Shinichi smiled as well and waved his hand. His gaze gently swept across the hall again before he finally declared loudly: "Then I’m relieved."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"Let’s eat!"

The sounds of movement rang out once more, but this time they were filled with eager excitement.

Everyone quickly sat back down, and chopsticks and spoons immediately reached toward the dazzling array of fragrant dishes on the tables.

Laughter, conversation, the clinking of bowls and plates, and praises for the delicious food instantly filled the entire restaurant, creating a lively atmosphere.

At another table somewhat farther away on the first floor, Obito Uchiha looked on with incomparable envy at the perfectly synchronized scene just now, where everyone moved because of one person. That young figure seemed to carry an invisible attraction capable of easily influencing the actions of everyone present.

Although at his current age and level of understanding, he still did not completely comprehend the political meanings behind complex words such as connections, networks, and influence, he could instinctively feel the glory and weight of being spontaneously acknowledged, respected, and even followed by everyone.

"So now everyone... Recognizes Shinichi this much..."

Such a thought flashed through Obito’s mind, and he felt incomparably envious.

"One day, I’ll also become someone like Shinichi and gain everyone’s recognition like this!"

Obito secretly clenched his fist, flames of unwillingness to lose igniting in his eyes. His dream had always been to become Hokage, gain everyone’s acknowledgment, and protect the companions important to him.

But immediately afterward, the fire of fighting spirit on his face suddenly froze, as if someone had dumped a basin of cold water over him. His expression abruptly became conflicted and dejected.

"It’s over, it’s over, it’s over..."

He almost blurted it out, his voice unconsciously rising several degrees due to emotional agitation: "With Shinichi around, he’s so outstanding, strong, and popular too. Everyone’s definitely going to recognize him more! In the future... How am I supposed to become Hokage in the future?! The competition pressure is way too huge, isn’t it?!"

Perhaps because his emotions were stirred up, the second half of his muttering became even louder unconsciously, causing companions of the same generation at the table, Might Guy, Takashi Ishizuka, Asuma Sarutobi, Genma Shiranui, and the others, to all simultaneously turn their gazes toward him.

"Idiot."

Kakashi, beside him, did not even raise his eyelids, merely coldly spitting out one word, yet they accurately stabbed into Obito’s nerves.

"You bastard Kakashi! Who are you calling an idiot!?"

Obito’s face instantly flushed red, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He subconsciously slammed the table and prepared to leap up to argue.

"Alright, alright, everyone, hurry and eat!"

Rin Nohara, seated beside him, hurriedly reached out and pulled on his arm, gently persuading him: "Shinichi worked really hard to prepare so much delicious food, so we shouldn’t waste his kindness! Besides, wanting to become Hokage is a good thing, Obito. Isn’t it enough for everyone to work hard and improve together? Why think about so much now? Eating is the most important thing first!"

Rin’s words were like a spring breeze, slightly soothing Obito’s irritability. He looked at Rin’s concerned gaze, then glanced at Kakashi’s expression of, too lazy to bother with you, and finally sat back down resentfully.

"Hmph!"

He grabbed his chopsticks and transformed grief and indignation into appetite, launching an assault on the plate of bright red, fragrant mabo dofu in front of him.

"Wah! It’s so delicious! As expected of Shinichi!"

After stuffing just two large bites into his mouth, Obito Uchiha’s eyes instantly lit up. All his previous thoughts were immediately replaced by the explosive ultimate enjoyment assaulting his taste buds, and he involuntarily sped up the movement of his chopsticks.

’Rin was right! Why think about so much! No matter how big heaven and earth are, eating comes first! Right now, delicious food was king!’

On the other side, at the main table.

The atmosphere was completely different from the warm bickering at the youths’ table, appearing especially bold and unrestrained.

Jiraiya was currently laughing heartily, one arm draped around Shinku Yuhi’s shoulder while his other hand raised a wine cup, insisting on having a drinking contest with this elite Jonin, who was famous for Genjutsu and had a relatively reserved personality.

"Come, come, come! Shinku! Vice-captain of Shinichi Battalion! I already heard about all the things you guys did in the Land of Lightning! Entering and exiting the Village Hidden in the Cloud four times, smashing up the Raikage building, and even bringing that old fellow, Danzo, back from being surrounded by thousands of troops! Satisfying! Absolutely satisfying! We absolutely have to drink another one for this!"

"All of that was Shinichi’s achievement."

Shinku Yuhi wore an expression containing a bit of helplessness and discomfort from being forcibly dragged into such enthusiasm, but he could not reject the face of one of the legendary Sannin, so he could only stiffly cope while holding his wine cup.

Jiraiya still had not left the village to return to the southwest front this time.

After hearing that Shinichi was going to hold a grand banquet, he came uninvited under the pretext of being Shinichi’s former superior on the southwest battlefield and sat himself down at the main table in a carefree manner.

Regarding this, Shinichi naturally expressed enthusiastic welcome. In fact, after hearing that Jiraiya was still in the village, he had originally intended to invite him anyway. It was just that when he previously went to visit Jiraiya’s residence, he found nobody there. No one knew where this elusive great author had gone to gather inspiration again.

Shinichi had originally thought this banquet would most likely miss this person, yet unexpectedly, the man appeared on his own precisely at mealtime, saving Shinichi quite a bit of effort.

As time passed minute by minute, under Jiraiya’s lead, the atmosphere at the main table and nearby became increasingly lively. Cups were exchanged, laughter never ceased, and after several rounds of drinking, many people’s faces had become flushed red with intoxication.

After Jiraiya once again downed a cup of wine in one gulp, his gaze naturally landed on the relatively quiet figure throughout the banquet.

A gentle and appropriate smile hung on Shinichi’s face. Facing the endless stream of colleagues, seniors, and subordinates who came to toast him or express admiration and blessings, he calmly responded to each one with tea in place of alcohol.

He did not speak much. Most of the time, he merely quietly listened to others talking loudly or reminiscing about battlefield experiences.

Occasionally, he would insert one or two perfectly timed comments or responses, immediately drawing approving laughter.

The more Jiraiya watched, the stronger the thought that had already sprouted in his heart became. He put down his wine cup, looked directly at the young man, restrained some of his usual carefree unruliness, and spoke in a serious and solemn tone: "Shinichi... I have a question I want to ask you."

"Jiraiya-sama, please speak."

Shinichi set down his teacup, sat upright, and calmly met Jiraiya’s gaze.

"I previously read those analysis reports you wrote. The insights inside were profound and left a deep impression on me, so now I want to ask you..."

Jiraiya paused, his voice slowing down. A portion of the people near the main table seemed to notice the shift in atmosphere, and their conversations unconsciously quieted somewhat.

"Shinichi, regarding how to stop wars from breaking out and achieve world peace, do you have any possible answer in your heart? Or perhaps... A direction of thought?"