"An innocent man was guilty of possessing a jade!"
Mo Chen murmured, "Although I don't know what just happened, my strength suddenly seems to have increased, and there's even a risk I might lose control."
"I absolutely can't let anyone else find out about this! Otherwise, everyone will definitely think I'm a monster, right?"
As he spoke, Mo Chen reined in his aura and returned to his former harmless-looking self.
"Yikes!"
The moment he moved, Mo Chen couldn't help sucking in a sharp breath.
Damn, that hurt!
That Little Fatty and his companions had landed dozens of punches and kicks on him. Although none of them had injured his bones or muscles, he didn't even need to look to know he was covered in bruises.
Luckily, he'd protected his head, so his handsome face—which was understated yet easy on the eyes—hadn't been damaged.
I've got to find a chance to get revenge!
[Ino Yamanaka: See? I told you Mo Chen wasn't the scheming type. He just reacts quickly and has a clever mind.]
[Sakura Haruno: Are you sure he isn't just used to... keeping a low profile?]
[Ino Yamanaka: Why'd you pause? Were you about to insult him? It's fine, go ahead and say it!]
[Sakura Haruno: Get lost!]
[Tenten: Sakura's been electrocuted three times. How could she not have learned her lesson by now? Right, Sakura!]
[Sakura Haruno: Tenten, why are you picking on me too?!]
[Tenten: Haha, sorry, sorry. I was just joking.]
[Hinata Hyuga: Does that mean I'm safe now?]
[Ino Yamanaka: Hinata, you can't do that. Didn't you want to get a buff? The Group rules said that the more loyal you are to the Group Leader, the stronger the buff.]
[Hinata Hyuga: Um... Loyalty doesn't have to mean doing that kind of thing, right? I think being friends is enough.]
[Sakura Haruno: Don't listen to her, Hinata. She just wants to push you into being the guinea pig. Look at her—she only talks big and doesn't dare do anything herself.]
[Ino Yamanaka: Who says I don't? I'm doing it right now!]
Before the others could react, Ino emerged from the shadows and walked straight toward Mo Chen.
Her sudden move startled the others.
Tenten's eyes flickered. A moment later, she followed suit and caught up with Ino.
Ino gave Tenten a knowing look, and the two exchanged smiles.
Sakura looked down on them for it. She knew Ino and Tenten were trying to get close to Mo Chen.
She still didn't know what the Chat Group had to do with Mo Chen, but the Group rules and the Future videos both revolved around him.
There had to be benefits to befriending him. All of Konoha's Four Flowers knew that.
Now that they'd confirmed the Future videos were real, they had even more reason to hurry and latch onto someone powerful.
But the thought of "Mo Chen's Female Lead Group" filled Sakura with resistance.
She still insisted on leaving the Chat Group. Before that, though, she had to get revenge for being electrocuted.
Hinata wanted to go with Ino and Tenten, but her timid nature made it difficult for her to take the first step.
Following them now would seem a little awkward. She regretted hesitating and planned to look for another chance later.
But now that things here had settled down, there was no need to stick around and risk complications.
Hinata and Sakura quietly slipped away and took a detour to the Ninja Academy.
Meanwhile, Mo Chen calmed himself down and walked out as if nothing had happened.
As soon as he came out of the alley, he ran right into Ino and Tenten.
"Oh? Mo Chen, what are you doing here?" Ino greeted him with a surprised expression.
Mo Chen grumbled to himself. If I hadn't seen what she said in the group, I'd never have guessed Ino didn't even remember my name.
"Oh, hi, Ino!" Mo Chen put on an awkward expression and stammered, "Well... I suddenly needed to use the bathroom."
"..." Ino.
"..." Tenten.
That killed the conversation before it could even get started.
Ino had only wanted to make small talk and get acquainted.
Mo Chen's reply left her completely at a loss for what to say.
Tenten was speechless too, and immediately pulled Ino along as she hurried forward.
They weren't close, and he was a boy. Continuing the conversation after that would have been in poor taste.
Watching their hurried retreat, Mo Chen's lips curled slightly.
Nice try. You thought you could use tricks on me?
Mo Chen wasn't the one who needed to get close to them anymore. They were the ones who'd have to find a way to get close to him.
What you couldn't have would always keep you restless. He just had to keep them hanging.
Mo Chen was in such a good mood that even his injuries seemed to hurt less.
After they'd gotten some distance from Mo Chen, Ino couldn't help muttering, "Damn, that guy is just..."
But before she could finish, Tenten clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Want to find out what it feels like to get electrocuted?" Tenten whispered.
Ino finally caught on and shook her head repeatedly.
Tenten let go and sighed. "I think he did that on purpose."
Ino looked confused, so Tenten explained, "You saw what he went through back there."
"I think he was worried we'd notice something was off. He didn't want to say much, so he deliberately came up with an excuse we couldn't respond to. His goal was to make us leave on our own."
Ino realized that made sense and complained, "I really underestimated him. He thinks fast! At school, he was always an unremarkable nobody, just an average student. Could he have been hiding his abilities on purpose? But why would he?"
"Who knows?" Tenten patted Ino on the arm. "All right, that's as far as we can go for now. We'll figure out what kind of person he is as we spend more time with him."
"I can't stick around for the second half of the Future video, so I'll head out. Tell me what happens later."
"Sure! But remember to keep what just happened a secret, especially from Forehead." Ino reminded Tenten before waving goodbye.
Tenten smiled and nodded.
If Sakura found out Ino had eagerly gone over to greet Mo Chen, only to be left speechless by one remark and flee in a hurry, she'd probably laugh like a pig.
Of course, it was embarrassing for Tenten too, so she had no intention of telling anyone.
By the time Mo Chen arrived in the classroom, Konoha's Four Flowers were all there.
The classroom buzzed with excitement. Everyone was in high spirits.
After all, starting today, they'd be able to become full-fledged ninja.
Of course, they still didn't know the elimination rate was as high as 67 percent.
Mo Chen's gaze swept across the classroom before settling on a figure seated near the window in the front row.
Sasuke Uchiha!
A total show-off in the early days.
Of course, Mo Chen wasn't interested in him.
It was just that the iconic scene was about to happen.
Sakura was fawning over him with lovestruck eyes, pushing Naruto's irritation to its limit.
Just as Mo Chen looked over, Naruto jumped onto the desk and leaned in close to Sasuke.
Naruto glared at Sasuke with wide eyes. The two were only a few centimeters apart, practically nose to nose.
"Get lost!" Sasuke glared back at Naruto, wondering what kind of trouble that dead-last was trying to cause this time.
"Damn it, Naruto! What are you messing around for? Don't treat Sasuke like that!"
"Sasuke, teach him a lesson!"
A group of girls in the classroom shouted indignantly.
Just then, one of the boys in the front row was talking excitedly with a friend and gesturing a little too wildly. He accidentally jabbed Naruto in the butt with his elbow, pitching Naruto forward.
The next moment, all the girls froze.
Naruto and Sasuke's lips met in a kiss, and they couldn't be pulled apart...
Before you continue