Hinata looked at Nojuro Ryun in surprise, yet this time she did not blush and faint.
Ryun patted Hinata's shoulder in confusion, and in the next second, Hinata fell backward stiffly.
It turned out that the moment Ryun finished saying that sentence, Hinata had already been so embarrassed that she lost consciousness.
At that moment, a pair of hands reached out and caught Hinata. It was Hyūga Natsu.
"Sir Nojuro, please stop teasing the two young ladies. The clan head simply likes Sir Nojuro's book and wanted to discuss some details of the book with Sir Nojuro."
After saying this, Hyūga Natsu also gave Ryun a pleading look.
Considering she had respectfully served him tea earlier, Ryun did not expose Hyūga Natsu's white lie.
Hanabi then pushed Ryun's hand away and said angrily, "You, why do you like making my sister shy so much?"
"Actually, I like teasing you too. You're just too cute, little Hanabi."
Ryun pinched and rubbed Hanabi's cheeks, which resulted in Hanabi chasing after him roughly.
Although she didn't strike his pressure points, she did use Gentle Fist techniques.
Ryun pretended to be in pain and ran ahead, with Hanabi chasing behind.
This scene left Hyūga Natsu dumbfounded.
She had just witnessed the conversation between Ryun and Hyūga Hiashi and thought Ryun was a precociously shrewd schemer.
But now, seeing Ryun laugh so happily, could he really be a broad-minded and cheerful person like the First Hokage?
Hanabi chased Ryun all the way out of the Hyūga clan's main compound to a deserted street corner before Ryun stopped.
"You can see me off here. I'm going back to the Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House. Or do you plan to come back with me to play with Moegi?"
"I'm not like her, always thinking about playing and always following that idiot Konohamaru around."
Hanabi pouted. Seeing Ryun about to leave, she quickly said, "Um, thank you."
"Although I don't know how you convinced Father, as long as it makes Sister happy, I will always be grateful to you."
Ryun patted Hanabi's little head and said, "Verbal thanks aren't very meaningful. Better thank me with actions."
"Hmm, what do you want me to do?"
"Then, loudly call me 'big brother' once."
"That's it? I thought it would be some strange request."
Hanabi took a step back, smiled, and slowly opened her mouth, "Nyah nyah nyah."
After making a face, Hanabi ran away as fast as she could, leaving behind only a string of silver-bell-like laughter.
Ryun wasn't angry either. He just said, "Next time I see Hinata, I'll tell on you."
After receiving another funny face from Hanabi, Ryun walked on the streets of Konoha after nightfall with his arms crossed.
Seeing many people decorating their doorsteps, Ryun suddenly realized, the New Year of Konoha 64 was approaching.
But this time, it seemed he would spend it at the hot spring house?
Ryun wasn't dissatisfied about this.
In past New Years, he spent them alone. Having some rice and meat sent by neighbors counted as a feast.
At least this year, he could still mooch a meal at Moegi's family's table, right?
For most of the remaining month, Ryun immersed himself in high-intensity training.
However, his training partners each day varied slightly.
Sometimes it was Tenten, sometimes Ino and Sakura. The rest of the time, he went to the Hyūga house to spar with Hanabi and Hinata.
Sasuke and Naruto also showed up before Ryun every few days. They always wanted to beg for new ninjutsu from him.
However, Ryun emphasized quality over quantity in ninjutsu, telling Sasuke to master Fire Release well while also teaching Naruto a little Wind Release.
Anyway, they both had their own future progression paths. For now, Ryun just needed to go through the motions.
During these days, Anko continued to live next door to Ryun.
She climbed through his window every midnight and left before sunrise.
This perseverance even made Ryun somewhat admire her. Although Anko acted terribly after drinking, she was surprisingly sentimental when sober.
Hmm, is the word 'sentimental' appropriate here? Did he and Anko really have feelings?
Forget it, he should find a chance to let her relax. If she stayed this tense, Ryun worried she wouldn't last until the Chunin Exams.
Furthermore, during this time, Ryun kept thinking about the boast he made to Hyūga Hiashi that day.
