"Alright, stop complaining. Hurry up, pack your things, and let's head back. We'll start the second phase of our training," Asahi said, paying no mind to Yahiko's grumbling, especially when it came to playfully knocking on Yahiko's head.
He had developed quite the habit of doing that, but Yahiko's physical resilience assured him there was little to worry about.
"Okay, okay, I got it," Yahiko mumbled in response.
Not only had Asahi grown accustomed to this, but Yahiko had as well. Since becoming Asahi's disciple, he'd endured his fair share of head-patting.
Konan and Nagato, as usual, watched with hidden smiles, trying not to burst into laughter.
As for "packing," there wasn't much to pack. While they had bought a lot during their shopping spree, Asahi had effortlessly stored everything using his Space-Time Ninjutsu.
The four of them soon had everything in order and began their journey back to the small cabin.
This time, they carried small bags on their backs, which they had acquired while shopping in the city.
Due to their late start that morning, it was well past noon by the time they returned to the cabin.
Asahi had prepared some food in the morning while out in the city, but the three youngsters were famished. They hadn't slept well the previous night, and they hadn't eaten breakfast.
"Ah, Nagato, Konan, I feel like I'm going to starve," Yahiko complained as soon as they set down their bags.
Konan and Nagato, clutching their empty stomachs, chimed in agreement. "We're hungry too. Let's make some food quickly."
Coincidentally, Asahi had just finished arranging the supplies and overheard their conversation. He couldn't help but feel exasperated.
"You guys didn't have breakfast? Didn't I leave you a good amount of money?" he asked.
Yahiko scratched his head, not wanting to incur another of Asahi's iron-fisted head knocks. He remained silent.
As for Nagato, well, he was still a young and innocent boy at this point and had no intention of explaining himself. He simply blushed and looked away.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Konan spoke up, "Um, Master, when you returned, we had just woken up. We didn't have time for breakfast."
Asahi looked at the three youngsters, shaking his head in disbelief. He had been out in the city for at least three hours, and yet, they had all been fast asleep.
However, it was Konan who spoke up first. Asahi had successfully adopted the mindset of an older father figure and couldn't bring himself to scold her. He sighed and said, "You should have told me if you were hungry on the way. We could have taken a break and had something to eat. There was plenty of time. It's not good for your health to go hungry like this."
Konan clasped her hands together and pouted at Asahi, "Oh, Master, I didn't want to waste time. I know I was wrong."
Asahi couldn't resist her pout. He relented, "Alright, alright, stop pouting. Let's make some food quickly."
"Okay, I'll go make some food, Master!" Konan replied cheerfully and skipped away. Yahiko and Nagato exchanged glances and quietly left Asahi's line of sight.
"Hey, Nagato, I told you, Master is so biased. If it were me, I would have received a beating by now," Yahiko whispered to Nagato, teasing him.
Nagato didn't really think Asahi was biased; he understood that Asahi treated each of them differently based on their needs and personalities.
He replied, "Konan is a girl, and I don't see any problem with him being gentle with her. Besides, I think you're about to get a beating."
As he spoke, Nagato quietly took a step back.
Yahiko was initially puzzled by Nagato's words, but before he could ask, he felt a rush of cool air behind him.
Gulp!
Yahiko swallowed hard and slowly turned his head. When he did, he was met with Asahi's "ferocious" grin.
Yahiko felt his teeth chattering and regretted joking with Nagato. He couldn't believe he had asked for trouble.
"Heh, Mas... Master, you heard all that?" Yahiko asked, forcing a smile, his face frozen.
"Heh, did you think I didn't?" Asahi raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, which sent Yahiko's spirits plummeting.
However, he wanted to explain himself, perhaps salvage what remained of his dignity. He looked at Asahi with hope in his eyes and said, "Master, what if I told you I was just joking a moment ago? Would you believe me?"
"I believe you, I definitely believe you," Yahiko let out a sigh of relief. He was glad that Master believed him; at least he wouldn't be in trouble, and his life was spared.
"But..." Swish! The word 'but' made Yahiko's nerves go haywire again.
"But, even though I believe you, I think we need to have a good heart-to-heart talk," Master continued, and Yahiko's anxiety increased.
"Moreover, I need to educate you properly. You see, it's not right to talk bad about your teacher behind their back, even if it's a joke."
Yahiko's smile at this moment was truly more awkward than crying. "Master, I was wrong. I shouldn't have said anything bad about you."
"But I think our relationship is deep enough; we don't need more heart-to-heart talks."
"No, no, no," Asahi shook his head. "Not communicating our feelings won't do. What if someday you think I'm biased?"
"I won't, Master, I definitely won't think you're biased! I believe..."
Yahiko wanted to make amends, but Master interrupted him bluntly.
"I don't want you to think; I want me to think!"
"Disciple, how do you find the taste of my loving iron fist?"
"Master, I was wrong, please, no, ahh!!!"
"Be gentle, it hurts!"
A piercing scream echoed, and Nagato helplessly closed his eyes, refusing to witness Yahiko's miserable state.
Why on earth did he have to play with fire every now and then? Even if he wanted to joke or tease Master, he could have chosen a safer place!
Being reckless right under Master's nose, was he living a luxurious life or something?
Meanwhile, on the other side, Konan, who was cooking, heard Yahiko's piercing scream and simply rested her forehead in her hand in exasperation.
She didn't know exactly what had happened, but based on past experiences, Yahiko probably had acted up right under Master's nose again.
Really, why couldn't he remember anything? Now, it had become commonplace for Yahiko to occasionally receive a thrashing from Master right in their little wooden house.
Konan sometimes wondered if Yahiko had gotten so used to being beaten by Master that he felt uncomfortable without it.
Why did he keep doing reckless things? It was beyond her comprehension, really, beyond comprehension.
Although she was quite exasperated, Konan wasn't worried at all. At first, she feared that Yahiko might be severely beaten, but over time, she realized that Master was careful not to cause serious harm.
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