Star of Summer Blooms

In the early morning, gentle sunlight spilled onto Summer's clean face, her red hair spread out, showing no signs of waking.

The girl smiled, as if having a good dream, and gradually relaxed.

After a while, Summer woke up, blushing as she said, "You're so wicked..."

Su Zheng smiled and said, "Alright, get up!"

The girl collapsed into his arms, hitting him to vent her shame!

"Okay, okay, get up and eat, lazy cat!" Su Zheng pinched her nose and said.

Tidying herself up, Summer sat at the dining table, looking at the delicious food but remaining unmoved.

"What, it doesn't taste good?" Su Zheng asked.

"Hmph! I'm not hungry!" She glared at him, not hungry at all.

"Hmph hmph!" Su Zheng was in a good mood and finished all the breakfast he had prepared.

Summer tilted her chin up, watching him wolf down the food, a wave of sweetness washing over her.

In the training grounds, it was the Jonin assessment for the Star Hidden Village. Only Hotaru and Summer had the best chance of promotion this time.

Within the arena, one could only advance by successfully defeating five opponents.

"Peacock Myōhō: Beast!"

Roar! Summer's purple chakra was the purest and most powerful. Not only did it negate the negative effect of being unable to move after releasing a ninjutsu, but it also devoured ten opponents in one strike.

"Summer is really strong. I misjudged her before, I always thought Hotaru was the strongest!" a Jonin standing nearby commented.

"Yeah, I doubt even Lord Star Shadow could defeat her!" another ninja commented seriously.

"You..."

"It's fine!" Lord Star Shadow waved his hand, sincerely praising, "Summer is indeed very strong. She will be the future of our Star Hidden Village!"

A Jonin standing next to the arena, watching Summer perform so excellently, had a dark look in his eyes.

The assessment lasted all morning. Although Summer and Hotaru's powerful performances were evident, there were still many unexpected events!

Many practitioners had pushed themselves to participate in this assessment just to show their abilities. As a result, as soon as they engaged in combat, they were backlashed by their strengthened chakra and died on the spot!

Akaboshi, who had proposed the resumption of the "Large-Scale Training" activity, was also rejected by the Star Shadow.

Walking on the small path, Akaboshi's expression became increasingly sinister. "Since you won't allow it, then I'll kill you and become the Star Shadow myself!"

Akaboshi was a very ambitious person. Especially after hearing about Su Zheng's deeds, he became fanatically obsessed with power, aiming to possess the strength to contend with the Five Great Shinobi Villages under his leadership.

Akaboshi's residence.

"I plan to kill the Star Shadow and take his place. What do you think?" Akaboshi finished speaking, his gaze intently fixed on the two.

The three of them were not clean. The Peacock Myōhō had a very special characteristic: it could devour the power of others to strengthen itself!

Akaboshi had devoured the power of his fellow peers, which ultimately led to their tragic deaths.

Yagami and Shizang, who were originally people with poor talent, accidentally stumbled upon Akaboshi devouring his teammates. Under Akaboshi's coercion, the two also boarded his ship, embarking on a path of no return with him.

Yagami and Shizang exchanged glances. After witnessing each other's terror, how could they dare to have any other opinion? Preserving themselves was the most important thing!

"We agree with your idea. Tell us what we need to do?"

Seeing their compliance, Akaboshi felt relieved and said, "I plan to steal the 'Star'. While killing the Star Shadow, I will frame someone else..."

"Who do you think would be a good person to frame?"

"This guy is truly sinister!" They muttered silently, beginning to ponder.

Shizang said, "Why don't we frame Hotaru? He's always so helpful!"

After thinking about it, Akaboshi agreed. The three of them discussed the details, set a time, and departed to prepare.

In the evening, the planned trio arrived at the training grounds, unsealed the "Star," took it, sent one person to call Hotaru, and the other two killed the Star Shadow, setting up the scene.

