Konoha: I Have a Gravity Training Room

Tenten would probably like them. Even though she was still young, with her talent as a weapons master, she likely would not refuse new ninja tools.

By then, they would be acquainted. Once Tenten graduated and joined Might Guy's Team, Xia Mu could naturally get to know Might Guy.

The Eight Gates were calling to him!

"Hey! Xia Mu, your smile is a little lecherous," Shino reminded him.

"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about something happy." Xia Mu awkwardly explained, then lowered his head and continued drawing the designs.

Though Shino was puzzled, he did not press further. He simply could not understand what happy thing could make someone wear such a lecherous expression. Naruto sometimes looked like that when he fantasized about Sakura.

After school that afternoon, Xia Mu said goodbye to his friends and waited near the school gates.

Students from other grades gradually left the academy, and before long, Xia Mu finally saw the person he was waiting for.

Tenten wore two tiny buns in her hair, a small pink short jacket, and dark green cropped pants. She looked adorably cute without losing her capable air.

Sure enough, everyone was cute when they were little.

Sasuke was, and so was Tenten.

Xia Mu did not approach her right away. Instead, he silently followed behind her, unaware that Shino, who should have gone home already, was hiding behind a utility pole not far behind him.

Watching Xia Mu's back, Shino hesitated for a moment. "Xia Mu seemed off, so I was worried and planned to secretly keep an eye on him. I didn't expect him to be following a girl, just like how Hinata hid and followed Naruto. No wonder he had that lecherous smile earlier. It looks like he has a girl he likes. As his good friend, I have to follow them and see!"

Thinking that, he did not hurry after him and merely strolled along at an unhurried pace.

He had already left a Female Insect on Xia Mu, so finding him would be easy. There was no need to follow too closely and risk Xia Mu noticing him.

Xia Mu had no idea Shino was following him. He simply trailed behind Tenten openly.

It was not until he saw Tenten enter a Ninja Tool Shop and call out in her childish voice, "Dad, I'm home," that he stopped.

Xia Mu confirmed that Tenten had arrived home, and that her family really did run a ninja tool shop. Otherwise, she would not be so rich. Judging by the number of ninja tools Tenten threw away during the Chunin Exams, it would probably be enough to bankrupt all three members of Team 7.

He walked straight in and saw a plump-looking shop owner smiling at Tenten like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Tenten's parents had never been mentioned in the original story. They were probably ordinary people, though it was unclear whether they had died before Tenten graduated. Still, Tenten had a good personality. Other than worrying about her own strength, she was generally optimistic, and unlike Sakura, she was not ill-mannered. She probably was not an orphan.

The moment the Shop Owner Uncle saw Xia Mu and realized he was just a little brat, his smile vanished. "Kid, what do you want?"

Xia Mu walked directly over to Tenten and flashed what he believed was a brilliant smile. "Hello, my name is Xia Mu. I'm in my first year. Can I know your name?"

Tenten stared blankly for a moment, then answered, "Hello, I'm Tenten."

Xia Mu immediately praised her. "Tenten? That's a cute name, and you're cute too."

Tenten suddenly blushed at the compliment, clearly embarrassed. Being called cute by adults was nothing unusual, but this was the first time a boy her age had called her cute.

The Shop Owner Uncle's eyes turned fierce, and his voice screeched like nails on glass. "Kid! What exactly do you want?"

Was this brat trying to hit on his precious daughter? He had a death wish!

Xia Mu took out his design drafts and handed them to Tenten. "I designed two special types of shuriken and wanted to ask whether your shop would be interested. But Shop Owner Uncle, you're not a ninja, so you definitely wouldn't understand. I'll show Tenten instead."

The Shop Owner Uncle was furious. "My family runs a ninja tool shop, and you're saying I don't understand ninja tools?"

Xia Mu ignored him. Seeing Tenten flip through the design drafts, he explained from beside her:

"First is this Poison Shuriken. It's made from fragile wood or ceramic shards and filled with poison or sleeping powder. Once thrown, if the enemy blocks it with a kunai, the shuriken will burst apart. Even if they do not block it, you can detonate it with hand seals. It's basically poisoning them point-blank, and the results definitely won't be bad!"

"And this Steel Wire Shuriken has a wire mechanism installed inside. You do not throw it to hit the target, but to embed it into the ground or tree trunks around the enemy. Once the mechanism is activated, hooked steel wires shoot out. If they catch the enemy's clothes or skin, you can restrain them and create an opening to attack!"

Tenten nodded repeatedly as she looked over the designs.

Despite her young age, she truly had a talent for ninja tools. Not only was she skilled at using them, but she also had a sharp eye for their design.

The Shop Owner Uncle leaned over for a look, then snorted. "Kid, you have some interesting ideas, but now that you've exposed them, even if I don't buy your designs, I can still make them..."

