"Two-Tails?", Tsunade's expression turned serious, "Can you confirm that?"
Aoba nodded, "Kagura's Mind Eye can sense chakra deep within a ninja. That should definitely be tailed beast chakra."
[A/N: Karin sensed the Nine-Tails chakra inside Naruto before]
"Looks like Kumogakure isn't being honest either," Tsunade gritted her teeth, her attention completely diverted.
"Regardless of whether Kumo and Suna are collaborating, they'll definitely kick us while we're down when the time comes," Aoba voiced his speculation.
Tsunade clenched her fists upon hearing that. She looked at Aoba and said seriously, "Two tailed beasts, Rasa, and that Akatsuki organization... I think we need to call off this Chunin Exam early."
Losing face was a small matter.
"Sensei, they're just Jinchuriki. It's hard for them to fully bring out a tailed beast's power," Aoba gave Tsunade a reassuring look.
"As long as I use the Wooden Figure Technique, everything will be under control."
He felt like he was only missing a little mustache to match the vibe when he said that.
However, Tsunade's expression remained heavy. Tailed beasts were weapons of mass destruction in war.
In terms of threat to villages, they were even more terrifying than the Kage.
Although she trusted this brat, she was still worried he might have underestimated the power of the tailed beasts.
"Show me your Wooden Figure Technique."
"No problem."
Aoba immediately got up and walked toward Tsunade.
"What are you trying to do...", Watching Aoba approach her, Tsunade looked suspicious, "You brat! What are you doing?"
But before she could finish her sentence, Aoba scooped her up in a princess carry.
This made Tsunade both shy and angry, struggling like a little girl.
"Sensei, didn't you say you wanted to see the Wooden Figure Technique? I'll use Flying Thunder God to take you to the Forest of Death," Aoba held her even tighter.
"You rebellious disciple! We're going to the Shikkotsu Forest!", Tsunade's pretty face turned bright red. It was the first time she had been held like this, and the person doing it was her own student.
"Oh…"
"Aren't you going to put me down now?"
"Alright then…"
"What kind of regretful tone was that?"
———
"You're saying you met a boy just now, and he gave you a lot of pressure?"
Inside the room, the Suna squad's team leader, Jonin Baki, frowned as he spoke. His gaze swept over the three and finally landed on Gaara.
"How could that be? Are you sure that kid didn't use some kind of trick?"
But Gaara fell silent, not even bothering to explain.
Baki was helpless. With Gaara's temperament, aside from Rasa, only Temari could get a few words out of him.
So Baki turned to Kankuro, whose head was wrapped in bandages.
"You really got knocked out with just one punch?"
Kankuro could only nod. When he spoke, his voice leaked air, his words unclear, "He was too fast, and really strong. I couldn't react at all."
"What's his name?"
"Aoba."
Temari answered for him.
"Aoba?", Baki exclaimed in surprise.
"Sensei, you know him?", Temari looked at him curiously.
"He's the Hokage's student. He should have just graduated from the ninja academy. I didn't expect him to already be this strong," Baki's tone was serious, with a hint of military decisiveness.
"But there's no need to worry. No matter how strong he is, he's still just a kid who just graduated."
Baki believed that even if Aoba was a genius, at best he'd be around Kakashi's level at that age, roughly Jonin level.
Not enough to warrant too much concern.
As for Gaara feeling pressure. Well, without using Shukaku's power, Gaara's strength was just average.
He wasn't too concerned, but his three students were already deep in thought.
"Hokage's student, huh…"
———
"You didn't go out shopping this afternoon?", Returning home after some in-depth "communication" with Tsunade at the Shikkotsu Forest, Aoba asked upon walking in.
Mei Terumi and the others were still at home.
Only Ino had left, probably to the training field.
Kurotsuchi seemed a little better, but still a bit withdrawn.
"Onee-san doesn't actually like shopping, she likes going shopping with you," From the sofa, Mei Terumi threw a flirty glance at Aoba.
"This…", Aoba sweatdropped.
This Onee-san really was constantly trying to seduce him.
Yakumo and Hinata glared angrily at Mei Terumi.
"Want to go out for a walk now?"
"If it's a date, Onee-san would love to," Mei Terumi blinked, her eyes full of expectation.
"Keep dreaming. Go if you want. Aoba, let's go," Yakumo immediately pushed Aoba toward the door.
"...", Watching Aoba being half-pushed, Mei Terumi couldn't help feeling irritated.
'Can't this brat take the initiative even once?'
The Chunin Exams were about to begin. Once the Kirigakure team arrived, she'd have to move out.
And yet she still hadn't locked this kid down.
Whenever they went out, those little girls tagged along. And when they came back, there was a big boss waiting.
The atmosphere was fine, but without alone time, she had no chance to deepen their relationship.
"Wait for me!", Mei Terumi still followed them out.
After all, there were only so many days left to play.
As for the originally sulking Kurotsuchi, seeing everyone heading out and about to leave her alone, she didn't even have time to stay depressed. She quickly scampered after them.
But along the way, she turned her grief into appetite, eating whatever she could get.
Her belly was even rounder than yesterday.
———
By evening, the group returned to the Senju ancestral home.
"You still want to challenge me?", Aba looked at Kurotsuchi, who was carrying bags and packages, and asked teasingly.
Kurotsuchi puffed up her round little face.
Then looked at Yakumo, "Between you and Yakumo, who's stronger?"
"Well…", Aoba rubbed his chin and thought for a moment, "Yakumo's genjutsu is pretty tricky even for me."
"Really…", Kurotsuchi rubbed her round tummy, her eyes spinning with thought.
"I ate too much today, can't use my full strength. Let's do it tomorrow," After saying that, she didn't give Aoba a chance to reply, grabbed her stuff, and ran off.
"This girl…", Aoba left Mei Terumi behind and went to walk Yakumo and Hinata home.
As for why walk them back alone, obviously for some adult activities.
———
[Late at Night]
Aoba lay alone in bed. Completely confused.
Normally, Yugao was the most eager one, but tonight she actually let him sleep alone.
When he asked her why, she said to let him rest for a day.
This left him even more confused.
'Could it be… I am being looked down upon by Yugao-nee?'
'But this might also be a good opportunity.'
Recently, he'd almost finished dealing with that Gato's assets.
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