An Unexpected Turn!

Clearly, the kids sitting in the classroom could hardly contain their excitement.

Yun Xi didn't even need to encourage them. They all walked out of the classroom on their own...

"Yun Xi, you said earlier we were going to have a barbecue?"

Once all the Konoha 12—except Sasuke—had gathered in front of Yun Xi, Inuzuka Kiba was the first to ask.

After all, school was incredibly boring as it was.

And that morning, his mother had chewed him out and told him not to run around the village.

Now that he'd heard Yun Xi's suggestion, Kiba was naturally excited.

Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, and the others were just as eager, watching Yun Xi with hopeful expressions.

"Wouldn't that be... inappropriate?"

There was only one person who objected: Hinata Hyuga.

As the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan, Hinata undoubtedly had the most refined bearing of them all.

She was also the most obedient and well-behaved.

Faced with Yun Xi's suggestion, Hinata still seemed a little reluctant...

Even though she wanted to go, too.

"Oh, come on, my little princess. The teacher isn't even here today. What are you worried about?"

Seeing how conflicted Hinata looked, Sakura grabbed her left hand and pulled her out of the classroom.

When Hinata saw everyone watching her, her snow-white face turned bright red. She immediately lowered her head and fell silent.

"Did Sasuke really not come to school?"

After everyone had left the classroom, Yun Xi took a closer look.

Sasuke wasn't among them.

But after a moment's thought, Yun Xi understood.

Sasuke was probably still in the hospital. After suffering such a huge blow, it was perfectly normal for him to have no heart for school.

"Big Brother Yun Xi, everyone's here."

Once they'd all come out, Naruto went over to Yun Xi, waiting for his instructions.

"Then let's go find the supplies first." Yun Xi had originally suggested a barbecue at school half as a joke.

But seeing the hopeful expressions on the kids' faces, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

He immediately began assigning them tasks to gather the ingredients.

"Choji, Shikamaru, you two get the meat for the barbecue."

"Naruto, Sakura, you two prepare the grill."

After handing out the tasks, Yun Xi looked at everyone else. "The rest of you stay here at school. Once the supplies arrive, we'll get the barbecue started!"

With that, Yun Xi led the way, clearing away weeds nearby to prepare for the barbecue.

The others had no objections to his arrangements.

They went straight to work on the tasks he'd given them.

Half an hour later, the school, quiet until then, had grown lively again.

But just as they were about to start grilling, Yun Xi saw a familiar figure rush toward him.

"Pikachu? What are you doing here?"

Seeing Pikachu at school took Yun Xi by surprise.

He also noticed what looked like several injuries on Pikachu. It seemed to have been in a fight not long ago.

Had something happened to Karin?

A terrible thought suddenly surfaced in Yun Xi's mind.

He immediately set the grill aside and hurried over to Pikachu.

Naruto seemed to sense that something was wrong with Yun Xi. "Big Brother Yun Xi, what's the matter?"

"You guys go ahead and have fun. I have something to take care of. I'll come find you when I'm done!"

Yun Xi didn't have time to explain. After a brief word, he ran straight toward Pikachu.

"Tell me, did something happen to Karin?"

When Yun Xi reached Pikachu, he realized things were even worse than he'd imagined.

Pikachu hadn't just been in a fight not long ago.

It had several wounds deep enough to expose bone!

Yun Xi also noticed that there was barely any Lightning Release Chakra left in Pikachu's body...

"Lightning Style: Lightning Ball!"

Realizing how bad Pikachu's condition was, Yun Xi immediately used Lightning Release Ninjutsu to replenish its energy.

"Pikachu, you may not like me yet, but you're still my pet. Tell me who hurt you. I'll make them pay!"

Seeing Pikachu in this state, Yun Xi, who had been in the Naruto World for so long, finally got angry for the first time!

He'd become stronger to protect himself and his friends.

But someone had dared to attack his pet and Karin right here in Konoha!

How could he not be furious?

"Pika... Pika..."

After Yun Xi used his Lightning Release Ninjutsu, Pikachu gradually began to recover.

Its eyes finally showed a hint of affection for Yun Xi, but the anxious look quickly returned.

"Do you remember who hurt you? Take me to them."

Seeing Pikachu's reaction, Yun Xi finally felt a little better.

At least the yellow rodent knew how to be grateful.

"Pika!"

Pikachu seemed to understand Yun Xi. It stood up with what little strength it had left and ran ahead.

It was leading Yun Xi to the culprit...

"Did something happen at home?" Seeing that Pikachu was running toward his house, Yun Xi felt a surge of rage flare up inside him!

"Looks like someone's decided to come after me..."

"Then let's see who it is!"

Yun Xi stopped hiding his strength and immediately activated his Cursed Seal.

He raced toward home with Pikachu in his arms...

Meanwhile, at Yun Xi's house, several Root Division shinobi had surrounded Karin.

Karin was already at the end of her rope, backed into a corner.

Although Karin had the strength of a Chunin, she lacked combat experience.

Facing enemies several times her number was a tough challenge.

Fortunately, it seemed they wanted to take her alive, which was why she'd managed to hold out this long.

"Kid, stop resisting. Come with us. Lord Danzo wants to see you."

Seeing that Karin still intended to fight back, the leading Root Division Jonin finally revealed the purpose of their visit.

They were taking Karin back to the Root Division for questioning!

"Once Big Brother Yun Xi gets here, you're all dead!"

Karin was sure that Pikachu had gone to warn him, and that Big Brother Yun Xi would arrive in time to save her...

"Oh? Are you counting on that kid?"

As a veteran Root Division Jonin, he was naturally familiar with Yun Xi's file.

Although Yun Xi's file was classified as S-rank in the Root Division's records, this was Konoha. He didn't believe Yun Xi would dare make a move!

"Take the girl back!"

Seeing that Karin still refused to come with them, the Root Division Jonin finally lost patience...

"Let's see you try!"

"Pika! Pika!"

Just as the Root Division Jonin was about to act, a voice filled with fury rang out...

It was Yun Xi, holding Pikachu!

[Author's note]: I read some of the reviews earlier, and I think I need to explain a little about Pikachu.

First, about Pikachu's personality: this Pikachu is a little tsundere. The reason it was close to Karin at first was that she had sensory and healing abilities, so Pikachu liked her.

But I promise you all that Pikachu will definitely belong to Yun Xi! I hope you'll understand...

And after Yun Xi trains this Pikachu, it'll be a lot of fun.

To explain this, I'll upload an image first. There'll be a few more updates afterward, so don't worry.

Finally, thanks to all the readers for your support. I'll post a huge batch of updates tomorrow!