New Shuchi'in Academy's Service Club.
That's right, even though they had moved to the other side of the Pacific Ocean, the Service Club was still there.
Previously, this club was able to be established at Shuchi'in Academy in Japan because Yukino had asked Hiratsuka to pull some strings for her.
But this time, she really didn't ask anyone. She just submitted the club application, and the student council approved it immediately.
The reason was simple… because she was a superpower user.
Although Yukino had little presence among the currently known superpower users worldwide, she was indeed a superpower user.
At this moment, the two Yukinoshita sisters were sitting facing each other in the club room.
"What do you want to talk about, Nee-san?"
Yukino sat by the window as usual, with a novel on the adjacent desk to pass the time after school.
In the past, Yukino mostly read traditional literature or light and fresh novels like [Love Metronome].
And now, the book placed there was none other than Utaha's newly published work, [Naruto].
That's right, Yukino had read Utaha's first work, [Love Metronome].
Although its sales weren't great, Yukino quite liked it.
Because of that, she used to have a bit of a favorable impression of Utaha.
However, as that black-stockinged, seductive woman became Makoto's woman and wrote [Naruto], Yukino's goodwill towards her was completely spent.
Even though [Naruto]received more praise and sold better.
Yeah, very realistic.
You have to know that the worst criticism for a novel author isn't readers cursing or personal attacks, but 'I'm an old bookworm, I like this niche style you write'… that's the devastating blow for the author.
"It's been about a year since you were first chosen by that Reincarnation Game, hasn't it, Yukino?"
After sitting down, Haruno looked around the empty classroom. "Still haven't made any friends?"
Yukino jolted and said, "First, we need to define the concept of a friend..."
'Wow, starting the combo again, is she?'
In the past, Haruno would definitely show an expression like she was looking at a beloved doll and quietly listen to her sister's self-righteous speech.
But now, for some reason, Haruno didn't have that patience.
"Yukino, you've improved a lot."
Haruno interrupted her sister, but still decided to give a carrot before the stick.
Yukino looked at her in surprise, not knowing what her sister wanted.
Haruno continued, "Before, you were like a little hedgehog. Whoever touched you would get pricked, and sometimes you would even actively go and prick others."
"After going through so many transmigrations, you've restrained yourself a bit. You've learned to put your quills away, although you still can't help but show them sometimes."
Although what happened this morning, in many people's eyes, Yukino was incredibly bold to dare speak to one of Makoto's women like that.
But actually, this was already a watered-down version.
In the past, Yukino would have been arguing with Utaha on the street, or even worse, possibly having another Chunin Exam showdown.
Although just before Haruno arrived, she was about to lose it, she managed to hold back.
Hearing her sister's words, Yukino couldn't help but feel a bit strange, 'Was this praise or criticism?'
Then, Haruno changed tack: "But you know, Yukino, doing this is far from enough."
"What?"
"Not just when facing Commander Nishikawa, but also when facing his companions and subordinates, you must show absolute humility... no, at least a respectful attitude."
Hearing this, Yukino fell silent for a while, then said, "Nee-san, what happened this morning..."
"It was Utaha's fault, I know." Haruno sighed, interrupting her beloved sister again.
She had already looked into it... after all, there were so many students present at the time.
Indeed, to be fair, Utaha was the aggressive one.
But even if it was Utaha's fault, so what?
Haruno stated the cruel truth: "But the problem, Yukino, is that this isn't a matter of right or wrong."
"She is Makoto's... Commander Nishikawa's woman, and that's enough."
Halfway through, Haruno quickly corrected herself, afraid that someone might hear her addressing Makoto by name directly.
Since the American campaign, Makoto's fanatical followers had been increasing.
Some even wouldn't allow others to address Makoto by name directly.
Yukino's head sank lower and lower.
Haruno sighed deeply, "So, Yukino, stop going against the godly being that is Nishikawa."
"How am I going against him? I've been trying to avoid him as much as possible..."
Even Yukino couldn't help but feel wronged at this moment.
She couldn't help but think of Yu, who almost hit her with a Leo Kick before the last transmigration.
That guy also suspected she was going to sneak attack Makoto.
Yukino sometimes really wondered if these people thought too highly of her? Did she even have that kind of ability?