"Dad! How can you do that?"

Tenten put her hands on her hips and scolded him. "Xia Mu must have worked very hard to come up with these designs. Even if you don't buy them, you can't steal his work. Besides, I like both of these shuriken. I'm definitely buying them, and once they're made, we won't sell them. I'll use them all myself!"

The Shop Owner Uncle immediately backed down. "Dad was just trying to scare him. If Tenten says we should buy them, then we'll buy them!"

That was what he said, but tears silently streamed down his face. His own daughter was actually speaking up for an outsider. It was all that damn brat's fault!

Only then was Tenten satisfied. She smiled at Xia Mu. "Xia Mu, how much do you plan to sell these two designs for?"

Xia Mu looked earnest. "I don't know either. Tenten should understand this better. You're so cute, Tenten, so you probably wouldn't cheat me, right? I trust you."

"Cute, you say..."

Tenten blushed again. After thinking for a moment, she said, "How about this? I think both of these shuriken are very good. I'll buy each design for twenty thousand ryo, forty thousand ryo total. What do you think?"

Xia Mu was a little surprised and asked uncertainly, "Is it really okay to give me that much? Shouldn't you ask your dad?"

When he had taught Shino One-Handed Seals before, he had only received one hundred thousand ryo. He had even specifically asked about it and learned that Shino's father had set the price, and that it was already considered high.

He had not expected these two shuriken designs to sell for forty thousand ryo outright.

But Tenten said firmly, "I think they're worth that price, so take it without worry. Besides, you can design such good ninja tools at such a young age. I believe you'll be able to design even better ones in the future, and when that happens, you have to sell them to me!"

Oh, so this price is meant to make friends.

She already understands social etiquette at such a young age?

Xia Mu said nothing more. He silently accepted the money the Shop Owner Uncle handed over unwillingly, then stated his real purpose for coming today. "Then, Tenten, we're friends now, right? Can I come see you often in the future?"

Leaning on a Rich Girl Isn't Shameful

If he came to see Tenten often and made sure she remembered him, then once she graduated, he could naturally go find Might Guy's Team. Wouldn't that let him meet Might Guy?

However, Tenten still had years before graduation. He would have to wait.

It would be great if he could run into Might Guy someday. He could shamelessly go make friends with him, ask him about some taijutsu techniques, and once they became familiar, seek instruction in the Eight Gates.

The problem was that he could not run into him!

Konoha was called a village, but it was actually huge. How could he just happen to meet a particular person?

It was not impossible to deliberately ask around, but if a child suddenly started asking about an unfamiliar jonin, it would easily arouse suspicion. Child spies were not unheard of these days.

In any case, Tenten was the safest lead. He had to make good use of it.

And just as Tenten had said, if he came up with more good ninja tool designs in the future, he could sell them here again. Wouldn't that solve his living expenses problem?

Two birds with one stone!

Tenten blushed slightly at his words and nodded instinctively. "Mm, we're friends. You can come see me whenever you want."

Xia Mu was satisfied and smiled as he said goodbye. "Then I'll head home first. See you."

After leaving the Ninja Tool Shop, Xia Mu finally let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing that it was getting late, he hurried home. But after taking only a few steps, he sensed something wrong. He suddenly turned around and saw Shino, wrapped up tightly, standing behind him.

"Sh-Shino? Why are you here?" Xia Mu felt guilty for some reason.

"Sorry, Xia Mu. I know everything."

Even Shino's sunglasses seemed to gleam. "I wasn't trying to follow you. I just thought you were acting strange and got worried, so I followed you. I wasn't trying to pry into your secret. You have to believe me!"

Xia Mu was dumbfounded. "My secret? What secret do I have?"

Shino wore an expression that said, Stop trying to hide it from me. "You followed a girl in a pink short jacket, just like Hinata often follows Naruto. And you smiled lecherously today, just like Naruto does when he fantasizes about Sakura liking him. So you like the daughter of this ninja tool shop's owner! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone!"

I fucking don't...

Xia Mu had not expected Shino to misunderstand him, and for a moment, he did not know how to explain himself.

Thinking about it now, his behavior really did seem rather shameful.

First, he had followed Tenten. Then he had used selling ninja tool designs as an excuse to approach her, and the moment they met, he praised her for being cute. Wasn't that just like Naruto?

But Xia Mu called Tenten cute because, first, she really was cute, and second, he was trying to coax a little girl.

Now that Shino put it that way, the whole thing took on a different flavor. It really did sound criminal!

Tenten was only seven, for crying out loud!

"Still, maybe it wouldn't be so bad!"

Xia Mu stroked his chin and thought it over carefully.

Speaking of it, among Konoha's four great beauties, Sakura was a useless love-struck fool, Ino Yamanaka only cared about looks, Hinata was timid and weak and utterly devoted to Naruto, while Tenten had the best personality.

