Chapter 230: Yotsuki Arashi's Matchmaking Adventure (Part 2)
The Second Day.
In the dining hall of the Yotsuki Clan, Dana arrived for breakfast, only to find his mother alone again.
Dana asked, puzzled, "Why isn't Arashi eating with us again? Where did that guy run off to?"
His mother, Satomi, rubbed her temples with a headache. "Oh my... I heard yesterday's date didn't go very smoothly for Arashi. Considering he's often away on missions, the clan arranged another date for him today. The partner is a girl from within the clan. I hope my foolish son can achieve something this time."
Dana: "PFFT!!!!"
After hurriedly finishing his meal and rushing out, Satomi rubbed her forehead and sighed. "It really gives me a headache. Not only was the date unsuccessful yesterday, but I heard that poor Aiko-chan ate so much she got an upset stomach. I have to go visit her at the hospital today."
"What would Miss Yuko like to eat?"
On the streets of the Old Cloud Village, Yotsuki Arashi posed the question that has baffled mankind for millennia.
This time, his date wasn't wearing a traditional kimono. Instead, she was dressed in full ninja gear, with a high ponytail and a slender figure, exuding a youthful and capable aura.
Physically, she lived up to being a Yotsuki. She was quite tall, matching Arashi well, visibly standing over 1.7 meters.
"Does Arashi-senpai have anything in mind?"
Since they were both from the Yotsuki clan, they addressed each other by name.
Arashi thought about the disaster from last night and decided against going back to Ichiraku Ramen. "How about we go for barbecue (Yakiniku)?"
Twenty meters behind them, Dana wore an expression of disappointment, like a parent watching their child fail.
"Barbecue?! Yakiniku restaurants are so noisy you can't even hear each other speak! Who goes to a Yakiniku place for a blind date?!!"
Yusuke Akahoshi scratched his cheek. "Um... Dana-sama... why did you drag me out so early in the morning again..."
He had been dragged directly out of bed by Dana while still dreaming.
Dana glanced sideways at Yusuke. "What do you mean 'early morning'? It's practically lunchtime! How can a ninja be so slack?!"
Yusuke said awkwardly, "I overused my Kekkei Genkai yesterday... and then drank way too much water when I got home... I had to get up to pee all night... like eight times. I didn't sleep well."
Dana looked at Yusuke with pity. Can this guy's kidneys hold out? The Chinoike Clan's legacy was almost lost, and they finally produced a genius like Yusuke. Don't tell me the line is going to end with him because of kidney failure.
Poor guy.
"Turn up the mist density! Daytime isn't like nighttime; don't get us discovered!"
"...I feel like I saw a flash of pity in your eyes just now, but it turned ruthless instantly..."
Ahead of them, Yuko walked with her hands behind her back, speaking cheerfully. "Arashi-senpai, I haven't seen you much lately. Have you had a lot of missions?"
Dana thought: Oh, so they already know each other? I wonder if that's an advantage or a disadvantage for a blind date...
Arashi nodded. "Ah... yeah, lots of missions. But it's good training. Recently, I mastered a special technique to train my legs even while moving at high speeds. It also improves the pelvic floor muscles. My teammates tried it and said it works great."
SMACK!
Dana facepalmed hard...
This is... absurdity opening the door for absurdity. Absurdity has arrived home!
The two walked into the Yakiniku restaurant, and Dana and Yusuke followed them inside.
This time, no major disasters occurred. After all, they were clan members who knew each other beforehand, and the girl had a lively personality.
"This kind of cheerful girl actually suits Arashi quite well. At least she can push him to be more proactive," Dana thought to himself.
After the meal, just as Dana felt this date barely passed the passing line and required more contact in the future, Yuko suddenly turned to Arashi.
"Arashi-senpai, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Please, go ahead!"
Yuko fidgeted shyly for a moment, then pulled out a pink envelope. It was crisp and unwrinkled, clearly kept with great care, and decorated with a small flower sticker.
"Holy crap! Is that a love letter? Score! Score!" Dana felt his gossip soul fully satisfied. Following Arashi for two days straight was worth it just to see this explosive scene.
"As expected of a Yotsuki girl! Going straight for the strike!!"
Then, he heard Yuko say with a blushing face:
"Could you... could you please give this letter to... Dana-sama? Actually... I've always wanted to get to know Dana-sama... Um... as a thank you, this meal is on me."
Dana: "....(｀_ゝ´)"
Arashi blankly accepted the envelope, which wasn't even two fingers wide, and stood there stunned for a long time.
"Please, Arashi-senpai!"
The Third Day.
Dana arrived at the dining hall again, and sure enough, Arashi was missing.
Satomi asked, "Oh my, is Dana looking for Arashi again?"
Dana: "Say no more. I understand. I'm leaving now."
Satomi stopped Dana, who was about to go stalking again. "Dana, aren't you going a bit too far?"
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Dana's forehead.
"Um... I'm just concerned. Absolutely no malice... If Mother thinks it's inappropriate, I won't go..."
Suddenly, Satomi rushed forward and grabbed Dana's hand. "How can you not tell me what happened?! I wait so hard for your news every day! Quick, tell me! What happened during Arashi's date? I asked him, but he was too embarrassed to tell me!"
