The three Ino-Shika-Cho kids all smiled at Asuma's embarrassed expression.
Xuanhui casually took a chip from Choji's bag and popped it into his mouth.
"Cucumber flavor? Choji, don't you like barbecue flavor?"
"Sensei, this is a new method I've developed recently. I use the refreshing cucumber flavor to reset my taste buds!"
"Aren't they all just potato chips...?"
Shikamaru couldn't help making a snide remark.
Xuanhui turned to Shikamaru and Ino.
"Shikamaru, have you read all those books I lent you?"
"I finished them all. There wasn't anything difficult in them..."
Xuanhui grabbed Shikamaru by the collar and lifted him up.
"Honestly, you need to put more of that theory into practice!"
He turned to Asuma.
"Asuma, take this kid out for more training. We can't let him keep being this lazy."
"Hahaha! Hear that, Shikamaru? Those are orders from your Teacher Xuanhui!"
"Huh?"
Shikamaru's expression gradually stiffened, his tiny eyes filled with an enormous desire to give up on life.
"What about you, Ino? Has Inoichi taught you your family's secret techniques?"
"He's finished teaching me, but I don't really get them!"
Ino stuck out her tongue and smiled playfully.
"You little brat. You can't master them, yet you still dare provoke your teacher? Have you forgotten how I dealt with you?"
"Please don't, Sensei! I was just kidding..."
Last time, Xuanhui had confiscated Ino's collection of handsome-guy photos, leaving her heartbroken for ages.
Xuanhui took out a slip of paper and wrote an address on it.
He crouched down again, leaned close to Ino's ear, and quietly gave her a few instructions.
"Go here and find a female teacher named Rin Nohara. Ask her to teach you how to train your mental energy.
Also, don't tell anyone that Rin-sensei exists, not even your parents or friends."
"Is it