Konoha's dango shop is not as well-known as Ichiraku Ramen, however for those who like to eat sweets, it was definitely the go to spot.
Because they came early it wasn't crowded, Chiba and Koizumi found a spot and sat down quietly.
There are all kinds of people in the store. There were ninjas who are returning from a mission, civilian who wanted to treat themselves and ninja students who are about to go to school but wanted a snack.
No matter which type of person they were, they all turned to look at Chiba once he entered the store. The first thing that caught their eye was the emblem of the Uchiha clan, then they saw the black cloth strip around his eyes and the walking stick.
Everyone recognized Chiba at first sight, he was imfamous blind boy of the Uchiha clan. The symbol of ridicule used to hate on the Uchiha for their arrogance and pride.
Chiba's complexion was calm when he felt the gazes all land him but while he was calm, Chiba still frowned in unhappiness at the attention.
"Brother Chiba, Im actually not that hungry... I think we can just buy the dangos some other time." Koizumi said, trying her best to sound normal.
She didnt want her big brother to figure out that these people were glaring at him, thinking Chiba couldnt see them ridiculing him. Chiba rarely walks out of the Uchiha clan, even so he always gets looked at to the point he just got use to it.
"It's okay Koizumi, the words of the unworthy mean nothing to me." Chiba said picking up a skewer of dango and chomped down on them.
Koizumi grinned seeing her brother unaffected, she looked at the dangos that came and gulped loudly.
Sweet foods usually catered to women more so than men, so this spot attracted women more so than your usual restaurant. This was why the dango shop was a hot spot for men trying to pick up women.
This was why Chiba wasnt surprised seeing Kurenai sitting at a table and Asuma following quickly behind, it was well known asuma had been pursuing kurenai since childhood.
In the pursuit of kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma beat out his competition easily. Not because he was overwhelmingly strong or incredibly handsome, but because everyone knows who backed him. His father was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!
Being the son of the Hokage was both a blessing and curse for Asuma. He never had to worry about money, training, jutsu or equipment but he was spoiled all his life.
In the original plot when he was still young, he was rebellious and even clashed with Sarutobi Hiruzen, leading to him leaving the Konoha Shinobi Village to wander around and join the Daimyo.
After his entire team gets killed and having no where else to stay, he went home, knocked up Kurenai, before tragically dying to one of the Akatsuki members
It's a pity that at that moment he died in the show, Naruto was training and everyone wanted to see Naruto being a badass, trivializing the death of Asuma.
What's even more of a tragic joke is that his kid was jokingly called Uchiha Mirai by the fandom instead of Sarutobi Mirai, as she splitting image of Shisui Uchiha! The animators probably used the same model to draw the two characters, still the fandom jokingly said that Asuma was cucked by Shisui.
Seeing Asuma at this moment circling around Kurenai like a gnat, Chiba knew that Asuma was still in his unruly young master phase. He hadnt yet suffered the loss of his Daimyo team and handt chilled out yet.
"Kurenai, I passed the Chūnin exam and I am already a Chūnin!" Asuma said, holding his headband in hand.
Asuma thought showing off ones talents and skill was always a technique used to attract women, however girls have always matured earlier than boys. At this moment Asuma's behavior seemed naive and even funny in kurenai's eyes.
"Really, congratulations, Asuma!" She said with a slight smile.
"Then to celebrate that I became Chūnin, today's dangos are my treat, kurenai!" Asuma familiarly sat next to brunette and continued to speak.
"This Chūnin exam was easier than I thought. I will definitely beatvout Kakashi on becoming the fastest ninja to become Jōnin!" The childish asuma said.
"Really, I heard that Kakashi is already qualified enough be promoted to Jōnin, are you sure you can surpass him? Isn't he younger than you by a year?" Kurenai said innocently, knowing the affect these words would have.
Hatake Kakashi was an absolute genius in his class, he had become a Chūnin at the age of six and has long since reach the strength level of a jonin. It is only because of his age and lack of experience that he has not yet become a one.
With his training and accolades in the third Wars, it was only a matter of time before he became Jōnin.
"...Anyway, Im already Chūnin." Asuma said a little irritated, he looked away in embarrassment only to spot the bkund Uchiha next to him.
Seeing Chiba at the table, he seemed to have found a way to ease his embarrassment and move the conversation elsewhere.
"Kurenai, do you know the blind kid of the Uchiha clan?" Asuma said
"I haven't seen him but I have heard rumors of it." Kurenai didnt care much for the conversation, she kept eating her Dango.
"He is right next to us, they say the Uchiha are the strongest because of their dojutsu, and yet the they gave birth to a blind kid. It's like a bird born without wings!" Asuma's voice was purposely loud so Chiba could hear.
"This is the sorrow of being born in the Uchiha clan, any chance they get no matter how small, they will try to degrade us." Koizumi muttered under her breath.
Koizumi felt annoyed and just when she was going to get up and confront Asuma, Chiba stuffed the dangos into her mouth.
"Don't get distracted, I'm paying so eat as much Dango as you can." Chiba said as he also ate another skewer in one bite.
Asuma was still taunting, not even noticing that kurenai's brows were also frowning at the obvious bullying. She didn't mind gossiping behind people's back, but it was in bad taste to purposefully do so infront of the person.
Although she rarely comes into contact with the Uchiha clan, and often heard bad rumors about them, it seemed highly rude to ridicule then within earshot.
There was a moment of silence between Asuma and Kurenai, seeing as how she stopped talking after he was being disrespectful.
Not knowing how to further the conversation, Asuma unconsciously took out a cigarette and lit it up. He took a sharp breath and started to cough slightly, still not yet accustomed to the harsh smoke going into his lungs.
He was thinking about the next topic he bring up, obviously didn't take into account the [No Smoking] sign in the store at all.
Second-hand smoke was in the air, and Asuma didn't notice that kurenai coughing quietly. Chiba saw this but continued to eat his dango in silence, allowing the smoke to waft through the air.
Chiba use to be a smoker in his past life but decided not to get addicted in this life, he had his fill of addictions for both lifes.
Koizumi was happily eating her dango when she too suddenly started coughing from the second-hand smoke, looking very uncomfortable. Seeing this, Chiba handed her a tissue. Koizumi hurriedly covered his mouth and coughed quietly.
"Thank you brother Chiba." She said with a smile, drinking some tea to alleviate her cough.
Before she could continue speaking, Koizumi has already seen Chiba get up and walk towards Asuma.
"What do you want blind Uchi-" before he could finish, the sword in Chiba's hand flashed lighting quick before being resheathed into his cane.
The ember on Asuma's cigarette was cut off and fell to his lap, causing him to yelp in pain and quickly brush the ember off of him.
"There's a no smoking sign, please respect the establishments rules."