Zeyu Asleep: What Is This?

When dawn broke, everyone woke up, washed up briefly, and ate some dry rations for breakfast.

"Shota, wake me up for lunch," Zeyu said with a yawn, slowly lying back down to sleep.

"Oh, alright, Big Brother. What should we do in the meantime?" Shota asked.

"Hmm... do whatever you want, just don't wander off alone," Zeyu replied dismissively, closing his eyes.

Shota pondered for a moment and scratched his head. Unable to think of anything to do, he asked again, "Big Brother, why don't you give me some ideas?"

Zeyu, growing impatient, waved his hand and turned away. "Ugh, then go meditate. Just don't push yourself too hard."

"Hey, that's a great idea! Big Brother really is the best," Shota said, sitting down on the bed and beginning to meditate.

"I'll join you, Shota," Hinata said.

"Mm, Megumi, you should join too. It's a good chance to practice," Shota added.

"Okay," Megumi replied.

The three of them then sat in a row.

Kiba and Shino, who were nearby, cast curious glances their way.

"What are you guys doing?" Kiba asked.

"We're meditating. Big Brother said it can improve mental focus and make controlling chakra much more intuitive," Shota explained with his eyes closed.

"Is it that amazing? Teach me, I'll join too," Kiba said, already sitting down in imitation of Shota.

"Mm, I'll give it a try as well," Shino said, sitting down with them.

"First, sit properly, close your eyes, and calm your mind. Gather a bit of chakra inside your body and control its flow—through your organs, meridians, muscles, acupoints, and even every inch of your skin. Basically, move it to every part of your body," Shota explained while demonstrating.

"I see. That sounds simple enough," Kiba said with a confident smile. Akamaru, who had been resting on his head, jumped down and sat to the side.

Hearing Kiba call it simple, cold sweat broke out on Shota's forehead. "Simple? You'll know if it's simple once you try it."

"Kiba, remember to gather only a little chakra the first time, or you'll get exhausted," Hinata added.

"Alright, watch me," Kiba said, closing his eyes to begin meditating.

The five of them sat in a row. After a long while, sweat began to stream down their faces.

Finally, Kiba was the first to reach his limit. Gasping for air, he collapsed onto his back. "Ah, my head hurts. I feel so drained," he groaned, clutching his temples.

"Did you not listen to the advice? You deserve it!" Megumi said, veins bulging on her forehead and sweat pouring down, though she continued to hold on.

"Shh, keep it down, everyone. Zeyu is still fast asleep," Hinata whispered a reminder.

Soon after, Shota also reached his limit and collapsed, gritting his teeth and groaning under his breath.

Kiba turned his head to see Shino still holding on and asked in a low voice, "Shino, how are you holding up?"

"It's very difficult, but this method should be quite effective," Shino replied, sweat dripping down his face as veins stood out on his forehead.

Kiba turned to ask Shota, "How long have you guys been practicing this? You're amazing."

Shota rubbed his temples and replied, "I remember Sister-in-law started first. Back when we were signing up for the exams, we kept pestering Zeyu, and that's when he taught us."

Hearing Shota call her Sister-in-law, Hinata's face flushed red. She shyly glanced at Zeyu, who was sound asleep nearby.

"Eh? Then how long has Zeyu been practicing?" Kiba asked again.

Shota didn't know either, so he looked at Hinata. "I don't know. Does Sister-in-law know?"

"Zeyu said he's been practicing since he was a child. It seems he was doing it all through last night, too," Hinata said.

Shota and Kiba were stunned. They looked at the sleeping Zeyu with expressions of disbelief, their hearts filled with admiration.

In the distance, Gaara heard their conversation and was equally surprised.

He's been training like this since he was a child. No wonder he can use techniques like that, Gaara thought.

He decided to give it a try himself to see if it would help him gain better control over his sand.

Following what he had just overheard, he sat on the ground, imitating their posture, and began to meditate.

Time ticked by. Shino reached his limit, followed by Megumi, and finally, even Hinata couldn't hold on any longer. One by one, they all collapsed.

"Whew, whew... you're still the best, Hinata," Megumi said, looking at her.

