Chapter 173: Girl—Woman
"Paper Release: Flying Paper Explosive Tag Technique!"
Countless rectangular white sheets of paper instantly formed beside Yuzu , each inscribed with black explosion talisman patterns.
This was Yuzu 's newest technique—the Paper Release Explosive Tag.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh… The densely packed explosive tags shot rapidly toward the surrounding rogue ninjas.
"Earth Release: Earth Formation Wall!"
The leader of the rogue ninjas, a man of some skill, promptly cast an Earth Formation Wall to block the first wave of explosive tags.
But his companions weren't so lucky.
Boom boom boom… Intense explosions erupted instantly, echoing all around. These rogue ninjas didn't even have time to scream before being blown apart.
Boom!
The leader's Earth Wall shattered under the barrage in half a second. The tags quickly caught up to the escaping leader.
"Ah!"
This time, the leader managed a scream before exploding into a pile of flesh.
Soon the explosions ceased and dust settled, leaving a half-meter-deep circular pit around the area.
"How's that, Uncle? Impressive, right?"
Yuzu turned around, a proud smile curling her lips as she looked at Li Yao's shadow clone.
"Not bad." The clone nodded.
Yuzu truly had a talent for ninjutsu, quickly mastering the combination of Paper Release and Explosive Tags to form Paper Release Explosive Tags. Her talent was commendable.
Three years had passed, and Li Yao had certainly gained much.
One time, when Nagato and Jiraiya were absent, Li Yao used the Spiritualization Technique to infiltrate Konan's body and copied her Paper Release chakra.
He had long desired to learn Paper Release from Konan—to combine it with Explosive Chakra and develop the Explosive Tag Technique.
With this chance to copy Konan's chakra, Li Yao did not hesitate.
He had now developed the Explosive Tag Technique.
Coincidentally, Yuzu wanted to learn ninjutsu, so Li Yao taught her Paper Release. Unexpectedly, she was talented—she not only mastered Paper Release but also learned how to manipulate Explosive Chakra.
Seeing her instant formation of Paper Release Explosive Tags today, she had clearly reached instant-release capability.
Once she could activate instantly, combined with the vast chakra reserves unique to the Uzumaki clan, Yuzu 's power rose to the level of a jōnin—only lacking battle experience.
But for someone with chakra perception ability like Yuzu , battle experience wouldn't hinder her performance much.
Thus, in this harsh world, Yuzu had gained a bit of strength to resist. She would no longer be defenseless against stronger ninjas, nor would she be forced to commit suicide rather than resist.
"Let's go."
"Coming, Uncle."
The two left the devastated grove, heading west. After crossing two hills, Li Yao's real body descended from the sky.
Boom!
Clack!
With the shadow clone dispelled, Li Yao landed right before Yuzu .
"Li—"
"Uncle… wuwu… you're finally back."
Yuzu threw herself into Li Yao's arms, tears flooding her eyes. After three years of uncertainty and fear, her heart finally calmed with his return.
A shadow clone was still just a clone—only Li Yao's real body could give Yuzu peace and prove he hadn't abandoned her.
"Uh…"
Li Yao's expression stiffened slightly. The girl in his arms was no longer a child—a mature body and intoxicating feminine scent told him she had grown.
Li Yao's body, unaccustomed to such feelings after three years without physical contact, reacted instinctively.
Yuzu immediately felt something strange from her abdomen. Her delicate, beautiful face flushed crimson. The tears in her eyes abruptly stopped, as if a pause button was pressed.
"Uncle… uh!"
Just as Yuzu shyly tried to release him, Li Yao suddenly hugged her tightly and bent down.
"What to do?"
"How… uh!"
Her confusion didn't last long before warmth surrounded her entire body.
Li Yao was no saint. He still didn't accept this world and lived in it like a game player.
So he was reckless, doing whatever he wanted.
If he thought it, he acted.
Three hours later, on the ink-crafted recliner, Li Yao's repressive life under surveillance for three years was finally fully released.
Yuzu lay half-covered on his side, her head buried on his shoulder, her right hand tracing tiny circles on his chest like soft silk. Her face was flushed and moist, as if from a spa.
"Un… Uncle, from now on…"
Yuzu stammered as she squeezed herself tighter into Li Yao's embrace, her emotions complicated—nervous yet wistful.
She had never imagined having such a relationship with Li Yao. She had always seen him as her uncle and family.
But now their bond had changed.
She was at a loss, unsure how to relate to him from now on.
Most importantly, she hadn't refused him earlier. More so… she felt a final settling of dust.
Now Uncle could never abandon her.
They truly were family.
She was truly his now.
At Li Yao's emotional outburst, those thoughts flickered through her mind.
"The future… we'll see later."
Li Yao sang like a freed slave. He refused to answer her questions about the future. His actions spoke—he only wanted a woman to satisfy his bodily needs.
Of course, he was different with Yuzu than with other women.
After all, she was the daughter of Kushi , the first person in this world to save his life. He would never easily abandon her.
But… no one could use Yuzu to threaten him.
If anyone dared to threaten suicide using Yuzu , he would not be like Yahiko, who killed himself for Konan.
He would kill every threat—and as for Yuzu , it was a matter of luck: if she lived, good; if she died, everyone else would die with her.
Time passed, and night fell.
On an ink-crafted bed halfway up the mountain, Yuzu 's mind was blank. She no longer thought about her future with Li Yao.
Li Yao was still in good spirits. He rose and went aside to take out soap from his Black Water space, condensing water chakra to cleanse his body before beginning to bathe.
"Uncle…"
Mid-shower, Yuzu wrapped herself around Li Yao from behind and joined in.
They washed together for another hour.
"Uncle, where are we going next?"
Beside an ink-crafted table lay a sushi box Li Yao had taken from the Black Water space. Yuzu ate sushi rolls as she asked Li Yao, who was eating roast duck.
"Just wandering around. Waiting for those bounty hunters or Kumogakure ninja to come after you."
One year ago, Kumogakure's ANBU accidentally learned that Yuzu was still alive and immediately reported it to the village elders.
Three years ago, everyone in Red Lantern Valley had vanished, leaving only footprints and scattered clothes.
Kumogakure concluded the villagers had died from Dust Release-level cellular explosions.
Yuzu had been undressed at the time, so they believed she had died too.
Now that they knew she was alive, the elders immediately suspected a connection between Yuzu and the mysterious Iwagakure ninja who attacked Kumogakure.
So Kumogakure dispatched a ninja squad to capture her.
The result was obvious.
The entire squad became nothing more than chakra in Li Yao's shadow clone's stomach.
Later, Kumogakure sent two more squads—and all met the same fate.
This enraged Kumogakure. Three squads, all led by jōnin, all dead.
Such losses meant Kumogakure could no longer tolerate Yuzu .
But it was wartime. They had no stronger ninja available to dispatch.
So they placed a bounty of thirty million ryo on Yuzu .
That showed how much hatred she stirred in Kumogakure's heart.
Before, they hadn't had time to focus on her. Now that the Second Ninja World War was over, Kumogakure would send more assassins.
Li Yao was ready for them. He needed many ninja deaths to refine his spirit chakra's strength.
(END CHAPTER)
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