When Hotaru arrived, he saw several people fighting. He rushed into the room and discovered that the Third Star Shadow had been killed on the spot!

"Ah...!" While he was in a daze, Akaboshi killed him, set up the scene, and called out to everyone.

Soon, the ninjas of the Star Hidden Village had all arrived. Seeing the traces of battle on the ground, they were very puzzled.

Akaboshi stood at the front and slowly began to speak:

"Ahem! Everyone, listen to me. While patrolling tonight, I discovered Hotaru attempting to steal the 'Star,' so I killed him. I didn't expect that before he escaped, he would actually kill Lord Star Shadow..."

"Although the village has suffered such a great change and the people are in chaos, we need a new Shadow even more to lead us forward..."

Akaboshi's words astonished everyone. Hotaru had always been well-behaved in the village, and they never expected such a thing to happen. People truly couldn't be judged by their appearance.

"I propose that at this critical juncture, Lord Akaboshi be appointed as the Star Shadow!" Shizang spoke out.

"I agree!" Yagami was the first to express his support.

"I agree too..."

Some ninjas below began to echo the sentiment, and Akaboshi revealed a triumphant smile.

"I disagree!" A voice of opposition exploded through the crowd, and Su Zheng stood at the forefront.

Shizang frowned and said, "You're not a ninja from our village, so why are you objecting?"

"He's my man!" Summer declared her identity, blushing as she stepped forward.

Su Zheng took out a camera and said, "I can confirm that the three of them are completely making things up. This clearly records their actions to harm the Star Shadow!"

Boom! Like pouring cold water into a hot oil pan, the crowd erupted in discussion.

Akaboshi attacked directly, saying, "He's lying!" But his actions only highlighted his panic.

"Peacock Myōhō: Beast!" Summer blocked Su Zheng, repelling the attacking Akaboshi, and shouted, "Akaboshi, don't you dare lay a hand on my man, I believe him!"

Both sides stood firm, neither backing down!

They decided to play the recording to reveal the truth.

Boom, boom, boom!

As they played the recording, Akaboshi embedded the "Star" into his chest, and a powerful chakra storm surged and erupted!

"Since you've already discovered us, then you all shall die!" Akaboshi revealed his ferocious face, "Peacock Myōhō: Dragon!"

Boom! The ferocious chakra dragon roared and tore everyone apart, devouring the chakra of many Star ninjas.

"Stop!" Summer also used Peacock Myōhō and fought Akaboshi, but she was ultimately no match and was defeated!

"Hahaha! Who can stop me? You will all die!" Akaboshi's face became even more distorted.

"Wind Style: Rasengan!"

As Akaboshi was momentarily distracted, Su Zheng's right hand broke through his defense and struck his chest with the ninjutsu.

Rumble! In less than a moment, it exploded with a bang, and Akaboshi's body, along with the "Star," vanished together!

Su Zheng looked at the astonished Summer and said, "See, I told you I knew ninjutsu too!"

After this incident, the Star Hidden Village's strength greatly diminished. After deliberation, Summer was elected as the new leader. She did not adopt the title of "Shadow," knowing that the Star Hidden Village was not worthy of it!

At night.

Summer lay in Su Zheng's arms and pressed him, "Who exactly are you?"

"Silly girl, you finally figured it out!" Su Zheng raised an eyebrow and said, "Didn't I tell you? I am Su Zheng!"

"Yes, he is Su Zheng!" Thinking of her past actions, Summer shyly covered her face.

Then, as if remembering something, she teased, "Did you finally remember your own business?"

"Of course!" Su Zheng admitted directly, he wasn't embarrassed at all.

He caressed Summer's smooth face and asked, "So, do you like the Su Zheng from before, or the Su Zheng from now?"

"I like both! Because, it's all you!"

Summer's smile was etched into Su Zheng's heart. Words were unnecessary; only actions could express his feelings.

He embraced Summer and kissed her. Tonight, the Star of Summer bloomed!