At Anko's sudden exclamation, Kurenai and Shizune immediately became alert.
Come to think of it, Mizuki did seem to be looking at Seiki differently than he normally would!
Not only Asuma and Guy, even Teuchi, who was standing behind Anxin, secretly perked up his ears.
Anko's eyes, filled with what appeared to be "fear," sparkled with excitement. "Mizuki senior, don't tell me you developed feelings for Seiki-senpai because he saved your life before? Me too! I also fell for him after he saved me..."
Mizuki's face darkened. "What I meant was, unlike some people, I don't need to go looking for someone to like me!"
If this idiot wasn't the link between them and the Academy, and if he hadn't intended to bring Anko into his "cult", he would've already warned her with [Hidden Shadow Snake Hands].
"Oh really?" Anko first looked disappointed, then quickly intrigued. "Who is it? Who could possibly be so blind... cough cough, I mean, who has such great taste?"
Mizuki almost choked on his anger. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "That's none of your business! Why don't you worry about what's behind you instead!"
"What?" Anko turned around and saw Kurenai and Shizune staring at her with piercing gazes.
"You just said 'me too', didn't you?"
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"You can't pretend you didn't just say that out loud!"
"What's wrong with that? It'd be strange if someone didn't admire Seiki-senpai, an outstanding individual like him!" Anko proudly declared, shouting defiantly, "Seiki-senpai is a precious asset to Konoha! How can you two seniors monopolize him? Today I'll break this unreasonable monopoly!"
Asuma and others watched this scene with great interest. This is what they call a legendary love battlefield?
"Fight! Fight!"
Guy glanced sideways. "And what exactly are you guys happy about? You don't even have girls interested in you."
The group fell silent immediately. Wait... why were they even enjoying this?
"Alright, enough fooling around." Seiki coughed lightly and helplessly looked at Anko. "You're just looking for someone who can cast genjutsu on you, creating an illusion of desserts that won't make you gain weight, aren't you?"
Anko folded her hands behind her back. "Not at all, I'm completely serious!"
"Try my genjutsu!"
In the next instant, Anko's face lit up in satisfaction as she sunk into the illusion.
"Mmm... red bean soup, green bean soup..."
Seeing this, Shizune and Kurenai both smirked disdainfully. This little girl posed absolutely no threat!
After regaining their composure, Kurenai sighed wistfully. "Come to think of it, it's been several years since we last returned to the Academy, hasn't it?"
Shizune nodded. "Time flies. It's been three or four years already. I wonder how Teacher Yamakei and everyone else are doing?"
Kurenai grew eager. "How about we pay a visit back to the Academy?"
Shizune showed some interest but hesitated. "Wouldn't that be too much of a disturbance?"
Asuma, who had been crouching in a corner drawing circles while moping, stood up energetically. "Disturbance? Not at all! This will give Teacher Yamakei a perfect example of why his current batch is the worst class he's ever taught!"
"They've really carved out a name for themselves on the battlefield now. This is the perfect moment to return to school in triumph — how could we possibly miss it?"
He was especially looking forward to seeing the admiration and respect in the juniors' eyes.
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles, recalling what Teacher Yamakei used to say.
"Then shall we head back to school after breakfast?"
"Should we find someone to take us inside? We might draw too much attention around campus."
"We've got a perfect candidate right here!" Mizuki pointed with a look of disdain toward Anko, who was still lost in her illusion. "She may look embarrassing, but she's practically the big sister figure to all those brats at school!"
...
Outside the Ninja Academy.
Anko licked her lips, clearly not wanting the moment to end, "Senior Seiki's flavor was absolutely delicious!"
Shizune and Kurenai twitched visibly at the corner of their eyes. Could you please stop saying things like that so seriously?
Quickly trying to steer the conversation away from potentially awkward topics, Shizune changed the subject, "Why are there so few people around campus today? Is everyone on vacation?"
"It's the School Festival today! Of course everyone's gone to the mountain behind the village!" Anko looked genuinely upset. "You've even forgotten the festival your own seniors started!"
"The School Festival! Seems like ages ago," Guy mused nostalgically. "I still clearly remember how Kakashi was taken down instantly by Senior's genjutsu back then!"
"Taken down by genjutsu? Sounds amazing!" Anko licked her lips longingly as she spoke dreamily.
Everyone fell silent, speechless. This girl's completely lost it.
Seiki also felt sentimental, "I wonder how Shuunen is doing? He and Obito were so close. He must have been devastated when he heard about Obito..."
Asuma became melancholic, "Those days when we all gathered together can never come back."
Everyone fell quiet. The war had changed far too much.
Many familiar faces were gone forever.
Seeing the atmosphere getting somber, Anko quickly tried to shift topics again, "Seniors, do you want to go participate in the School Festival too? Let me, as the current club president, show you old-timers the fresh new energy of our club!"
Asuma blinked. "Club president?"
Anko proudly laughed with hands on her hips, "Of course I'm the president of the Psychology Club! I've inherited this amazing tradition from my seniors!"
Seiki immediately gave her a light chop on the head, "Speak properly! What tradition?"
Rubbing her head with tears welling up in her eyes, Anko whined, "Don't hit my head! Where's my dignity as the mighty Second-in-command of the Psychology Club?"
Covering her mouth to hide a smile, Shizune whispered, "So you're already the first-generation president!"
Though somewhat reluctant, in order to promote Seiki as the ideal new recruit, Mizuki hesitated before asking, "Clubs...or rather schools, have there been any outstanding prodigies in recent years?"
"Obviously it's me, Anko Mitarashi!" Anko cheerfully replied. "As the second-generation president and direct disciple of Lord Orochimaru, am I not qualified enough?"
"Very impressive," Mizuki twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth before continuing, "How about other prodigies besides yourself?"
"Let me think..."
"Anko cracked her fingers and said, "There's Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, Hayate Gekko, Iruka Umino, and Yugao Uzuki. They're not in the same league as the seniors, but among our generation, they're definitely considered pretty impressive talents."
Mizuki nodded thoughtfully, silently memorizing the names, already plotting how he might one day recruit them for Konoha's cause.
"But," Anko continued with arms crossed, her tone suddenly nostalgic, "last year there was one brat who was truly remarkable!"
Asuma couldn't resist teasing, "Just how good was he? Good enough to beat *you*?"
Anko snorted with a pouty expression but didn't deny it outright, "Well... maybe I wasn't that strong at six, but things are different now! With Orochimaru-sama's guidance, I'll definitely surpass him someday!"
When she said that, everyone exchanged surprised looks.
If Anko admitted she wouldn't have stood a chance against this guy back then, that newbie must've been something special.
Asuma asked curiously, "So what's this guy's name?"
Anko curled her lip, "Just that loudmouth brat from the Uchiha clan—Shisui Uchiha."
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