Namely, the matter of him establishing a clan in the name of the Senju family. The more Ryun thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Once he possessed Wood Release, the Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode, Flying Raijin, and the Yin Seal, he could then clap his hands and bring forth the Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.
Even if Orochimaru reincarnated the First and Second Hokage with the Impure World Reincarnation, they would suspect Orochimaru had sealed their memories, making them forget they had such an excellent successor as Ryun.
As for someone like Danzō, if he dared to attack Ryun then, what difference would it make compared to Kakuzu throwing a kunai at Senju Hashirama from eight hundred meters away back in the day?
Ah, no, Danzō was also a master of kunai.
Maybe he would use a kunai to stab Ryun's True Several Thousand Hands, Top World Transformation technique?
Unfortunately, these were just delusions. In the remaining time, Ryun definitely couldn't reach the level of mixing Sage Mode and Wood Release.
But if the goal was just to perform Wood Release, he could probably give it a try.
Thinking of this, Ryun prepared to start another simulation.
He planned to take the Hokage route in this simulation. If successful, he would try his best to master all of Danzō's dirty secrets, fully preparing for Danzō's eventual downfall.
As for the potential attack Danzō might launch against him next, Ryun had already thought of a countermeasure.
Everything was ready, just waiting for the simulation to start.
Ryun was originally waiting alone in his room for the deep night. A flash of light appeared outside the window, followed by the sound of fireworks exploding in the sky.
Ryun was slightly taken aback and went to the window.
Looking at the bright fireworks, he suddenly felt a sense of loneliness.
After all, at this time, everyone he knew should be with their families.
"Do you want some?"
A skewer of dango was extended in front of Ryun, still steaming.
Ryun looked down. Anko was crouching outside the window, one hand holding the skewer high up to Ryun, the other hand covering her own face.
Even though she had the strength of a Tokubetsu Jonin, Ryun saw her hand seemed to be trembling slightly.
Was it nervousness, or fear?
"Are you cold?"
Ryun asked curiously.
"I'm not cold at all. I'm just a little sad thinking about having to share my favorite dango with you."
"Then keep it for yourself."
"No, good things should be shared with, with family. You're my little brother now."
Ryun was both amused and exasperated. The current Anko was even more awkward than Moegi lying about unfinished homework.
Seeing that Ryun still wasn't taking it, and Anko showed signs of an emotional breakdown, Ryun bit off one red bean dango from the skewer and chewed it in his mouth.
"Eh, why did you only eat one? This whole skewer is for you."
Ryun's mouth was sticky from the dango, so he could only say indistinctly, "Good things should be shared with close people. You're my Anko-nee, right?"
Anko stopped trembling, seeming to ponder Ryun's words.
"You're not eating the remaining two? Then I'll eat them."
Ryun opened his mouth to bite. Anko let out a cry and quickly stuffed the remaining dango into her own mouth, saying,
"No, you only get one. I gave you the one I wanted to eat most."
"If you still want to eat, I'll take you out for a big meal."
"At this hour?"
"It's New Year's today. The streets are very lively."
Anko finally mustered her courage and stood up, showing Ryun a bright, silly smile.
As if worried Ryun would refuse, she hurriedly added, "Don't worry, I won't drink a single drop the whole time, and I can also keep my distance from you."
Before she could finish, Ryun climbed over the windowsill and stood beside her, shoulder to shoulder, saying, "Then you'd better be prepared for me to eat you bankrupt."
Anko was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, patting her own stomach and saying, "Don't laugh at me, but I'm famous for being a big eater."
"Don't think it's just you. Even if there were eight or ten more of you, you might not be my match."
Ryun suddenly gave Anko a strange look and said, "You said it."
"Huh?"
Anko was puzzled at first. But as another firework lit up the sky, a crowd of figures appeared outside the gate of the Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House.
Almost all the girls Ryun knew had come. Anko even saw Yūhi Kurenai among them.
Why was Kurenai here to join the fun at this time instead of going on a date with Asuma?
"Everyone, listen up."
Ryun pointed at Anko and said, "This big sister here declared she's treating everyone today. Don't go easy on her."
"Especially you, Hinata. Remember to eat your fill."
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