Danzo, You'll Regret This!

"N-no... I'm fine, Teacher Cangwu. I'm not hungry. I already had breakfast."

Hinata hurriedly sat up and thanked Ino.

Then she shot Cangwu a slightly resentful look, a wisp of black smoke rising in her imagination.

Teacher Cangwu had said something about awakening his memories... and seemed to know a lot about her... He'd even said he wanted to marry her...

But why did he have to say it right in front of Ino...? How embarrassing~!

Ino gave Hinata a knowing smile.

She'd naturally noticed Hinata waking up ages ago, but had kept her eyes closed.

Earlier, whenever Cangwu mentioned her appetite or eating, Hinata's little body had trembled ever so slightly.

Look closely, and you could even see her long eyelashes quivering.

A blush slowly crept across her cheeks.

"I see... Well, let's head back to class for now." Seeing Hinata's resentful little look, Cangwu chuckled.

He'd noticed that Hinata had been awake for quite a while.

But why had Hinata fainted?

"Teacher Cangwu, we'll head back now~"

Ino flashed him a sweet smile, then led Hinata away.

Even after they left the office, Hinata still felt a little dazed.

"Ino... thank you... Also, I-I mean, what happened to me?"

"You suddenly fainted at the school gate."

"Teacher Cangwu happened to be nearby, so he had me help you to the office."

As she spoke, Ino gave Hinata an intrigued look.

"Hinata, I heard you had quite an appetite... Haha, ahem. Why did you suddenly get so excited?"

"When I held you, your cheeks were bright red, like you'd just come out of the oven~"

At that, Hinata's cheeks grew even hotter.

Seeing this, Ino blinked, finding it hard to believe.

This was kind of fun~!

So she leaned closer and whispered, "Could it be... that seeing Teacher Cangwu made you so excited..."

"Mm~!"

Ino: "..."

By the time Hinata woke up again, she was already in the classroom.

Ino was beside her, of course.

Resting her chin on one hand, Ino smiled at Hinata.

This time, though, she didn't go too far.

Hinata didn't know what she'd been thinking about, but her face turned red again.

Seeing Hinata's ears turn red too, Ino felt as if she'd discovered a whole new world.

In a seat not far ahead, the pink-haired girl frowned and turned around.

'Why hasn't Ino-Pig fought me over Sasuke-kun today?'

'Hinata?'

'Since when did those two get so close?'

The pink-haired girl couldn't figure it out. Watching Ino whisper to Hinata with a smile, she felt a strange sensation in her heart.

She glanced at Er Zhuzi and suddenly felt her competitive spirit fading.

After the pink-haired girl turned back around, Ino happened to glance behind her.

Then, almost unconsciously, she looked toward Sasuke.

Suddenly, she felt it was all a little pointless.

She'd discovered her treasure of a teacher back in third grade, and had completely lost interest in Sasuke.

Most of the time, she'd just been messing around with Sakura.

But...

Ino looked again at Hinata, who seemed about to faint from all her teasing.

'So cute~'

How had she never noticed before how cute and fun Hinata was?

No, she couldn't keep wasting her time on pointless squabbles.

She'd make the most of the time they had left at school and tease adorable Hinata to her heart's content~

"What if... I mean, just what if, Teacher Cangwu doesn't turn you down?"

Hinata blinked. Hadn't she just said she liked Teacher Cangwu?

How had it suddenly become a matter of her confessing to him?

Cangwu's words from yesterday came to mind.

And the way he'd looked at girls.

Her face heated up in an instant.

This time, even smoke seemed to rise from her little head.

"Hinata... Hm?!"

Ino was at a loss.

Was she smoking?!

Th-this wasn't scientifically possible~!

Ino got even more excited. She hugged Hinata and whispered again:

"Are you embarrassed?"

"Oh my, looks like I guessed right. But that makes sense. Teacher Cangwu is so handsome—it's only natural you'd fall for him~!"

Hinata hurriedly covered Ino's mouth.

"I-I don't... Don't say things like that..."

For a moment, Hinata even forgot who she was.

She glanced unconsciously at the figure who'd been sent out to stand as punishment.

The feeling... wasn't as strong anymore.

Yesterday's experience had swept away her longing for him.

Because a different longing had appeared—one that stirred her heart even more.

A young girl's feelings weren't complicated.

Ino was the Yamanaka Clan's pride and joy.

All it took was a little probing, and shy little Hinata told her everything.

And just like that, Ino immediately uncovered the true nature of Hinata's longing.

"I-is that so?"

Hinata asked timidly.

Ino crossed her arms and nodded with complete confidence.

"Then... I..."

"That's right. You're doomed—you've fallen in love~!"

Ino said with a grin.

This time, Hinata fainted on the spot.

Of course, she hadn't told Ino everything she'd heard.

For example, she'd left out Cangwu's muttering about his memories returning.

But her mischievous little thoughts had gotten the better of her, and she told Ino that Cangwu had said he wanted to marry her while he was dozing off.

Hinata didn't notice the hint of envy in Ino's eyes.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Hokage's office in the Hokage Building.

Might Guy wheeled Kakashi inside.

Kakashi sat in the wheelchair, looking terrible.

Well... his face was covered by a mask, but those dark circles under his eyes looked very real.

"Kakashi, has your condition improved at all?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with concern.

Kakashi shook his head.

He tried to speak, but the sound that came out was rougher than a croaking duck's.

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand.

"Never mind. In that case, I'll have someone fill in for you for now."

At that, Kakashi closed his eyes.

"Yo~!"

"Right..."

Might Guy was just about to start "rapping" when Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly cut him off.

"In that case, get some proper rest for a while. Kakashi, I'll leave him in your hands, Guy."

"Got it~!"

Once Might Guy had wheeled Kakashi away, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the report in his hand.

They still hadn't found the cause of Kakashi's illness.

And the Ninja Academy graduation was only a week away.

"Have Cangwu come see me."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Whoosh—

As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, a respectful voice sounded behind him.

Poof—

But the moment the Anbu shinobi left,

the Hokage's office door flew open.

It might as well have been kicked in.

" Hiruzen!"

"Since Kakashi can't serve as the Jonin Instructor for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the last surviving Uchiha,"

"then hand them both over to me!"

"I'll return two tools who are absolutely loyal to Konoha!"

The visitor was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi's old flame—Shimura Danzō.

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes as he looked at Danzō. He suddenly suspected that his good friend had something to do with Kakashi's sudden illness.

"No need. I have my own arrangements."

As if. If he handed them over to you, would you ever give them back?

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi reject him without hesitation, Danzō's face darkened at once.

"Hiruzen, have you forgotten how dangerous a Jinchuriki can be?!"

"If you just assign anyone to the job, they'll eventually become a threat to the village!"

"Enough!" Hiruzen Sarutobi cut Danzō off.

"Danzō, I'm the Hokage. This is being carried out under the Hokage's authority. There's no need to bring it up again."

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"

Bang—