Although many Naruto fans shipped Tenten with Neji Hyuga, there was actually no depiction of romance between them. They might have had some affection for each other, but it never developed into love before Neji Hyuga died. Tenten never married afterward either, which left many Naruto fans deeply regretful.

However, even if Neji Hyuga had not died, he probably would not have considered marriage.

Neji himself had suffered because of the Main Family and Branch Family system. Why would he marry and have children? Would he watch helplessly as his own child received the Caged Bird Seal and continued serving as a slave to the Main Family?

Rather than that, he would be better off alone for the rest of his life!

As for Naruto's promise that he would change the Hyuga Clan after becoming Hokage, what exactly had he changed? At most, his status and strength had become great enough that the Hyuga Clan gave him face and did not place the Caged Bird Seal on Boruto and Himawari. Wasn't the Hyuga Clan still the same otherwise?

Tenten and Neji Hyuga were destined to have no future together!

If that was the case, perhaps he had a chance?

Tenten really was wonderful, after all, and she was rich too. There was no shame in leaning on a rich girl!

Taking it a step further, once Tenten graduated, she would become Might Guy's disciple. As Tenten's boyfriend, wouldn't he have even more justification to learn the Eight Gates?!

Having thought that far, Xia Mu reached out and patted Shino on the shoulder. "Shino, thank you. I hadn't thought that much about it before. I only went there to sell ninja tool designs. But after hearing you say that, I suddenly feel that Tenten really is adorable. So I'm definitely going to lean on this rich girl. You have to help your brother out!"

Shino stared blankly. From what Xia Mu was saying, had he misunderstood?

But then again, maybe he had not. Xia Mu really was going to pursue that girl in the pink short jacket!

So Shino nodded. "All right. If you need help in the future, just say the word. This concerns my friend's lifelong happiness, so I will not refuse!"

"Haha! Thanks, thanks! Let's go eat Ichiraku Ramen. My treat!"

The next day, after school, Xia Mu dragged Shino straight to Tenten's family's Ninja Tool Shop.

The moment the Shop Owner Uncle saw Xia Mu, he glared furiously. "Kid, you sure come here often! I'm warning you, don't get any ideas about my Tenten!"

Xia Mu chuckled and pointed at Shino. "Shop Owner Uncle, this is my friend, Shino Aburame."

Shino Aburame? The Aburame Clan! Judging by his outfit, he really was!

The Shop Owner Uncle immediately restrained his expression and asked with a smile, "Hello, welcome. What ninja tools do you need?"

Shino spoke coolly. "We're looking for Tenten."

Xia Mu quickly added, "I figured those two shuriken would definitely be finished after a day, so we came to see how they turned out. Is Tenten back?"

The Shop Owner Uncle wanted to refuse, but since Tenten had acknowledged Xia Mu as a friend, and someone from the Aburame Clan was with him, it was difficult to object. As an ordinary person, he also hoped Tenten would make more friends, especially children from ninja clans. With friends from clans like the Aburame Clan, Tenten might receive some support after she became a ninja.

So he said, "Those two shuriken are indeed finished. Tenten just got back and is preparing to test them in the backyard. Follow me."

With that, he led the two of them toward the backyard.

As Xia Mu walked, he looked around. All he could say was that this truly was a wealthy family. The Ninja Tool Shop out front did not look very large, but the backyard covered a considerable area. They had even set aside an open space as a small training ground for Tenten.

Tenten was currently holding a shuriken and aiming at a wooden target ahead. The moment she heard them, she looked over.

"Oh? Xia Mu, you're here! And this is..."

"This is my friend and deskmate, Shino Aburame. We came to see how the new shuriken work."

Tenten's cheeks were rosy, and the more Xia Mu looked at her, the cuter she seemed. He had not noticed before because he had not thought of her that way, but now he genuinely could not stop himself from smiling.

He casually dismissed the Shop Owner Uncle as well. "Thanks, Shop Owner Uncle. You should go back and watch the shop."

The Shop Owner Uncle shot him a vicious glare. Seeing that his precious daughter was no longer paying attention to her father and was even blushing, his heart ached.

His well-behaved daughter had been targeted at such a young age!

That brat deserved to die!

Chatting with Tenten

After the Shop Owner Uncle left, Xia Mu walked up to Tenten. "Have you tested the shuriken yet?"

Tenten shook her head. "I just got them and was about to test them when you arrived."

Xia Mu nodded and said to Shino, "Shino, use a Shadow Clone for the test."

Without a word, Shino raised his hand, and a swarm of insects flew out. Tenten was so startled that she hid behind Xia Mu, but the insects rapidly gathered into a humanoid shape and eventually transformed into Shino's appearance.