Ino was experiencing her very first kiss.
Her reaction was shy and flustered.
Shinho, as the Hokage, naturally took it upon himself to teach her properly.
Under his tongue-to-tongue instruction, Ino gradually adapted.
After a long while, their lips finally separated.
Ino slightly parted her glistening lips, breathing in fresh air.
Her eyes were unfocused, her mind still a complete blank.
Shinho's sudden initiative today had caught her entirely off guard.
But she wasn't angry, in fact, she was delighted.
The only thing that puzzled her was just how skilled Shinho seemed to be.
Ino collected herself, suppressing the wild thoughts racing through her mind.
She pursed her lips; in the warm, charged atmosphere, she looked a bit lost.
"Feeling okay?"
Shinho wiggled his fingers, letting them glide gently across her abdomen.
"I—I'm fine..."
Ino noticed his touch, and the blush on her face became even more pronounced.
"I mean your cultivation," Shinho clarified with a faint smile.
"Huh?"
Realizing his meaning, Ino lowered her head and spoke in a small voice, "It's…about ten times my usual progress."
Her golden bangs quivered with each word.
"That's good."
Shinho reached out to pat her hair. "Whenever you have the time, come by my office. I'll help you train."
"Mm."
Ino felt both touched and happy at the news, because it meant she could see him more often.
"I should get going now."
Glancing outside at the sky, Shinho spoke up.
"Huh?"
Ino reflexively grabbed his wrist and asked, unwilling to let go, "Won't you stay for dinner?"
"I still have some business to attend to."
Shinho looked at her, then abruptly leaned in again.
Ino's pupils dilated briefly, but she quickly yielded to his advance, meeting his passionate kiss.
She wasn't sure how much time passed before she finally snapped out of her daze, only to discover that Shinho was already gone.
She touched her still-damp lips with her index finger, a blissful smile appearing on her face.
Before long, Shinho arrived at the Hyuga Clan compound.
He had spent so much time helping Ino train that it was already past typical work and school hours.
"Lord Hokage!"
Two Hyuga shinobi guarding the gate greeted him excitedly.
Aside from their respect for his title, another reason for their enthusiasm was his role in abolishing the Caged Bird Seal.
Though it was largely Hinata's initiative, she had made sure everyone knew it was Shinho's plan.
"… …"
Shinho wasn't yet used to being greeted so warmly.
He recalled the awkward scene from the previous night, when an overzealous crowd had nearly blocked his way.
Being too popular had its drawbacks.
He gave them a nod, then stepped into the courtyard. The two Hyuga guards did nothing to stop him.
Normally, they would have gone to announce a visitor, receiving permission before letting anyone inside. But for Shinho, there was no need.
After a brief pause, he headed toward Hinata's room.
He was just about to knock when the door slowly swung open.
"Shinho? Is it really you?"
A gentle smile appeared on Hinata's face.
She had sensed his presence a moment ago, but she had worried it was just her wishful imagination.
"What, you think there's a fake me?"
Shinho casually shut the door behind him and stepped inside.
A second later, a small figure suddenly appeared, it was Hanabi.
She hesitated for a few seconds before activating her Byakugan.
The scene before her eyes made her instinctively cover her mouth, her cheeks flushing bright red as her heart pounded.
Hanabi glanced down at herself, feeling an inexplicable wave of frustration.
"So that's what Brother-in-law likes…?"
She forced down her embarrassment but continued watching intently.
Shinho raised an eyebrow slightly. This little sister-in-law clearly had some ulterior motives.
But he didn't pay it too much mind as he was busy enough.
He leaned in toward Hinata again, her face blushing crimson, and took yet another kiss.
Unlike Ino, Hinata had become quite adept at reciprocating. She had once been an innocent girl who knew nothing, yet now she exuded an enchanting allure.
A small sense of pride surfaced in Shinho's heart.
After all, this was entirely his doing. Well, with two hands, of course.
After a while, he finally stopped.
Hinata was left panting, looking as though she might faint.
The strange tingling that coursed through her body gradually faded, and her gaze refocused.
"Hinata."
Shinho reached out and smoothed the creases from her clothes.
"Mm?"
Hinata looked up at him, her eyes still dreamy.
"I came today to see Hanabi," Shinho said with a smile.
But once the words left his mouth, he felt a hint of awkwardness.
"Hanabi is in her room," Hinata said, tilting her head.
She seemed oblivious to the oddness of his statement.
"I want her to become a Gu Master," Shinho added.
"Realy!! Thank you Shinho-kun!" Hinata responded at once, her voice full of gratitude.
She was already a Gu Master herself, so she knew perfectly well how primaeval essence and Gu worms could boost a ninja's strength.
"It's nothing."
Shinho extended his finger and placed it against Hinata's lips, but she parted her lips and bit down on it softly.
The warm sensation made him swallow hard.
