After leaving the Hokage's office, Tenzo took Itsuki to a training ground. He gave a brief self-introduction and then left him to his own devices.
It was already late, and Tenzo planned to start formal training with Itsuki the next day.
Although Itsuki was eager to improve his strength, he understood that progress wouldn't happen overnight.
Now that he had come under the watchful eyes of the Third Hokage, he was assigned to be trained individually by Tenzo.
For the next period of time, he could practice in peace without being burdened by D-level tasks like the Nine Little Strongmen missions.
[Ding! Congratulations to group member Yamanaka Ino! The group level has been upgraded from LV0 to LV1, and all attributes have been increased by 200%!]
A crisp system notification sounded, stunning Itsuki and the four girls from Konoha in the chat group.
The chat group immediately became lively.
[Tenten: Ino, what did you do?!]
[Haruno Sakura: You're not going to go find Itsuki and sacrifice yourself, are you?]
[Hyuga Hinata: 200% buff? Does that mean my strength is doubled?]
[Yamanaka Ino: Wow, I feel like I've become immortal!]
[Yamanaka Ino: All attributes have increased. It's not just strength—speed, defense, physique, and mental energy have doubled. My chakra capacity has tripled.]
[Yamanaka Ino: My brain reacts faster, my memory is sharper. Training now will be far more efficient than before.]
[Yamanaka Ino: I feel like I've entered a whole new realm, as if the world's grip has loosened. It's absolutely amazing!]
[Tenten: !!!!!!]
[Haruno Sakura: You're kidding, right?]
[Hyuga Hinata: Awesome!]
[Yamanaka Ino: It's really true. And it's not uncontrollable. There's zero risk of losing control of my power. It's like I've always been like this—people just didn't notice.]
[Tenten: So, what did you do?!]
[Yamanaka Ino: Hehe, I just taught Chie Mai and Ryota a lesson to vent Itsuki's anger.]
[Yamanaka Ino: I added something to Chie Mai's IV bottle, causing hallucinations. She's probably dancing crazily in her hospital room right now.]
[Yamanaka Ino: But Ryota was taken care of by Shikamaru and the others. If I'd known this would give me such a benefit, I would have come here myself—maybe I could have gotten an even bigger boost!]
Itsuki's heart stirred slightly. He understood something important: this girl was studying the group rules and had figured out how to trigger the group's buff effects.
Originally, Itsuki had assumed Tenten would trigger it first—she seemed the most mature and stable.
Even though Ino triggered it first, it didn't mean she would always stay ahead. Others would now try to improve their methods to trigger bigger effects, depending on how sophisticated their strategies were.
As for Itsuki, all he had to do was enjoy it—they would try their best to please him.
Currently, there were too few members in the group—only four young girls who had yet to fully bloom.
If only there were a few mature members!
[Tenten: That's right! I should have thought of this earlier! @Yamanaka Ino, where are you now? Let's go to the training ground and exchange moves. I want to see your current condition.]
[Yamanaka Ino: Not right now. I promised to treat Shikamaru and Choji to dessert.]
[Hyuga Hinata: I… if I taught Chie Mai and Ryota a lesson now… I'd better forget it!]
[Tenten: Don't worry, Hinata. There are only a few of us in the group. Plenty of opportunities will come. Don't worry.]
[Hyuga Hinata: Yes.]
[Haruno Sakura: Tsk, I'm not envious at all. My body and soul will always belong to Sasuke-kun!]
[Yamanaka Ino: Then cling to your fantasy and let us leave you behind step by step. Let's see if Sasuke-kun, as you call him, will pity you.]
[Haruno Sakura: !!!]
[Haruno Sakura: You're falling for someone else too quickly, aren't you?]
[Yamanaka Ino: I just realized—Sasuke was only a yearning in my ignorant heart. Reality is different. Itsuki is the real dream now.]
[Tenten: I support you, Ino. Itsuki is unique. The more you invest in him now, while he's young, the greater the rewards later. This isn't a dream—it's reality.]
[Hyuga Hinata: This statement always feels a bit mercenary.]
[Haruno Sakura: You guys are shameless, with no principles at all!]
[Haruno Sakura: Ah, the leader is finally here. I won't say anymore!]
…
Itsuki happily watched the conversation in the chat group, feeling very content.
It was easy to imagine that over the next period, several beautiful girls would try their best to please him. He didn't have to pay—just accept.
Sakura, who often had a different opinion in the group, was annoying, but Itsuki chose to tolerate her.
Sakura didn't appeal to him much early on, so keeping her was harmless. She could even serve as a negative example.
The differing voices in the group made life interesting, full of ups and downs.
Even with the group restrictions, Sakura couldn't cause much trouble. She would grow up into a good girl eventually.
"Itsuki?!"
A sudden voice interrupted Itsuki's thoughts.
He looked up and saw Tenten. Did she come specifically to see him? Or was it coincidence?
Excitement flashed in Tenten's eyes, quickly suppressed.
Tenten pretended to be calm. "Did I call your name right? We just met this morning. You're Ino's classmate, right?"
Itsuki knew she was just trying to start a conversation and build rapport.
He responded shyly, unsure how to communicate.
"My name is Tenten. I'm a year older than you. You can call me Senior!" Tenten ignored his hesitation. "Since I'm your senior, if you encounter any difficulties, you can ask me for help!"
"Okay… thank you, senior sister," Itsuki said, embarrassed.
"Haha!" Tenten laughed. "Don't be so nervous. I'm not a cannibal—I just like taking care of underclassmen like you.
"Since we met by chance, let me treat you to something. Let's go to a milk tea shop nearby and have some milk tea!"