"That Kage guy… even though he acts cold on the outside, I didn't expect him to help us this much," Just before stepping out of the Forest of Death and reaching the tower for the elimination round, Shikamaru couldn't help but praise Uchiha Kage once again.
If it weren't for him, they definitely would've had a lot more trouble along the way.
But now, everything went smoothly.
"Mm, once the Chūnin Exams are over, let's treat him to some barbecue," Chōji was also very grateful for Uchiha Kage's thoughtful escort service.
"You're just realizing that now? Isn't it a little too late!", Ino proudly flaunted her crush while sneakily mocking Shikamaru and Chōji's previous lack of taste.
"Kage is like that by nature. He seems cold and unfeeling on the surface, but he's actually really gentle…", She couldn't help but recall a time when she was young and Uchiha Kage had protected her, and Ino's gaze grew even gentler.
"...", Following behind the Konoha genin and listening to them praise Uchiha Kage the whole way, Samui just wanted to roll her eyes into the sky.
She had seen the real Uchiha Kage, 'That guy is a lecherous, shameless, despicable scoundrel who only uses threats to bully women.'
'His only redeeming qualities are his formidable strength and flawless appearance. But that just makes him a beast in human clothing.'
'Only these ignorant kids, who know only one side of him, would praise him like he is one of a kind.'
'Especially that blonde girl…'
Just hearing Uchiha Kage's name made her eyes sparkle.
'Totally brainwashed by that guy's exterior.'
'Still… what would this girl's face look like if she found out that scumbag poured his filthy essence into my body every day?'
"Big sis, why aren't you talking?", Ino looked curiously at the aloof older sister who had been silently protecting them the entire way.
She also felt a bit of a threat.
'With such a hot-bodied female subordinate, could Kage have been seduced by this woman?'
"Don't want to talk."
"Big sis, how did you become Kage's subordinate? Was it assigned by the Hokage?"
"Yes…"
'I was kidnapped by that guy, would you believe that?'
Samui clenched her fists.
'Didn't I just say I don't want to talk? Can't this girl take a hint?'
'Still asking?'
"I see. But you have short hair, and he likes long hair, so maybe it's fine…"
'Kage probably won't like her.'
'Ino proudly smoothed her silky, long blonde hair.'
'Kage said he likes my long hair. Rounding it up, that means… Kage likes me!'
"Mm."
He only likes copying her every day. He definitely doesn't like her.
Samui clenched her fists tighter.
"But even if you like him, it's fine. After all, Kage is such a good person, any girl would like him."
'Since short hair isn't Kage's type, this big sister probably isn't a threat.'
Ino naturally relaxed quite a bit.
"I wouldn't like him…"
'Even if the Sage of Six Paths is his son, I still can't like that shameless, despicable guy!'
But just as Samui was refuting Ino, the man she hated most actually showed up ahead of them, right near the tower.
"Oh really? I don't like you either," After wreaking havoc on most of the ninjas in the Forest of Death, Uchiha Kage had changed back into his original outfit and returned to the group with Samui and the others.
As for the disturbance in the forest…
Sorry, that was caused by Orochimaru and the "mysterious masked man," and had absolutely nothing to do with him, Uchiha Kage.
"Hmph!", Seeing Uchiha Kage appear, Samui gave a heavy snort.
'Doesn't like me but still uses me as a onahole?'
'What a shameless, lying man!'
"Kage! You've been secretly protecting me this whole time, haven't you?"
"No," Faced with the blonde beauty pouncing at him, Uchiha Kage had no choice but to catch her.
"Hehe, Kage, are you shy? But it's okay. I just knew you cared the most about me…"
Cough! Cough!
But before Ino could snuggle into Uchiha Kage's arms for long, an uninvited guest interrupted her.
"So you were here, my dear student!", Yuhi Kurenai appeared at the entrance of the tower with Hinata and Shino, both in Chūnin vests, and just happened to witness Ino "shamelessly" throwing herself into Uchiha Kage's arms.
