Chapter 117: You're Becoming a Ninja Too?
The following afternoon, Naruko carried a bag of oranges, pacing back and forth outside Yu's door.
She'd rehearsed her words in her mind multiple times before clearing her throat and calling tentatively toward the interior:
"Ahem... Yu, Sasuko, are you home? I came to visit!"
Several seconds later, the door opened.
To Naruko's surprise, it was actually Sasuko who opened it.
She appeared quieter than usual, her eyes seemingly hiding traces of dimness, yet still not diminishing that refined elegance.
"Good afternoon, Naruko." Sasuko smiled shallowly. "Welcome."
This warm smile and greeting stunned Naruko, even her twin tails trembling slightly in shock.
After all, just two days ago she'd confidently declared war on Sasuko, saying she'd compete to the end.
She'd expected tremendous difficulty returning to Sasuko's home...
"S-Sasuko, hello..." Naruko returned a somewhat stiff smile.
Sasuko stepped aside, clearing the passage: "Come in. Yu's in the courtyard."
Naruko carefully stepped into the entryway, placing the oranges on the guest table while stealing glances at Sasuko.
Today she wore simple house clothes, long hair casually gathered at her shoulders. Shedding her usual coldness, she appeared much softer.
"Would you like tea?" As Sasuko spoke, she walked toward the kitchen. "I just made some tea snacks."
"No need to trouble yourself..." Before Naruko finished speaking, Sasuko had already skillfully arranged the tea set.
This unexpectedly friendly treatment instead made Naruko more restless.
Watching Sasuko's state differ from usual, Naruko couldn't help worrying.
Competition aside, she still cared about this friend.
She leaned close to Sasuko's ear, asking softly: "Sasuko, are you alright? If you're uncomfortable, I can come another day. Remember to try the oranges—this shop's are especially sweet."
Sasuko looked at Naruko's foolish appearance and exhaled lightly.
Even knowing Naruko harbored special feelings for Yu, she still couldn't truly dislike this girl—because Naruko was simply a fool who always thought of others first.
This pure goodwill stirred complex warmth in Sasuko's heart.
Sasuko said softly: "I'm fine. Sit."
Naruko didn't quite believe it, reaching to touch Sasuko's forehead: "No fever..."
Sasuko helplessly swatted her hand away: "Come to my room. I want to ask a favor."
Naruko immediately grew alert: "If it's about Yu..."
Before finishing, Sasuko had already pinched her cheeks, exasperated yet amused: "You just seemed so concerned about me? Don't worry, it's unrelated to him."
"Oh." Naruko embarrassedly touched the back of her head, obediently following Sasuko to the room.
In Sasuko's room, Naruko's eyes widened in surprise: "What? You want to take missions with me and become a ninja?"
Sasuko nodded lightly.
Naruko looked completely puzzled: "Why? Didn't you say you'd stay by Yu's side forever, not going anywhere?"
That sentence darkened Sasuko's eyes, as if unwilling to discuss further.
Naruko leaned closer, asking carefully: "Sasuko, did you and Yu have a fight?"
Honestly, Naruko couldn't imagine Sasuko losing her temper at Yu.
In her view, Sasuko's dependence on Yu had long exceeded human comprehension—she was the type who'd abandon the entire world for Yu, the ultimate brother-complex.
And Yu practically granted Sasuko's every wish. At least Naruko had never seen him speak a harsh word to Sasuko.
Naruko blinked her azure eyes, still puzzled: "But why suddenly..."
Before finishing, Sasuko reached out to pinch her soft cheeks, gently kneading: "Just asking if you can help. Why do you have so many questions?"
Naruko spoke unclearly with her cheeks being pinched: "I, I have no problem... but need to ask Kakashi-sensei first, and report to Granny Tsunade."
"Kakashi?" Sasuko wasn't familiar with that name.
Naruko thought about it and suggested: "If you really wants to team up with me, you just need to tell Yu and he'll definitely..."
"I want to handle this myself." Sasuko interrupted her. "I'll personally talk to them."
Naruko rubbed her slightly reddened cheeks, muttering softly: "Doing it yourself is fine... why use so much force?"
Sasuko rose and retrieved from her wardrobe a ninja uniform she hadn't worn since graduation.
"Right now?" Naruko was somewhat surprised.
Sasuko nodded, then pointed toward the door: "I need to change."
Naruko obediently retreated outside, even gently closing the door.
Just then, Yu came from the back courtyard to the front hall. Seeing him, Naruko's eyes immediately brightened: "Yu, good afternoon!"
Seeing Naruko emerge from Sasuko's room, Yu smiled at her warmly: "Naruko came to play with Sasuko? Welcome, welcome."
Naruko's expression shifted slightly. She still showed a bright smile and nodded in response, thinking inwardly:
Actually, I originally came to see you...
Naruko's response made Yu's gaze even gentler as he lightly ruffled her fluffy head: "Sasuko's mood might not be great these past few days. Please keep her company. In a few days I'll treat you both to fine dining."
Naruko nodded excitedly: "Mm mm!"
Great, another meal together with Yu.
Just then, Sasuko emerged from her room after changing.
The deep blue high-collar shirt outlined her slender waist, the fan clan emblem flat and neat on her back.
Though standard Konoha ninja attire, wearing it she appeared especially upright and spirited. Her ink-black hair made her skin appear even fairer, her entire person both capable and refined.
Naruko's eyes lit up: "Wow! Sasuko looks great in ninja uniform too!"
Yu also nodded with a smile: "Very striking, Sasuko."
His gaze and approval made Sasuko's cheeks heat slightly.
She'd worried Yu might find it abrupt, since at home she usually wore light gauze dresses or more form-fitting house kimonos.
Yu looked at Sasuko's unusual attire: "Sasuko, this outfit today means you want to...?"
Naruko raised her hand first: "I, I know. Sasuko wants to..." Before finishing, Sasuko quickly stepped over to cover her mouth. Naruko could only look at Sasuko somewhat resentfully.
How many times today was this? Always stopping people from finishing sentences.
Sasuko turned to Yu, keeping her tone as calm as possible: "I want to go out with Naruko. We might return late. Is that alright, Yu... big brother?"
With her mouth covered, Naruko heard "Yu big brother" and her azure eyes widened in shock—this was the first time she'd heard Sasuko use that form of address since knowing her.
Sasuko had always directly called him "Yu." She couldn't help stealing a glance at Sasuko beside her, full of curiosity.
Yu nodded readily: "Of course." Seeing Sasuko willing to actively go out to relax filled him with genuine relief.
Her emotions were clearly still somewhat low from that night's events. Going out with friends more should help her emerge from the shadows faster.
Speaking, he casually retrieved two thick stacks of bills from the Kamui dimension, handing them to Naruko and Sasuko respectively: "Enjoy yourselves without worrying. Have fun. If it's not enough, find me for more."
Sasuko gave Naruko a look. Naruko immediately nodded understandingly.
After Sasuko released her, she stood quietly to the side.
Sasuko accepted the bills Yu handed over, responding softly: "I understand."
Naruko seemed somewhat embarrassed—just two days ago Yu had given her a stack of bills, still carefully stored in a glass case displayed in the most prominent position at home.
Yu noticed her hesitation and placed the portion meant for Naruko into Sasuko's pocket instead, whispering instructions by her ear: "Get along well, okay?"
Sasuko naturally understood Yu's intention. Though their trip wasn't for entertainment, she still nodded in response:
"I know."
***
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