"Okay."
Nojuro Ryun thought it was a bit strange how Ino had brought Sakura into this.
But no matter who it was, as long as they took him to see Sasuke, it was enough. Ryun had no reason to refuse.
Seeing that Ryun wasn't asking any more questions, Ino finally let out a long sigh of relief and began leading Ryun towards Sakura's house.
Even before they reached the front of Sakura's house, Ino was so nervous she was biting the corner of her mouth. She had just realized that Sakura would also have to cooperate and keep the secret for her.
But would Haruno Sakura, this person, obediently keep her secret?
Would she jump out and loudly mock her character instead?
What Ino feared came to pass. Before she could even think of what to say to Sakura when she saw her, Sakura jumped down from a tree branch behind the two of them, holding a stray kitten.
It turned out Sakura had just been right above their heads, trying to rescue a stupid little stray kitten that didn't know how to get down from a tree.
"Ino, you, what are you doing bringing a boy to my place?"
"Eh? Don't tell me you've already given up on competing with me..."
Sakura's eyes were shining as she was about to mock Ino with a remark, but then she saw a fist visibly enlarging in front of her eyes, and then it knocked against her face.
The force wasn't huge, but it was enough to make Sakura's upper and lower teeth clash, causing her to bite her own tongue hard.
The pain made Sakura immediately drop the stray kitten and cover her face, letting out muffled whimpers. Tears started pouring uncontrollably.
Ino looked somewhat guiltily at her own fist. She knew the force of that punch wasn't small.
But she didn't regret it, and she firmly believed that the solid friendship between her and Sakura wouldn't be shattered by just one punch.
On the contrary, if she had let Sakura finish what she was about to say just now, that might have been the real beginning of their friendship completely falling apart.
"You jerk..."
Sakura worked hard to move her tongue. Once the tip of her tongue slowly regained feeling, she immediately shot an angry look at Ino.
But then she saw Ino staring back at her even more annoyed, with one hand making gestures in front of her own chest, behind Ryun's back.
Seeing the number three Ino held up, Sakura became even more furious and directly held up five fingers.
Just kidding, that punch just now wasn't an ordinary punch. It was Ino punching her, her best friend, for the sake of a boy!
If Ino didn't treat her to five meals, Sakura couldn't possibly forgive her.
Seeing this, Ino felt as if her heart was bleeding, but she still crooked her fingers, making a nodding gesture, thus reaching an agreement with Sakura.
Only then did Sakura slowly raise her head and question in a tone full of dissatisfaction and indignation, "Ino, what on earth are you doing? I'm your friend, and you actually hit me!"
"Ahaha, isn't this just a popular way of saying hello?" Ino answered with a dry laugh.
"Then let me also say hello to you, how about that?"
Sakura rubbed her fist. Seeing her posture, Ino's face changed dramatically.
Although Sakura didn't know the monstrous strength technique yet, the power of these fists was already plenty strong. Ino definitely didn't want to take a punch for nothing.
She retreated repeatedly, suddenly bumping into something behind her. Turning around, who else could it be but Nojuro Ryun?
Ino seemed to have found her pillar of support. She agilely hid behind Ryun, clutching his arm, and said, "Well, ahem, let me introduce you to my friend..."
"Friend? I thought it was your boyfriend."
Sakura looked unfavorably at Ryun.
She hadn't gotten a clear look at Ryun's appearance before Ino hit her because of him. How could she possibly be happy about that?
But considering her friendship with Ino, and the fact that from now on Ino would stop pestering Sasuke, she could actually be friends with Ryun.
However, when Sakura truly got a clear look at Ryun's face, she couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment.
Just as Tenten had said, what girl their age didn't care a little about looks?
After several talent upgrades and his own training to replenish his vitality, Ryun's appearance had changed from a somewhat sickly paleness to that of a truly handsome young man.
Moreover, unlike Sasuke who still had a bit of a bratty air, Ryun's demeanor leaned more towards a mature boy, giving people a greater sense of security.
This gave Ryun a charm that was not at all inferior to Sasuke's.
In that instant, the only thought in Sakura's mind was: No wonder Ino is smitten. How come I've never heard of a boy like this before?
The smile on Ino's face slowly stiffened. She hadn't even said Ryun's name yet, how come Sakura was already staring dumbfounded?
Even though the relationship between Ryun and her was far from being boyfriend-girlfriend, she couldn't allow Sakura to get involved either.
So she waved a little fist at Sakura. If Sakura dared to get a crush on Ryun, she wouldn't mind giving Sakura another punch.
"My name is Nojuro Ryun."
Ryun spoke up at this moment. Although he knew Sakura and Ino had a deep friendship, and what just happened was at most horseplay between the two of them.
But he wasn't that familiar with Sakura. If Ino really made Sakura angry, he would have to go find Shikamaru and Choji for help again.
Ryun proactively extended his hand, smiling as he said, "Unfortunately, I am not Ino's boyfriend. Although I wish I were, Ino probably still doesn't think much of me."
Hearing this, Sakura turned her gaze back to Ino's face. And at this moment, Ino's eyes were only fixed on Ryun's profile?
With that expression, wasn't she just completely smitten?
Sakura curled the corner of her mouth. After shaking hands with Ryun politely, she said, "I am Haruno Sakura, this person's friend... I suppose I could be friends with you too in the future."
Only then did Ino snap out of it, saying, "No, Sakura, you just be friends with me. Nojuro-kun is very busy, he doesn't have time to be friends with you."
Sakura glared fiercely at Ino and said, "Then what are you two friends-who-aren't-a-couple doing here? You didn't just come to show off your affection, did you?"
Ino then began to explain the matter about Sasuke. Afterwards, Sakura's expression also became somewhat flustered.
"Wait, you mean he wants to see Sasuke, and you want me to be the one to introduce them?"
"Yeah, is there a problem? Aren't you very familiar with Sasuke?"
Ino asked a question to which she knew the answer, while pretending not to see Sakura's eye-roll.
Sakura was indeed very familiar with Sasuke, but that was only a one-sided familiarity. Sasuke simply ignored her, okay?
She herself had never even been to Sasuke's house, how could she casually take a stranger there?
Just as Sakura was hesitating, Ino saw through her thoughts, leaned in, and said with a low laugh.
"Isn't this a great opportunity for you to go to Sasuke's house? Maybe in the future you can go to Sasuke's house often!"
Sakura's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. Yes, maybe this was her chance to break through Sasuke's psychological defenses?
"Wait for me a moment!"
Sakura immediately ran back home. A full half hour passed before she returned.
By then, she was dressed up as gaudily as a movie poster star, making Ino and Nojuro Ryun frown deeply.
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