Chapter 228: Yūgao's Kiss, the Tulip's Invitation
When the four girls grabbed his limbs and lifted him up, for a split second, Akiyama Makoto thought he was about to be torn apart. Fortunately, it turned out they just wanted to vent their happiness in this way. He then deliberately shifted his weight, pressing down on their shoulders and rolling on the ground with them like a human log.
When the four of them got up, their faces were flushed, and they all stared at him with strange expressions, as if he had just done something improper.
He had just been pushing off with his hands and feet to get up. What else could he have done?
"Alright, that's enough playing around. It's time to eat, relax, and then starting tomorrow, we continue to train hard."
Kurenai Yūhi knocked on the table, which was covered with a magnificent spread of dishes.
Seeing this, even he was surprised. "Didn't you and Anko also participate in the Chūnin Exams? How did you have time to make all this?"
"Karin made it," Anko said, opening a can of beer, her face full of excitement.
Karin, standing quietly to the side, blushed. "Everyone was busy with the... exam... so I just felt I should do something for everyone. It really didn't take much effort."
"No, she's been working on it all day," Kurenai chimed in, sticking up for her. When she had left in the morning, she had checked the ingredients in the room. All these dishes were made from them. She knew exactly how much time it must have taken.
"I didn't know you could cook," he said, surprised. He didn't remember this being part of her original character settings.
"I had to learn to cook because I lived alone. And when I was on a team with other ninja, I was the only one who could do it. The Hidden Grass Village isn't wealthy; we wouldn't eat military rations unless we absolutely had to."
She spoke of these things in a light and breezy tone, but then she noticed the mood in the room had dipped.
She quickly waved her hands. "Please, don't mind me. Today is a happy day for everyone. I just wanted to make everyone happy..."
Seeing this, he raised his juice glass. "Then let's toast Karin, to thank her for all her hard work for us."
With his words, the atmosphere immediately became lively again. All the girls raised their glasses to her. This enthusiastic display made her feel overwhelmed. She lowered her head to drink, and tears couldn't help but fall into her cup.
Next, the group feasted until their stomachs were bulging. With the True Spirit Seal, none of them had to worry about gaining weight, so they could eat to their hearts' content. This, however, put a lot of pressure on the cook.
He stroked his chin, thinking that he should hire a couple of people to handle the chores around the house. After all, he was past the age where he needed to be self-sufficient in such matters. But his current living situation was a bit special. If he let outsiders in, it would be easy for his situation to be leaked.
Just as he was pondering this, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
He looked toward the entrance, puzzled. Uzuki Yūgao was standing there.
"I'll get it."
Anko volunteered, already walking to the door with a beer bottle in her hand. She opened it and said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"Have you eaten? Want to join us?"
"Sure."
Yūgao's smile was like a flower, stunning Anko for a moment. She had to admit, Yūgao had a delicate beauty, the kind that was rare among ninja.
But the main thing is, what is she on about today? Showing up at the door and planning to stay for dinner? Are we that close?
He, however, looked at the tulip pinned to her chest, his heart shaking slightly. He then smiled and said, "Since you're here, come on in."
He then explained to the others, "Back when I had just awakened my chakra, she also helped me a lot. Lord Hokage sent her."
Hearing this, the girls relaxed and began to welcome her to sit down.
Unlike the somewhat introverted Yūgao from his memory, the current one handled the girls' questioning with poise, as if she were a seasoned veteran.
This even made him wonder: Is this Yūgao an impostor? But he could sense her chakra, and it was indeed her.
What on earth is going on with her?
After everyone had eaten and the dishes were cleared, Tenten took out the Chūnin Exam match-up list.
He had been wanting to ask about this for a while, but just hadn't had the time.
The moment the list appeared, his heart sank slightly.
As expected, it was a complete mess.
First match: Sasuke vs. Kabuto.
So, the fated battle just had to happen, right? Kabuto hadn't attacked Sasuke in the hospital, so he had just run into him in the finals instead. Would he go all out this time? He had a faint feeling he might. By that time, Kabuto would have no need to hide. Everything would be ready. Even if Konoha discovered he was a spy, with Rasa sitting next to Hiruzen and all the various nobles and dignitaries in the stands, Konoha wouldn't dare to make a move easily.
As for the final match... Naruto vs. Gaara.
Alright, the Jinchūriki battle was happening early. With Gaara's performance, using him as the main event was no problem. But why had Konoha chosen Naruto, of all people? His performance was good, but did he look like he could fight Gaara? He had used Wind Style to defeat Kankurō, but could Wind Style blow away Gaara of the Desert?
He then heard Tenten say that the match order had been decided by a random draw, and even Rasa had been present for it. That explained it. It seemed it was just luck.
He could only hope that Naruto wouldn't be easily killed, or that he wouldn't release his Nine-Tails chakra early and cause two Tailed Beasts to start fighting in the middle of Konoha.
As for the remaining matches, he was surprised to find that all of Kurenai's Team 8 were on the list. And, by coincidence, they had all avoided fighting each other. The three of them were up against Tenten, Ino, and Sakura, respectively.
At this thought, he looked at Kurenai.
Her triumphant expression made it clear she was waiting for his praise.
How could he be stingy with a little verbal appreciation?
"Big Sister Kurenai, you're amazing! All three of the ninja you're leading made it to the finals. It seems you're the strongest Jōnin instructor in Konoha."
Kurenai blushed slightly, took a sip of her wine, and said with some emotion, "A lot of the credit goes to you. Without your hard work, how could Hinata have beaten Neji?"
Hinata also smiled at him. He just patted her head. "This was all thanks to your own hard work, Hinata. All I did was give you a little help."
"No, Makoto-kun. This victory belongs to both of us."
Seeing her say this, he naturally couldn't be modest. "Then let me see even more of your victories. Cheers!"
Everyone raised their cups, using tea as a substitute for alcohol.
Yūgao naturally did not join in, but just watched all of this with a calm smile, not feeling awkward in the slightest, as if she was determined to stay.
He knew that he had to have a serious talk with this woman.
"Since it's mostly our own people fighting, why don't you all discuss how you're going to defeat each other? I won't participate."
His words drew groans from the girls. But then they huddled together. Ino and Sakura wanted to find out Shino's and Kiba's weaknesses, while Tenten was asking Hinata about the weaknesses of the Gentle Fist. In an instant, the atmosphere at the table went from harmonious to one of scheming and plotting.
He also stood up, beckoned to Yūgao, and led her into the small courtyard. "Lord Yūgao, is there something you need from me?"
Just as he finished speaking, he saw a slender figure pounce on him. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him on the lips.
The discussion in the living room came to an abrupt halt. Even he looked at the woman in front of him, stunned.
Sensing several different chakra signatures erupting from the living room, he quickly grabbed her, and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport them to a quiet grassy field outside the village, pinning her to the ground.
He looked at her, baffled, and even a little angry.
He even guessed: Was she ordered to deliberately destroy his family's atmosphere? Otherwise, why would she do such a thing?
But then, Yūgao calmly removed the tulip from her chest, handed it to him, and said with hesitation and nostalgia in her eyes, "I'm sorry... it took me this long to respond."
"But I really need your help. Please... my husband."
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