My older sister is Kushina

At 8 p.m., the late-night diner opens on time.

Before long, the small shop was filled with customers, many of whom were regulars.

While greeting diners, Whirlpool Flower Path is busy preparing delicious food.

Xiaoyuzi was also very busy, moving among the diners.

Around 9 p.m., two familiar figures walked into the late-night diner.

The visitors were none other than Zhao Meiming and Qing.

In the past few days, Mei Terumi and Ao have been visiting the Midnight Diner every night, but they arrived a little later today. They are usually among the first customers to enter the store.

Mei Terumi didn't seem to be in a good mood today; her pretty face had a hint of gloom on it.

Uzumaki Hanamichi guessed it was related to the battle at today's ninjutsu exchange meeting.

Mei Terumi: "I'd like to have a drink."

Qing frowned slightly, but he didn't object. He knew that Terumi Mei was in a bad mood.

Whirlpool Flower Path: "Blue Enchantress?"

Mei Terumi shook her head: "I want to drink beer."

Whirlpool Flower Path glanced at Blue.

Qing nodded.

Whirlpool Flower Path: "Okay, how about some barbecue?"

Mei Terumi: "Mm."

Soon after, Uzumaki Hanamichi served Mei Terumi a large glass of ice-cold beer and several skewers of grilled meat. Ao also opted for beer.

Mei Terumi picked up her beer and gulped down a large mouthful, then exclaimed with some surprise, "Hanamichi, this beer is pretty good too."

Whirlpool Hanamichi smiled and said, "Drink slowly, you'll get drunk easily!"

Mei Terumi replied, "Understood."

As she spoke, Mei Terumi picked up a skewer of chicken and started eating.

"Beer and barbecue are indeed a perfect match!"

Mei Terumi couldn't help but give a compliment, then picked up her large glass and took a sip of beer.

Whirlpool Flower Path quickly served Mei Terumi and Ao a barbecue, including grilled fish, grilled corn, and so on.

Ao and Terumi Mei chatted while drinking.

Before she knew it, Mei Terumi had finished a large glass of beer and eaten quite a bit of barbecue.

After indulging in a feast, she felt much better.

Mei Terumi said, "Master of Flower Arrangement, I'd like another beer."

Uzumaki Hanamichi hesitated for a moment, but still refilled Terumi Mei's beer.

Qing only drank one beer.

After downing her second beer, Mei Terumi was a little drunk, her fair cheeks flushed.

Mei Terumi soon asked for her third drink.

Qing did not stop her.

Around 10 PM, Mei Terumi and Aoya finished their meal.

Ao helped the heavily intoxicated Terumi Mei leave the Midnight Diner.

Uzumaki Hanamichi watched Terumi Mei and Ao's departing figures, and shook his head inwardly.

Shortly after Terumi Mei left, a tall, white-haired man entered the store. He wore a headband with the character "oil" on it, a red jacket, and wooden clogs.

The newcomer was none other than Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha.

Upon seeing Jiraiya, Uzumaki Hanamichi greeted him warmly, "Welcome, Jiraiya-sama!"

Since returning to the village, Jiraiya has become quite fond of the Uzumaki Hanamichi's late-night diner, visiting it almost every day or two to have a few drinks and snacks.

Jiraiya sat down: "Flower arrangement, two jugs of sake, one grilled saury, and three skewers of fish balls."

Whirlpool Flower said, "Okay, please wait a moment."

Recently, the number of regular customers at the late-night diner has been increasing. The diners in the bar area are chatting, and today the main topic of conversation is still the ninja art exchange meeting.

One of them asked Jiraiya, "Lord Jiraiya, who do you think has the best chance in the Jonin group?"

Jiraiya, while sipping his drink, replied thoughtfully, "Killer Bee, I suppose!"

The diners in the small shop were all from Konoha. When they heard that Jiraiya favored Killer Bee from Kumogakure, they all looked surprised.

Jiraiya explained, "You all saw Killer Bee's strength today, but don't underestimate him because he is the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. That means his true strength has not yet been revealed. Of course, this does not mean that Killer Bee will definitely stand until the end. Uchiha Shisui is quite strong and may be able to fight Killer Bee."

Someone immediately asked, "Lord Jiraiya, what about Wolf Fang?"

Jiraiya stroked his chin: "Wolf Fang's strength is not bad either. He is proficient in the five elemental jutsu and has amazing chakra. However, based solely on the strength he has shown today, it will be difficult for him to defeat the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."

Jiraiya was now making a fairly objective analysis. He had naturally witnessed the battle between Langya and Mei Terumi today. Langya had indeed shown considerable strength, but against the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, he didn't have much of a chance of winning. Even though Langya's chakra was amazing, Killer Bee would have more chakra once he used the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, thus negating Langya's chakra advantage.

While preparing the food, Uzumaki Hanamichi listened to the conversation of the crowd. He didn't say much, as he was no longer the captain of the first squad of the Anbu, but just an ordinary villager in Konoha. If there was anything special about him, it was his identity as a gourmet.

At 2 a.m., the late-night diner closed on time.

Whirlpool Flower Path took Little Jade and left, walking slowly towards home.

The Leaf Village was rather deserted late at night.

Halfway there, Whirlpool Flower Path suddenly slowed down, then glanced into the distance, his expression shifting slightly.

Xiaoyuzi saw the swirling flower path suddenly stop and look into the distance: "Master, what's wrong?"

Whirlpool Hanamichi turned around: "It's okay, it's quite late, let's hurry back."

Xiaoyu nodded.

Before long, the master and apprentice returned home.

After sending Xiaoyuzi home, Whirlpool Flower Path left behind a shadow clone, then quickly and quietly left the courtyard, disappearing in a certain direction.

On his way home with Xiaoyuzi, he spotted a strange figure.

The figure moved extremely fast, almost flashing by. If he hadn't happened to see it, it would have been difficult to detect. The figure seemed to be heading towards the core administrative area of ​​Konoha.

Unable to determine the figure's identity, he decided to go and check just in case.

After leaving home, Whirlpool Flower Road quickly became the first squad leader of the Dark Division, Wolf Fang, in the border town.

The core administrative area of ​​Konoha is not open to ordinary villagers. Important Konoha departments such as the Hokage Building, the Intelligence Department, and the Anbu are involved in many of Konoha's secrets.

The whirlpool city quickly reached the core administrative area.

The core administrative area is mainly guarded by secret agents, with personnel on duty both day and night.

The first squad of the Dark Division also has an area under its jurisdiction.

Today, the first squad is responsible for guarding Pingshan Changqing.

Whirlpool Flower Path went directly to Hirayama Eiji's post and soon found Hirayama Eiji leaning against the wall, seemingly asleep.

"Uh... I've been under an illusion!"

Whirlpool Flower Path quickly discovered the problem: Hirayama Chōsei wasn't just sleeping, but was under an illusion.