Although Ino said she wanted to become popular with everyone when she introduced herself, that wasn't actually the case.
Every little girl in Konoha basically aimed to be like Tsunade, and she was naturally no exception.
However, many of the girls she knew were just saying it; they talked about becoming the second Tsunade, but very few actually trained hard, including herself.
Now, meeting a girl like Tenten who worked so hard for her dream for the first time made her feel like a clown in comparison.
Yes, since you have a dream, you should work hard for it.
Moreover, she could see that Tenten genuinely liked Xia Mu. Unlike her own obsession with Sasuke's handsome face, Tenten wanted to become stronger, wanting to be worthy of standing by Xia Mu's side.
This, perhaps, was true liking!
"Tenten, I really envy you," Ino couldn't help but say.
"Uh, actually, I envy you too. You have a good background, powerful inherited Ninjutsu, and children from Ninja families definitely have better talent than me. So I am envious, but I will work hard to catch up. I will prove that I am not weak either!"
Tenten's confident appearance made Ino stare blankly for a long time.
Until she left, Ino was still in a daze, and she was still in a daze all the way home.
Tenten looked at Ino's dispirited appearance and couldn't help but worry. "Xia Mu, Shino, is Ino okay? Why is she suddenly in a daze?"
Shino saw it. "She's probably like this because of what you said, Tenten."
Tenten was puzzled. "What I said? I don't think I said anything bad?"
Shino looked up at the sky. "You said you envied Ino's background, inheritance, and talent, but you would work hard to catch up. But Tenten, you don't know that Ino, like other girls, has pretty good conditions in everything, but she just doesn't work hard. She was startled by your unwavering effort, and her daze is just her reflecting on herself."
Is that so?
Tenten actually didn't understand. Since she had such good conditions, why wouldn't she work hard and instead waste her time?
She felt that if she had Ino's background and talent, and could also learn the family's secret Ninjutsu, she would probably be Jonin level as soon as she graduated, and the possibility of becoming Tsunade the Second would also be very high.
Sure enough, is it because you only don't know how to cherish something when you have it?
Just like her family was rich, but she didn't know how to make good use of it.
Xia Mu patted Tenten's bun head: "Don't overthink it, just focus on training.
Shino and I will go to school tomorrow and see.
If Ino's condition isn't right, we'll help figure something out."
Only then did Tenten relax and continue stepping into the water.
Ino was still in a daze on her side, remaining the same until dinner time.
Her mother, Yamanaka Rino, looked worried but didn't dare to speak, waiting until her husband, Yamanaka Inoichi, returned.
"Her dad, Ino has been acting strange since she came back today.
I didn't dare to ask.
What do you think we should do?
How about you talk to Ino?"
"Me? Me..."
Yamanaka Inoichi had a headache; he was the worst at communicating with his daughter.
However, seeing Ino truly in a daze, he couldn't help but worry, so he braced himself and sat opposite Ino.
Just as he was about to speak, Ino suddenly said: "Dad, I want to train hard, I want to learn the family's secret Ninjutsu quickly, train me well!"
Yamanaka Inoichi was startled: "I-Ino, what's wrong with you?"
Ino said seriously: "I met a girl who trained seriously today, and after talking to her, I remembered that I had forgotten my former dream.
I thought I wanted to be popular, for everyone to like me, and to find a handsome boyfriend, but now I remember that I actually wanted to become a strong person like Tsunade-sama, and be admired by everyone!"
Yamanaka Inoichi was surprised this time, not expecting his daughter to suddenly awaken; it was somewhat incredible.
He didn't know who Ino had met, but it had caused such a change in Ino.
However, this seemed to be a good thing.
Ino was his, Yamanaka Inoichi's, daughter, the heir of the Yamanaka clan.
Growing up quickly and inheriting the family's secret techniques was the right path.
So, with joy mixed with seriousness, he spoke: "Ino, training is very hard.
Can you endure it?"
Ino's expression froze.
She had always been pampered and was the little darling of the family, so she naturally didn't like hardship.
But the image of Tenten's determined expression flashed in her mind, and she immediately gritted her teeth.
"I can endure it!"
"Alright then!
Tomorrow, Dad will set up your training tasks.
Be prepared!"
Then, Yamanaka Ino's bitter training life began.
Going to school the next day, Xia Mu and Shino deliberately paid attention to Ino's situation and found that the girl was listless and lacked spirit, unsure of what was going on.
Xia Mu wrote a note and had Shino send it over with his insects.
Soon, a new note was brought back, which read: Thank you for your concern, I'm fine.
It's just that I asked my dad to train me when I got home yesterday, and I was called up early in the morning to run, so I'm just tired now.
Xia Mu and Shino immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that Ino was influenced by Tenten and decided to train hard.
This was a good thing!
But the two didn't know that Ino was suffering inside, but she didn't dare to say it; she had her pride.
Being called up early in the morning to run was the least of it.
The training tasks her dad set for her were terrifying; just looking at the task list made her scalp tingle.
I was too hasty.
If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have boasted.
Of course, there was something even more complicated.
Ino seemed to have confirmed that Xia Mu's evaluation of her was correct.
In other words, she liked handsome guys, and it wasn't necessarily Sasuke.
The situation she was facing now was whether to swallow her pride and make up with Forehead Girl, but how was that possible!
Apologizing herself would be very embarrassing, but if she didn't make up, she would lose this friendship.
It was really so conflicted!
Time flew by, and it was the first day of the month again.
Xia Mu had prepared his research projects.
As soon as seven o'clock in the evening arrived, he immediately flashed into the special laboratory and began his difficult research journey.
He actually didn't want to do research.
However, he had no other choice.
Without a family secret Ninjutsu or secret technique, and without a way to learn powerful Ninjutsu, before obtaining Eight Gates and Hatake Swordmanship, he could only do his own research and strive to create some practical moves.
First research project: Transforming Shadow Clone Technique into Four Illusionary Appendage Technique!
Xia Mu began to add or subtract hand seals, processing the code like programming.
The next second, with a bang, a head appeared behind him.
"Tsk!
I want to create hands, not a head!
And that's not right, I want to be able to create any limb I want at will!"
Xia Mu was a little annoyed and canceled it before continuing his research.
Bang!
An extra foot appeared on his abdomen.
Release!
Bang!
A pair of ears appeared on his ankle.
Release... Eh?
This seems like something that can be researched separately.
If I can create ears far away from my body, wouldn't I be able to eavesdrop?
But I don't need this now, so continue releasing!