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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
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At Ayawai's house.
Rinjin was lounging leisurely on the bed, deeply engrossed in a book titled The Epic Love Story of Hashirama and Madara*. He couldn't help but sigh:
"Tsk, tsk... The ninja world really has its share of creative geniuses!
Is this what they call 'seeing bromance everywhere'?"
As he recalled the original storyline, Rinjin suddenly realized something important.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War, Obito's defeat wasn't unjustified, and Madara's loss was even more inevitable!
Just look at it—Prince Naruto and Sasuke had their bromance levels maxed out.
And Obito? His bromance buddy, Kakashi, ended up with Gai.
Sure, Kakashi and Gai were the original OTP, but that didn't stop Obito from being left all alone, without the power of bromance to back him up.
And Madara? His bromance buddy, Hashirama, was already taken by Uzumaki Mito.
Lonely and pitiful, isn't it?
Could it be that if I want to reach the next level of power, I too need to find a bromance buddy and unlock the power of bromance?
At this thought, Rinjin shuddered involuntarily, shaking his head so hard it almost came off.
"No, no, no!
Even if Doggo (Kakashi) seems like a good fit, that guy's been reading The Untold Stories of the Daimyō and the Twelve Guardian Ninja lately. He's clearly leaning towards Jiraiya's path.
And Kagami Uchiha? Forget it—being weak and playful is a sin in itself!
Besides, I refuse to talk to anyone who hasn't unlocked their Gundam mode yet."
Muttering to himself, Rinjin placed the book on the bedside table and declared:
"This book isn't for me!
I should send it to Jiraiya instead.
Looking forward to seeing what kind of Icha Icha Paradise he'll come up with."
Just as Rinjin was talking to himself, the door to Ayawai's house suddenly rang.
"Coming, coming."
Leaping off the bed with agility, Rinjin opened the door.
Outside stood Ayawai, dressed in a sexy ninja uniform, looking at Rinjin with a complicated expression.
"What's wrong, Samui?" Rinjin asked.
"?"
Hearing this, Ayawai froze for a moment, then suspiciously stared at Rinjin.
"Who's Samui?
Hmm?
Alright, where did you meet another little vixen?"
Rinjin froze for a moment, then scratched his head with an awkward smile.
"Uh... Must be a memory glitch. Somehow, the name Samui just feels right for you."
Hearing this, Ayawai's delicate brows furrowed as she grabbed Rinjin by the collar and scolded:
"Samui means cold! Do I look cold to you? My name is Ayawai!"
Saying this, Ayawai proudly puffed out her chest and added:
"Ayawai is soft!"
Glancing at the trembling "white rabbits," Rinjin raised an eyebrow disdainfully.
"Heh, who knows~"
Seeing this, Ayawai, unwilling to back down, puffed out her chest again and provocatively said, "If you dare, try it!"
For a moment, Rinjin's thoughts wandered.
Kid, you're broadening your horizons! But still...
"Sorry, I decline. I prefer real Tailed Beast Balls, not counterfeit ones!"
Hearing this, Ayawai's face turned red with anger. But then her expression froze, and her gaze at Rinjin became complicated again.
"Rinjin, have you been back to Amegakure?"
Hearing this, Rinjin immediately understood why her expression was so complicated.
She must have investigated the sieve-like Amegakure and learned about Mizuguma's death.
"No, I've only been corresponding with Lord Hanzō through letters.
Later, when Konoha caught on, I handed the task over to the ANBU.
Why do you ask?"
Seeing Rinjin's honest demeanor, Ayawai pursed her lips and didn't answer his question.
Instead, with a complicated expression, she asked:
"Then... did you go through all that trouble for Hanzō and Konoha just to ensure Mizuguma's safety?"
Hearing this, Rinjin smiled and shook his head slightly.
"Not entirely. Mainly because I have a younger sister, Sakuho Rie, who's living in Konoha. That's part of it too."
