Chapter 21: Your Girlfriend is Here
Although the way Uzuki Yūgao spoke those sweet words was moving, Akiyama Makoto had already seen this line in the simulation. What he wanted to know more was Yūgao's state of mind at that moment. Otherwise, just keeping one's word didn't necessarily signify deep affection.
Yūgao fell silent, and Makoto did not rush her.
The two of them fled like this, finally arriving at the border between the forest and the sand dunes. Yūgao stood atop a dune, looking up at the bright moonlight, and her somewhat gloomy expression gradually softened.
"Makoto-kun, is it alright if I call you that?"
Makoto nodded gently, looking at Yūgao with curiosity, wondering what she would say this time.
"Makoto-kun, you might not know this, but like you, I'm an orphan."
"I once thought Konoha was my home. There, I had elders who trusted me, my friends, and my comrades. I thought I would build a family there and live a happy life."
"But..."
Yūgao's gaze became firm. "The Third Hokage is dead. My friends and comrades are also dead. Konoha couldn't help me get revenge, and even prevented me from doing so."
"And you, who should have been a hero of Konoha, became its sacrificial lamb instead."
Yūgao turned and took the initiative to hug Makoto, her brave voice tinged with a trace of fear. "All of this... I cannot accept it."
"If you died, I truly wouldn't know what I have left to live for."
"So... let's become each other's reason to live, can we?"
Looking at Yūgao's tear-streaked face, Makoto finally understood everything. This answer wasn't as romantic as he had imagined, but it was more than enough to convince him. To desperately cling to a single straw and then give everything for it—perhaps this was the last way many people in the ninja world found to keep on living.
Makoto raised his hand, wiped away Yūgao's tears, and then squeezed her hand tightly.
"Let's go. I'll take you to a new life."
"I promise, in this life, I will make you happy."
Under the moonlight, Akiyama Makoto made his promise. He had intended to exit the simulation then and there, but he saw Yūgao lower her head, a smile of hope curving her moist lips.
When Makoto's consciousness returned to reality, he subconsciously glanced at the figure in the darkness outside his window. Thanks to the elementary chakra sensory talent he now possessed, Yūgao could no longer hide from his perception. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that Yūgao was also looking at him.
...Never mind, it was probably just his imagination.
Makoto touched the corner of his mouth. Yūgao's lips felt nice, seemingly possessing a naturally cool, watery texture. But this would likely be the last time. He had no plans to simulate with Yūgao again. After all, her life simulation had too many variables. His Tenten was fragrant, soft, and much easier to simulate.
Makoto calmed his mind. Unlike with the Tenten simulation, he didn't dive back in to experience a whirlwind romance. Instead, he went straight to reviewing the gains he had made during his years in the Sand Village.
First and foremost were the Scientific Ninja Tool Scrolls. In truth, a prototype of this technology had long existed in the ninja world. Whether it was Jiraiya sealing Amaterasu or Shikamaru using a scroll to perform a Water Style jutsu he couldn't otherwise use, these were all early forms of the same concept. The difference was that at this time, ninja had to first learn how to use the scroll itself to release the jutsu within, and the scrolls were basically single-use.
The Scientific Ninja Tool Scrolls that Makoto developed only required the user to perform a simple hand seal to invoke the jutsu sealed within; they didn't need to understand the scroll's working principles. Furthermore, because these scrolls were modular in design, empty scrolls could be handed over to the logistics department to have ninjutsu sealed into them again. As long as the scroll itself wasn't destroyed, it could be used an unlimited number of times. This gave the Sand Village, originally known for its puppet mastery, a whole new series of countermeasures against their enemies and was the fundamental reason for their military advancement.
Of course, this advancement only helped the Sand Village stabilize its position among the Five Great Villages and increased its war potential; it did not raise its upper limit. It was basically impossible for Suna to challenge the other hidden villages with just this technology.
Secondly, Makoto had essentially mastered the vast majority of non-kekkei genkai ninjutsu that had appeared in the Sand Village, from Wind Style and Sand Style jutsu to puppet creation and manipulation, and even toxicology and medical ninjutsu. Unfortunately, it was impossible for him to reach the level of puppet mastery of Sasori or Chiyo; that was not something that could be achieved through learning alone.
The last point was his most unexpected gain. He had successfully walked a brand-new life path outside of Konoha. This meant that even if he truly couldn't stay in Konoha in the future, he could go to the Sand Village and still make a name for himself. Compared to the disaster-prone Konoha, the Sand Village even seemed safer—a good place to lie low for a lifetime. Of course, the environment there was undoubtedly harsh compared to Konoha, but that wouldn't affect Makoto once he became a high-ranking member of the village.
Makoto had a faint feeling that this alternate path was the greatest reward of this simulation. The thought that he now had a fallback plan made his whole body feel lighter. He stretched, decided to go to sleep, and prepared to welcome the new day with high spirits.
The next day, Makoto began his daily routine: refining chakra, writing his book while summarizing and understanding his gains from the simulation, and finally, preparing for the elders and playful children who would come to the Storyteller's Tea Hall in the afternoon. This kind of life would likely continue for a while, until Ino came to carry out her mission and teach him the methods of chakra control.
What Makoto didn't expect was that at sunset, a cute and beautiful figure peeked her head around the main gate of his house.
Tenten stared at his home in shock, thinking she had come to the wrong place. Less than a week ago, his house had been in such a dilapidated state that her heart had ached just looking at it. But now, it was so lively that she subconsciously thought a new shop had opened here.
"Who are you looking for?"
A little girl, licking a lollipop, stood curiously in front of Tenten. A born social butterfly, she looked Tenten up and down.
Just as Tenten was about to find an excuse to send her away, the girl took a deep breath and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Big Brother Makoto, your girlfriend is here to see you!"
All eyes in the courtyard, young and old, turned to stare at her. At that moment, Tenten felt as if she had just been hit with an S-rank mental attack. Her face burned, and her body felt as if it had been petrified, unable to move.
Just as she was trying to figure out how to escape, a thump sound was heard, followed by the little girl's cry as she clutched her head.
Akiyama Makoto was twisting the little girl's nose. "Don't talk nonsense," he said. "Tenten isn't my girlfriend."
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