Haruno sighed, "Avoiding him is itself an act of going against him."
"Haven't you read history? The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was very harsh on his ministers, which led many of them not wanting to serve in the court and submitting resignations. You should know what happened to them."
"By avoiding Nishikawa-sama now, you're just like those ministers who resigned to that emperor. It's a sign of disrespect."
"Th-this is too unreasonable, isn't it?" Yukino laughed at the absurdity.
She had indeed read history, but experiencing it personally was another matter.
"Yes, it is unreasonable. Just like when the American military was stationed in our Japan, what could Prime Minister Ooka, who died at Nishikawa-sama's hands, dare to say?"
Yukino fell silent again. Not to mention Prime Minister Ooka, even America had now fallen to Makoto.
"You heard Nishikawa-sama's speech earlier, didn't you?"
Finally, Haruno delivered the killing blow. "Do you remember what he said? 'If there are those who don't trust me, then leave my country.' You haven't forgotten whose land you're standing on now and who's protecting you, have you?"
Protection.
At this word, no matter how eloquent Yukino was, she had nothing to say.
That's right, this was an ironclad fact that she couldn't deny… she was standing on Makoto's land, and thus under his protection.
Yukino might have a sharp tongue, but she wasn't one to lie through her teeth.
"Then, what do you want me to do, Nee-san?" Yukino looked up reluctantly.
"Let's buy a gift and go pay a visit. At the very least, we need to show our attitude, and... I still hope we can repair our relationship with Mom."
In the end, Yukino nodded.
To say that after her sister's guidance, her attitude towards Makoto had instantly changed from resistance to adoration… that was certainly impossible.
But at least she understood that even if she had to pretend, she had to pretend to be respectful.
And Yukino genuinely wanted to repair the relationship with Mrs. Yukinoshita.
As the Yukinoshita sisters left the school gate, as luck would have it, they ran into the group of Makoto's companions who were preparing to head to Nakano Hospital.
"Oh~ if it isn't Miss Justice. What a coincidence." Utaha said sarcastically.
Yeah, 'Miss Justice' was the nickname she gave Yukino, because back when she was still at the Service Club in Japan, she had also heard Yukino's outrageously self-righteous remarks.
In the past, even the Yukino from this morning would have snapped back at Utaha.
But now...
"I'm sorry, Kasumigaoka-senpai. I was too immature this morning." Yukino bowed her head.
Haruno beside her added, "Are you all heading back to the palace? We would like to pay a visit as well. If you don't mind, could we join you?"
Looking at the bowing Yukino, Utaha, Megumi, the Aizono sisters, and the others, who had also known her for decades, were all dumbfounded.
'Was she, was she really Yukinoshita Yukino? Could some other player be using the Transformation Technique?'
"Have you lost your mind?"
Utaha, who had been ready for a verbal showdown, was also stunned, 'Had this flat girl been possessed?'
However, Yukino just repeated her previous words expressionlessly: "I was too immature this morning. If there's anything I can do to make up for my mistake, please don't hesitate to ask, Senpai."
But although her mouth said this, Yukino's face showed no trace of apology.
It wasn't that she was deliberately showing it to Utaha... she just couldn't fake it.
Seeing Yukino like this, Utaha and the others knew she was submitting externally but not internally.
'Thank goodness, she hadn't been possessed.'
"Tch, how boring."
Utaha stared at Yukino for a moment, curled her lip, and waved her hand, "No need to tell Makoto. I didn't take it to heart, and I certainly won't retaliate against you."
In truth, Utaha just wanted someone to argue with.
How to put it, it was kind of a hobby.
She usually enjoyed bickering with other girls. Before, it was with Eriri, but after spending four years together in the Naruto World, they had become friends.
Plus, she had received favors from Sayuri, so she didn't feel comfortable trading barbs like before.
Her other best friend, Megumi, was too gentle to argue with.
This meant that when Utaha occasionally had a fit of venomous tongue, she needed a target.
And Yukino was undoubtedly the most suitable.
But now that she had softened, Utaha suddenly found it boring.
It's like playing a game... the enemy has to fight back for it to be fun. If they just stand there and let you chop them, how are you supposed to play?