Silence...
Ayawai didn't say anything, her eyes filled with a complex, unreadable emotion as she stared blankly at Rinjin.
After a long while, Ayawai snapped out of it, her face suddenly breaking into a warm smile as she grabbed Rinjin's hand.
"You've been working too hard. Today, I'm taking you out to relax!
Since everyone in the village thinks we're a couple, let's go shopping!
This time, I'll show you around Kumogakure properly—just the two of us, no interruptions!"
Without waiting for a response, she dragged Rinjin out the door.
Rinjin didn't resist, letting her pull him along onto the streets of Kumogakure.
In the year he'd been undercover in Kumogakure, Rinjin had never properly explored this northern village.
Unlike Konoha, there weren't many street stalls or bustling crowds here.
This martial village's streets were dominated by stores selling ninja uniforms, ninja tools, and weapons.
The rest were specialty food shops.
It seemed the people of Kumogakure weren't fond of colorful clothing.
Under the glaring stares of the men on the street, Rinjin let Ayawai drag him into a clothing store.
"Rinjin, I got my paycheck today. I'm buying you clothes," Ayawai said smugly.
Seeing this, Rinjin glanced at his slightly worn Kumogakure-style ninja outfit and shook his head.
"No need. This is good enough."
Hearing this, Ayawai pouted, her soft red lips forming a slight pout.
"No! I said I'm buying, so I'm buying."
With that, she turned and started browsing the racks, muttering to herself.
"You seem to like black clothes a lot. Why is that?"
Hearing this, Rinjin half-jokingly replied, "Because I've already gone dark, you just can't tell."
"Uh..." Ayawai popped her head out from behind the clothes rack, rolling her eyes at him.
"Why don't you just say you tanned yourself on purpose?"
"Heh, I wouldn't call it on purpose—it's more like premeditated."
The two chatted like honest, ordinary friends.
Soon, Ayawai picked out an outfit: black pants, a black top, and a black robe.
Seeing the clothes in Ayawai's hands, Rinjin nodded in satisfaction.
Great, you even prepared nightwear for me—are you encouraging me to do something?
Rinjin didn't refuse Ayawai's enthusiasm.
After all, anyone who gives me free stuff is my good buddy!
After paying and carrying the clothes, Ayawai habitually took Rinjin's hand again as they walked down the street.
"Rinjin, do you want to paint a design? Like the '雷' on Lord Raikage's shoulder!"
Ayawai pointed to a nearby body paint shop.
Hearing this, Rinjin stroked his chin, thinking for a moment.
"Sure, but I want to write '硬' (Hard)!"
Hearing Rinjin's words, Ayawai's beautiful eyes glinted mischievously as she gave him a meaningful smile.
"Hard? Really?"
"Haven't you heard the saying?
The more someone lacks something, the more they want to show it off!"
Steel-Garurumon Rinjin thought to himself: Give it up, woman—you can't seduce me!
Hearing this, Ayawai rolled her eyes, her gaze full of playful reproach.
...
Not long after, Rinjin's muscular arm now bore a bold '硬' design.
Ayawai, holding the paintbrush, looked at her handiwork with pride, her face practically begging for praise.
Time passed slowly.
Soon, the day was over.
As the sun set, its golden rays cast a warm glow over the village.
Carrying bags of purchases, Rinjin had Ayawai see him off home.
After setting down the bags, Rinjin stood outside the door, ready to say goodbye.
At that moment, Ayawai, standing in the doorway, suddenly grabbed Rinjin's sleeve.
"What's wrong?" Rinjin asked, slightly puzzled.
Hearing this, Ayawai slowly raised her head, squinting her eyes with a smile on her face.
"Rinjin, am I one of your bonds?"
Hearing this, Rinjin, slightly caught off guard, froze for a moment, then scratched his head and nodded.
"What are you talking about? You've always been my friend!"
With that, he smiled and turned to leave.