Chapter 46: Ino
(Author's note: This book's main part isn't romance, so it might seem rushed compared to my other fic. Anyway, this is a harem story in the tags, so read ahead at your own risk)
The trip back to the village was one of multiple days, and right now was the first rest session, after 14 hours of traveling.
Most of the genin were worn out, but not to the point where they could not fight since they were trained to constantly fight.
They will be back to full health soon.
While a makeshift camp was set up, I walked towards Shikamaru who was sleeping.
"Go away." He said in between his snores.
I however ignored him and sat right in front of him.
"How was your past few weeks?" I asked Shikamaru who sat up straight and sighed.
"We only get 3 hours of rest. Do you really not want to sleep?"
"Sure I do, after asking you how you have been."
Normally, I did interact with the shinobi, after all that was how I had gotten so many Jutsu compared to Ayumi, however now that I knew they might be real, I need to actively get to know them even more.
Naruto was a very straightforward person. He already considered me his friend.
Sasuke considered me someone to beat, and as long as I stayed ahead of me I would have a relationship with him, either positive or negative.
Sakura was a meme right now who only talked to Sasuke and some girls so I couldn't try to talk to her even if I wanted to.
So my next best bet was Shikamaru's squad.
Since 1 guy I had interacted with everyday for a month, and the other way was to literally just give him food.
"It was alright, just a bit tiring. We got activated like 6 times."
"I see…Oh also, Choji right? Catch." I said as I threw over some snacks I had from the village. I had gotten used to the field rations and only had a bit of snacks left which I might as well feed the happy hippo.
"Thanks." He managed to utter while he continued eating.
Ino however was at the side, panting due to the taxing journey.
Without any offense to her, while she is a very capable ninja with her clan's special Jutsu, her physical stats were horrible.
"Here." I also passed her some water.
"Thanks." She muttered with some embarrassment and after catching her breath she made some eye contact with me.
"Your Shikomu, right? Everyone said you look similar to Shikamaru, but you guys don't seem that similar?" She questioned me.
(Authors note: I know, this is a plot hole; but this is a fanfiction so just like work around it please, I am sure you guys are bored about the fact he looks like Shikamaru, especially since I am going to be working on romance in this novel)
I pulled out a kunai to see my reflection and realized that it had changed a little.
Before, I looked like a carbon copy of Shikamaru, but now that my hair has been growing so much, it seemed crazy, and unkept as it flowed everywhere.
My skin was also much more fair, and due to my lean build my jawline was extremely visible.
I was beginning to look more and more like myself from the real world…
"Is that in a good way or a bad way?"
"Definitely a good way." She quickly told me.
"Well that's good." I said, as I sat right beside her which seemed to surprise her a bit.
"Urm."
"Yes?"
"It's just…weren't you talking to the boys?"
"Shikamaru would get mad if I talked to him anymore, and Choji seems to be busy eating. I decided I would rather spend my time talking to you."
"I see…by the way, how come I have never seen you from the academy?" She questioned.
"I was pretty lowkey at that time, so were my squad mates. I wish I wasn't though." I said the last part with a sigh.
She tilted her head and questioned, "And why not?"
"Because I wish I saw a lady as pretty as you more often."
Ino immediately began to blush.
After that, Ino and I conversed for a bit and I eventually did end up taking a nap near her.
…
(Ino POV)
Shikomu was definitely not someone I expected to…be interested in during a conversation.
He gave off a very dark and eerie aura, but when talking to him I realized he was just a nice guy who was easy to have a conversation with.
It didn't even feel that forced, as the conversation mostly flowed to non ninja topics, which was something hard to find..
It was easy for most people to forget that we were not just ninjas, and outside of being ninjas we should have our own life.
For example, I loved flowers, gardening and things related to it.
Shikomu told me he loved reading novels and playing games with his friends.
While different from each other, we were able to appreciate and not disregard the hobby of the other person.
He felt very different from my usual type, which was Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't even give me the time of the day even when I clearly liked him, and honestly it was beginning to feel tiring.
And just as I was wondering if my whole life would be dull this guy walks into it, with his messy hair that covers his entire face which has a unique charm to it.
Eventually he did take a nap, but I couldn't fall asleep with him right next to me, so I decided to look at him and obese him a bit more.
He was quite tall for our age at 5 '2 (157cm), and had an extremely athletic and lean body as expected of a shinobi.
What gave him his charm though was his pale skin, as if it hadn't seen the light of day.
I had the urge to move his hair a little, since it was so messy, however when I moved my hand I suddenly felt like I was being watched.
I looked around to see all the Jonin sensei gathered together, clearly not paying attention to me.
Shikamaru was sleeping and Choji was also in deep sleep. There was no one else around us, and as I looked around I couldn't help but feel weird.
Eventually though, I looked towards the shadow that cast over Shikomu's body and couldn't help but shiver.
I could swear…the shadow smiled and waved at me…but no one would believe me.
…
(Jonin Location)
"That was not a smart move." Kurenai told Naido, who was unbothered by her words as he had some snacks while smoking with Asuma.
"I thought Monks don't smoke?" Asuma asked with a teasing voice as he lit up Naido's cigarette.
"I am sure the Buddha will be forgiving and let me have this one." Naido said, as he used his finger to light his and Asuma's cigarette and inhaled in a massive puff.
Kurenai patiently waited, and eventually Naido turned towards her.
"What?"
"That was not a smart move. Giving something as important as a Jinchuriki to a kid…"
"Speaking of Shikomu, what do you think of him, Sora?"
Sora who was snacking right there sighed as he thought about it for a second.
"He is definitely strong for someone his age…and when he moves I feel this weird feeling, like the world is responding to him. It was just like with Naido when he was younger."
"I know right…but this didn't happen till recently, HAHAHAHA." Naido said as he burst out into laughter.
"But the kid is decent for his age," Kakashi vouched
"Must be a lot if it is coming from you." Asuma said with slight seriousness this time.
"This doesn't matter, he is 13! He should not be given such a massive responsibility!"
"If I didn't think Shikomu could handle it, I wouldn't have told him to do it."
"URGH!" Kurenai, in frustration, decided to walk towards her genin.
Right as she left, the remaining 4 Jonin looked at each other and seemed to have a tactful understanding about something, before they decided it was time to resume their travels.
…
Authors note:
This weeks goal: if we hit the top 10 ranking by Sunday, for 181+ days section, you will get an extra chapter :))
You can read some chapters ahead if you want to on my p#treon.com/Fat_Cultivator