"Qingguang's flushed face just now..."
Was it because she'd squeezed him too hard, or because...?
"Never mind. That guy's grown up now, so I'll have to be more careful about boundaries from now on."
Tsunade murmured softly, lowering her head. A faint blush colored her lovely, delicate face.
After leaving Konoha Hospital, Qingguang continued his patrol duty, then returned home to keep training Wood Release and build up points toward the Mangekyo he'd been yearning for.
Although Wood Release and the Sharingan were both incredibly powerful Kekkei Genkai,
he'd already told Uncle Shifang that he was going to awaken the Mangekyo, so he had to do it before the plan began.
Only then could he bring the clan together from its scattered factions as soon as possible.
A month later.
Qingguang wasn't scheduled for patrol duty tonight. Someone else would take his shift.
It was time for the clan meeting, held once every three months.
[Wood Release: 1500/10000]
[Sharingan: 6996/10000]
Perhaps because the Hashirama Cells in his body had increased, Qingguang felt that he was becoming more and more proficient at training Wood Release.
In just one month, he'd earned nearly 2,500 more points through Wood Release.
At this rate, after another operation with Orochimaru next month, he might awaken the Mangekyo.
But judging by the timing, he might not make it...
As night fell, Qingguang headed to Shifang's home before the clan meeting began.
He vaulted over the wall and landed on the lawn in the backyard.
Unfortunately, Mikoto happened to see him while she was studying her scroll notes.
After three months apart, the longing Mikoto had been holding inside was about to burst out.
But she forced it back down. The joy that had just appeared on her face vanished in an instant, and she returned to her usual calm expression.
She lowered her head, pretending she hadn't seen a thing, and continued reading the Fire Release scroll in her hands.
What was this girl up to?
Qingguang knew Mikoto had been training hard, which was a good thing. But there was no need to take back her smile the moment she saw him, was there?
He looked around, but couldn't find Uncle Shifang anywhere.
Just then, Mikoto spoke. "Father left early. He said he'd arranged to go to the clan meeting with the other elders."
"You can go find him at Naka Shrine."
Hearing that, Qingguang raised an eyebrow.
Why did Mikoto's tone seem so strange?
After confirming that Uncle Shifang wasn't home, Qingguang had planned to leave by vaulting over the wall. But Mikoto's behavior made him a little worried.
Had this girl trained herself into a daze?
For Uncle Shifang's sake, and for this girl's mental health, he ought to keep an eye on her.
But he'd barely taken two steps when Mikoto called out, "That's the new lawn Father planted. Don't step on it. He wants to grow flowers there."
His foot stopped just before coming down.
Then he looked up sharply, a confused expression on his face. "Why didn't you say that earlier?"
The sudden question left Mikoto stunned.
Because I didn't think of making things difficult for you until just now.
After a few seconds of silence, she lifted her head and worked up the courage to speak. She was so nervous that she could barely get the words out. "I... I forgot!"
"Is... is that not allowed?"
Qingguang smiled helplessly, then walked straight across the lawn, stepping on it without the slightest hesitation.
"Hey! I told you not to step on it!"
When he reached Mikoto, he saw her tilt her head up, her bright eyes full of resentment. Smiling, he gently patted her on the head.
"Don't lie to me. Uncle Shifang has never liked flowers or plants. Why would he suddenly decide to grow flowers?"
"Training is a good thing, but don't train so hard that your brain turns to wood. You'll end up a little dummy."
Mikoto took a step back and raised her chin haughtily, giving a soft snort. "You're the dummy. You're a big dummy."
"Tell me, what did you come to see Father about? I can pass along a message later."
"I'm going to see him at the clan meeting soon. Why would I need you to pass along a message?"
"See? I told you that training had turned you into a little dummy. You can't even think straight."
Mikoto immediately felt a little dejected, and there was even a hint of anger on her face.
What a jerk. It had been three months—three whole months!
He hadn't come to see her even once. He'd promised to teach her Fire Release Ninjutsu. Was he going to teach her only the Great Fireball and nothing else?
Damn it, did he have any idea how hard she'd worked these past three months?
If Qingguang hadn't still been standing there, Mikoto might have sat down on the spot and burst into tears.
Seeing her looking so aggrieved and sulky, Qingguang quietly pulled a package wrapped in kraft paper from his robes.
"Here. Take it."
The moment the package landed in front of her, Mikoto's hands moved before she could even think, catching it.
A gift? Had he brought her something she liked, like sweet dumplings?
Did that mean he hadn't come to see Father, but to see her?
At the thought, she suddenly felt that Senior wasn't quite so detestable after all.
After all, Senior was busy. She'd heard plenty about the recent changes in the Police Department. Even the families of Police Department members chatted about them.
"Hmph. At least you remembered to bring me sweet dumplings."
"Then I'll reluctantly..."
But just as Mikoto was about to forgive Qingguang for not visiting her over the past three months,
Qingguang shook his head slightly. "They're not sweet dumplings. It's medicine. It's a little bitter."
What kind of joke was he playing on her?
Bitter?
"I don't want it. Take it back!" Mikoto shoved it into Qingguang's arms as if she'd seen something filthy.
She sat down where she was and went back to reading in silence.
Qingguang knew Mikoto hated anything bitter, but he quietly placed the medicine beside her anyway.
"These herbs will clear your lungs, stop your cough, and soothe your throat. Remember to take a dose after dinner every day."
"It's about time. I should go to the clan meeting."
With that, Qingguang started to vault over the wall and leave. But when he reached the top, he suddenly looked back and added,
"For Ash Pile Burning, it's not enough to gather Fire Release Chakra in your mouth. Before you spit out the ash, you also have to concentrate the Chakra in your lungs. That'll help it spread better over a wider area."
"Remember to take the medicine."
With that, he left quickly.
Mikoto nodded as she listened, as if she'd suddenly understood.
"So that's how it works."
"Thank you, Sen..."
She murmured softly, then realized there was one crucial question.
How did Senior know she'd been learning Ash Pile Burning and was having trouble with it?
Could it be that he'd been sneaking glances at her?
Then she looked at the medicine package Qingguang had given her.
It bore the Nara clan crest, and the herbs were all top quality.
"Clear the lungs, stop coughing, soothe the throat."
"So Senior really does worry about me..."
"Senior, I suppose I'll reluctantly forgive you~"
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