[Courtyard]
Looking at the three girls who were so disappointed that their colors were almost turning black and white, Aoba suddenly felt a little guilty.
He looked at Uzuki Yugao and said, "Yugao-nee, how about we take a break today?"
The colors on Tenten, Ino, and Sakura instantly brightened again.
However, upon hearing this, Uzuki Yugao narrowed her eyes, "Aoba, didn't I just say that training is very important and that you must never let others influence you?"
Seeing Yugao's smiling yet menacing expression, Aoba suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
But he still decided to try. With a determined look, he solemnly said, "Yugao-nee, training also requires a balance between work and rest. Let's take a break today, and I'll work twice as hard afterward."
Seeing Aoba's unambitious attitude, Uzuki Yugao couldn't help but grit her teeth, feeling an inexplicable surge of frustration.
She walked up to Aoba. Under his puzzled gaze, she raised her slender hands—
And then proceeded to squeeze and knead his small face mercilessly.
"What? Do you think chatting and eating together with your big sister doesn't count as relaxing?"
"Mmmff—"
"Tha's not wha I meant...", Under Yugao's relentless assault, Aoba's speech became muffled and unclear.
Tenten, Ino, and Sakura, seeing Aoba being bullied, couldn't help but have a sparkle in their eyes. They had all imagined bullying Aoba like this before.
But they were too weak. Every time they tried, they never got the chance and would instead get bullied by him in return.
Now, watching this scene unfold, they couldn't help but rub their hands in anticipation.
However, fantasies were one thing. In reality, none of them dared to act. They stood obediently in place, waiting for Yugao's response.
After venting her frustration for a while, looking at Aoba, who had become docile under her hands, Uzuki Yugao's irritation eased significantly.
She glanced at the three girls standing quietly with no suspicious movements and sighed, finally letting go of Aoba's face.
"Just for today. My sensei and I could receive a mission anytime, so the time I have to guide you is limited. You need to seize every opportunity," Uzuki Yugao's tone was serious this time.
After all, chakra training often carried great risks.
A single mistake could result in injury.
So, having an instructor was important. Even if they couldn't directly help with comprehension, they could at least ensure safety.
"I understand. I'll work twice as hard later," Aoba couldn't help but rub his sore cheeks.
He felt like Yugao had squeezed his face on purpose, pretending to be angry as an excuse. But he had no proof.
"We understand too!" ×3
Tenten, Ino, and Sakura responded in unison.
Then they exchanged glances, a hint of rivalry flashing between them.
"Aoba, practice throwing techniques with me today," Receiving approval, Tenten immediately ran up to Aoba, pulling out an explosive tag and shoving it into his hand.
At the same time, she cast a triumphant look at Ino and Sakura.
Her expression resembled a child showing off a prized toy, trying to get the kid they liked to play with them—while not letting anyone else join in.
Aoba was stunned for a moment when he saw the explosive tag.
'Since when did this little rich girl become so generous?'
Ino and Sakura instantly felt uneasy.
Back when Aoba spent time with them, Tenten would often pull this move.
But this time, Ino was prepared. Unwilling to back down, she swiftly pulled out the money she had earned from flower arranging over the past few days.
"Aoba, there's so much snow outside. Let's go build a snowman together."
As she spoke, she had already grabbed Aoba's hand, ready to pull him outside.
Slap!
Tenten grabbed Aoba's wrist and tugged him back toward her.
At the same time, she pouted and protested to Ino.
"Aoba already promised to help me practice throwing techniques! Besides, I came first today!"
Ino simply pursed her lips and pulled Aoba back toward herself.
She knew she wasn't in the right this time, and her financial resources weren't as strong as Tenten's—
But she still had to fight for it.
"No! Sakura and I got here first. He can't just spend time with you alone!"
"Besides, Aoba, I've been waiting for you for days. Can't you play with me too?"
"No!"
Tenten immediately refused on Aoba's behalf, "Aoba is practicing with me today!"
Saying this, she pulled out several more explosive tags and shoved them into Aoba's hands, giving Ino a smug look.
She knew money alone wouldn't necessarily sway Aoba, but if she gave him enough, he would at least lean toward her.
The moment Ino saw the additional explosive tags, her expression darkened.
It wasn't just her—Uzuki Yugao, who had been frowning at their tug-of-war, also had a strange look on her face.
The amount Tenten had just given out was almost as much as what she would earn from a C-rank or even B-rank mission.
'Since when is Aoba this valuable?'
But this situation felt a bit off, like he was making money by selling his looks. Yugao couldn't shake the odd feeling in her heart.
'If the genders are reversed…'
Her expression became even more unpleasant, and a sudden sense of urgency filled her mind.
As his big sister, she could do whatever she wanted with Aoba—
But what if someone actually managed to lure him away with money?
While Yugao was lost in thought, Sakura wasn't feeling great either.
On the surface, she looked flustered, worried, and anxious—
But inside, her inner self was already cursing loudly. Seeing the stack of explosive tags, she was completely stunned.
After all, she and Ino were best friends. If Aoba chose to play with Ino, Ino would surely take her along.
But if it was Tenten, both she and Ino would be left out.
Even Aoba, caught in the center of this storm, was shocked by the sheer number of explosive tags in his hands.
He hadn't expected that after just a few days, Tenten would become this generous.
But Ino still hadn't let go. She put on a pitiful look and gazed at Aoba with pleading eyes.
"Aoba-nii, I've been waiting for you for so long…"
That sweet, coy tone completely stunned Aoba.
'What the hell? Since when did this tomboy act so cutesy? Is she an imposter?'
"Ino, let go!"
Tenten was alarmed by Ino's behavior. With her personality, she couldn't pull off that act.
Even if Aoba flung her away, she still felt anxious and turned to him.
"Aoba! You clearly promised to teach me shuriken throwing every day, but you haven't taught me for days now!", Ino, unwilling to back down, pouted and silently used her most pitiful expression to look at Aoba.
"Stop arguing, both of you," Hearing Tenten's words, Aoba finally snapped back to his senses. He exerted a little force and freed himself from their tugging.
"Just say it—are you playing with them or with me?"
Although both had let go, Tenten and Ino still demanded an answer.
"How about… we all play together?", Before Aoba could respond, the long-silent Sakura spoke up, looking pitifully at the other two.
As Aoba's good friend, she had to help him solve this problem and not make things difficult for him.
Tenten looked displeased, but Ino's face lit up in joy.
"Yeah, I think we should all play together. That way, no one loses out!"
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