Chapter 97: Tsukasa: I Want to Negotiate a Deal Worth 100,000 Ryō! Mei: No, You Don't!
Uchiha Tsukasa admitted he was inexperienced.
In his entire life, he'd never encountered that forbidden paradise—the kind of place that would make anyone's face flush just thinking about it.
He'd always longed to experience it for himself!
Today, today!
Finally, his wish was about to come true!
Taking a deep breath for courage, Tsukasa looked at the hostess before him, dressed in high-heeled geta and a kimono of exquisite craftsmanship. Her figure was graceful and alluring.
Just the sight of her back was enough to make his heart race.
Tsukasa swallowed nervously, smoothed his hair, and flashed what he hoped was a confident smile.
He politely raised his hand and greeted the woman:
"Hi~!"
The alluringly curved woman turned her head and looked at him with surprise.
"Oh my, young man, is there something I can help you with?"
Hearing this, Tsukasa was immediately thrown off. The only thought running through his mind was Don't underestimate me! He completely forgot what he was going to say next.
"Um, well, you see..."
For a moment, he hesitated, unable to form words.
Looking at his pathetic self, Tsukasa wanted to slap his own face.
Tsukasa, Tsukasa, you're absolutely useless! Can't you be stronger?!
Just tell this woman—I have a business proposal worth 100,000 ryō!
After hyping himself up internally, Tsukasa's eyes became firm and he immediately raised his head—
Only to be confronted by an imposing view that blocked out the sky.
His breathing caught, his face flushed red, and the words that had reached his throat were forced back down.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem."
"Hey, are you alright, young man?"
"Well, actually, I have a business proposal worth 100,000 ryō."
Tsukasa swallowed again and tremblingly raised the bill in his hand.
However, at that moment, a fragrant breeze swept by, and a slender hand suddenly reached out, snatching the 100,000 ryō bill away.
Then, a voice as clear as a silver bell rang out:
"No, he doesn't want it."
Hearing that familiar voice, Tsukasa shuddered in fear and turned his head to see Mei Terumi, who had dropped from above like a predator guarding its prey, landing gracefully and staring at him without expression.
The air around them seemed to freeze in that instant.
"Ah, it's a shinobi-sama!" The hostess saw this scene, her scalp tingling with fear, thinking that these young ninja nowadays were truly something else.
To be caught in broad daylight at such a young age—how scandalous!
She quickly bowed apologetically to Mei. "I'm so sorry, shinobi-sama! I don't even know this boy!"
With that single bow, through the opening of her kimono, a vast expanse of scenery unfolded before Tsukasa's eyes!
The view was magnificent, seemingly swaying with his heartbeat.
Tsukasa felt his breath hitch, warmth rushing to his nose.
It was as if a puppeteer controlled his head.
Help! My neck won't obey me. I can't turn away. I can't turn away at all!
THWACK!
Mei slammed her hand against his forehead, a vein-riddled smile on her face. Then, like a master chiropractor, she forcibly twisted Tsukasa's head toward her with one hand.
"It's fine, it's fine! Get out of here!"
Mei sourly compared certain measurements between herself and the woman, feeling her confidence waver.
But her tone didn't sound peaceful at all.
Hearing this, the hostess didn't dare linger and quickly fled into the hot spring bathhouse.
At the entrance, she seriously pulled out a sign and placed it at the door:
This establishment is a respectable business. No one under 18 allowed!
Seeing this scene, Tsukasa felt a cold wind blow through his heart, and melancholic music seemed to play in the background.
Mei turned to face Tsukasa directly.
"Was it nice?" She stared at him expressionlessly, a dangerous glint of killing intent flashing in her clear green eyes.
Tsukasa didn't know why he suddenly shuddered all over. He shook his head frantically:
"Not nice! Not nice at all!"
Then he snorted disdainfully and raised three fingers to show his sincerity. "Hmph! Completely average!"
Only then did Mei release Tsukasa with a smile. She gently waved the 100,000 ryō bill in her slender hand, looked at Tsukasa with amusement, and asked:
"What were you saying earlier?"
"What did you want to do with this 100,000 ryō?"
Tsukasa raised his head and laughed awkwardly. He reached out and pinched the bill in Mei's hand, pulling at it, planning to retrieve it and continue his great mission after separating from her!
Hmm, it won't budge?
Tsukasa carefully glanced up at Mei's expression.
Mei smiled at him, a slight gleam in her clear green eyes.
The early spring breeze lifted fallen cherry blossom petals on the street, making them flutter and dance behind her before floating down.
Under the warm spring sun—the steam rising from the city's hot springs, the swaying of the girl's reddish-brown hair, the chatter of voices, the clatter of passing carts, the rhythmic pounding of mochi from streetside shops, and the warm breath from the lovely girl standing so close to him—all seemed to fade away, becoming distant background noise.
All he could hear was the sudden rapid beating of his own heart.
Tsukasa froze for a moment.
Somehow, clumsy words escaped his lips:
"I just remembered... I wanted to treat you to sakura mochi."
"I... I also wanted to..."
A delicate finger suddenly pressed against Tsukasa's lips.
A captivating smile curved Mei's mouth, and like a spring fairy, she quietly and gracefully took Tsukasa's hand, bringing him back to reality.
"You don't need to treat me."
"I'm rich."
"Let's go shopping together!"
"Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you~"
Tsukasa felt like a cartoon character being twisted and stretched at will.
At that moment, his mind completely shut down.
He could only nod dumbly, and then, led by the girl, he stepped forward into the spring light.
Meanwhile, at the door of the izakaya, Hidan was kicked out by Seiichiro Uchiha.
Then two rock-hard buns were tossed after him.
Seiichiro stood at the door with his arms folded across his chest, looking down at the kid, and snorted coldly:
"Alright, kid, you can leave now. Run back to Yugakure on your own."
Hidan was disheveled and dusty, but he managed to stuff the two hard buns—which could double as throwing weapons—into his pockets. Then he cursed and shouted:
"You're finished! If Tsukasa knew you treated me like this, he definitely wouldn't let you get away with it!"
Seiichiro sneered:
"Oh? You're still talking tough?"
"Your big brother said he doesn't want to see you right now! If you know what's good for you, get lost!"
"Otherwise, I don't mind helping you along."
As he spoke, Seiichiro placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, looking fierce with an expression designed to scare children.
Hidan's face filled with shock and disbelief.
"What did you say? He said he doesn't want to see me?"
He fought back tears that threatened to burst forth and wiped his eyes.
Seiichiro remained silent, his grip on the sword growing more menacing, as if ready to strike at any moment.
Hidan's heart leaped with panic. He scrambled to his feet and immediately ran out of the alley.
Only after exiting the alley and crossing two blocks did he angrily pull out a hard bun and take a bite. The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.
"How is that possible? I risked my life for him, and that bastard treats me like this?!"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Hidan chewed the dry bun while sitting in a corner, his face dusty and expression gloomy.
Just then, he heard a clear, familiar voice echoing nearby, stammering awkwardly:
"I just remembered... I wanted to treat you to sakura mochi."
"I... I also wanted to..."
Hidan looked up toward the voice, shock spreading across his face.
End of Chapter 97
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