Class

Whether Qiancao could become the savior of the ninja world remained to be seen, but he was certainly the savior of the three women for the time being.

With her chakra reserves nearly depleted, Senju Arashi had been forced to unleash a large-scale Earth Style technique.

Although she relied on the formidable physical constitution of the Senju Clan to avoid dying from total chakra exhaustion on the spot, every ounce of her cellular energy had been squeezed to the limit, leaving her unable to move anything but her mouth.

The neurotoxin Uchiha Hiri had been struck with was even more potent; although she had expelled most of it upon regaining consciousness, a residual amount remained in her system. This lingering poison left her entire body weak and immobile, forcing her to wait for a ninja from the Aburame Clan to deliver an antidote before she could fully recover.

As for Wuming, although the terrifying wounds on her body had healed, the dizziness brought on by massive blood loss refused to fade. There was nothing in the deep valley that could quickly replenish her blood, so she had no choice but to wait for her body to recover on its own.

Thus, the heavy responsibility of caring for the three women naturally fell upon Qiancao, the only one capable of walking.

While ninjas were accustomed to sleeping in the open and were generally expected to be unconstrained by trifles, Senju Arashi was, after all, a young lady of the Senju Clan, and Uchiha Hiri was merely a researcher who rarely stepped onto the battlefield. This was the first time either of them had fallen into such a helpless state.

The two women could only comfort themselves with the thought that Qiancao was still just a child while accepting his care.

Although Qiancao's current body was indeed that of a child, he possessed the soul of a mature university student and had received a proper education.

When Senju Arashi and Hiri noticed the physical reaction Qiancao was having, they actually became a bit bold. The teasing look in their eyes caused Qiancao to flee in a panic.

Watching his retreating back, Hiri smiled and said to Senju Arashi, "He really is just a child." Perhaps she said this only to mask her own shyness.

Senju Arashi felt a sense of relief as well. She had once imagined that if she ever fell into the hands of an evil Uchiha brat, it would be better to end her own life than to suffer. She had not expected that when the day finally came, she would instead encounter a kindred spirit.

In the past, whenever she spoke of her ideals of peace to friends, family, and elders, they would smile and agree, but Senju Arashi could sense that they held her philosophy in utter contempt.

She had not expected this naive youth to identify with her so strongly, as if he had truly witnessed an era of peace with his own eyes.

Furthermore, the boy was quite handsome—exactly her type—and having awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan at such a young age, his future potential was surely immense.

"It wouldn't be impossible to give him some sweetness," Senju Arashi thought, a bold idea forming as she laughed along with Hiri. "I could even take him back to the Senju Clan and groom him to be my husband."

Of the four, Wuming was the only one who lacked a clear sense of gender, having been locked away since childhood. Hearing the laughter of Arashi and Hiri, she remained oblivious to what had transpired.

Having fled from the two women, Qiancao carried Wuming to a secluded spot and said, "You should relieve yourself as well; don't hold it in and harm your body."

Because Wuming's clothes had been torn, she was wearing Qiancao's garments.

Sitting on the grass, Wuming tried to stand, but a wave of intense dizziness washed over her the moment she moved.

After several failed attempts to rise, she could only say aggrievedly to Qiancao, "I can't do it alone. Please, help me."

Qiancao had initially wanted to refuse; after all, Wuming did not yet understand the differences between men and women, and he didn't want to risk appearing as though he were taking advantage of someone who didn't know better.

But thinking that the situation called for flexibility, he realized he had no other choice. It was all for Wuming's sake—what did a little misunderstanding matter?

Thus, Qiancao reached behind her to undo her fastenings, lifted her up, and helped her complete the process.

Although he didn't see anything, the intimacy of the situation meant Qiancao no longer suppressed himself as strictly as he had before.

Once finished, Qiancao bent down to straighten her clothes. Just as he was about to hide the various changes his body was undergoing, Wuming turned her head abruptly.

"Why—why are you looking at me!" Qiancao felt incredibly uncomfortable under her pure, inquisitive gaze.

"Why are you different from me?" Wuming asked.

Thinking that he couldn't keep dragging this out, Qiancao picked up Wuming and moved to an even more secluded spot. He gave her a lesson in physiology, covering the differences between men and women, what it meant to take advantage of someone, and how the "great harmony of life" was achieved.

The once-ignorant Wuming's first request after hearing his lesson was, "Let me see your body."

Qiancao awkwardly refused, "That really isn't necessary."

To his surprise, Wuming said with a hint of anger, "You saw me back in the cell, so I want to see yours too!"

Qiancao waved his hands in a hurry to explain, "I've been perfectly proper the whole time; I haven't taken advantage of you."

"I don't believe you." Wuming insisted on looking, even struggling to lunge at him despite her dizziness.

Seeing her swaying, Qiancao worried she might fall and quickly stepped forward to steady her, half-reluctantly saying, "Fine, fine, I'll show you."

Qiancao tremblingly allowed his clothes to shift into a certain state.

After the events of the day, Qiancao was exhausted, and beads of sweat had gathered on his forehead.

Wuming was not satisfied with just looking; half-reclining in Qiancao's arms, she reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow.

Seeing Qiancao looking comfortable made Wuming feel deeply satisfied. Although she hadn't understood how men and women should interact before, watching Qiancao flirt with Senju Arashi and Hiri had made her feel uneasy.

She wanted more physical contact with Qiancao. While she didn't understand the source of this impulse, now that she and Qiancao were once again the closest of friends, the small jealousy in her heart vanished, and she couldn't help but feel happy.

When the two returned to the campsite, the two women had already entered a state of meditation, seemingly oblivious to everything that had happened in the outside world.