Escape From Konoha

Chapter 92: Attack on Ayane (2)

After breakfast, Shiraishi asked, "Why do you have the time to come here?"

He knew that Ayane didn't really have much free time within the Hyuga Clan. If Sakumo's team were still active, she'd have plenty of free time. However, Sakumo's team had disbanded long ago, and during this period, she'd went out only occasionally.

The last time she had come out was seemingly when she attended Sakumo's funeral. Communication since then had been limited to discreet information exchange.

"I took the day off today; it's fine," Ayane replied with a smile.

"Is it acceptable for you to slack off like this?" Shiraishi asked.

"It's not a problem. Our future clan leader is quite understanding. Unlike the controlling elders, he's an enlightened person" Ayane commented, her positive view of the Hyuga clan quite unusual.

Hyuga Hiashi, a name Shiraishi had heard of before. As the heir of the Hyuga clan, his talents and striking looks had propelled him to the status of a renowned Jonin in the village before the age of twenty.

While his strength remained uncertain, as the Hyuga clan's future leader, he was undoubtedly among the most powerful Jonin.

A mediocre person couldn't rise to the position of clan leader. In the ninja world, strength was paramount, and even the Hyuga clan, despite their unique Byakugan, adhered to this principle. Strength determined political capital and votes, and inadequate power resulted in swift elimination.

"Besides, Ruri isn't at home right now. I was worried Shiraishi-kun would be all alone, so I came to keep you company. If I'm bothering you, I can leave. Shiraishi-kun only needs to command me, and I will obey the orders, even if it's to control my body as you wish"

Ayane said, with a demeanor of earnest service that concealed any hint of resistance. Her eyes displayed only gentleness.

Shiraishi believed there was another side to her beneath this façade.

"Don't worry; you're not a bother. Just don't disrupt my work" Shiraishi assured.

"Okay," Ayane nodded obediently

'As long as it is the order of Shiraishi-kun, I will unconditionally dedicate my body and soul', what she expressed to Shiraishi is exactly this potential meaning.

Shiraishi had to admit he'd experienced a momentary desire earlier, especially when compared to Ruri, who often spoke candidly but harbored no deceit. Ayane had a genuinely seductive allure.

"That's surprising, though. I didn't expect you to create a second clone. The way it appears is quite unique," Ayane said. She recalled how the shadow girl had easily detected her presence earlier and emerged from the wall's crack. Without her sharp perception, she might not have realized she was being targeted.

"Are you referring to the Shadow Dancer? I gave her with the Yin Release ability," Shiraishi explained.

Like General Tu, the Shadow girl was also referred to as 'Shadow Dancer' and carried the same code name. Strictly speaking, neither belonged to the category of typical creatures.

Leaving aside the nearly immortal General Ty, the Shadow Dancer's ability was even more formidable and difficult to defend against. Shiraishi had created her primarily for his own safety, as he had chosen to forgo self-strengthening training methods, shifting his focus away from direct combat.

Considering potential future attacks he couldn't prevent, the Shadow Dancer served as a protector and assassin tailored to shield him.

She could manipulate and hide within shadows, typically residing on Shiraishi's shadow. When an enemy drew near, she used shadows both defensively and offensively. Consequently, she excelled in speed and Yin release jutsu.

As she continued to grow, with the addition of Sage Mode, her speed and power would undoubtedly increase further.

"Yin Release? Is it similar to the Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique?" Ayane inquired, connecting the dots to the peculiar appearance of the Shadow Dancer.

"It's somewhat similar, but there are differences," Shiraishi clarified.

The Nara Clan's Shadow Jutsu focused on control to create openings for allies to attack and wasn't particularly offensive.

While, the Shadow Dancer's Yin release-based shadow jutsu incorporated both offense and defense.

She was designed to be an assassin and guardian to ensure Shiraishi's safety. She was completely different from General Tu who used for communication and transportation.

During the time he made General Th he didn't have sufficient technology. That's why compared to Shadow Dancer, General Tu is simple.

As the creation technology in this area becomes more sophisticated, the avatars created in the future will naturally become stronger.

At that time in the future he would be able to make improvements to the avatars.

"It turned out to be such a dangerous ability, I already feel pity for those enemies."

Ayane used her brain to think about it casually, and knew how terrifying this sort of sinister fighting style was for a ninja with flesh and blood.

Shiraishi-kun is still as bad-hearted as ever. But it would be great if these bad intentions were used to dominate her body.

Obviously she was the first person to gajn Shiraishi-kun's trust. She really wants drown that woman with the Sharingan in a sea.

While drinking her tea calmly and peacefully, she was quiet and beautiful as Yamato Nadeshiko.

However, Ayane felt a strong unwillingness in her heart.

This unwillingness was equivalent to the unwillingness of resisting the fate of the Caged Bird Seal. Because it is an indisputable fact that the Sharingan woman was more powerful than her.

Shiraishi added, "This is my style of combat. They are my avatars, so they naturally count as a part of my strength. Unlike you, I don't have the advantage of a convenient Kekkei Genkai, so I must rely on other means to increase my power."

