When Aokawa returned home, Hyuga Fū came to meet him as soon as he entered the door.
"Aokawa, accompany me on a mission tomorrow."
"A mission? What kind of mission?" Aokawa asked in confusion.
"I'm just one C-Rank Mission away from being able to take the Special Jonin assessment; I mentioned it to you last time."
"Oh!" Aokawa realized.
Hyuga Fū had mentioned this before he set off with Kurenai Yūhi.
He continued to ask, "Did you find a suitable mission?"
"I found one."
Hyuga Fū took out a scroll: "This mission isn't difficult, just wiping out a few bandits. The terrain is a bit complex, but it's perfect for the Hyuga Clan."
Aokawa took the scroll, glanced at it, and nodded with a smile:
"Then I'll listen to Dad!"
After washing off the dust of travel, he lay comfortably on his bed.
Upon waking up, he prepared to head to the Training Ground as usual to find Guy for physical training.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Kurenai Yuhi standing by the street.
The soft light of the setting sun fell on her, as if plating her in a thin layer of gold.
As soon as she saw Aokawa, her eyes lit up slightly, and she walked quickly to meet him: "Aokawa!"
Her hair still carried a hint of moisture, looking as if she had just finished bathing, and with it came a faint fragrance.
"Good afternoon, Kurenai," Aokawa greeted with a smile.
"Good afternoon!" Kurenai Yuhi responded sweetly.
"Is there something you need from me?"
Kurenai Yuhi unconsciously twirled a strand of hair by her temple: "Um... tomorrow, are you free?"
She looked up, her cheeks flushed with a faint blush: "I, my dad wants to invite you to our house for dinner."
"Tomorrow..."
Aokawa's tone was somewhat apologetic: "I have to go out on a mission with my dad tomorrow."
"A mission? Didn't you just get back?" A trace of worry flickered in Kurenai Yuhi's eyes, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Don't worry, it's just a common bandit suppression mission, there's no risk."
Aokawa gave a reassuring smile, then blinked: "If you're really worried...? You can come and protect me."
"What are you talking about!" Kurenai Yuhi's ears instantly turned red.
Saying that, she threw a punch without much force.
Aokawa smiled and reached out, catching her soft punch right in his palm.
The girl's hand was small and cool, her delicate skin pressed against his slightly calloused palm, possessing an indescribable softness.
Kurenai Yuhi's entire face turned completely red, and she hurriedly tried to pull her hand back, but Aokawa held it firmly.
As her eyes darted around, she suddenly noticed an elderly couple standing nearby, smiling as they watched their interaction.
She was so embarrassed she could hardly speak a complete sentence, only able to glare at him with watery eyes: "It's all your fault..."
Saying that, she raised her other hand again as if to strike, but it was once again steadily caught by him.
The light laughter coming from afar made her even more mortified, a blush spreading across her delicate face and fair neck.
"Hmph! I'm ignoring you!"
She finally pulled her hand back, turned around, and ran away.
Watching that playful figure gradually distance itself under the crimson sunset, Aokawa could still seem to feel the delicacy and coolness on his hand.
Not until the figure disappeared from his sight did he shake his head with a smile and rush toward the Training Ground.
"Aokawa, why are you so late today!"
As soon as he reached the Training Ground, a powerful voice rang out.
Aokawa turned to look and saw Might Guy wearing a green jumpsuit, running in place beside him while asking.
"Sorry, I just warmed up at home for a bit," Aokawa responded haphazardly.
"Aokawa's enthusiasm for training is getting higher and higher! Then let's begin today's Aokawa training!"
Might Guy gave a thumbs-up, showing his signature smile, looking ready to start.
Aokawa quickly waved his hand: "I don't think my warm-up was sufficient; you run a few laps first."
Saying that, he began to warm up on his own.
Seeing this, Might Guy had no choice but to continue his own training.
Three hours later.
As usual, Aokawa collapsed to the ground panting, even though his training time was already much longer than when he first transmigrated.
But he still couldn't compare to Guy, that rare beast.
He put on his goggles and began to circulate Sage Mode to recover from fatigue.
A moment later, the eyeshadow disappeared.
Aokawa frowned.
With the increase in training volume, such a small amount of Sage Mode Chakra was becoming increasingly unable to satisfy him.
Because he had a mission tomorrow, he didn't train to complete exhaustion today.
But the Sage Mode Chakra was still used up before his cells had fully recovered.
After returning from this mission, he would need to increase his exploration of Sage Mode... Early the next morning.
Aokawa was pulled out of bed by Hyuga Fū.
Because the Sage Mode Chakra was a bit insufficient yesterday, part of the fatigue from his training had to be recovered through sleep.
Yawning and squinting his eyes, he got out of bed, packed up, and followed Hyuga Fū out the door.
The early morning wind carried a chill, making Aokawa's hazy eyes become a bit clearer.
A beautiful figure appeared in his vision, standing quietly by the street.
"Kurenai Yuhi?"
Aokawa rubbed his eyes.
It really was Kurenai Yuhi.
Her two small hands were held in front of her chest, her index fingers constantly circling each other.
She was fully equipped, looking like she was about to go out on a mission.
As soon as she saw Aokawa come out.
Her small face instantly turned red, and she walked toward the nearby alleyway without a word, her head lowered.
Aokawa hurriedly caught up.
"Kurenai!" He grabbed Kurenai Yuhi's hand.
Kurenai Yuhi quickly pulled her small hand away, her face red and her neck stiff as she said, "I, I'm just passing by, don't misunderstand!"
"That's such a coincidence. The mission requires three people to execute, and we were just wondering where to find someone."
Aokawa spoke nonsense, winking at Hyuga Fū who had followed: "Right, Dad?"
"Ah, yeah," Hyuga Fū reacted immediately, "I overlooked the number of people when I took the mission."
Aokawa also smoothly took over: "So Kurenai, help us out."
"Well, okay then..." Kurenai Yuhi looked as if she were reluctantly agreeing.
Then she raised her small face proudly: "I'm doing it for Uncle's sake."
"Yes, yes..." Aokawa took the opportunity to follow her lead.
Hyuga Fū also quietly gave his son a thumbs-up.
Along the way, Hyuga Fū, who had difficulty walking, was actually leading the way in front.
Aokawa and Kurenai Yuhi trailed far behind.
"How's the injury to your ribs? Did you go for treatment?"
Aokawa suddenly remembered and asked with concern.
Hearing this, the tips of Kurenai Yuhi's ears turned red again.
She looked guiltily at Hyuga Fū ahead, seeing that he was quite far from the two of them.
She suddenly reached out and gave Aokawa's waist a hard pinch.
"Hiss!" Aokawa gasped and hurriedly pulled her small hand away: "What are you doing..."
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Aokawa huffily: "Who told you to take advantage of me!"
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