However, Mei Terumi had clearly underestimated the difference in physical strength between herself and Hayato Ren.
No matter how hard she tried, even to the point where her cheeks began to ache faintly, she only managed to leave a faint mark on Hayato Ren's neck.
She simply couldn't break through his defense; the two were completely on different levels.
After realizing this, Mei Terumi didn't continue to humiliate herself further. Instead, she walked to the bed, turned her back to Hayato Ren, and began sulking.
Watching Mei Terumi's petulant demeanor, Hayato Ren couldn't help but find it amusing.
So, he stepped forward and patted Mei Terumi on the shoulder.
Mei Terumi forcefully shook her shoulder, throwing off Hayato Ren's hand, then said angrily:
"Don't touch me, you spy from Leaf."
"I had no choice in doing this, because a Ninja can't abandon their mission."
As he spoke, Hayato Ren looked up at the ceiling, revealing a somewhat sorrowful expression.
Mei Terumi turned around to look at Hayato Ren.
"Really... In that case, I can't entirely blame you."
What Mei Terumi never expected was for Hayato Ren to lower his head and show an utterly wicked smile.
"Of course it's fake, I was just messing with you?"
"Drop dead!"
Mei Terumi slapped Hayato Ren's chest with a sharp "smack."
After doing this, Mei Terumi didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately ran out of Hayato Ren's room.
Clearly, Hayato Ren's mockery had left her very displeased.
...
The next morning, while asleep, Hayato Ren suddenly felt a heavy pressure on his chest, as if something weighty was pressing down on him.
This strange sensation successfully pulled him out of his chess game with the Duke of Zhou and back to reality.
Opening his eyes, what greeted him was a pair of slender, beautiful legs that one could admire for a lifetime.
Following his gaze upward, he saw Mei Terumi, wearing shorts, with a look of disgust on her face.
"Eww, what's with that expression, uncle? It's so gross~"
Hayato Ren remained silent for a long moment before quietly saying:
"Aren't you going to get off me?"
That's right—the suffocating feeling in Hayato Ren's dream was because Mei Terumi was currently standing on his chest with both feet.
Fortunately, Mei Terumi's weight was still relatively light at this time; otherwise, even with Hayato Ren's physical condition, he would have suffered internal injuries.
Mei Terumi pushed off with her legs and landed gracefully on the floor.
The whole movement was fluid and exceptionally crisp.
Except for delivering a heavy blow to Hayato Ren, everything was perfect.
Hayato Ren rubbed his chest and glared irritably at Mei Terumi beside him.
"What, are you not even pretending anymore? Trying to kill me for my money?"
"Hmph, dealing with a spy like you from the Leaf isn't called plotting for money and harming lives—it's called eliminating a public menace. I kindly woke you up, and you still mock me here. How ungrateful."
"To express my gratitude, why don't you lie face down and let me step on your back?"
Hayato Ren retorted with a helpless expression.
Naturally, Mei Terumi would not agree to this proposal.
...
After breakfast, Hayato Ren and Mei Terumi began their usual aimless wandering as always.
They had barely taken two steps when someone blocked their path.
Mei Terumi rubbed her forehead and showed a troubled expression.
"Ameyuri Ringo, I really don't want to duel with you today. Can we reschedule?"
Hearing this, Ameyuri Ringo revealed a puzzled look.
"What are you talking about? I'm not here for you."
After saying this, Ameyuri Ringo stepped forward, took Hayato Ren's hand, and started pulling him toward her home.
After a brief moment of shock, Mei Terumi instinctively grabbed Hayato Ren's other hand and questioned:
"When did you two become so close?"
Hearing this, Hayato Ren shrugged and replied:
"Is that strange? I've always been friendly with everyone and get along well with anyone."
Mei Terumi naturally didn't believe a word of Hayato Ren's nonsense.
After all, just yesterday, Ameyuri Ringo was trying to blast him with Ninjutsu. How did things change so much today?
Could it be that she had forgotten something important?
While Mei Terumi was still pondering this, Ameyuri Ringo suddenly said discontentedly:
"Mei Terumi, do you want to fight? Let go of him right now!"
Hearing this, Mei Terumi retorted without holding back:
"You're the one who should let go! This uncle is my underling."
Mei Terumi and Ameyuri Ringo began tugging Hayato Ren back and forth like he was a rope in a tug-of-war.
This novel scene even attracted passersby to stop and watch.
Seeing the onlookers gathering, Hayato Ren decisively pulled back both of his arms.
Then, he gave each of them—Ameyuri Ringo and Mei Terumi—a solid bump on the head.
With a "thump," the two unfortunate partners squatted by the roadside, hands clutching their heads.
...
Soon, more than half a month passed, and Hayato Ren prepared to return to the Leaf.
He missed Kushina and Tsunade's soft embraces dearly.
Although he could tease Mei Terumi and Ameyuri Ringo every day in the Hidden Mist Village, something felt missing.
After all, they were still too young—it would be a few more years before they could be "eaten."
The fading glow of the sunset spread across the land, dyeing everything golden.
Hayato Ren sat on the riverbank, idly swinging his legs.
To his left sat Mei Terumi, and to his right sat Ameyuri Ringo.
Ignoring the girls' ages, to an outsider, Hayato Ren at this moment looked like a winner in life, flanked by beauties on both sides.
Gazing at the distant setting sun, Hayato Ren suddenly spoke:
"I'm leaving the Hidden Mist Village tomorrow."
Hearing this, the smile on Mei Terumi's face instantly froze. After a long pause, she finally responded with feigned nonchalance:
"You can leave if you want. It's not like anyone would stop you."
Ameyuri Ringo then said quietly:
"Are you returning to the Leaf?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the astonished gazes of both Hayato Ren and Mei Terumi fell upon Ameyuri Ringo's face.
Mei Terumi was the first to address Hayato Ren:
"I never told anyone about that matter. How she knows has absolutely nothing to do with me."
Hayato Ren gave a faint smile...