The entrance of the Ninja Academy, amidst the astonished gazes of many parents, a blond-haired kid was dragging a dark-haired kid's arm and sprinting wildly, showing no signs of stopping.
"Kids these days are so open!"
A parent, not having time to sigh, looked back and saw their own child happily running towards them, a smile appearing on their face as they opened their arms to embrace their child.
"Still so childish even at this age!"
Though saying so, they were secretly delighted, realizing they were still relied upon by their child!
"Quick! Catch up, don't let them get away!"
The brown-haired boy, who was at the front, glanced at his father and said in a mature tone, "How can you still be so immature at your age!"
With that, he led the others out, following Naruto and Sasuke.
*Rumble...*
The brown-haired boy's father's hands froze in mid-air, the smile on his face solidified, and a blizzard began to drift in his heart, chilling him to the bone!
It seems I haven't hit him enough; this little brat really deserves a beating!
The father of the brown-haired boy was not the only one with this thought. Most of the boys' parents were ignored. However, to avoid appearing awkward, they all said to those around them,
"It's good for kids to be energetic!"
Turning away, their expressions turned grim, their fists clenched, and they vowed to give their little brat a beating when they got home that night!
Lin Yu stood by the swing with an umbrella, looking up at the sky in confusion. Although the rain was light, why were they all wearing raincoats instead of holding umbrellas? Was this also a custom?
Lin Yu was puzzled. As for why a group of people were chasing Naruto and Sasuke, Lin Yu had no intention of investigating. What was there to be curious about in the affairs of elementary school students!
It would be more enjoyable to toy with them when they grew up a little. Lin Yu wouldn't do anything as cruel as bullying children!
Before long, Hinata, wearing a small hood and carrying her schoolbag, walked out slowly. She seemed to be in a good mood, though she appeared a bit dazed and cute.
Lin Yu walked up, took Hinata's small hand, and said, "How about we go eat at Ichiraku Ramen tonight?"
"Mhm!"
Hinata nodded her little head, swallowed gently, then thought of her appetite and blushed again.
Today, she'll eat three... no, two bowls!
Two figures, one big and one small, slowly disappeared into the rain...
...
At night, atop a towering mountain peak, a fortress that resembled a sky castle was stationed there. Below was a thick layer of clouds, making its full appearance invisible from the ground.
This was the temporary base of the Immortal Organization. Periodically, this aerial base would change its location, sometimes resting on mountain peaks, sometimes in swamps, and sometimes in dense forests.
When the location would change depended entirely on Orochimaru's mood, as the process of materializing and simplifying the control panel required actual operation and practice step-by-step.
Lin Yu was fine with Orochimaru's wishes, as long as they weren't exposed to the world. He was terrible with directions anyway, so he could just teleport to the base!
Currently, in the base's female dormitory, Mei Terumi, having just showered, was admiring her perfect figure in the mirror, occasionally sticking out her sexy tongue to lick her lips, striking a seductive pose.
"No matter how I look at it, I'm much prettier than that woman, Yakura!"
Mei Terumi was showing off her figure in front of the mirror. The bath towel draped around her slipped halfway down, revealing fair, smooth skin. Her slender legs were vaguely visible, but it was a pity no one could appreciate this scene.
Mei Terumi reached out and cupped her ample chest, looking smug. "Just for this, that woman Yakura can't compete with me!"
*Tap, tap, tap...*
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled Mei Terumi. She quickly re-wrapped her towel and threw on a coat. Who could it be at this hour?
Definitely not that scumbag Lin Yu!
He would never knock if he came looking for her; he would just appear instantly, then her blood pressure would spike, her head would spin, and then she wouldn't know anything else!
Mei Terumi gritted her teeth. He was bullying her so much; she would find a chance to melt that man sooner or later!
As for who would come looking for her at this hour, it was most likely that woman Yakura.
*Creak... indeed!*
"Good evening!" Yakura greeted Mei Terumi with a forced smile.
Mei Terumi rolled her eyes at Yakura, her arm, emitting a faint fragrance, resting on the door frame, blocking Yakura from entering. She said sleepily, "What is it? Beautiful women should be sleeping at this hour."
"Oh, I can't sleep at night, and I wanted to chat with you. You know, it's just the two of us women in the organization."
Yakura was inwardly shouting: Mei Terumi, who are you kidding! The sun just set, and you want to sleep? Your nightlife is just beginning, isn't it!
"Tsk! Do you think I'd believe that?" Mei Terumi's alluring face looked at Yakura with a hint of knowingness, then she moved her arm and walked towards the inner room.
"If you have something to say, then say it. But whether I help you depends on my mood."
Yakura immediately wanted to turn and leave, but thinking that she didn't know many people and Mei Terumi was barely one of them, she suppressed the urge to pull Mei Terumi's hair and walked in.
Yakura took a deep breath. She wasn't the type of woman who liked to pretend. Since Mei Terumi told her to speak directly, she wouldn't beat around the bush.
"I've come to borrow money from you!"
"Pfft!"
The milk Mei Terumi had just drunk sprayed out in one go. Streaks of white liquid clung to her rosy lips, and even a little splashed onto her delicate collarbone, making Yakura blush slightly.
This woman is truly a temptress!
"What did you say? Borrow money from me?"
Yakura nodded and said in a deep voice, "I need a sum of money to hire ninjas from the Akatsuki. There's a revenge I must have!"
Yakura looked at Mei Terumi seriously. "I still have over twenty million Ryo. If you lend me another thirty million Ryo, I will definitely repay you in the future!"
Mei Terumi fell silent. She had heard about Yakura's revenge, but apart from offering sympathy, there was also a hint of helplessness.
Mei Terumi was once a high-ranking official in the Hidden Mist Village. She knew that sometimes personal interests had to be sacrificed for the sake of the village. She disdained this deeply, feeling indignant.
But reality was cruel. On matters of overall strategy, compromises and sacrifices had to be made.
The Hidden Sand Village was like this, and the Hidden Mist Village was no different. Mei Terumi sighed inwardly. The Hidden Mist Village had been increasingly unstable lately; she didn't know what had happened.
"I want to help you, but I..."
Mei Terumi's face flushed, and she said softly, "I've spent it all. I only have a little over a million Ryo left for food."
"What!"
Yakura's expression changed immediately. Without money, she had no reason to give Mei Terumi face. She said angrily, "You earned more bounty than I did, so why do you only have a million Ryo left? Where did the money go!"
Mei Terumi blinked in surprise, then quickly recovered, putting her hands on her hips and retorting, "What business is it of yours! Don't I need money for clothes and maintenance!"
"How many clothes did you buy?"
"Not many, just enough that ten wardrobes can't hold them all."
"..."
Yakura thought of the few clothes in her wardrobe that she had worn for years. Compared to Mei Terumi, she felt like she had lived a dog's life in the first half of her life!
Mei Terumi, you're really a dog!