NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Chapter 22
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Ikeno opened the door.
"Hey, why are you the only one here? Where's Sasuke?"
Naruto burst out laughing, clutching his stomach, "He went to the blacksmith!"
"Blacksmithing?"
Ikeno was surprised. He hadn't realized that after the physical training competition, Sasuke had started his journey into blacksmithing...
Upstairs, in the second-floor bedroom, Ikeno playfully pushed Naruto onto the bed. Naruto chuckled.
"Haha, it tickles, bro! What are you going to do?"
Ikeno wanted to test the effect of his "ball balls" technique. With a wave of his hand, five or six electric balls bounced onto Naruto's back. They clung to his skin like suction cups, making a sizzling sound. The electrical orbs applied negative pressure, stimulating Naruto's acupoints and activating the meridians throughout his body.
Just then, the system unexpectedly issued a new sign-in task.
[Ding! Please host, demonstrate ten ways to use the Multiple Shadow Clone technique. Sign-in period: one month.]
What the heck!
Even this is a task?
Ikeno started brainstorming. "Maybe I'll open a physical therapy shop on Konoha Street in the future, using these little electric orbs to massage people. It could help relax their meridians, boost health, and eliminate bad energy. Might make some money..."
He eventually drifted off to sleep, as did Naruto, feeling unusually drowsy from the treatment.
Meanwhile, even though the Third Hokage had suppressed the news, word still leaked out. The village of Konoha soon buzzed with rumors.
Before long, the news of Ikeno's cold-blooded murder of his teacher spread like wildfire.
He became the new target of gossip in Konoha, similar to Naruto before him—a mysterious outcast!
Whenever he walked down the street, people would point and whisper behind his back. Some parents even warned their children: "Don't go near him! He's dangerous. He even killed his teacher!"
But Ikeno couldn't care less. His thick skin and inner strength made him resilient to the negative attention. Still, if he caught anyone talking behind his back, he'd make sure to confront them and shut them up.
Luckily, the people closest to him weren't hostile. Sasuke, in particular, remained indifferent when he learned that Mizuki had been killed. All he said was, "Oh," without much reaction.
One morning, during the graduation briefing, Iruka-sensei announced the team placements. Originally, the 27 graduates were to be split into 9 teams, with three students each. However, with the addition of Toshi Ikeno, one team would now have four members.
As expected, Toshi Ikeno was placed in Kakashi's Team 7.
Sakura seemed less hostile toward him than before, though her irritation toward Naruto remained unchanged. "Why do I have to be grouped with that idiot?" she grumbled.
But she quickly gloated to Ino about being placed on the same team as Sasuke. Ino, meanwhile, barely paid attention, staring at Sasuke with admiration.
"Oh, Toshi Ikeno, I wish I were on your team," she swooned. Then, turning to Chōji, she shouted, "Stop eating, you fat pig!"
Naruto smiled through Sakura's insults, as usual. Ikeno shook his head in disbelief.
"This fool, pining for someone like her. He doesn't even know what's coming..."
Ikeno made a mental note to help Naruto forget about Sakura and rid him of his habit of "chasing after someone unworthy."
After the briefing ended at ten in the morning, Ikeno stopped Hinata on his way home—his "future child's mother."
"Hinata, we won't be seeing each other as much after graduation."
He reached out and gently patted her head.
They were so close that they could feel each other's breath.
Hinata blushed furiously, her heart racing. She suddenly felt dizzy.
"No... it's okay. Our houses are close, so you can still visit me."
Blushing even harder, she lowered her head shyly.
Ikeno chuckled, "Sure, you can come over to my place too. No one's home, so it's convenient to hang out."
Hinata's hands trembled slightly. "What would we... play?"
"Ahem, we could play video games, sing karaoke... I'll teach you how to sing Conquer."
The conversation grew awkward for a moment, so Ikeno changed the subject.
"By the way, do you have any siblings?"
"Yes, I have a younger sister who's five years younger than me. Her name is Hanabi."
Ikeno feigned surprise. "Hanabi? I didn't know! You should bring her over next time."
"Sure…"
After saying goodbye to Hinata, Ikeno returned home to prepare lunch. Earlier, he'd run into Granny Koharu, who had been craving the snacks he made last time. He promised to make some more for her.
Of course, he had ulterior motives.
Though Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were not strong ninjas, they had some influence in the village. Their support could prove useful in the future, especially during decisions regarding the Hokage.
Ikeno knew better than to rely solely on his relationship with the Third Hokage. That bond would eventually become restrictive. He needed other avenues to advance in the future.
Under a blossoming cherry tree, Ikeno carried a basket filled with plum and Anko rice cakes.
Suddenly, a sweet voice chimed, "That smells delicious…"
The speaker was a little girl—adorably cute with short black hair, smooth skin, and rosy cheeks. Her pink kimono and glass slippers made her look like a child from a wealthy family. However, her white, pupil-less eyes gave away her identity.
Ikeno was momentarily stunned.
"Hanabi?!"
"What's your name, little sister?" he asked, crouching down and offering her a piece of Anko rice cake from his basket.
The strict Hyuga family upbringing forbade Hanabi from accepting food from strangers or talking to them. But looking into Ikeno's kind eyes, she felt a surprising sense of safety.
"He's much kinder than big brother Neji…" she thought.
She glanced at the guards standing nearby. They recognized Ikeno —the Third Hokage's apprentice, known for the delicious smells wafting from his courtyard. After a brief moment of consideration, the guards gave a nod of approval.
With permission, Hanabi took a small bite of the Anko rice cake.
"My name is Hyuga Hanabi."
Haha! It really is Hanabi!
When she grows up, she'll be one of the most beautiful girls in the entire Naruto world!
Her cuteness as a child was already overwhelming.
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