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*****
"Well? Don't you think it looks good?"
Sakura asked cautiously, and Ino hesitated to respond.
Normally, she would've burst out laughing at her friend's outfit, but with Ximen Zhen standing there, she decided to let Sakura keep some dignity.
Sakura understood Ino's hesitation and tentatively shifted her gaze to Ximen Zhen.
Ximen Zhen examined Sakura seriously. She was wearing a pale yellow kimono, thick fur-lined snow boots, and a pink bow ornament on her head.
To be honest, Sakura's fashion sense wasn't that bad. Apart from being slightly flamboyant, her outfit wasn't exactly ugly—but the problem was, she was going to see Sasuke.
Sasuke would never like the way she looked right now. But was it really Ximen Zhen's place to say that?
After thinking for a moment, Ximen Zhen spoke slowly.
"If I were you, I'd go for something simpler. Honestly, even wearing training gear might be better."
Ino looked at Ximen Zhen in shock. From what she knew of him, he was someone with high emotional intelligence and a way with words.
If he wanted to, he could always say something that made people feel good.
But judging by Sakura's pale face and the fire in her eyes, Ximen Zhen was clearly trying to provoke her.
This wasn't like him at all.
"Looks like your friend has terrible fashion sense, Ino."
Just as Ino expected, Sakura got angry. She started sizing up Ximen Zhen and realized he was only wearing plain, modest clothes. That's when she realized she'd been fooled by his aura.
Ximen Zhen wasn't anything special—just a good-looking, average boy. Definitely not comparable to Sasuke!
"Forget it. I won't argue with you. Follow me—we're going to the Uchiha compound."
Sakura, out of consideration for Ino, held back her snarky remarks and turned to hum a tune as she walked ahead.
Ino tiptoed to whisper in Ximen Zhen's ear, "Why didn't you just say something to make her happy?"
"Why should I make her happy?" Ximen Zhen asked knowingly. "Do I look like someone who knows how to charm girls?"
Ino rolled her eyes with a teasing smile. "If that's true, why do I… and Tenten… always feel so happy around you?"
She originally intended to mention only herself but added Tenten at the last second to avoid being too obvious.
"My relationship with Tenten is good because we share common interests—and besides, she's my benefactor."
"As for you..."
Ximen Zhen lowered his head slightly. Ino felt a little nervous as he leaned in, but this time, she kept her chin up and didn't flinch.
She wanted to hear what reason he would give.
"Because, Ino, you're a good girl. I see you as my best friend."
Ino's cheeks flushed red instantly. She didn't seem to register the second half of his sentence—all she heard was that he called her a "good girl."
Now, flustered, she didn't know what to do with herself.
"You two coming or not? And stop flirting in front of my house, you pig-headed idiot, Ino!"
Sakura's irritated shout rang out—it was clear she was genuinely angry.
Ino used that moment to chase after Sakura, leaving Ximen Zhen behind. She wasn't sure how to face him anymore.
Ximen Zhen, on the other hand, followed at a steady pace, thinking about what might happen when he met Sasuke.
The best outcome would be that Sasuke needed money, and they could smoothly complete the transaction.
The worst outcome would be that his intention to buy Uchiha land triggered Sasuke's sensitive pride, ruining the deal completely.
If that happened, Ximen Zhen's plans would be disrupted—and he might even have to move out.
He wasn't ready for that kind of trouble, especially since he needed to focus on his growth before the Chūnin Exams.
The three walked farther and farther off the main road, passing the street where Ximen Zhen lived, until they finally reached the Uchiha compound at the edge of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Although it had been years since the Uchiha massacre, the area was still full of vacant homes, completely desolate.
Because the incident had made such a stir and the compound's location was remote, no one was willing to move there.
Of course, it was also possible that Sasuke simply refused to sell the land. As the only surviving member of the Uchiha clan, he had the authority to decide what happened to the property.
Sakura and Ino slowed their pace.
Even though it was daytime, the area still felt eerie and chilling.
The two girls, who had been bickering moments earlier, now held hands, drawing warmth from each other.
But clearly, that wasn't enough. Naturally, Sakura thought of the boy walking behind them.
"Um, Ximen, right? Could you walk in front?"
Sakura spoke up before Ino could stop her.
"Sure," Ximen Zhen replied calmly, striding ahead.
Ino spoke worriedly, "Ximen-kun, you don't know any ninjutsu. Let me take the lead."
"Huh? Isn't he older than us? Why can't he use ninjutsu?"
Sakura asked, puzzled. Ino's face twitched—should she explain?
Though Ximen Zhen had learned to use chakra, he was still someone who hadn't even qualified to attend the Ninja Academy. Would Sakura look down on him for that?
Ximen Zhen had no such concerns and answered plainly, "I'm just an ordinary person. I'm not a ninja."
"Huh..."
Sakura looked at Ino with confusion, as if to say, Why do you like a normal guy like him?
Ino didn't want to say anything more. She rolled her eyes and reached out to pinch her friend's arm, and the two girls resumed their playful, whispered arguing.
Their voices, in the eerie silence of the compound, oddly brought a sense of comfort—the cheerful noise of youth.
Ximen Zhen walked ahead and soon reached the front gate of the Uchiha residence.
But seeing the debris scattered across the entrance, the uncleaned surroundings, and the sealed notice posted on the gate, he suddenly realized something.
"Miss Haruno, is it okay if I call you that?"
Sakura flinched. "Just call me Sakura. 'Miss Haruno' makes me feel like an adult or something..."
"Alright, Sakura… are you sure Sasuke lives here?"
"Of course! He's from the Uchiha clan. If he's not staying in their compound, then where else would he—"
Her voice grew quieter. Suddenly, she understood why Ximen Zhen had asked.
Sasuke might be the last heir of the Uchiha clan, but he was still an orphan.
Was it possible… he actually lived in one of the single-occupancy apartments built by the village for orphans?
Sakura's expression soured, and Ximen Zhen sighed faintly, just about to turn around—
—when a sharp whooshing sound suddenly sliced through the air, aimed directly at his back.
(End of chapter)