The group said goodbye after some time, each heading in different directions through the illuminated streets of Konoha. Night had completely fallen, and the village lanterns created a welcoming yellowish glow that contrasted with the dark sky.
Before leaving, Sasuke approached Li Shang.
"Can we meet tomorrow? I need to talk to you alone."
There was something in the Uchiha's voice, a seriousness that went beyond his normally reserved nature.
"Sure, I'll see if I can get some time with the Hokage."
Li Shang replied, noticing the unspoken urgency in Sasuke's request. He nodded and began walking towards Ramen Ichiraku, his mind already processing what Sasuke might want to discuss.
That's when he felt someone quickly approach from behind.
"Neji-chan!"
Ino approached, smiling. There was something predatory in that smile, like a cat that had just found a particularly interesting mouse. Her blonde hair shone under the lantern light, and she had changed her towel for a casual purple dress that accentuated her curves.
"Are you going to Ichiraku?"
Li Shang, surprised, confirmed: "Yes."
'Didn't this girl used to chase Sasuke? Why is she so interested in me?'
Li Shang knew that since he started cultivating, this body had changed a lot. His physique could be considered perfect by common standards. The vast majority of impurities had been purified through cultivation, each meridian cleansed and strengthened. The beauty of his Tenseigan eyes surprised even himself when he looked in the mirror.
'Maybe it's just youthful curiosity, hehehe.'
"Can I accompany you?"
Ino asked, approaching and hugging his arm between her breasts without any hesitation or shame. The contact was deliberate, calculated to cause a reaction.
"Of course."
Li Shang calmly agreed. He didn't care much for a flirtation of this level. In his previous life, he had known courtesans from sects who made Ino look like an amateur. This was just... light entertainment.
The two walked through the streets of Konoha, Ino maintaining physical contact the entire time, occasionally leaning closer as she spoke. Some passersby cast curious glances, some elders shaking their heads in disapproval, while other young people looked on with obvious envy.
When they arrived at Ichiraku, Teuchi greeted them with his usual smile.
"Neji-kun! And Ino-chan! What a surprise to see you two together!"
There was a tone of approval in his voice that made Ino smile even wider.
"Two bowls of miso, please!"
Ino ordered before Li Shang could speak, settling onto the bench beside him, their shoulders touching despite there being enough space.
"So, Neji-chan."
Ino began as they waited for the ramen, turning to face him with her bright blue eyes.
"You never told me. Do you have someone special in your life?"
Li Shang calmly took a sip of water.
"Not at the moment."
"Really?"
Ino leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"A handsome, strong, mysterious boy like you? I thought there would be a line of girls behind you!"
"I'm usually busy with training."
Li Shang replied diplomatically.
"Not much time left for... other activities."
"That sounds boring."
Ino pouted, a gesture that probably worked on most boys.
"You need to have more fun! Go out, relax, meet people..."
She drew lazy circles on the counter with her finger.
"Meet girls."
The ramen arrived, saving Li Shang from having to answer immediately. He began to eat with his usual elegance, each movement precise and controlled.
Ino watched, clearly impressed.
"Even eating, you're refined. How do you do that?"
"Practice."
Li Shang replied simply, picking up more noodles.
"What about you, Ino? I thought you were interested in Sasuke."
It was the wrong move. Ino laughed, a musical sound that attracted glances from other customers.
"Sasuke-kun is... complicated. And lately I've been thinking that maybe I was chasing the wrong person."
She leaned in, her shoulder pressing against his.
"Maybe I should look for someone who truly appreciates female attention."
'This girl is persistent.'
Li Shang thought, but he couldn't deny that there was something refreshing about her frankness. At least she was honest about her intentions.
"You know."
Ino continued between bites of ramen.
"I was really impressed with what you did. Defeating Danzou like that? That's... incredible. You inspired me."
"Inspired?"
"Yes!"
Ino nodded animatedly with her chopsticks.
"It made me realize that I need to train more, get stronger. In fact, I was thinking... maybe we could train together sometimes?"
She batted her eyelashes.
"You could teach me some techniques. I learn fast, you know. Very fast. And I'm very... flexible."
Li Shang almost choked on his ramen. Almost. He maintained his composure, but there was genuine amusement in his eyes.
'Sasuke always put up with this and never gave in?'
He thought with renewed admiration for the Uchiha.
'The young man was truly focused on his revenge, because Ino is beautiful and very forward.'
"Training together would be... interesting."
Li Shang finally replied, choosing his words carefully.
"But my methods are intense. You would have to be prepared for—"
"Oh, I'm prepared for anything."
Ino interrupted, her smile becoming even more suggestive.
"Anything at all. I'm a kunoichi, Neji-chan. I can handle anything you... throw at me."
Li Shang was about to respond when he felt a familiar presence approaching. A presence that carried dense chakra and an unmistakable aura of authority.
"So you were here."
Tsunade's voice cut through the noise of Ichiraku like a blade. She stood at the entrance, her amber eyes fixed on Li Shang and Ino. More specifically, on how close they were sitting.
"I was looking for you."
Ino straightened immediately, her expression changing to a more respectful one, but the smile didn't completely disappear.
"Tsunade-sama! What a surprise!"
Tsunade approached, and there was something in her expression that Li Shang couldn't quite decipher. Her eyes swept over the scene: Ino pressed against Li Shang, both eating ramen together, the atmosphere clearly intimate.
"Ino."
Tsunade said, her voice maintaining a tone of authority that left no room for discussion.
"Shouldn't you be home by now?"
"Oh, yes!"
Ino quickly stood up, but not before leaning in and whispering in Li Shang's ear:
"We'll continue this later, Neji-chan."
She turned to Tsunade with her best professional smile.
"I had a great time today! Good night, Tsunade-sama, Neji-chan!"
With a final wink at Li Shang, Ino left, her blonde hair swaying as she disappeared into the night.
Li Shang placed money on the counter, paying for both, and stood up to follow Tsunade. The Hokage was already walking, waiting for him to accompany her.
"What did you want, Tsunade-sama?"
Li Shang asked politely as he caught up with her steps.
"Just to talk."
Tsunade replied, her voice short and dry.
They walked in silence for a few moments. Li Shang noticed the stiffness in Tsunade's shoulders, the way her fists were slightly clenched.
"About what?"
He tried again.
"The cultivation technique you taught me."
Tsunade replied abruptly.
"I want to discuss progression. Better methods. Practical applications."
Her voice had a sharp quality that Li Shang was beginning to recognize. She was annoyed for some reason.
'Did I really go after a boy because I wanted company for a drink?'
Tsunade thought as they walked, her mind a whirlwind of confusion.
'And now I'm annoyed because I saw him with a girl his age? This is ridiculous. I'm the Hokage. I'm older than him. It makes no sense at all.'
But even so, the image of Ino pressed against Li Shang, whispering in his ear, made something uncomfortable churn in her stomach.
"Tsunade-sama."
Li Shang spoke softly, his Tenseigan eyes shining slightly in the darkness.
"You seem... tense. Did something happen?"
"No."
Tsunade replied too quickly.
"Just... just come with me. We can discuss it at my house. With sake. I need sake."
Li Shang followed, a small smile touching his lips. He had an extremely developed divine consciousness. He could read microexpressions, changes in chakra flow, alterations in body temperature.
And all of this led him to a very interesting conclusion.
'Could it be...?'
He thought, but kept his thoughts to himself.
For now, he would simply follow the annoyed Hokage through the night streets of Konoha and see where this night would take them.
After all, even a cultivator needed some entertainment occasionally.