Chapter 92: Chance Encounter

The group arrived at the bustling street, where passersby cast shifting, unsettled glances at Ye Zi. There was a clear sense of aversion and hostility that couldn't be hidden. While a single person's gaze might not be impactful, the collective scrutiny from many created an undeniable focus.

The three people following Ye Zi quickly noticed the crowd's resistance. It wasn't directed at them but at Ye Zi, who was ahead of them.

Ye Zi was used to such looks and didn't mind them. However, for the others—particularly Kurenai—it was a new experience, and she felt somewhat affected.

Guy, perhaps because of his thick skin, showed little reaction, preoccupied with how much he could eat without bothering his teacher. He was conflicted between eating heartily and holding back.

Kotoe's expression was slightly troubled. As an outsider, she couldn't change the situation and simply moved closer to Ye Zi.

Among the group, only Kurenai reacted strongly. Sensitive as she was, she couldn't handle the scrutiny. Even though she was merely a collateral target, she felt as if she were the one being disliked.

She couldn't help but lower her head, unwilling to face the onlookers. Strangely, she felt a sense of pity for Ye Zi.

Despite his significant contributions to Konoha, Ye Zi was receiving such disdain because of rumors. What was the reasoning behind this?

In recent years, Konoha had developed rapidly, and the most apparent change was in the bustling commercial street filled with shops and people.

Crossing the middle street and reaching the end street, they approached their destination—Yakiniku Q.

At this moment, a group came towards them. Leading the group was a man with striking golden hair—Minato Namikaze, who was currently much more favorably viewed than Ye Zi.

The clash of golden light and dark shadows was striking on the street, with the crowd's reactions clearly divided and glaringly different.

The person coming from the middle street represented darkness, rumored to be a terrifying figure who might devour human flesh.

In contrast, the person coming from the end street represented light, known for his immense power, gentle nature, and numerous virtues—a dazzling new star of the generation.

Ye Zi nodded slightly to Minato as a greeting.

"Ye Zi," Minato greeted with a smile, then looked at the three people behind Ye Zi and said, "Did you just finish a test?"

Test?

Kurenai suddenly looked up, remembering the forgotten entry test her father had mentioned. She turned to Ye Zi's back, her mouth twitching. Indeed, this unreliable leader couldn't be compared to normal standards, so skipping the test seemed reasonable.

Why am I thinking like this?

She sighed inwardly, then glanced at Minato and gave a envious look towards Kakashi, Rin, and Obito.

Test?

Guy was momentarily stunned. He looked at Ye Zi and excitedly waved his fist, saying, "Teacher Ye, so there's a test. I'll do my best after eating!"

Kurenai shook her head, speechless. Kotoe couldn't help but laugh silently, finding Guy amusing.

Test?

Ye Zi had never planned to conduct a test. If the test could serve as a reason to dismiss Guy and Kurenai, he would have welcomed it, but with the Third Hokage overseeing things, the test was meaningless.

He looked at the excited Guy and then at Minato, calmly saying, "Class 9 doesn't need a test."

Minato was momentarily surprised. The test wasn't mandatory and could be skipped, but Ye Zi's choice to bypass it aligned with his usual style. Minato couldn't help but smile wryly.

Obito and Rin, standing behind Minato, looked at Ye Zi with curiosity. They had rarely seen Ye Zi and only knew him by reputation, which included unfavorable rumors as well as a name similar to Kakashi's father.

Kakashi, hands in pockets, lazily observed a dog basking in the sun by a store, showing no interest in the conversation.

"Teacher Ye Zi, no test?" Guy asked, disappointed.

Ye Zi looked at him and replied, "After dinner, you can run a hundred laps around the village."

Guy's eyes suddenly flared with enthusiasm. He shouted, "Teacher Ye, I understand!"

Kurenai's head drooped even further.

Minato admired Guy's spirit, saying, "This kid will be an outstanding ninja in the future."

Guy beamed with joy at the praise from Minato.

Ye Zi said nothing but agreed with Minato's assessment. He told Minato, "We're leaving." After saying that, he walked past Minato towards the end of the street, with the three following closely behind.

After Class 9 had moved on, Obito grumbled, "Guy's grades have always been at the bottom of the class, and he's only good at physical techniques. How could he ever become an outstanding ninja?"

Kakashi shot him a glance and said, "Idiot."

"What did you say, Kakashi!" Obito glared angrily at Kakashi.

Kakashi simply turned away, ignoring him.

"You two, stop arguing!" Rin kicked at the ground.

"It was Kakashi who insulted me first!" Obito retorted angrily.

Minato, feeling helpless, first stopped the quarrel and then reflected, "Didn't you notice the determination in that kid? With such a resolve to forge ahead, how could he ever settle for mediocrity?"

The atmosphere fell silent.

Minato noticed the confused expressions of the three and felt a bit awkward, realizing his words might have been too complex for them to understand.

"Anyway, as ninjas, we should have a fighting spirit."

"That sounds like me, doesn't it?" Obito said with a grin.

"Idiot." Kakashi responded coldly.

"Kakashi!" Obito glared at him furiously.

Minato shook his head in resignation.

After parting with Minato's team, Ye Zi took his group to Yakiniku Q and ordered a hundred servings of grilled meat, making Guy excitedly shiver with delight at the prospect of a feast.

After ordering the grilled meat, he also got a hundred skewers of three-color dumplings. Kurenai, who had been grumbling, had no complaints left.

At this moment, Kurenai and Guy thought that if Ye Zi continued to treat them to meals, any hardship would be worth it.

Kotoe, aware of Ye Zi's tendency to overeat, didn't have much reaction. She knew why Ye Zi ordered so much—because he was hungry.

When Ye Zi placed the three-color dumplings on the table, Kotoe quietly took a handful and pulled her plate to the edge of the table, subtly shielding it with one hand.

Kurenai and Guy watched Kotoe's actions with slight confusion, but their surprise turned into awe the next moment.

Ye Zi displayed the basic skills of an efficient eater, consuming the grilled meat and three-color dumplings with a storm-like speed. He grabbed five or six skewers of dumplings and devoured them in just three seconds. The speed only increased as he continued!

Kurenai and Guy were left with their mouths agape, unable to close them.