Dana: "..."
"So it was like this... and then like that..."
"Uh-huh... And then? And then?..."
Under the statues of the First and Second Raikage, Arashi was waiting for today's date.
"Hello. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Arashi looked up to see a woman with gentle features.
"No, no. I arrived early."
This date was neither overly formal like Miss Aiko nor overly energetic like Miss Yuko. She wore casual but practical clothes, had a pleasant face, wore glasses, and her hair fell naturally with a hairband tying the end.
Mao Kawagoe. Born into a small ninja clan in the Cloud, but with exceptional talent. She had reached Jonin level strength at a young age.
"I dallied a bit leaving the house," Mao said. "Is Yotsuki-kun hot? Should we go grab a drink first?"
Behind them, Dana carefully stalked while carrying Yusuke on his shoulder.
After 48 hours of high-intensity Kekkei Genkai usage plus getting up eight times in one night, today's Yusuke Akahoshi had become a mere accessory. He could only be carried around by Dana in a semi-crippled state.
But since his invisibility still worked, Dana had no complaints.
Arashi and Mao entered a dessert shop and sat by the window. This made it convenient for Dana to peek from outside. As for not hearing them, Dana considered lip-reading a basic ninja skill.
Wait, why is the invisibility mist getting thin?
Dana shook the "prop" (Yusuke) in his hands vigorously and patted him twice. The magical invisibility tool finally started working normally again.
"I hope Bro doesn't talk about leg training again. Even with zero experience, after going through it twice, he should have grown a little, right?"
Inside the dessert shop.
"As long as you squat an extra 30 degrees while moving quickly, and grip inward with your toes while cycling your chakra, it can have a pretty good effect on training your legs."
Arashi gestured a 30-degree angle with his hands.
Dana: "OI!!! Just die alone! You deserve to be single forever! Go hug your own thighs for the rest of your life!"
However, Mao shook her head. "At around 30 degrees, you only engage the quadriceps. While effective, it accelerates local muscle fatigue. Why don't you try squatting an extra 45 degrees, Yotsuki-kun? That way, you engage both the thigh muscles and the calves, while also strengthening tendon elasticity. Long-term use not only builds muscle but also improves jumping power and explosiveness."
Dana across the street: "SHE CAN FOLLOW THAT?!!!!"
This is Absurdity burning paper money for Absurdity's funeral.
Deadly absurd!!
Arashi: "....!! I think you have a point! I didn't expect Miss Kawagoe to have so much experience with Taijutsu training, even though you don't look like you train much."
Mao adjusted her glasses from the side with one hand. "Because I am a research-type ninja. I just happen to have some theoretical knowledge regarding physical conditioning."
And then, the two of them actually started chatting enthusiastically about fitness and body sculpting.
After a pleasant conversation, Arashi suddenly realized the time. "It's getting late. Is Miss Kawagoe hungry? Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Mao said, "I heard a ramen shop with a good reputation opened in New Kumogakure. Why don't we try that?"
Arashi nodded. "Ah, yes. It's a rare delicacy. Let's go."
The two walked out of the dessert shop and headed toward Ichiraku Ramen, chatting along the way.
Dana followed behind, carrying his "tool."
"This is bad. This is super bad. Why do I get the feeling they are exceptionally compatible..."
To be able to deeply discuss such a ridiculous topic as leg training with Arashi, and perfectly keep up with his train of thought despite his various eccentricities...
It's a perfect match!
Honestly, in the vast ninja world, Dana didn't think Arashi could find anyone more suitable. She had high marks for looks and figure, and her intellectual, glasses-wearing vibe perfectly suppressed the straight-male goofiness radiating from Arashi inside and out.
The pair arrived at Ichiraku Ramen and sat in a corner booth.
Dana tossed his "tool" aside and hid behind the thin partition wall. Separated by only a wooden board, he could hear their conversation clearly.
"Boss! Signature Tonkotsu Ramen with extra bamboo shoots! And the 'Appetite Special' you made last time, with extra fish cakes!"
"Understood!" Teuchi's energetic voice rang out from the kitchen.
Dana thought, Damn it. I've been here twice and still haven't eaten the legendary Ichiraku Ramen. I really want to try that 'Appetite Special' too.
After all, it was good enough to make a girl in full makeup devour it.
After ordering, Mao tilted her head and looked at Arashi. "Yotsuki-kun seems to be a mission-focused ninja. I assume you have a very impressive service record?"
Arashi rubbed his head bashfully. "It's okay, I guess. I do go on missions often."
Mao: "Do you have a fixed squad?"
Arashi: "Of course. They are all trustworthy partners."
"To be Yotsuki-kun's teammates, they must be ninjas of considerable strength, and likely from major clans, right?"
"...Strength is naturally the guarantee for everything, since we undertake missions of A-rank and above. As for their background... yes, they are from ninja clans. I wonder why Miss Kawagoe is interested in that?"
Mao adjusted her glasses from the side again, staring intently at Arashi.
"Ne, Yotsuki-kun. Are you interested in becoming the Raikage?"