Shiraishi had no idea about Ayane's thoughts.

In his opinion, overcoming the inherent advantages giving by bloodlines was challenging, and sometimes, one had to concede to the reality.

While he was reluctant to admit the strength disparity driven by bloodlines, there were occasions when he had to acknowledge it.

Most people found it difficult to overcome the oppressive force of bloodlines, which was why Shiraishi often struggled when facing Ruri, especially after she unlocked Sharingan.

It wasn't that obvious when they were young, but as they grew up it was clear.

Shiraishi didn't believe he could overcome the overpowering influence of bloodlines, and that's why he looked for alternative methods to compensate for his weaknesses.

Understanding one's limitations and seeking to address them were crucial for personal growth, a philosophy Shiraishi embraced. Anxiety, envy, covetousness, and greed were all unnecessary emotions.

All he needed to be was ordinary.

"It's so strange... it's morning, but it's so hot," Ayane said, raising her collar in dissatisfaction with the day's excessive heat.

While the atmosphere here was peaceful, the July weather in Konoha proved insufferable.

"It's nearly August," Shiraishi remarked.

"At this time of year, it can be quite challenging... Well, Shiraishi-kun, is there a bathhouse here?" Ayane inquired.

"Are you planning to take a shower?" Shiraishi asked.

"Well, would you like to join me?" Ayane's words flowed naturally, and an innocent smile graced her face, apparently oblivious to the implications.

Suddenly, the room fell into a heavy silence.

"So...do you want to take a bath together? It's so hot today," Ayane broke the silence with another invitation, smiling.

◎

'Calm down. I'm a doctor, a researcher. I need to stay rational and not let irrational desires take over. But, when you think about it, the desire for physical intimacy with the opposite sex is a natural urge.'

In the open-air hot spring pool, Shiraishi leaned against the partition, somehow already accepting the fact that he would soon be soaking in the hot spring.

"The water temperature here is perfect. I must admit, I envy you. Being able to enjoy such a wonderful hot spring daily," Ayane's voice carried a hint of envy from the other side of the partition.

Shiraishi closed his eyes and attempted to ignore Ayane's words.

However, an unusual sound came from the partition as Ayane got closer.

"It's so relaxing, the feeling of soaking your body in hot water..." Ayane moaned softly, her voice filled with comfort.

"Shiraishi-kun, what do you think?" she inquired.

"Fine," Shiraishi replied vaguely, his thoughts wandering.

"Shiraishi-kun."

"What?"

"When you take a bath, do you share the same pool with Ruri?"

Ayane seemed a little curious about this matter.

"What are you thinking about? If I did that, I would have been burned to death by her fire."

Ayane laughed when she heard Shiraishi's helpless tone and said, "Yes, Ruri might be really shy in this regard. But if it were me, I wouldn't mind such things..."

Shiraishi naturally understood the lines from the vague invitation.

Although he knew that Ayane would not be naked there, Shiraishi was not as confident about his restraint at the moment.

The atmosphere became silent until an hour later, with both of them leaning against the same partition without exchanging a word.

"I've finished washing. You shouldn't stay in the water too long; it's not good for your health if you soak too much," Shiraishi suggested as he stood up in the pool.

"Understood, Shiraishi-kun. You can go attend to your work. I'm satisfied to have accompanied you for this long," Ayane replied.

Shiraishi exited the pool, dressed, and proceeded to the lounge, assuming Ayane wished to soak a while longer.

However, as he opened the lounge door, he heard a familiar voice, causing him to freeze in his tracks.

Ruri stood at the entrance in fresh clothing. Her face had signs of recent heat and sweat, indicating she'd just returned and wanted to relieve her fatigue with a bath.

"Ru- Ruri, didn't you leave for an extended mission? Why are you back so soon?" Shiraishi asked, his voice noticeably louder than usual

Shiraishi raised his volume unintentionally when talking about this. Ruri, who was generally sensitive to loud noises, seemed annoyed.

"Let's not talk about it. The client lied about the mission's difficulty. It was supposed to be a C-level mission, but it turned out to be an A-level mission unsuitable for rookies. I abandoned it halfway and left him to fend for himself. I brought the three genins back," Ruri explained with a hint of irritation.

"This! This Way!"

"Why are you speaking so loudly?" she questioned with a frown.

"Ah, well, my voice hasn't been in great shape lately, so I raised it to make sure you could hear me." Shiraishi said, wanting to explain.

Ruri moved past him towards the women's bath.

"What else is there? You are weird today."

Shiraishi, feeling caught, replied, "It's nothing. I just haven't seen you in a while, and I missed you. Shall we go for breakfast?"

"I ate on the way back," Ruri replied. Then, as she looked inside the women's bath and at Shiraishi pretending to be composed, she appeared to think of something on the spot.

"Since you've already eaten, I'll go ahead and bathe. I won't disturb your bath," Ruri stated.

As she spoke, without waiting for Shiraishi to refuse, she walked into the women's bathhouse.

Shiraishi saw Ruri's ruthless look when entering the women's bathhouse so simply and not giving him any way out, so he knew that Ruri had discovered something.

This is a complete disaster.