77 Ch-77 First kiss.

(Announcement: I am happy to announce that, as a Tier I Patreon member, you can enjoy a 7-day free trial to read all of my work. )

You can read 24 chapters ahead of everyone on patreon.

Link:https://www.p@treon.com/Hkj822

Discord: https://discord.gg/jhp84YVWd

...

"At this time, in the Yamanaka Clan's land, Jiryoku was performing basic muscle exercises because he couldn't engage in strenuous activities yet. He estimated it would take him another month to fully recover. Due to this, his training progress had come to a halt.

"Although I can't do strenuous exercises, at least I can master 'Sage Mode' this month. Maybe it will also enhance my healing abilities while mastering 'Sage Mode," thought Jiryoku.

Just then, Ino's mother arrived with a tray of food in her hand. "Here, Jiryoku, your meal is ready. Come and eat."

"Thank you," replied Jiryoku, taking the tray from her and placing it on the table.

After finishing his meal, he spoke, "Please inform Ino and Uncle Inoichi that I will be leaving today. Thank you very much for welcoming me into your clan and ensuring my safety. Otherwise, I would have had to leave Konoha because I can't trust anyone else here."

"You're leaving today? Haven't you discussed this with Ino?" inquired Ino's mother.

Jiryoku shook his head.

Ino's mother pondered for a moment and then said, "Although I don't know your true feelings for Ino, I am certain that she loves you."

Jiryoku remained silent, struggling to express his emotions. His sole objective had always been to seek revenge for his parents, and while he understood Ino's feelings, he didn't know how to respond. Furthermore, there was also Jokan, who had similar feelings for him, making his situation even more complex.

Ino's mother eventually left.

----

A few hours later, when Ino returned home, she learned from her mother that Jiryoku would be leaving today. So, she immediately went to meet Jiryoku, who was sitting under the shade of a tree.

Ino stood near Jiryoku and asked, "So, are you leaving today?"

"Hmm," replied Jiryoku.

"So, what are your future plans?" inquired Ino.

"Just becoming stronger is my future plan. I haven't planned anything further," said Jiryoku.

"So, you have no plans to marry Jokan and become the husband of the Fire Country Daimyo?" asked Ino.

Jiryoku shook his head and said, "I don't have any such specific plans."

"By the way, you mentioned many times that you can even sense emotions and tell if a person is lying or harbors hostility towards you. Is this correct?" questioned Ino.

"Hmm," nodded Jiryoku.

"Then, idiot, can't you tell that I love you, you idiot, idiot, idiot..." said Ino while softly punching Jiryoku each time she punched him.

Jiryoku didn't resist and allowed Ino to vent.

"Ino, I don't know how I feel about you and Jokan, but I only know one thing: in this whole world, if anyone is dear to me, it would be you and Jokan. I don't care about anyone else's existence anyway. And not to mention, you both have expressed the same feelings for me, so I can't respond to one of you and break the other's heart," said Jiryoku.

"Is it so hard? Let me tell you, it is very simple," said Ino and kissed Jiryoku on his lips.

(A/N: Do not judge me, this Naruto world.)

After that, Ino withdrew from Jiryoku's face, and her own face turned as red as a tomato. "What got into me? It's as if someone used the 'Mind Transfer Technique' on me," thought Ino to herself.

"I will remember this, and do not worry. If you have shown love for me, then I will not neglect you like before. This, I promise you," said Jiryoku.

Ino just stood there like a statue with her face still flushed.

A few meters away, behind the door, Inoichi was grinding his teeth. "My daughter was taken by this bastard. What will I do? No, I will confront him."

"Shut up, you're an idiot. Don't you see Ino was finally able to express her love, and Jiryoku didn't reject her?" said Ino's mother.

"My daughter is gone," said Inoichi with a tearful face, biting his shirt.

"You're just overreacting," said Ino's mother.

Finally, Ino calmed down, realizing that what she had done couldn't be changed.

Jiryoku broke the silence between them and said, "Uncle Inoichi and Aunt, please come. My time for leaving is getting close."

Ino turned around and saw her father and mother. She asked, "Father, Mother, when did you arrive? Did you see anything?"

"No, nothing," said Inoichi, almost on the verge of tears again.

"They watched the whole thing, you kissing me. And not only them, but even Shikamaru and Choji, who were hiding in the bushes using the 'Transformation Technique,'" said Jiryoku.

As soon as Jiryoku's voice fell, two bushes transformed into Shikamaru and Choji, respectively.

They both wore embarrassed smiles and raised their hands, saying, "Hello."

"You all watched the whole thing?" asked Ino, her face still red.

"I can perceive anything within a 10-mile radius from me. Why would I lie?" said Jiryoku.

The others again wore embarrassed smiles and even looked ashamed.

Ino punched Jiryoku's shoulder again and shouted with her red face, "You idiot, we don't say such things."

Jiryoku was like, 'What the hell? I'm telling the truth, you know.'

"By the way, Ino, you were quite bold, I must say," said Ino's mother while covering her face to hide her smile.

"Mother, you too?" said Ino.

"Yeah, Auntie is correct. You were too bold," said Shikamaru, teasing Ino.

"Father!" shouted Ino and hugged Inoichi.

Everyone had smiles on their faces as Ino had finally expressed her love, and Jiryoku had also accepted her love.

(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)