Chapter 151

"Exactly, I don't want to offend you, but you won't stand a chance against a fully-fledged jōnin with substantial experience in a one-on-one fight. Not to mention that Tomomi-chan doesn't possess outstanding combat qualities even compared to the general background, sorry," I shook my head.

Ishi's friend had rather limited chakra reserves and preferred to specialize in throwing poisoned senbons using genjutsu, leaving direct combat to the other members of the assembled team—she lost her own teammates early on in the frontline service.

"It's nothing serious, Ryo-sama," the kunoichi tilted her head.

"And the fact that these jōnin will be there anyway is clear—Iwagakure can't afford to let Konoha's allies advance," Tsume nodded, finally starting to think.

"That's why I preferred to send you to Konoha as soon as possible," I confirmed. "Everything will be decided within the next month anyway."

"But what about you?" Rotaro frowned.

"Firstly, Chifuyu-chan is also returning in the coming days, so I won't have a replacement in the infirmary, and secondly, without Ikki-san's team, no one will send me anywhere," I waved off. "Besides, let's be objective—despite some lack of combat experience compared to veterans, I surpass even our commander in terms of chakra reserves several times, and I'm as fast as the fastest jōnin."

Not to mention a bunch of trump cards up my sleeve if the situation turns against me or the possibility of simply escaping through the shadows, though it's untested on a living user.

"Alright, have it your way," Izunuka slouched, realizing she couldn't argue with me, "but if you manage to die, I'll drag you out of Shinigami's belly and kick your ass!"

The intense gaze of the kunoichi's vertical pupils was so heavy that I barely suppressed the urge to look away and understood—she would definitely fulfill her promise, even if it meant reanimating the second Hokage with Edo Tensei.

"Don't worry, Tsume-chan, I love my hide too much to give it to some Iwagakure shinobi."

"I'm joining the promise made," Rotaro smirked as he got to his feet, "take care of yourself."

After clapping me on the shoulder, he and the deeply bowing friend left the tent, leaving me alone with Inuzuka, the dog not counting.

"Thank you, Ryo," the kunoichi quietly mumbled after a short silence, persistently looking at the floor.

"Tsume-chan, don't thank me—I know what it's like to lose a father, even at an earlier age," I shook my head, stepping closer to her and embracing her shoulders. "Your help will be valuable not only to the clan but also to your mother, so don't doubt it! Besides, your fears are unfounded—I'll be in the rear and can only be harmed if someone attacks the camp itself, but Iwagakure likely doesn't have the power to do that right now. So come on, go get ready."

Smiling, I turned the girl around and gently nudged her toward the tent exit. She took a step forward, and Kuramaru immediately bolted outside, so the sudden turn was unexpected for me, as was the girl who suddenly hung around my neck, pressing her lips against mine.

However, my surprise didn't stop me from pressing the slender and flexible kunoichi's body against me with one hand and placing the other on her firm bottom. Though my partner hadn't yet developed the desired upper dimensions, her lower ninety was practically perfect!

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