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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
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"Alright, now that you know my goal, you can relax, can't you?" Rinjin sighed, looking utterly drained.
"Relax," Ayawai replied, though her gaze fell on Rinjin's fingers resting against the sole of his foot. She nodded obediently.
"But... I have a small request."
"Go ahead."
"Uh, I want to assign an ANBU to follow you."
Hearing this, Rinjin immediately rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Ever since I transmigrated here, I've been monitored by the Jashin Cult, then by Amegakure, and later by Konoha's watchdogs.
And now you want to monitor me too?
At this rate, in ten years, the entire shinobi world will know I like to sing while taking a dump!
No way, absolutely not!
Thinking of this, Rinjin shook his head so hard it was a miracle it didn't fall off.
Seeing this, Ayawai pouted her cherry-red lips and tilted her head stubbornly.
Great! She's at it again. Rinjin reached out, ready to tickle her foot.
"Alright, alright!" Ayawai hurriedly interrupted, muttering under her breath, "Always bullying me. I must've been blind to fall for you back then."
After grumbling, Ayawai raised her head, looking at Rinjin with teary, puppy-dog eyes. "I'll... I'll take a step back. I'll give you the intel, but you have to let me assign someone to follow you."
Hearing this, Rinjin's face twisted into a mask of pain.
Damn it!
This woman is way too cunning!
Why can't you just leave me alone for once?
You're driving me nuts!
Thinking this, Rinjin's anger flared up, and he roared at Ayawai, "Fine! You want to follow me? Then you follow me yourself!"
Hearing this, Ayawai's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up.
Oh my god~ Is this for real?
An immortal! Locked down! Kept as a pet! Tossed onto the battlefield during wars without worrying he'd die! Perfect!
Ayawai's big, sparkling eyes blinked rapidly as she nodded enthusiastically, tears of joy streaming down her face.
Seeing this, Rinjin could easily guess her intentions.
He was completely speechless and slapped his forehead.
Damn it!
Why is this big-breasted woman just like Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Always thinking about tying me down!
Can't you do something productive for once?
After a moment of contemplation, Rinjin raised his head and shook it slowly but firmly.
"No way. Go find somewhere else to cool off."
"Huh? Rinjin, you little brat! How can you go back on your word?" Ayawai looked indignant.
Hearing this, Rinjin nodded with a smirk and admitted, "Yep, I'm going back on my word. After all, I have no shame."
Seeing Rinjin's shamelessly proud expression, Ayawai was so furious her whole body trembled. She pointed at Rinjin's nose and cursed:
"Scumbag! You deceived my feelings!
Now the intel's gone, everything's gone, just kill me. I'll just pretend I was abandoned by a heartless man."
Rinjin had completely run out of patience with this woman. Seeing that dawn was approaching, he decisively spread his hands.
"Fine, I'll let you go. From today on, I give up this identity. Just wait!
Wait for what it's like to have 24/7 bombing raids that keep you from ever sleeping again!
From now on, if anyone in Kumogakure can sleep a wink, I won't be called Sōhō!"
Seeing Rinjin completely lose it, Ayawai shrank back in fear.
She knew she'd really pissed him off this time!
Rinjin didn't bother arguing with her anymore. He formed a hand seal with one hand and instantly appeared behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Flying Raijin Jutsu!"
A moment of dizziness later, Ayawai found herself back in her own home.
Without thinking, she turned around and hugged Rinjin tightly just as he was about to leave, tackling him with full force.
"Rinjin! Please! I won't follow you, and I won't send anyone to follow you either! Just no bombing raids, I'm begging you!"
You just bombarded me with emotional grenades!
Rinjin looked at her oddly. To be honest, this woman's desperation was leaving him a bit breathless.
"Ahem... Well... Fine, since you're being so... sincere."
With that, he gently pushed Ayawai away, formed a hand seal, and disappeared once more.
Standing in her familiar room, holding onto an empty embrace, Ayawai—still a bit disheveled—suddenly smirked mischievously.
"Heh~ Men."
At the same time, Rinjin silently appeared behind her, his lips curling into a sly grin.
Heh~ Women who think they're clever.
Although things had deviated slightly from his original plan, the overall result wasn't too far off.
This was precisely why Rinjin had handed over those seemingly unreliable pieces of intel.
For a civilian shinobi to infiltrate the upper echelons, especially those tightly controlled by the Third Raikage's family, was an almost impossible task.
Therefore, he needed a stepping stone—a wedge to drive into the upper ranks.
And Ayawai, this incredibly sharp yet slightly selfish woman with a cold exterior and a warm heart, had become a part of his plan.
Initially, he'd expected her to either recruit him as a subordinate or intimidate him after reading the intel.
But as it turned out, Ayawai was Mikiko. Truly, the world works in mysterious ways!
Fortunately, the outcome was favorable.
...
Time flew by, and a month passed.
During this time, aside from Ayawai occasionally pestering him, Rinjin had been training intensively.
He wasn't just training; he was putting on a show—a display of sheer determination.
His goals were threefold: first, to show the Third Raikage his resolve; second, to make his future displays of strength seem less abrupt; and third, to simply hone his physical abilities.
Rinjin firmly believed: If something didn't offer at least three or four benefits, it wasn't worth doing.
Just like a job—if it didn't pay triple the salary, he wouldn't bother.
And now, the Chūnin Exams in Kumogakure were about to begin.