She really was a seductive minx without even realizing it.
He pulled his hand back and gave her a firm smack on the backside, cupping a handful and kneading it right after.
Hinata let out a muffled whimper, her cheeks flushing scarlet as she lowered her head.
"Next time, let's train in some new things," Shinho said, taking a deep breath.
Of all people, he suffered the most from these 'training sessions,' so he figured it was time to switch methods.
"Mm."
Hinata's voice was small and soft, equal parts shy and expectant.
Shinho turned around to open the door, only to find Hanabi in the distance, meeting his gaze.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment, then she bolted in a panic.
Shinho casually shut the door, and his body flickered away.
A sudden thud sounded as someone had collided with him.
"B-Brother-in-law…"
Hanabi stopped in her tracks, her cheeks tinged with pink as she spoke nervously.
"What did you see?"
Shinho's lips curved into a faint smile.
"N-nothing!"
Hanabi shook her head hastily. "I didn't see anything!"
"Oh?"
Shinho reached out to pinch her chin. "Lying to your teacher isn't the best idea."
"… …"
Hanabi's heart lurched, and at last, she confessed honestly, "S-sorry, Brother-in-law."
To apologize is to have a guilty conscience.
Shinho simply patted her on the head. "Don't let it happen again."
"Alright!"
Hanabi let out a silent sigh of relief.
Next time, I definitely won't let him catch me.
"You mentioned last time you wanted to become stronger, right?"
Shinho held out his hand, revealing three Ice Path Gu worms as he explained the concept of becoming a Gu Master.
"Wow, I see now!"
Hanabi's eyes lit up.
She observed the unusual Gu worms with keen curiosity before suddenly registering his implication.
"Brother-in-law, are these…for me?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Yeah."
Shinho nodded.
"You're the best!"
Overjoyed, Hanabi threw her arms around him.
Because of her shorter stature, she could only wrap her arms around his chest.
Realizing how close she was being, she blushed even more.
Cautiously, she stole a glance at Shinho. Seeing that he didn't seem to mind, she only clung more tightly.
"I'll take you somewhere so you can become a true Gu Master."
Shinho placed his hands on her shoulders.
In the blink of an eye, they were inside his blessed land.
"It's so beautiful!"
Hanabi looked at the softly glowing underground river, exclaiming in admiration.
"You really are just like your sister," Shinho said with a laugh. "Walk forward toward the far bank, as far as you can."
Hanabi paused momentarily, then slipped off her shoes, revealing her delicate, fair feet.
Wading into the river, she received the Hope Gu's light, which merged into her body.
In the end, like Hinata, she turned out to have a Rank B aptitude.
"Try using the Frost Demon Gu," Shinho said, a note of anticipation in his voice.
Hanabi nodded.
Since she was only a Rank One Gu Master, she had to rely on Shinho's power to use the Gu worm. She wouldn't be able to wield the Frost Demon Gu freely until she reached Rank Three.
A piercing chill filled the air, and the temperature around them plummeted.
In the blink of an eye, Hanabi's flesh and blood transformed into ice, her skin gleaming with a thin layer of frost.
But unlike Hinata's Snow Fairy Gu, Hanabi's transformation remained largely human in appearance.
Shinho reached out and poked her cheek.
It was cold but still soft.
"Get used to this power. If you have questions about cultivation, you can ask your sister," Shinho said after observing her for a moment.
"Then…can I ask you, too?"
Hanabi hesitated, then hesitantly asked the question.
"Of course."
Shinho tapped her forehead lightly.
She certainly had a lot on her mind, but who could say no to a cute girl?
Hearing that, Hanabi's eyes curved into a happy smile. For some reason, along with the excitement, she felt a strange little thrill.
"I'll take you back."
Shinho then returned with her to the Hyuga Clan residence.
"Brother-in-law, do you want to stay for dinner?"
Hanabi asked, skipping a little as she walked.
"I'll eat at home."
Shinho shook his head.
"Alright."
Hanabi watched reluctantly as he left.
When she snapped out of her daze, she saw Hinata nearby and guiltily looked away.
…
Somewhere in the deserts of the Land of Wind, Sasuke and Naruto stood waiting.
After a few moments, a gray toad appeared.
"Gamakichi, what's the situation?"
Naruto asked immediately.
"The group led by Haido came to the Land of Wind to track down an elderly man named Kahiko," Gamakichi replied in a low voice.
"Where are they now?"
Sasuke asked flatly, showing no emotion.
"They're heading east," Gamakichi said, eyeing Sasuke.
It was a toad who, under Fukasaku's orders, had been assisting Naruto.
"Alright, let's go!"
Naruto revved up with enthusiasm.
Sasuke said nothing more and darted eastward at full speed.
"Hey, wait up!"
Naruto quickly followed.
Half an hour later, they caught sight of Haido and his group.
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