Chapter 80: Naruko Arrives
When Yu finished cleaning the dishes and returned to the living room, the Flying Thunder God mark on his right hand suddenly pulsed with chakra fluctuations.
In a flash of golden light, Naruko's figure suddenly appeared beside him.
Eighteen-year-old Naruko had blossomed into exceptional radiance, her golden twin tails bouncing playfully with her movements. Azure eyes clear as a lake, her smile still carried childlike innocence.
Particularly eye-catching was her vigorously developed figure—the loose ninja outfit couldn't conceal the full curves of her chest, the fabric stretched into tempting arcs that bounced up and down with her cheerful greeting.
"Yu! I came to visit you guys!" She giggled and hopped about, completely unaware of the pitch-black eyes that suddenly opened on the corridor.
Naruko's slender waist and undulating chest formed a youthful yet appealing contrast. And when she leaned close, her collar vaguely revealed collarbones that added an unconscious allure.
Yu said gently, "It's Naruko. Welcome ."
Naruko first looked around left and right, confirming that cool figure wasn't present, then openly hugged Yu's arm. The softness of her chest instantly enveloped his arm as she tilted her head and asked, "How come I don't see Sasuko..."
"I'm here." Sasuko's voice came from the shadows, tone icy. "Also, let go." Those obsidian eyes were staring fixedly at the ample bosom Naruko pressed against Yu's arm.
Naruko smiled with crinkled eyes. "Sasuko, you're still so petty!" Her tone was innocently naive, yet her hands didn't loosen at all—instead she held even tighter in front of Sasuko. She even deliberately pulled Yu's arm further into her embrace, making that soft sensation even more obvious.
Since that day when she resolved the Nine-Tails issue and received Minato's gift, Naruko's ninjutsu talent had advanced by leaps and bounds. Combined with her abnormally massive chakra reserves and Kurama's enhancement, her combat abilities far exceeded her peers. The girl once called dead-last was now undisputedly the strongest of Konoha's young generation—
An eighteen-year-old perfect jinchuriki, proficient in Flying Thunder God technique, Multiple Shadow Clone jutsu, and numerous other S-rank ninjutsu and forbidden techniques.
Once upon a time, Naruko had been left far behind by Sasuko, but now the situation had completely reversed. The current Sasuko was no longer her match.
The two had once barely qualified as friends, but with the arrival of adolescence, both knew the other's feelings for Yu, and their relationship gradually grew distant.
Initially Naruko had tried to salvage the friendship, but Sasuko had told her coldly, "Unless you give up your unrealistic fantasies about Yu, otherwise..."
Though the second half went unspoken, both understood what it meant.
At this moment, feeling the warmth from Yu's arm, Naruko's smile remained unchanged.
She was no longer that dead-last who needed to look up at geniuses. Just as she'd promised her father, she would work hard to pursue happiness. She wouldn't give up on the first ray of light in her life, even if her opponent was her once-best friend.
Yu sensed the gunpowder smell permeating the air and gently withdrew his arm under Naruko's dewy gaze, changing the subject. "I remember Naruko said she was going on a mission? You're back so quickly."
Naruko showed a bright smile. "The mission was simple—didn't take much time. Plus I wanted to hurry back to see you."
Initially Konoha had assigned Naruko a squad like other graduates, but quickly discovered her strength had reached a level where even the jonin instructor Kakashi could barely provide help. Regular teammates completely couldn't keep up with her pace, often becoming burdens during missions. Eventually the leadership had to specially permit Naruko to execute missions solo—this girl no longer needed anyone's protection.
Sasuko listened from the side, grinding her teeth.
This blonde bastard graduated from the academy two years before her, and taking advantage of her freelance status, came running to cling to Yu whenever she had time.
The only consolation was that Yu was exceptionally restrained regarding emotions—though Naruko had graduated two years earlier, she still hadn't made much progress.
Sasuko looked coldly at the blonde girl. "If there's nothing else, leave. Yu has things to do today."
But Naruko winked at Yu, her voice soft. "Yu! What things?"
Yu explained gently, "Today I'm going to the academy to arrange Sasuko's graduation exam. She should graduate too."
"Really? Then congratulations, Sasuko!" Naruko showed a sincere smile. "Finally graduating!"
Listening from the side, Sasuko nearly lost her temper.
This bastard knew perfectly well—if Yu hadn't insisted she study a few more years, she should have graduated long ago! Now she was putting on a senior's airs to offer congratulations.
She forcibly suppressed the fire in her heart and said nothing more. No matter what, she wouldn't lose composure in front of Yu. She could only secretly clench her skirt, her knuckles turning slightly white.
Yu looked at the two girls bickering with each other and tried to ease the atmosphere. "It just so happens Naruko was an honor graduate—even received her certificate from the principal personally. Sasuko can take this chance to ask her for exam advice." He turned to Naruko with a gentle smile. "Naruko, would that be okay?"
Naruko immediately beamed. "Of course! Sasuko is my good sister after all."
"I'll tutor her properly! Right, Sasuko?"
Hearing this, even Sasuko's good upbringing couldn't hold. She flushed red with anger. "Yu! I don't need her help!"
Hearing Sasuko's suddenly raised voice, Yu gently advised, "Sasuko... don't be like this."
Naruko waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine! Sasuko is cute like this too."
For Yu's sake, Sasuko forcibly suppressed the churning emotions in her heart. She slowly exhaled, her nails digging deeply into her palm before releasing. "Fine."
Yu looked at Sasuko's barely calmed appearance, helplessness flashing through his eyes.
He could naturally see the turbulent rivalry between the two girls but could only temporarily maintain surface peace.
They used to get along pretty well... are they just having adolescent quarrels?
Before leaving, he worriedly instructed, "I'm going to the academy. Get along well, okay?"
Naruko responded enthusiastically, "Don't worry, Yu! Sasuko will get along well with me." She turned to Sasuko. "Right?"
Sasuko turned her face away and nodded slightly, her pressed-tight lips remaining silent.
When Yu's figure completely disappeared outside the courtyard, the barely maintained peaceful facade instantly shattered.
The two girls confronted each other in silence.
Finally Naruko broke the silence first. "Sasuko..."
Sasuko interrupted with an icy expression. "Don't bother." She raised her eyes, obsidian pupils frosted over. "Unless you give up your designs on Yu."
Naruko's eyes dimmed for an instant. "I'm sorry... except for that." Her voice carried genuine sadness. Aside from Yu, Sasuko truly was her first real friend.
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