Ryun opened his eyes at the right time and sat up, a weak smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He was just about to say something when a figure threw themselves into his arms.
Who else could it be but Ino?
[Ding. Deeper contact with ninja Ino, simulation count +3.]
Ryun was initially somewhat reserved about Ino's hug, especially with so many other girls watching. But the moment he heard the system notification, he forgot everything. He hugged Ino deeply into his embrace, greedily inhaling the fragrance from her hair.
As if sensing Ryun's emotion, Ino's eyes reddened even more. She bit her lip hard to hold back her tears, pouring all her feelings into the embrace.
After Ryun ended the hug and released her, she carefully checked his entire body. Only after confirming there were no obvious wounds did she let out a sigh of relief.
Before she could speak, Sakura and Hinata also moved closer.
Sakura also seemed to want to hug Ryun, but hesitated because Ino was present.
To everyone's surprise, Ryun also opened his arms towards Sakura.
How could Sakura care about Ino's strange gaze now? She hurriedly gave Ryun a strong hug, just not daring to show her emotions too openly.
Compared to hugging Ino, Ryun also restrained himself a little.
But unexpectedly, the system prompt sounded again.
[Ding. Deeper contact with ninja Sakura, simulation count +3.]
This worked too?
He and Sakura were both quite restrained. Could it be that the system's judgment criteria considers not just actions, but also the emotions of both parties?
Ryun soon released Sakura, giving her a polite smile, as if their hug was just between ordinary friends.
But when their eyes met, it seemed both saw emotions in the other's gaze that only they could understand.
Then Ryun looked at Hinata.
With a *puff*, steam seemed to rise from Hinata's head. She quickly waved her hands, saying, "I, I don't need it..."
"Equal treatment, Hinata."
Ryun teased in a joking tone. Ino and Sakura also started to egg her on, as if doing so would make their own hugs with Ryun seem less intimate.
"Alright..."
Hinata inched her way to Ryun's bedside. She opened her arms, closed her eyes, lifted her head, her red lips pressed together nervously, looking like she was offering herself to be picked.
Seeing this, Kurenai, who was on the side, couldn't help but laugh. Was Hinata asking for a hug or a kiss?
Fortunately, Ryun wouldn't do anything excessive at such a time. He just gave Hinata a hug.
From start to finish, Hinata didn't respond at all. She stood there like a red-hot iron rod, completely motionless.
[Ding. Deeper contact with ninja Hinata, simulation count +3.]
The corner of Ryun's mouth twitched. This actually worked too?
Between him and Hinata, it couldn't even be called a hug. At most, it was just a brief touch.
And when did Hinata develop such high favorability towards him? Was it because he taught her the chakra thread technique?
That was indeed the reason.
Hinata might not have shown sufficient talent in other areas, but someone who could learn the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists definitely possessed at least high-level talent in chakra shape transformation.
She easily picked up the chakra thread technique. After a night of hard practice, she successfully used a chakra thread to shatter a teacup on a table from three meters away.
No one understood the significance of this better than Hinata herself.
From now on, any Hyūga clan member who lacked long-range attacks, unless they overwhelmingly surpassed her in pure strength, would no longer be her match.
In the past, Hinata followed Ryun's training largely to get closer to Naruto. She didn't have that high a level of trust in Ryun.
But now she realized that following Ryun was the most correct decision she had ever made.
Perhaps in the future, she could truly challenge the Hyūga clan's thousand-year-old Caged Bird Seal system together with her sister Hanabi, allowing both sisters to attain true freedom.
With this hope, Hinata's focus on Naruto naturally and unconsciously faded.
Seeing Ryun's spirits lift, Kurenai, who was on the side, showed a relieved smile.
If Ryun could recover quickly, she too could free herself from yesterday's events and return to her normal life.
But at that moment, Kurenai saw Ryun turn towards her.
At first, Kurenai didn't understand. Only when Ryun opened his arms did she say with a mix of laughter and tears, "Do I get a turn too?"
"Equal treatment, Sister Kurenai."