Rinjin received his notification: the exams would start in three days.
Upon hearing the news, Rinjin immediately went to inquire about the exam content.
To his surprise, it was nothing like he'd imagined.
No written tests, no survival challenges in the wilderness—just battles. Battles, and more battles.
Rinjin could only sigh and reluctantly accept it.
Yep~ That's so Raikage.
Later, Rinjin learned that in Kumogakure, people with sharp minds were considered special talents and usually recruited directly.
For everyone else, fists did the talking.
Of course, some confident individuals still participated in these brutish exams.
After all, in Kumogakure, the Raikage's authority was determined by the size of their fists.
As for those recruited for their intellect, even if they climbed high, their ceiling was typically being an advisor to the Raikage.
In a way, it was unfair fairness.
The Chūnin Exams were divided into three segments: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Physical Combat.
Upon learning this, Rinjin decided to visit Ayawai's house under the cover of night.
At this moment, Ayawai was wrapped in a pure white towel, her golden curls still damp as she casually dried them. Her shoulders were bare, and she looked utterly relaxed.
This past month had been peaceful for her. With Rinjin behaving himself, her life had returned to the calm rhythm of clocking in and out of work.
"Hey, anyone home?"
Standing outside, Rinjin politely knocked on the door.
Under normal circumstances, he was quite courteous and wouldn't use the "go wherever you want" seal on her derrière to suddenly appear behind her.
Inside, Ayawai put down her towel, adjusted the towel wrapped around her body, and walked out of her bedroom.
"Who is it?" she called coldly.
"It's me, Limeyi!" Rinjin replied loudly.
Hearing this, Ayawai's cautious expression immediately brightened. She ran through the living room and entryway, opening the door eagerly.
"Welcome home, Goshujinsama," Ayawai greeted with a slight bow, revealing a deep abyss that was perfectly aligned with Rinjin's line of sight.
Rinjin rolled his eyes in exasperation.
What the hell is this nonsense?
I didn't stare into the abyss, but the abyss insists on staring into me?
Still, since he was here to ask for a favor, he decided to let it slide.
"Uh... I need something..." Rinjin began, only to be cut off by Ayawai.
"Come in, Goshujinsama."
Rinjin shook his head, instinctively stepping back.
This woman's been acting weird ever since last time. Really weird.
"Come in!" she cooed seductively, extending an arm as smooth as jade to grab his collar.
But she couldn't budge him.
Rinjin chuckled.
You think you can pull the old "Oops, I fell~ You're on top of me~ What's that in your pocket? So hard~" routine on me?
Dream on!
Aren't you afraid my two-ton gauntlets will smash you into pulp?
"Ahem... Enough nonsense. Do you have any C-rank Lightning Release jutsu? Lend me one," Rinjin said, smirking at Ayawai, whose face was now flushed with effort.
"No! If you don't come in, I won't lend it to you!" Ayawai pouted, losing all semblance of her usual icy demeanor.
Seeing this, Rinjin quickly stepped forward, pushing through the doorway and knocking Ayawai to the ground.
"Alright, lend me the jutsu."
Sitting on the floor with her towel slightly askew, Ayawai stared up at Rinjin in disbelief.
This man... is a damn steel-hearted weirdo!
Sighing, Ayawai stood up with a resigned expression. "What kind of jutsu?"
"Lightning Release."
Hearing this, Ayawai trudged into the living room and asked absentmindedly, "Are you even a Lightning type?"
Rinjin followed her, closing the door behind him, and nodded. Though in his mind, he added:
I wasn't before, but I am now.
Sitting on the couch, Ayawai crossed her legs and suddenly had a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Well~ I could lend you a jutsu, but you have to kiss me first."
Yep, this woman's definitely trying to trap me. She wants me to be her little workhorse.
Thinking this, Rinjin nodded decisively.
He clapped his hands together, performing a jutsu he'd used thousands of times.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
With a soft poof, a clone appeared. Rinjin pointed at Ayawai and commanded, "Go, give her a kiss."
The clone rolled its eyes and shook its head. "No way, I just brushed my teeth!"
Rinjin's face darkened.
This... This... This...
Should I be impressed that it's just like me?
Watching the bickering between Rinjin and his clone, Ayawai finally snapped. Her chest heaved in anger, nearly dislodging her towel.
"Get out! I'd rather die than let you kiss me!"
Hearing this, Rinjin dismissed the clone and looked at the trembling Ayawai, biting his lip.
For the sake of becoming a Chūnin! For the mission! I'll do it!
Hiruzen Sarutobi... no, Danzō, you owe me for this humiliation. I'll remember this!
Steeling himself, Rinjin formed a hand seal and instantly appeared behind Ayawai. Closing his eyes, he planted a quick kiss on her cheek and vanished with a whoosh.
When he reappeared, he was already seated on the couch across from her.
"Alright, hand over the jutsu."
Ayawai, her cheeks flushed, jumped to her feet and shouted, "That doesn't count!"
Rinjin's face turned completely dark.
"That doesn't count? Do you want me to summon a thousand clones and kiss you until you look like a pig?"
Ayawai instinctively shrank back, her hand touching her flushed cheek. In a soft voice, she muttered:
"It... It doesn't count. You took advantage of me, and now you want my jutsu? That's... that's just freeloading!
You... You have to promise me something else."
Hearing this, Rinjin felt utterly drained.
This woman... She's so damn difficult!