She had been looking for this troublesome student for ages. Who would've thought she'd be cozying up with some blonde-haired… brat.
Because her focus was entirely on Uchiha Kage, she didn't notice Samui, who had turned slightly sideways to minimize her presence and wore a mask.
"It's Yuhi Kurenai-sensei…"
'Hmph, another older woman trying to snag a younger man.'
Although Kurenai interrupted her progress, Ino had no intention of leaving Uchiha Kage's embrace.
Thus, one older and one younger kunoichi began glaring at each other right outside the elimination exam arena.
'This is quite amusing. That bastard is finally getting what he deserves.'
If she guessed right, this was the legendary Harem Battlefield, the kind of drama only playboys experienced.
Samui coldly watched the scene unfold, feeling quite pleased inside.
'Flustered now, aren't you, you unfaithful scumbag?'
But before Samui could enjoy her gloating for long, an unexpected guest barged in and unceremoniously broke up Uchiha Kage's Battlefield.
"Ino! The exam is inside, what are you still doing out here?"
"D-Dad?"
'Why is Dad here?'
Ino never expected to run into her father here and had to awkwardly slide off Uchiha Kage.
"Inoichi-senpai," As someone who never felt there was a Battlefield in the first place, Uchiha Kage didn't react at all.
He even took the initiative to bring up official matters with Yamanaka Inoichi.
"Is the Hokage inside? I have urgent business to report."
Orochimaru and the "mysterious masked man" appearing in the forest was a top-level issue. Uchiha Kage needed to give the Third Hokage a real headache.
———
"Hey, go get me some water!"
"Yes."
"Wait, come over here and let me bite you first!"
"I…"
[Forest of Death]
Three genin examinees from the Grass Ninja Village were resting behind a large rock.
Not far away was a gently flowing stream.
Just about to follow orders and fetch water, Karin had no choice but to return to her companions and stretch out her small arm.
As a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, she was born with the ability to heal others.
As long as someone bit her skin, their injuries—even chakra—could recover.
But because of this special ability, and the short-sightedness of this small border country called the Grass Village, her mother had been bitten to death by their ninjas during a small-scale war—used as a living blood bag.
And now, it was gradually becoming her turn.
Facing a future possibly identical to her mother's, Karin felt nothing but despair.
"Hurry up, why are you spacing out?"
The male ninja from the Grass Village glanced in disgust at the malnourished, skinny girl, then urged her to roll up her sleeves.
"Mm…"
Though she had just begun being used as a medical tool, Karin's pale, tender arm already had two or three bite marks.
"Not that one. Give me the other arm that hasn't been bitten!"
"But… they're the same."
Karin shrank back slightly, reluctant.
"Don't waste time!"
The ninja from Grass Village yanked Karin's hair.
"You think there'll be any part of your body left unbitten in the future? Hurry up and give me your arm!"
"Ow…"
Tears welled up in Karin's eyes from the pain of having her hair pulled.
She cautiously stretched out her unbitten arm.
'Yes, it will all be covered in bite marks sooner or later. What was I even hoping for?'
Wanting to keep her skin intact, it was a laughable idea.
Thinking of her mother's corpse that day, covered in bite marks beneath a tattered white sheet, Karin's eyes began to go hollow.
Someday, she'd end up just like her mother…
"Tch, next time you don't listen, it won't just be hair-pulling!"
Staring at the girl's delicate, fair skin, the ninja from Grass Village finally opened his mouth with satisfaction.
"I heard your mother used to beg our Grass ninjas to bite her, just so they'd take you both in. You should learn to be grateful, understand? Too bad that slut died so young…"
"Don't… don't talk about my mother like that!"
Slap!
Reacting instinctively, upon hearing her mother insulted, Karin pulled back her arm and slapped the man across the face.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/ZenonTL
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.