"Not really, Megumi. I've just been practicing longer," Hinata replied.

He caught his breath and said, "I must say, Shino, you're quite talented. To last this long on your first try—truly impressive."

"It's nothing, just luck," Shino replied, panting.

"Don't be so modest, have a little more confidence," Megumi said.

"Ah... right, thank you," Shino answered.

After finishing their training, everyone was exhausted. They lay quietly, eyes closed, resting.

Hinata turned on her side to look at the sleeping Zeyu.

Unable to resist, she leaned in closer and pinched Zeyu's cheek.

Heehee, so soft, so cute, Hinata thought.

The sleeping Zeyu felt something on his face and reached out to swat at it, catching Hinata's hand in the process.

Startled, Hinata quickly propped herself up to see if she had woken him, not daring to move while her hand remained trapped in his grip.

Zeyu turned onto his side facing Hinata, and his hand instinctively grabbed out, landing right on Hinata's chest.

"E-eh?! Zeyu-kun!" Hinata's face turned beet red instantly, but she didn't dare make a sound, covering her mouth with her other hand.

The sleeping Zeyu felt something soft and, puzzled, furrowed his brows and gave it a squeeze.

"Ah, Zeyu-kun, don't..." Hinata couldn't help but let out a moan, then quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, looking at Zeyu with eyes brimming with desire.

"Hm? Hinata, what's wrong?" Megumi, who was right nearby, heard Hinata's cry and asked.

Hinata steadied herself, turned her face away, and whispered, "Oh, it's nothing. I was just helping Zeyu-kun pull up his blanket and accidentally bumped into him. I was afraid of waking him."

"Tch, that dead weight. He's so lucky to have a girl as kind as Hinata looking after him," Megumi remarked.

"Well... Zeyu-kun is very kind to me, too. And he's not bad to... everyone else, right?" Hinata said, all while enduring Zeyu's kneading.

"Hmph, whatever. We're just basking in your reflected glory, Hinata," Megumi said, turning her back to her.

Just then, Zeyu released Hinata's hand and brought both of his up, kneading and rubbing, his brows still furrowed in his sleep.

Hinata hurriedly covered her mouth again, her body tingling with electric sensations. Her arms trembled as she propped herself up, and she couldn't muster the strength to push his hands away.

"Don't... Zeyu-kun... I... I can't... hold on much longer..."

Yet Zeyu remained asleep, showing no intention of stopping as he continued to grope.

As if struck by lightning, Hinata bit her lip hard. Drenched in a light sweat, she leaned in and kissed Zeyu directly.

I'm sorry, Zeyu-kun. I couldn't help but cry out, but I can't let that happen... so this is the only way, Hinata thought, closing her eyes.

A moment later, she pulled away, a thin thread of saliva trailing from her lips. Hinata lay back down, weak and breathless.

Once Hinata pulled away, Zeyu settled down, licked his lips, and lay on his back, continuing to sleep.

Hinata turned to look at Zeyu, her gaze lingering with intense longing. She placed her hands over her chest and thought, It seems Zeyu-kun likes this. I'll save it for another time when we have a chance; it's not the right moment yet.

Before long, Gaara finished his meditation.

He leaned against the wall and rubbed his temples.

"Not good. I pushed myself too hard. I'm so tired."

I should rest for a bit, Gaara thought, crossing his arms as he drifted off.

Hm? Heehee, here's my chance! Shukaku, residing within Gaara, realized the moment was near. He stopped talking and waited quietly for Gaara to fall asleep from exhaustion.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Gaara, overwhelmed by fatigue, began to doze off uncontrollably.

Shukaku seized the opportunity, easily taking control of Gaara's body. A sinister grin spread across his face, his pupils shifted into sand-colored crosses, and he slowly stood up.

Zeyu, who had been fast asleep, sensed a murderous aura and suddenly woke up. He flipped to his feet instantly, his hand resting on the short sword at his waist.

Sure enough, the next moment, Gaara—now controlled by Shukaku—burst into loud laughter as sand began to swirl around him.

"Kehehehehehe! Excellent! I, the great one, have finally broken free!"