.
***
**Chapter 7: First Encounter with Team 7**
"Ahaha, sorry about that—did I scare you just now?"
Rubik ruffled his spiky, hedgehog-like short hair and sincerely apologized to the girl in front of him.
"No worries, I just didn't react in time and got startled. Are you from another country? Welcome to Konoha! By the way, you're actually a disciple of one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya? That's amazing—you look about my age..."
Ino graciously accepted the apology.
Though the sudden approach had caught her off guard, being chatted up by such a handsome guy greatly satisfied the young girl's vanity.
*He's not quite on Sasuke's level, but he's still a pretty good-looking guy. Heh, my charm is clearly irresistible!*
Ino felt a little smug inside.
"Yeah, you've got real charm."
Rubik gave Ino a gentle smile.
"Huh?!"
Caught off guard by how he'd read her mind, Ino's face instantly flushed red.
*H-How did he know what I was thinking?!"
"Sorry, sorry..."
Rubik chuckled and explained with a laugh, "You were just so cute, I accidentally blurted out what was on your mind."
"Th-Thank you."
Ino subconsciously twirled her shining golden hair with her slender, pale fingers, blushing as she spoke.
Even though she usually acted bold and confident, Ino was still just a girl in the flower of her youth. Facing such straightforward praise left her a bit flustered.
Asuma couldn't stand it anymore. He grabbed Rubik, who was still flirting, and dragged him away from the flower shop.
"See you next time, Ino!"
Rubik knew he'd gone a bit overboard. He waved goodbye while being pulled away by Asuma.
"Bye..."
Ino waved instinctively in the direction they left.
She murmured in confusion, "What a weird guy..."
...
Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha.
Asuma walked with a black line on his face—er, looking annoyed—and finally spoke to Rubik beside him. "Looks like you really are Jiraiya's disciple, no doubt about it. That guy... how could he teach a kid this stuff? Even I..."
Realizing he'd almost slipped up, Asuma coughed twice and forcefully changed the subject. "Ahem! While Jiraiya's 'bad influences' are mostly to blame, you still need to reflect on your behavior!
Ino's my student, and you were flirting with her right in front of me."
Asuma put on a stern face, trying to correct the "bad habits" the kid had picked up from his master.
But as soon as he finished, Rubik burst into tears with a loud "Wah!"
"Finally... finally, someone gets that it was all Jiraiya that old geezer who corrupted me!!!"
"Eh?! Hey, kid! Don't cry here!"
Asuma panicked as passersby shot them strange looks.
Rubik ignored him, sobbing dramatically with snot and tears. "Back in my village, I was the most handsome guy for miles around, known as 'Pure-Hearted Little Rubik'—my soul was cleaner than the toilet paper you use before taking a dump!
It was all that old geezer Jiraiya! What kind of master asks about the hottest温泉 spots with the prettiest ladies on your *first day* as an apprentice?
He dragged me there, then ditched me to flirt alone! I ended up getting my ass spanked by the ladies and limped back to the inn to catch him mid-pickup!
Who does that to their student? Waaah... Mr. Asuma, thank you for understanding! You're a good man!"
"Sorry! My bad! Please stop crying! Let's go—it's lunchtime! Lunch is on me!"
With the crowd growing, Asuma couldn't take the embarrassment. He scooped up the still-sniffling Rubik like a sack of rice and bolted from the scene.
The onlookers dispersed once they were gone.
All that remained were a boy with a pineapple-shaped ponytail and a lazy expression, plus a chubby boy.
"What the heck is Asuma-sensei up to... Geez, I hope he doesn't cause any trouble."
Shikamaru sighed helplessly at the scene.
...
Asuma ran with Rubik in his arms for a good while before Rubik decided to quit while he was ahead and dropped the pitiful act (even his thick skin had limits).
*'Yamanaka Ino (C), Sarutobi Asuma (A) unlocked. Congratulations, host—you cleverly defeated Yamanaka Ino (C) and Sarutobi Asuma (A). Recruitment progress: Yamanaka Ino (C) and Asuma (20/40). Experience Card obtained.'*
Rubik sneaked a glance at Asuma's flushed face and silently apologized in his mind.
If he could help it, he wouldn't use tricks like this to collect "shards." But he couldn't just fight everyone he met, right? No choice but to rely on a bit of "smarts" to unlock ninjas.
Asuma, Konoha's top elite jonin, reached their destination in no time.
He gently set Rubik down and pointed to the simple shop ahead. "Alright, we'll grab lunch here. Don't let the modest look fool you—Ichiraku Ramen is super popular in Konoha!"
Rubik eyed the plain ramen shop, his heart racing with excitement.
*This is the legendary ramen shop of Teuchi from the Otsutsuki clan? The holy site that tanked a direct Kaguya Almighty Push without a scratch! After穿越 to the Naruto world for so long, I finally get to check it in.*
Asuma caught the excitement in Rubik's eyes (mistaking it for hunger) and pulled him inside.
"Boss, two signature tonkotsu ramen, please!"
"Hey, hey, Teuchi old man! Ayame sis! You won't believe what happened on our Wave Country mission—so many awesome things! Wanna hear?"
"Idiot, Naruto! Don't blab mission details everywhere! Sorry about him, Teuchi, Ayame-nee—Naruto's too reckless."
"What's the big deal? You totally wanna tell people about Wave Country too, right, Sakura?"
"You're such a kid, Naruto. Right, Sasuke?"
"Hn, super idiot."
"What?! Smug jerk Sasuke! Wanna fight?!"
"Boring."
"Enough, you three—other customers are here. Quiet down."
A lazy voice cut through their bickering.
"Okay."
"Hn." ×2
Asuma spotted Team 7 inside and was surprised. He walked over and greeted Kakashi. "Oh, what a coincidence—you guys here too? Just back from a mission, Kakashi?"
"Kakashi?"
Surprisingly, Kakashi didn't reply right away. Puzzled, Asuma followed Kakashi's gaze.
Kakashi's eyes were locked firmly on Rubik's face.
***