Anko pushed the closely leaning Kurenai away a bit, and slowly explained, "I originally didn't have any plans to get married. As long as I occasionally go on missions, and then have money to buy dango to eat, such a life is enough."
"Now I feel that staying by Aoba's side feels nice, so I'll stay by his side and try it out. Anyway, it doesn't affect my eating dango."
"You this…", Toward this kind of explanation from Anko, Kurenai didn't know what to say for a moment.
This really did match Anko's style.
But as a good best friend, she still gave a reminder, "Is it because he saved you? There are many girls around Aoba, don't you think it's unfair?"
"Something like that," Anko thought for a bit, "That guy appearing in front of me, the way he punched Orochimaru to death, was kinda cool."
"As for fairness or whatever, I'm more than ten years older than Aoba, okay? And he knows so many things, can cook, tell stories, strong, handsome, no matter how you look at it, I'm the one who profits here."
"Besides, we're all adults. When we have needs, we go find him. When we don't, just toss him aside. We sisters go have fun. It doesn't interfere at all."
"..."
This time, Kurenai was completely made speechless by her.
She could understand the earlier parts, even agree with a bit of it, but that last part directly made her head feel itchy. As if her brain was about to grow out of skull.
"Anko…"
Anko saw Kurenai zoning out, narrowed her eyes, and leaned next to her ear to say, "You're not in such a rush because you're worried I'll compete with you, right?"
Kurenai's face instantly turned red, and she couldn't help but pinch Anko's cheek, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I have feelings for my own student?"
Anko's face was full of provocation, "Flustered?"
A vein popped on Kurenai's forehead, and she pulled both hands hard.
At the street corner, Anko's screams immediately echoed.
———
"Hmm? Was that just now Anko's scream?"
Many people in the venue heard the scream from outside that came from Anko.
Some Anbu went out to check the situation.
Aoba also sensed it, froze slightly, but quickly came back to himself.
"What's wrong?", Yugao asked in confusion, "Something happened with Anko?"
Aoba shook his head, "Probably Anko-nee made Kurenai-sensei angry and got disciplined."
Sure enough, not long after, Kurenai dragged Anko back while she was still rubbing her mouth.
But they didn't come over to this group for the time being.
"By the way, Kurotsuchi, I remember your opponent in the third round of the exam is Hinata, right?", To avoid everyone's attention turning back to Anko, Aoba decisively changed the subject.
"Eh?", Kurotsuchi, who was still a bit embarrassed, froze for a moment, then nodded, "Mm, it's Hinata."
"Then you better perform well. Otherwise, you might not be able to become a Chunin," Aoba said with a smile.
"What do you mean?", Kurotsuchi immediately got a bit upset, "You mean, I'm not a match for Hinata?"
Losing to Aoba and Yakumo before was one thing.
But now he was saying she wasn't as good as that soft and gentle Hinata who looked easy to bully?
Was he looking down on her?
Aoba knew she probably misunderstood, and explained, "It's not that I'm looking down on you. It's just that you might've been fooled by Hinata's usual appearance, Hinata is actually very strong."
Kurotsuchi frowned, "Then between her and Yakumo, who's stronger?"
"This…", Aoba thought for a moment. The two had never fought directly, "I'm not sure. They're not the same type of ninja."
"Hmph!", Kurotsuchi crossed her arms, "As long as it's not as tricky as Yakumo's illusions, I won't lose."
Then she went on about things like "Tsuchikage's disciple," and "for the honor of Iwagakure," and so on.
Which made everyone around burst into laughter, and the venue was filled with cheerful air.
Everyone had completely forgotten about Kurotsuchi saying Iwagakure also wanted to form a marriage alliance.
After that, quite a few people came over to offer their congratulations.
Hayame also came by to say hello, then left early. He wasn't one who liked crowds.
Everyone present was too enthusiastic, and he wasn't used to that.
And soon after, the banquet also ended.
"Sensei, you didn't get drunk?", Leaving the Hokage Building, Aoba looked at Tsunade, who only seemed slightly tipsy, and was very surprised.
"Brat! What kind of tone is that?", That tone made Tsunade quite displeased, and she couldn't help pinching his cheek.
"If I weren't watching her, Lady Tsunade would've already passed out drunk," Shizune added a jab from the side.
"Shizune!", Tsunade pinched Shizune's cheek too, 'These two disciples, one more annoying than the other.'
The others just watched this scene laughing, feeling that the Hokage and her disciples really had a good relationship.
None of them had any intention to linger outside.
The whole group headed toward the Senju ancestral residence.
That originally cold and quiet place had now become a bit livelier.
And maybe it would become even livelier in the future.
"Brat, remember to come to the Hokage Building tomorrow!", Before going home, Tsunade didn't forget to remind Aoba once more.
"Got it…", Aoba replied helplessly.
"Aoba, Lady Tsunade really values you," Yugao couldn't help teasing him.
"I'd rather she didn't," Aoba rolled his eyes and didn't choose to go inside, "Yugao-nee, I still have to go out for a bit."
"Going out this late?", The three of them were all a bit surprised.
"Mm, I'll be back soon."
"Wait…"
Before they could ask where he was going, Aoba's figure had already vanished.
———
On the outskirts of the Senju ancestral home, a black-robed figure was silently heading out.
Aoba suddenly appeared in front of her.
The person was clearly startled, gave a light snort, and tried to go around Aoba and leave.
But was caught by Aoba reaching out and grabbing her wrist.
The person tried to shake it off with force, but when that didn't work, she gave up struggling.
"What do you want?"
"Konan-neesan, I thought you had already secretly left Konoha," Aoba said with a smile.
This woman was indeed Konan, but her current expression was a bit cold, just like the first time Aoba met her.
"You really want me to leave that much?", Though her expression was cold, her tone was full of gritted teeth, like she was throwing a small tantrum.
"You're mad?"
"Why would I be mad?"
"Then why did you already get to the Hokage Building earlier, but didn't go in?"
"Whether I go in or not has nothing to do with you, right?"
Hearing her words, Aoba didn't respond, just quietly looked at Konan.
Seeing him silent, Konan thought her words were too harsh, wanted to say something, but didn't know how to open her mouth.
The two just stared at each other like that for a while.
After a while, it was still Konan whose skin was thinner, she looked away first, biting her soft lip, "Tomorrow… I'll leave Konoha."
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