Huh? Why... doesn't it hurt yet?
Although Chiba had instinctively hunched his shoulders and tucked his head in the posture of someone bracing for a beating, the searing pain he had imagined—like a nuclear bomb exploding above his head—never came. That left him rather confused.
Yet at that moment, he did not dare open his eyes. He was afraid that the instant he did, the fist would arrive, catching him off guard when the pain hit. Better than crying out and being laughed at later.
After all, Hyuga Yukyō was here.
And he had just screwed Hirohiko over. With Nao backing him up, Hirohiko might very well join Snow Eagle in mocking him.
Or coordinate with Snow Eagle to mock him.
"You've grown so tall. I can barely reach you now."
Just as Chiba was feeling puzzled, Kushina's wistful voice suddenly rang out.
"Pfft!"
Then, a warm palm landed on top of his head and gently rubbed it.
"Some of your hair has turned white."
After that came a soft, slightly husky voice.
"Teacher Kushina..."
Feeling the warmth on his head and hearing that husky, gentle voice by his ear, Chiba opened his eyes in mild astonishment. He looked ahead at the beautiful red-haired woman, who was practically standing on tiptoe as she lightly rested her hand on his head, and spoke in shock.
"How could I possibly hit you now? You've already grown up."
Seeing Chiba's stunned expression, Kushina—whose eyes had somehow reddened—smiled faintly and gently patted his head as she spoke.
Though her eyes brimmed with tears, her words were full of pride.
"You two, come here too!"
Then, after withdrawing her hand from Chiba's head, Kushina turned to Hirohiko and Yukina.
"Yes."
Hirohiko and Yukina almost instinctively nodded in response. Then they instinctively stepped forward and stopped