Kurenai gritted her teeth, her tone full of indignation. "Seven thousand five hundred ryo it is, then. Remember this, remember it well! I'll pay you back when I have money!"
Pay it back?
Of course not.
Once she became Seiryū's wife, his things would be her things, so naturally, she wouldn't have to pay him back.
Hmph, Seiryū was still too young.
She was also a Bad Woman, harboring ill intentions!
"That's good."
Seiryū nodded in satisfaction and waved at Kurenai. "Come here. I'm way more conscientious than that Bad Woman. It only costs five hundred ryo for one head pat. You should thank me!"
'Conscientious your foot!'
Kurenai grumbled inwardly. She had no intention of paying it back. She planned to make sure Seiryū never had an excuse to collect the debt.
She shuffled closer to Seiryū, humming.
Looking at him up close, it was a face she had seen countless times, but every time she got close, Kurenai still felt her face flush and her heart beat faster.
Seiryū... he really was handsome!
Kurenai tilted her head slightly, her bright red eyes fixed on Seiryū. Her half-lidded gaze, rosy lips slightly parted, and voice tinged with a bit of shyness: "You, you hurry, hurry up..."
Seiryū: "???"
It was just healing. What was with that expression and tone? It felt like a teenage girl about to offer her first kiss...
"Mystical Palm Technique..."
Seiryū suppressed the strange thoughts in his mind. Pale green chakra swirled in his palm, and he placed his right hand on Kurenai's forehead, beginning the healing process. Medical Ninjutsu—he had learned that from Tsunade.
No money?
Then use something else to pay off the debt!
Seiryū wasn't going to let Tsunade get away with things!
Just as Seiryū had thought.
He had already passed the "novice period." In the past two years, not a single mission had been refreshed.
Of course, even without new missions or rewards, Seiryū's strength had continued to grow...
'Seiryū really is handsome!'
That serious expression, that warmth from his hand—Kurenai's face flushed again, and her heart beat faster.
She was extremely shy...
After healing the bump on her forehead with the Mystical Palm Technique, Seiryū withdrew his hand.
Looking at her now-smooth forehead, he nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, as expected of me. Five hundred ryo is a bargain for you!"
Kurenai snapped back to reality, pushed away the strange emotions in her heart, and grabbed Seiryū's hand. "Oh, let's go already. We'll be late!"
Being pulled along, Seiryū complained helplessly, "I already calculated the time. We won't be late."
Why was this girl suddenly in such a hurry?
Also, why are you blushing, you silly goose?
The two moved quickly and soon arrived at the Ninja Academy.
They happened to run into Rin at the entrance.
Kurenai waved with her free hand and greeted cheerfully, "Rin, long time no see!"
Rin turned around. Seeing Seiryū and Kurenai, she also greeted softly, "Long time no see, Seiryū, Kurenai..."
However, seeing their hands clasped together, she felt a strange sense of loss. She quickly brushed off the feeling and smiled. "Let's go, don't be late."
The three walked toward their classroom, chatting as they went.
They soon arrived at the classroom and headed to their seats.
Several familiar faces were already present. After exchanging greetings, they gathered to chat.
Asuma, with a white stick-like object in his mouth of unknown nature, sighed and said, "This is the last semester. Time really flies."
Unknowingly, he had spent almost three years at the Ninja Academy.
During this time.
He had learned not to be stubborn, not to overreach, and to let things go.
He felt that this was growth.
He was already a mature adult, no longer a child.
So now, he had a lollipop in his mouth, like a cigarette... Then he turned to Kakashi, smacking his lips. The lollipop was really sweet.
He shook his head and said, "But Kakashi, you're too lame. Your idea of early graduation fell through, didn't it? Aren't you graduating with the rest of us?"
Kakashi: "..."
He wondered which big mouth had leaked the news about his plan to "defeat Seiryū and graduate early."
He suspected Obito, but had no proof.
Now, this had become a common topic of teasing among his friends... and he was helpless against it.
Kakashi gave Asuma a sideways glance, his lips twitching. Luckily, he wore a mask, so no one could see his expression. "I still have a chance. It's too early to say I've failed."
There were still three months left. As long as he finished developing that new Ninjutsu, he might still defeat Seiryū!
Kurenai waved her little fist at Kakashi to cheer him on. "Go, Kakashi, I'm rooting for you! Take down Seiryū in the afternoon's practical class!"
Seiryū was speechless: "..."
Hey, I'm your brother, you know?
And you're siding with an outsider?
Guy gave a thumbs-up, his tone still brimming with youthful energy. "I'll be the first to defeat Seiryū! I'll show off the powerful technique I've been training for half a year, the Taijutsu secret art my father taught me!"
'Oh? Has he already learned Eight Gates?'
Hearing Guy's words, Seiryū couldn't help but ponder.
Clearly, the Taijutsu secret art Guy mentioned wasn't the Thousand Years of Death. It had to be the Eight Gates.
With him, this little butterfly, fluttering around Konoha, a lot of things had naturally changed.
Without even mentioning anything else, compared to the original timeline, the people in this world were undeniably stronger.
With him as a genius role model, if others didn't work hard, they'd only fall further behind. Many people were holding grudges, always wanting to surpass him.
Effort always paid off.
Hadn't Kakashi already begun researching his own Ninjutsu?
Guy practicing the Eight Gates at this stage wasn't too surprising to Seiryū.
With the Eight Gates, Guy's strength would rise significantly.
The afternoon's practical class would definitely be interesting...
Once again, the Ninja Academy proved to be ruthless. Grades were always an unavoidable hurdle.
The afternoon's practical class began.
With the new policy in effect, the six-year curriculum was compressed into three years. The lessons were more intensive, and the pressure on students had increased.
Of course,
The graduation requirement for the Ninja Academy remained the Three Basic Jutsu. Except for a few students with extremely poor talent,
Almost all had already mastered the Three Basic Jutsu, so graduation wouldn't be a problem.
Soon, the lot-drawing began.
Seiryū was the first to be called, and his opponent turned out to be Guy...
Guy's voice was filled with passion, his spirit burning. "I knew youth wouldn't let us down, Seiryū! Let's have a youthful showdown!"
Seiryū nodded slightly and smiled. "Let me see what techniques Uncle Duy taught you. Go all out, Guy."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)