"Natsuki's so strong and handsome!"
"Ahhh, you're the best!"
"Handsome and powerful, the ideal boyfriend."
As the medical ninjas and support staff entered the arena, the brief silence was broken by a sudden uproar.
When Natsuki walked up to the second-floor spectator seats, a few infatuated girls even tried to throw themselves at him.
They were swiftly punched away by a fiery Ino, who then, along with Hinata, occupied the space on either side of Natsuki's arms, taking the opportunity to declare their sovereignty.
"Natsuki's like a bottomless pit, full of strange abilities and incredibly strong," Shikamaru said, rubbing his temples as he watched Ino and Choji rush over.
"But what's with those embarrassing lines he said earlier?"
Both of them were now Natsuki's devoted followers and had joined his so-called Dimensional End's Congregation. Shikamaru didn't have any objections to the club itself; he even found his friends' strange club rather amusing.
But what was with the weird, chuuni lines they had to say during every fight? He would never officially join the club, even if he were beaten to death.
The thought of himself fighting while reciting those lines sent shivers down his spine.
He quickly banished the image from his mind.
"Tch, you wouldn't understand. This is a source of power," Choji, on his way to greet Natsuki, turned around to retort upon hearing Shikamaru's muttering. "Haven't you seen my heroic Ultraman transformation?
"Do you not want it? If you feel the desire, shout out loud! Let you heart manifest throug your words! That's what Natsuki taught me. He's never wrong, and if he is, then we're the ones who are wrong."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, feeling that Choji had also become one of Natsuki's brainwashed fans.
He couldn't be as childish as them.
He had to maintain a clear head so that if they ever went astray, he could pull them back.
"Kurenai! Congratulations! I never noticed your little brother was so strong." As soon as Natsuki finished his match, Asuma came over to Kurenai's side, striking up a conversation.
"He's alright. He used to be quite the slacker at home," Kurenai replied politely.
Unlike her lonely self in the original story, she now had Natsuki as her adopted brother.
Her life, mood, and even her strength far surpassed her original counterpart.
Her brother was the source of her happiness.
She knew Asuma's words were just pleasantries.
That boy Natsuki, she had never seen him train at home, yet his strength grew by leaps and bounds every day.
Sometimes, she wondered why the difference between people was so vast.
She had trained very hard back then, but when she participated in the Chunin Exams, she was nowhere near as strong as Natsuki.
"He's really good. Among this year's candidates, Natsuki's practically guaranteed to pass the exam and become a Chunin," Kakashi commented sincerely, putting away his Make-Out Paradise and walking over.
"That Akado Yoroi was a previous chnnin exam participant, having graduated from the Academy years ago, yet he was easily defeated."
This made Kurenai feel a little proud.
Her little brother had really proud; she would have to reward him well tonight.
Asuma and Kakashi were both her former comrades.
They had all grown into Jonin, capable of holding their own.
Moreover, they had now become Jonin instructors together, leading students from the same graduating class.
Besides reminiscing, they often used their students to compete secretly.
Originally, Kurenai was the weakest, but now, her student was the most outstanding, making her happier than winning a major battle herself.
Just then, Natsuki walked over, surrounded by a group of friends. On either side of him were her other student, Hinata, and Asuma's student, Ino.
In Kurenai's eyes, this was no different from Natsuki having a girl on each arm.
She immediately felt a twinge of displeasure.
'Such debauchery at such a young age. I must teach him a lesson when we get home tonight,'
Kurenai thought to herself, completely forgetting that just a moment ago, she wanted to reward her brother for bringing her honor.
As expected, a woman's mood could change faster than the flip of a page.
"Natsuki, you won beautifully. Let me see if you're hurt," Kurenai said, approaching him with a sweet smile.
This made Natsuki's heart skip a beat.
Uh oh, where had he offended her? In public, Kurenai usually addressed him as her student.
If she suddenly called herself his sister, it meant she was about to reprimand him.
Sure enough, Kurenai reached out her slender hand and precisely pinched Natsuki's ear, gently lifting it.
He was automatically pulled away from Hinata and Ino, falling into Kurenai's rhythm.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! What are you doing, Sis? I just won, overwhelmingly!" Natsuki cried out in pain, standing on his tiptoes.
Even if it didn't hurt, he had to cry out. This was a common tactic to deal with elder figures.
"Hmph! So know pain?"
"Didn't you just spout some nonsense about being the Lord of the End or some bullshit? Shouldn't you be the greatest of all in that case?"
"You just won a preliminary round, and your tail's already in the air. How can a inj a show off like that?" Kurenai scolded, her left hand on her hip and her right hand still pinching his ear, looking every bit the stern mother.
As expected, disciplining younger brother at every turn was an older sister's unatural instinct.
"Ah, ah, You're right! I'm the Lord of the Dimensional End, and you're the Lord of the Dimensional End's sister. How could I have dared to act arrogant in front of you?" Natsuki quickly admitted his mistake.
"Hmph! Battles are not child's play Natsuki! You must always be careful, understand?" Seeing that Natsuki had separated been successfully from Hinata and Ino, her goal achieved, Kurenai finally let go.
Then, she gently rubbed his ear with an apologetic look. "Does it hurt? I'll personally cook you your favoirte meal for delicious dinner tonight to celebrate your victory."
Don't even think about it. Would I be able to fight in the finals if I eat your monstrous concoction? Hell no!
Natsuki complained inwardly, but obediently said, "It doesn't hurt. You're right to remind me to always be humble and cautious, Sis."
On
At this moment, Asuma approached again, standing beside Kurenai, attempting to gain favor. "You two have such a good relationship.
"Natsuki's battle just now was truly splendid."
Natsuki didn't give him any mind at all.
He quickly stepped between the two, hugged his sister's arm, and said with an innocent smile, "Of course, it's all thanks to Sis, who tirelessly guides us on how to become outstanding ninjas, without regard for day and night."
This little rascal. How does he always manage to position himself so well? Asuma was speechless as he watched the distance between himself and Kurenai grad
ually widen. For the first time, he felt the difficulty of dealing with a brother-in-law.
At this time, on the large screen downstairs, the drawing of lots for the second round began.
Uchiha Sasuke vs. Kabuto Yakushi.
The renowned Uchiha orphan immediately attracted everyone's attention.