not provoke him. No matter how resentful he felt, he couldn't risk angering Carl — if Carl went berserk, it would be a catastrophic disaster for Konoha.
There was no Fourth to divert the Nine-Tails' attack anymore; with only the aged Third Hokage to hold things, if they subdued the Nine-Tails, Konoha would likely be nearly ruined.
Asuma refused to be the one to bring that disaster upon Konoha.
Seeing Asuma submit, the Third was somewhat relieved. He glanced at the sweating Kurenai beside Asuma and said to Carl,
"Could you remove whatever ability is on Kurenai? I would be grateful."
Carl continued to pick at the meat and answered offhandedly,
"I can. Just remember to vacate the house where the Fourth Hokage used to live afterwards."
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg