Chapter 40

Liuyun had developed his Ice-Ice Fruit abilities entirely from what he remembered seeing in anime.

Given enough time, he was sure he could surpass Aokiji on his own.

But why turn down a meal served right to him? He could take the best parts and leave the rest!

"Mikoto! We're about to go to sleep. Could you change into your pajamas?"

With that thought, Liuyun spoke up.

"I—I didn't bring those!" Mikoto stammered softly, her face flushing.

"No problem! I brought them!" Liuyun took out a Sealing Scroll and slapped it onto the bed.

Beautiful outfits appeared all around them.

"Li—Liuyun, when did you bring these?"

Mikoto stared at the familiar clothes, her face turning so red it looked ready to give off steam.

She had even spotted the matching panties among them!

After all, she had worn each of those once and hadn't washed them yet...

"Just in case something unexpected happened, you know?"

With an awkward laugh, Liuyun handed Mikoto the Office Lady Uniform and put the rest back into the Sealing Scroll.

They were his treasures. He couldn't risk anything happening to them.

"I'll wait outside!" With that, Liuyun disappeared from the tent.

Mikoto studied the outfit in her hands, shy but secretly delighted.

Liuyun liked seeing her wear it!!

As for his claim that these clothes were just pajamas, she didn't believe a word!

Soon, the sound of rustling came from the tent.

A little later, Mikoto's soft voice called from inside.

"Li—Liuyun, you can come in!"

"Coming!" Liuyun lifted the tent flap and strode in.

He slowly lowered the flap behind him. At a thought, Ice formed and froze it shut.

Hmph! I'm the only one who gets to see my girl dressed like this.

Seeing what he had done, Mikoto knelt on the Tatami and ducked her head shyly, like a little quail.

Liuyun came over and made himself at home. (I was going to describe it, but I don't dare. I'm afraid this chapter will get blocked!)

He picked up... and under Mikoto's shy, stunned gaze...

Half an hour later, Liuyun wiped the corner of his mouth and smiled.

"Thanks for the treat, Mikoto! Let's do this again sometime!"

Mikoto had long since covered her face and burrowed under the covers, too embarrassed to show herself.

Liuyun helped Mikoto out of her black stockings and tossed them into another Sealing Scroll. They were too damp to wear again; sleeping in them would only be uncomfortable.

He climbed onto the Tatami and held Mikoto as he usually did. But her body was alarmingly hot, and each breath came out warm.

A little worried, Liuyun asked softly, "Mikoto, are you okay?"

"I—I'm fine! I'll be okay in a little while!" Mikoto's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"That's good." Liuyun nodded.

Breathing in Mikoto's familiar fragrance, Liuyun grumbled to himself again.

When am I finally going to grow up? When is that damn system going to give me a Body Growth Potion? It's completely useless!

(A few flowers to cheer me on, please? Do you guys want Misaka? I'll give her to you!)

You Dare Fight Me for Tsunade? I'll Kill You! (Third Update!)

Impure World Reincarnation. Cell experiments...

The pursuit of eternal life. But Orochimaru had yet to descend into darkness.

He hadn't experienced Nawaki's death yet, so for now, he was still fairly normal.

Liuyun was friendly toward him, too. After all, Orochimaru was on the same team as Tsunade, and Liuyun could at least show him some respect.

"No, no. He's my only student. You saved his life, so I owe you a favor!"

"Let me know if you ever need anything!"

Orochimaru's slit-pupiled eyes shifted, his expression entirely earnest.

"All right!"

Only a fool would turn down a favor handed to him. That was an unexpected bonus for the day!

Once Tsunade finished showing off, she sat down beside Liuyun. The moment she did, a man struck up a conversation with her.

He had bright blue hair and was rather handsome. He was Kato Dan, Shizune's uncle and Tsunade's future lover.

But with Liuyun here, none of that mattered anymore.

"That's Kato Dan, a Jonin under Tsunade's command."

Orochimaru explained it to Liuyun in his usual flat tone.

Liuyun nodded in understanding.

Once everyone had arrived, Hatake Sakumo formally opened the meeting.

The agenda was simple: strike back at the Sand Ninja!

The Genin who had died yesterday could not have died for nothing. Some were even blood relatives of the Jonin in the room.

The room buzzed with arguments from daylight until nightfall.

In the end, Hatake Sakumo made the decision.

"Tomorrow, Orochimaru will lead an assault against the Sand Ninja, with Jiraiya supporting him. I'll hold back and draw the Third Kazekage's attention!"

