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"Alright."
Although Ximen Zhen found it a bit strange that Ino had involved Sakura, he didn't mind. As long as someone could lead him to Sasuke, that was all that mattered—he had no reason to refuse.
Seeing that Ximen Zhen didn't ask further questions, Ino let out a long sigh of relief and began leading him toward Sakura's house.
But before they even reached the doorstep, Ino was already nervously biting her lip. She had suddenly realized that Sakura also needed to cooperate and keep this a secret.
But would Haruno Sakura actually keep her mouth shut?
Wouldn't she jump out and loudly mock her instead?
And of course, what she feared most came true. Before Ino could even come up with an excuse to say to Sakura, Sakura jumped down from a tree behind them, holding a little stray kitten in her arms.
Apparently, Sakura had been right above them the whole time, trying to rescue a clumsy kitten that couldn't get down on its own.
"Ino, what are you doing bringing a boy to my place?"
"Huh? Don't tell me you've already given up on competing with me—"
Sakura's eyes sparkled mischievously, and she was about to make a snide remark when she saw a fist rapidly growing in her line of sight. It landed squarely on her face.
The punch wasn't very hard, but it was enough to make her teeth clack together, causing her to bite down on her own tongue.
Crying out in pain, Sakura dropped the kitten and held her face, letting out muffled sobs as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Ino glanced guiltily at her own fist, knowing full well she hadn't held back much.
Still, she didn't regret it. She believed that the strong friendship between her and Sakura wouldn't be broken by one punch.
In fact, if she'd let Sakura finish that sentence, that might've truly marked the beginning of the end for their friendship.
"You jerk…"
Sakura worked her tongue until she could finally feel it again, then glared at Ino with fury.
But she saw Ino staring back even more angrily, one hand discreetly signaling something with her fingers in front of her chest, shielded from Ximen Zhen's view.
Seeing Ino hold up three fingers, Sakura grew even more indignant and responded with a full five.
She wasn't joking—this wasn't just any punch. Ino had hit her, her own best friend, over some guy! If Ino didn't buy her five meals, she wasn't going to forgive her.
Ino felt like her heart was bleeding, but she still nodded reluctantly, signaling her agreement to the unspoken deal between them.
Only then did Sakura finally look up and question with exaggerated outrage, "Ino, what the hell is wrong with you? I'm your friend and you hit me!"
"Ahaha… Isn't this the latest way to say hi?" Ino laughed awkwardly.
"Oh really? Then how about I greet you back?"
Sakura clenched her fists threateningly, and Ino's face instantly changed.
Sakura might not have her superhuman strength yet, but her punches still packed a wallop—and Ino had no interest in being on the receiving end.
She hurriedly backed away, only to bump into something behind her. Turning around, she realized it was none other than Ximen Zhen.
Feeling like she'd found her anchor, Ino darted behind him, clutching his arm and said, "Ahem, let me introduce you to my friend…"
"Friend? I thought he was your boyfriend," Sakura replied with narrowed eyes, glaring at Ximen Zhen.
She hadn't gotten a good look at him earlier—she'd been too busy getting punched by Ino. How could she be in a good mood?
Still, considering her friendship with Ino—and the possibility that this meant Ino would finally stop chasing Sasuke—she supposed she could at least be civil with Ximen Zhen.
But when she got a good look at his face, she froze.
Just like Tenten had said—what girl their age wasn't a little superficial?
After several talent upgrades and physical training that boosted his vitality, Ximen Zhen's formerly pale, sickly appearance had transformed into that of a striking young man.
Unlike Sasuke, who still had a bit of childishness to him, Ximen Zhen's demeanor was more mature, exuding a sense of calm and security.
That alone made him no less attractive than Sasuke.
At that moment, the only thought in Sakura's mind was: No wonder Ino's into him. How come I've never heard of this guy before?
Ino's smile quickly stiffened. She hadn't even introduced Ximen Zhen by name yet, and Sakura was already staring at him like she was smitten?
Though her relationship with Ximen Zhen wasn't anywhere near romantic, there was no way she was going to let Sakura get involved.
She clenched her small fist at Sakura, silently warning her that if she dared act like a lovestruck idiot, she wouldn't hesitate to punch her again.
"I'm Ximen Zhen."
At that moment, Ximen Zhen finally spoke. He understood that Ino and Sakura had a strong bond, and what just happened was likely nothing more than playful bickering.
Still, he wasn't very familiar with Sakura. If Ino had genuinely upset her, he might've had to turn to Shikamaru and Choji for help.
He reached out his hand with a polite smile and said, "Unfortunately, I'm not Ino's boyfriend—though I really wish I were. But I don't think I'm good enough for her just yet."
Sakura turned to look at Ino—and noticed that Ino was completely focused on Ximen Zhen's profile.
What else could that mean other than being totally smitten?
Sakura sighed, then shook Ximen Zhen's hand with polite indifference. "I'm Haruno Sakura, this girl's friend. I suppose I could be friends with you too."
Ino snapped back to attention and quickly said, "No, Sakura. It's enough if you're friends with me. Ximen-kun is super busy—he doesn't have time to be friends with everyone."
Sakura glared at Ino and said, "Then why are you two lovebirds here at my place? Don't tell me you just came to show off your relationship?"
Finally, Ino brought up the matter with Sasuke, and Sakura's expression grew a little complicated.
"Wait… So you're saying he wants to meet Sasuke, and you want me to be the go-between?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with that? Aren't you close with Sasuke?" Ino asked, feigning ignorance while ignoring the glare Sakura shot her.
Sakura was close to Sasuke… at least, in her own mind. But Sasuke never paid her any attention!
She hadn't even been to his house before—how could she just bring some stranger over?
As Sakura hesitated, Ino saw right through her and leaned in, whispering with a sly smile, "Isn't this a great excuse to finally go to Sasuke's house? Maybe you'll be able to visit regularly after this."
Sakura's eyes instantly lit up. She was right—this could be her chance to finally break through Sasuke's emotional walls!
"Wait here!"
Sakura ran back home, and a full half hour passed before she reappeared.
By then, she was dolled up like a movie star straight out of a poster—so much so that both Ino and Ximen Zhen furrowed their brows in disbelief.
(End of Chapter)