In an instant, after the white smoke cleared, a curvaceous, fiery-figured "beauty" with chestnut hair suddenly appeared before Naruto!
Of course, the most crucial and explicit parts were subtly obscured by a well-placed smoke effect, but the sheer visual suggestion was already startling enough.
Behind him, Ebisu's face instantly turned bright red, his breathing becoming short and heavy. He stood rigid as if paralyzed, his eyes wide behind his sunglasses, staring intently at the "beautiful sight" that shouldn't have appeared in such a setting. His nose even felt subtly warm.
Ise Udon and Moegi, being children, showed no particular unusual reaction. Their attention was entirely focused on the tactical effect, anxiously watching whether this "amazing" Ninjutsu could make the powerful Naruto take a step back.
Behind Naruto, the usually calm Kakashi also uncharacteristically widened his visible eye, temporarily forgetting to flip through his make-out paradise.
Inner monologue: I never thought Hokage-sama's grandson... would develop such... creative Ninjutsu?
"This... this idiotic brat!" Sakura's cheeks also flushed, finding Konohamaru's move a bit... unseemly.
Naruto, of course, knew that the vivid scene before him was entirely an illusion created by the Transformation Technique; the "beauty" was merely a phantom made of Chakra.
But even so, this overly realistic and impactful image instantly caused his brain to crash, and his body instinctively froze. He never expected that Konohamaru would use such "underhanded tactics" against him!
"Hehe~ What a good man~"
The "beauty" conjured by the Transformation Technique even let out a charming laugh, extending a hand as if to lightly and flirtatiously touch Naruto's cheek.
Thus, driven by a complex mix of fright, embarrassment, and instinctive avoidance, Naruto almost subconsciously recoiled, dodging the impending, heart-pounding "intimate contact."
It was that dodge!
"Naruto-nii-chan retreated?! We succeeded!"
Seeing that Naruto had actually been forced back, the "beauty" before him instantly dissipated like a phantom, and Konohamaru's true form reappeared, his face filled with incredible ecstasy!
"Konohamaru is amazing!" Ise Udon and Moegi also immediately cheered. Finally! After countless failures, Konohamaru took a historic first step towards the grand goal of "defeating Naruto"—he made Naruto take a step back!
Although the method used was a bit... unmentionable.
"...What an idiot." Naruto sighed, rubbing his forehead helplessly, watching the overjoyed Konohamaru Squad high-fiving in celebration.
"Hmph hmph! Just you wait, Naruto-nii-chan!" Konohamaru, brimming with confidence after his first "victory," stood with his hands on his hips, head held high, and began his victory speech.
"Today is just the beginning! I will truly defeat you soon! And Grandpa! Then I'll become Hokage—Ow!! That hurts!"
Before he could finish his impassioned declaration, a sudden sharp pain came from the top of Konohamaru's head, so strong that he instantly clutched his head and crouched down, tears almost welling up.
"Damn it... who was that?!"
Konohamaru grimaced in pain, turning his head angrily, wanting to see who dared to ambush the future Hokage-sama.
However, when he saw the person standing behind him and the gaze that person cast, he felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, instantly freezing him. All his anger and grand pronouncements got stuck in his throat.
Uchiha Satsuki had just lowered the hand that delivered that blow, staring at Konohamaru with a cold gaze, as if looking at irretrievable trash.
Behind them, Kakashi's eye twitched involuntarily, seeing Satsuki lay hands on the person they were supposed to "look after" for the mission.
But because he sensed that while Satsuki's gaze was cold, there was no actual killing intent, more a mix of annoyance and warning, he did not immediately step forward to intervene.
Kakashi also knew in his heart—he knew how much effort and courage Satsuki had mustered to finally establish that special relationship with Naruto.
Now, for Konohamaru to use such a Ninjutsu to "flirt" with Naruto, it would be strange if Satsuki wasn't angry or didn't react.
"Wh-What are you... you... you...!"
Konohamaru was about to gather his courage to get angry, but as soon as his eyes met Satsuki's dark ones, the rest of his words were instantly swallowed back, leaving him only trembling.
"What a shameless Ninjutsu." Satsuki's voice was as cold as ice. "I'm starting to seriously doubt the competence of the Hokage's Ninja teachers. Who taught you such a vulgar trick?"
Her gaze instantly shifted to Ebisu, who was frantically wiping away a nosebleed and trying to regain his composure.
Ebisu felt a chill down his spine from that icy glare and quickly waved his hands in denial. "No! It wasn't me! It definitely wasn't me who taught him! Please believe in my teaching ethics, Satsuki-san! How could I possibly teach a student such... such a technique!"
Naruto stood by, sweat profusely beading on his forehead. Oh no! Oh no! It seems... I was the one who casually brought it up back then... He quickly let out a dry laugh and stepped forward, trying to forcibly change the subject. "Ahaha! Ko-Konohamaru! You're quite creative, aren't you! You know how to win by surprise! But let me tell you, these unorthodox techniques are useless against true strong people! To become strong, you still need to be down-to-earth and practice proper Ninjutsu!"
However, Satsuki's anger clearly had not subsided. She abruptly grabbed Naruto's wrist with such force that Naruto stumbled unexpectedly, almost bumping into her. But she kept her gaze fixed on the trembling Konohamaru.
"Never mind, it doesn't matter who taught it. In any case, you were the one who ultimately chose to use this Ninjutsu."
Naruto felt his wrist being squeezed painfully and tried to ease the tense atmosphere. "Um... Satsuki, weren't you a bit too harsh just now? Konohamaru is still just a child, he doesn't know any better..."
"Only this is unacceptable."
Satsuki muttered in a voice almost only she could hear.
"What?" Naruto didn't hear clearly and asked uncertainly.
Satsuki didn't repeat herself. Instead, she refocused her gaze on Konohamaru. "...Anyway, the client's request has been fulfilled. There's still some time left until the escort mission ends."
She released Naruto's wrist and took a step forward, exuding a chilling aura.
"Now, let Naruto rest. I will accompany you for your sparring practice."
She added a sentence that instantly plunged Konohamaru into an icy abyss. "Don't worry, there will be no life-threatening danger."
Satsuki uttered the most chilling arrangement in the coldest tone. Yes, there would be no life-threatening danger, but the process would certainly not be gentle... "E-Ebisu-sensei...!" Konohamaru felt the tangible pressure and immediately cast a pleading look at his private tutor, hoping he would intervene to stop this clearly unequal "sparring."
However, Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses, putting on a serious expression that suggested, "This is a rare training opportunity." "Go for it, Konohamaru! This is a precious chance to have real combat practice with a genius from the Uchiha Clan! Make the most of it!"
Konohamaru's heart sank halfway, and he placed his last hope on Naruto. "Na-Naruto-nii-chan...!"
Naruto looked at Konohamaru's pitiful eyes and could only grit his teeth, forcing out an encouraging (?) smile. He patted Konohamaru's shoulder. "G-Go for it, Konohamaru! For your dream of becoming Hokage! Bravely take this step!"
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