Ryun's casual "Sister Kurenai" made the three girls stare dumbfounded, all turning their gazes to Kurenai.
Kurenai froze on the spot. Just moments ago she was thinking about returning to normal life, but now it seemed impossible in the short term.
When Kurenai didn't move, Ryun took it as silent consent.
He hugged Kurenai's waist, resting his head against her chest, and said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, Sister Kurenai."
Facing the three girls' puzzled looks, Kurenai hesitated for a moment. In the end, she chose to gently encircle Ryun with her arms and said, "It was nothing, just a small effort, Nojuro Ryun."
Then she lightly pushed Ryun away, turning him to face the three girls, and said, "Now you should have a good chat with your three *female friends*."
The girls' doubts were immediately dispelled by Kurenai's teasing. Each pretended to be reserved, looking in different directions, but their peripheral vision remained fixed on Ryun, as if hoping for a response from him.
Naturally, Ryun wouldn't step on a landmine at this moment. With a wave of his hand, he said, "How about we go eat barbecue? My treat."
"Sounds good."
Kurenai's eyes brightened slightly. "Let's go to that barbecue restaurant you opened. I hear business there is booming now, all thanks to you, the behind-the-scenes owner, for managing it so well."
Kurenai wanted to use this method to help Ryun regain his courage to face life.
Because whether in writing, business, or even interactions with girls, he was excellent enough.
And so, after a simple rest, the group hurriedly entered Ryun's barbecue restaurant and ate their fill heartily.
The only issue was the somewhat peculiar gender ratio of the group, which attracted many puzzled looks.
Only after Kurenai actively paid the bill, refusing Ryun's offer to treat, did those puzzled looks completely disappear.
So it was a sensei taking students for a team-building activity. Not big news!
The moon rose high. The group walked out of the barbecue restaurant. It was time to part ways.
The three girls looked at Ryun in unison. In the past, it was always Ryun who took the initiative to walk them home.
At first, they felt embarrassed, but slowly they had grown accustomed to the feeling of strolling the streets with Ryun.
But today, the three girls exchanged glances. Ino spoke up, saying, "Nojuro Ryun, let us walk you back to the Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House."
"That's right, Moegi misses you a lot," Sakura added.
Hinata immediately followed up, "If you're really worried, the three of us can take turns keeping watch over you at night."
Ryun smiled, seeming to want to express his thanks, but his complexion gradually paled.
Seeing this, Kurenai, who was behind him, let out a soft sigh. She proactively placed a hand on Ryun's shoulder and said, "That won't be necessary. I've already accepted a mission to protect him for a week."
"Because the attacker's strength is not weak, having you three protect him is still a bit of a stretch. Leave him to me."
"If you're worried, you can come to my house to see him every day afterward."
Hearing Kurenai say this, expressions of gratitude appeared on the three girls' faces.
With Kurenai protecting him, it must be foolproof, right?
The three girls said their goodbyes to Ryun and Kurenai. Then Kurenai took Ryun's wrist and led him back to her own home.
Before entering, she glared into the darkness. Anko, who had been waiting there, reluctantly turned and left.
It seemed the next time she would get to speak with Ryun again was anyone's guess.
"Come in. Take a bath and rest early later. I've already bought you a men's yukata. It should fit."
Kurenai, like a big sister, gently stroked Ryun's head. Ryun appreciated this kindness very much, but it still wasn't enough.
Ryun lowered his head and said, "Sister Kurenai, I want to ask you a question."
"Hmm? Go ahead."
"Do you think... I'm still worth their affection?"
Under normal circumstances, Kurenai would definitely have teased Ryun: "Do you want to like all three of them at once?"
But now, Kurenai just smiled and said, "I assure you, you are worth their affection."
Ryun looked up at that moment. His next words went straight to the depths of Kurenai's heart.
"Really? I don't believe it."
"Sister Kurenai, you don't like me, do you?"
Ino, Sakura, and Hinata had all given Ryun simulation counts, but Kurenai had not. Therefore, Ryun's statement was quite reasonable and well-founded.
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