Leviathan Judicator

Team 7 was back at the dinner table once more. Naruto and Sasuke devoured their meals like they hadn't eaten in days, the week-long training of tree climbing and mastering their elemental affinities clearly taking its toll. Sakura, meanwhile, sat close to Sasuke, sneaking glances at him with a look of admiration. Neuvillette remained silent, his demeanor calm and composed as he quietly ate his meal.

Kakashi observed his students with a sweatdrop, clearly amused by the contrast in their behavior. Tazuna and Tsunami chuckled softly at the lively scene, finding the young shinobi's antics endearing.

Inari, however, sat quietly at the table, his head low as he slowly pushed his food around with his chopsticks. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice sharp and filled with frustration. "Why do you guys even bother trying so hard?! No matter how much you train, you'll never stand a chance against Gatō's men! No matter how many big words you say or how hard you work, the weak will always lose, and they'll end up dead!"

The table fell silent, the tension thick in the air as everyone turned to Inari. His words carried the weight of his despair, the bitterness of someone who had already given up hope. Naruto froze mid-bite, his chopsticks hovering in the air, while Sakura glanced at Inari with concern. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. 

Inari slammed his fists on the table, his voice trembling with anger and despair. "So just go back to your comfy little homes in your village and stay out of ours!" he screamed. His words hung in the air like a bitter echo.

Naruto dropped his chopsticks, his face shadowed as he abruptly stood. "Sensei, I'll be training late tonight," he muttered, his voice tight with emotion, before storming out of the house.

Sasuke, silent as ever, stood from his seat and made his way to the room where they were staying, his expression unreadable.

Neuvillette quietly pushed his chair back, his movements measured. Without a word, he walked out of the house and toward the pier, his silhouette soon swallowed by the dim light of the evening.

Kakashi let out a weary sigh as he watched his Genin retreat one by one. He turned back to his meal, though his appetite had visibly diminished. Tazuna and Tsunami exchanged worried glances, while Sakura sat frozen in her seat, concern written all over her face.

Inari, still trembling, avoided everyone's gaze, gripping his chopsticks tightly. "At least you all have a roof over your heads," Kakashi said softly, breaking the heavy silence. His tone was calm, but there was a weight behind his words that made everyone at the table look at him.

"What do you mean?" Tsunami asked gently, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Kakashi's visible eye darkened, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. "Naruto never had a father, a mother, or even a grandfather to look after him. He grew up completely alone, shunned by almost everyone in his village. For years, he was blamed for something he had no control over...something he didn't even understand as a child."

Inari blinked, stunned, but Kakashi wasn't finished. His voice lowered, laced with quiet anger. "Sasuke lost his entire family in one night—his parents, his clan—everyone he loved. And worse? They weren't taken by an accident or strangers. His older brother, the person he looked up to the most, killed them all right in front of him."

The room was utterly silent, but Kakashi continued, his voice steady despite the weight of the stories he was telling. "As for Neuvillette, he was abandoned at a young age and grew up in an orphanage. He had one close friend—just one—but she lost her legs in an accident. And Neuvillette blames himself for it every single day."

Tazuna and Tsunami looked horrified, their expressions frozen as Kakashi's words settled over the room like a heavy blanket. Even Inari's anger, so fierce just moments ago, dissolved into a swirl of confusion and guilt. His grip on his chopsticks loosened, his eyes fixed on the table.