"Tsunade will lead a squad to the Sand Ninja Main Camp behind their lines and destroy all their food and supplies!"

"Don't worry! Leave it to me. I'll get it done!" Tsunade promised, thumping her chest.

With the plan settled, everyone left excitedly.

At last, they could give the Sand Ninja a beating and avenge the fallen Genin.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Tsunade patted Liuyun's cheek, sounding annoyed.

"What? Is it over?"

Liuyun opened his eyes, saw the empty chairs around him, and let out a long breath.

"You! I brought you here for a meeting, and you slept through the whole thing!"

Tsunade pinched Liuyun's ear, exasperated with him.

"Have you ever seen anyone make a ten-year-old sit through a meeting?" Liuyun shot back, rolling his eyes.

"Liuyun has a point. We only asked him to come so everyone could meet him!"

"They just needed to know what he's capable of. Whether he took part in the meeting didn't matter!"

Orochimaru had spoken up. Liuyun could count on him when it mattered.

"Orochimaru, what are you up to? I'm telling you, Liuyun is my student. Go train Nawaki instead!"

Tsunade's tone turned sharp, and suspicion filled her eyes.

Is he trying to steal my student?

"You're overthinking it. I'd like to take Liuyun as my student, but he isn't interested." Orochimaru shook his head.

He turned to Liuyun with a raspy chuckle. "I'll be going, Liuyun!"

"See you!"

Even after Orochimaru disappeared, Tsunade still looked suspicious.

She muttered, "Since when is he this nice?"

Liuyun was speechless. Orochimaru had already said why he was treating Liuyun this way: he wanted to repay him for saving Nawaki.

That big-chested woman... Forget it. All her brains went into her Big Boobs. No use...

"Tsunade, I'm off! Be careful tomorrow. Staying alive is what matters most," Jiraiya said worriedly.

The three of them had always operated together. Letting Tsunade go on a mission without him and Orochimaru felt strange.

"Relax! I'm not as weak as you think! This mission is as good as done!" Tsunade clenched a fist, brimming with confidence.

Jiraiya could only stare, puzzled. Where had all that confidence come from?

"Mission? What mission tomorrow?" Liuyun asked curiously.

"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted and pulled him toward the exit.

As they walked, she told Liuyun about her assignment.

"Can you really do that? Just you and a few Jonin, raiding the Sand Ninja's stronghold?"

Liuyun frowned. Jiraiya and Orochimaru would be keeping the enemy occupied at the front, sure.

But it was still far too dangerous—a mission with almost no chance of survival!

"Heh! Of course I can't do it alone. But I've got you, haven't I?"

Tsunade grinned, proud of herself rather than the least bit ashamed.

"Me?" Liuyun pointed at himself.

His mind raced, and he immediately understood why Hatake Sakumo had assigned Tsunade to destroy the Sand Ninja's supplies!

Sakumo knew what Liuyun could do but couldn't ask him outright. So he had handed the mission to Tsunade, counting on her to get Liuyun involved!

Liuyun had heard of people tricking their sons or fathers, but tricking a student? That was a new one.

They hadn't gone far when Kato Dan appeared in front of Tsunade.

"Did you need something, Jonin Kato?"

Tsunade sounded puzzled, but there was a coolness in her voice. It was nothing like the way she spoke to Liuyun.

"I'd like to join this mission!"

Kato Dan smiled warmly. He had something of Minato's sunny disposition.

Liuyun narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing through them. He dares try to take my girl? Should I find a chance to kill him?

"I'll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow!"

With that, Tsunade pulled Liuyun toward her tent.

"Hey, you were pretty cold to him. Do you dislike Jonin Kato that much?" Liuyun asked, genuinely curious.

From her tone, anyone would think she had a grudge against Kato Dan!

"It's nothing. He's just another suitor I'm not interested in," Tsunade said irritably.

Then her face turned uncharacteristically serious. "You left early yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to ask."

"You said they added Nawaki to that mission at the last minute."

"That means Nawaki was part of their plan, or at least on their list!"

"What should I do? How can I make sure Nawaki survives?"

Tsunade stared intently at Liuyun, her beautiful eyes full of urgency.

(It's almost time for the paid release. Friends, could you send some flowers for good luck? Give me a nice surprise!)

Raid on the Sand Ninja Main Camp! (Fourth Update!)

Liuyun glanced at Tsunade in surprise. When her little brother's life was at stake, this big-chested woman's brain did seem to start working.

He held up three fingers. "I have three ways. First, send Nawaki back to Konoha and keep him inside the Senju Clan Compound."