"You can tell me why," Sandaime asked after thinking for a long while.
Xia Li explained his reasons. He had already laid a solid foundation, but what he lacked was real combat experience.
"Alright." The Third Hokage nodded happily. He had never planned to place Xia Li into ANBU before, but Xia Li's goal was clear and his reasoning convincing. There was no reason to refuse.
"From now on, I'll arrange for you to act as an ANBU member."
"Oh, thank you, Grandpa Third," Xia Li said gratefully. Having such an identity would indeed save him a lot of trouble. Although there would still be plenty of problems in the future, he was still young and unlikely to attract too much attention. At least, he wouldn't become a thorn in anyone's side—right?
"It's getting late. School will be over soon. Little Xia Li should be going to pick up the Yamanaka family's girl, shouldn't he?" the Third Hokage suddenly said with a smile.
"Uh…" Xia Li's face reddened slightly.
Seeing his reaction, the Third Hokage couldn't help but laugh. So this was the right way to do it? Why had this kid acted so mature before?
"Oh, right. Tomorrow, don't use a shadow clone at school. Go in person and say goodbye to your classmates," the Third Hokage added after a moment's thought.
"Got it."
"Well then, go pick up your girlfriend. Heh heh."
The Third Hokage watched Xia Li flee in embarrassment and laughed again. He was enjoying this kind of interaction more and more, and he wished it could last forever. He had reached the age where he should be enjoying family happiness… what a pity.
After Xia Li left, the Third Hokage tapped the desk lightly. In the next instant, a familiar masked ANBU appeared in the Hokage's office.
"Did you hear what Xia Li said?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Yes. I'll arrange a suitable team for him," the ANBU captain replied, though bitterness crept into his heart. This task was no easy one. If anything happened to Xia Li while he was in ANBU, he would be finished.
"Mm." The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you think I can hold on for a few more years, until little Xia Li grows up?"
The ANBU captain fell silent. All he could say was that the Third Hokage was still in good health, and if he continued fighting, it should be fine.
Realizing the question was inappropriate, the Third Hokage shook his head and said, "Go prepare a suitable team for Xia Li."
"Yes."
With that, the ANBU captain disappeared, leaving the Third Hokage alone in the office, lost in thought.
…
"Xia Li!"
The familiar place. The familiar spot.
When Ino saw Xia Li, her eyes instantly lit up. She ran over and hugged his arm, glancing around as if declaring ownership.
The girls nearby silently ground their teeth in frustration. Over the years, all their attempts toward Xia Li had failed completely. They had long since given up. Meanwhile, Ino was unstoppable, and her relationship with Xia Li had only grown closer.
They were jealous—so jealous that their attention shifted entirely to Sasuke.
It wasn't that they looked down on Sasuke, but Xia Li was simply far more popular now. His growth had been remarkable. He was handsome, tall, and carried a sense of security that Sasuke couldn't match.
And yet, such an outstanding boy had already been claimed by Ino. What a waste. Xia Li clearly had eyes only for her, showing no interest in anyone else. That only made the other girls even more resentful—and even more obsessed.
Whenever Ino felt the envious gazes around her, a wave of pride rose in her chest. Hmph, jealous? This was what you got when you started cultivating early!
Halfway home, Xia Li looked around. After confirming no one was nearby, he spoke.
"Ino, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Seeing his serious expression, Ino suddenly felt uneasy. A bad feeling welled up in her heart. Could it be…? No—Xia Li wasn't the kind of person who would give up easily when facing trouble…
"I've graduated early," Xia Li said, completely unaware of the wild thoughts running through Ino's head.
"Oh, okay." Ino didn't quite hear him clearly at first, but since it didn't sound like a breakup, she relaxed. Then the words finally sank in.
Early graduation?
Her eyes widened.
"I'm sorry. I probably won't be able to walk you home anymore," Xia Li said apologetically. As an ANBU member, he couldn't leave shadow clones wandering around the village.
"Ah… oh…" Ino looked disappointed, then forced a smile. "That's actually a good thing. With your strength, it makes sense. And if you can graduate early, I'll definitely catch up to you!"
Even though she didn't want to be separated from him, Ino knew this wasn't a time for childish romance. She couldn't let herself become a burden to him.
"I'm looking forward to it," Xia Li said with a smile, reaching out to pinch her cheek.
Ino's face instantly turned red. Xia Li really liked pinching her cheeks. She used to resist—what if they got misshapen?—but somehow, she always let him do it. And today might be the last time for a while.
Xia Li looked at Ino, her figure gradually overlapping with the Ino in his memories. Naruto had grown quickly too. He was finally growing up, and Xia Li no longer felt the guilt he once did. They were still young—there was no need to rush anything. They could wait until they grew up.
In the world of Naruto, what was wrong with raising a future wife from childhood? Absolutely nothing. He didn't even bother pretending otherwise.
"Xia Li, there's somewhere I want to go. Can you come with me?" Ino asked suddenly, her eyes full of anticipation.
She knew Xia Li trained every day and didn't want to interfere—but today was different. If she didn't say it now, she might have to wait a very long time.
"Of course," Xia Li said, understanding her meaning and nodding.
In truth, Ino was young but very sensible. She wasn't troublesome at all. Xia Li had always thought she was great—if only she could grow up faster…
He accompanied her to many places, and eventually they arrived at the entrance to the Yamanaka household.
Ino looked at him reluctantly. Xia Li felt the same. Over the years, he had grown used to being with her.
"Xia Li."
"Hm?"
"Don't fall in love with other girls… and don't forget me."
After saying that, Ino suddenly stepped forward, kissed his cheek, then pushed him away and ran back inside, her face burning red.
Xia Li touched the spot she had kissed. With his strength, he could have hidden it easily—but why would he? He wasn't stupid.
"I won't, Ino," he said softly.
A gentle breeze carried his words to her ears. Her cheeks flushed even deeper, happiness shining in her eyes.
Nice to meet you.
Chapter 79: Every Decision
"Oh? You kissed? Looks like your relationship has crossed another line~" Mrs. Yamanaka teased as Ino rushed inside.
"Mom! You were spying again!" Ino complained.
"Haha, I wasn't spying—I was watching openly. And you weren't exactly hiding it," Mrs. Yamanaka laughed.
"Uh…" Ino didn't know what to say.
"By the way, Mom, I want to talk to you," Ino suddenly said seriously.
"What is it? About little Xia Li?" Mrs. Yamanaka smiled. Seeing her daughter like this was adorable. If she herself had met someone like Xia Li in her youth, she probably wouldn't have been able to handle it either.
Ino shook her head. "Mom, I want to train harder from now on. So I might not be able to help in the flower shop anymore."
"What? Why?" Mrs. Yamanaka was puzzled. She never forced Ino to help—why bring this up now?
Ino quickly explained Xia Li's early graduation.
"Oh, I see. He really is an outstanding child," Mrs. Yamanaka said, understanding everything. No wonder Ino had been pushing herself so hard lately.
"Alright. I agree," she said with a smile.
"Thank you, Mom!" Ino hugged her shyly.
Mrs. Yamanaka gently stroked her daughter's hair. Ino had always been thoughtful, always helping voluntarily. Since she now had her own goal, how could a parent possibly object?
…
The next day, Xia Li was surrounded at the Ninja Academy. Iruka had announced in class that he would be graduating early.
Naruto jumped up immediately.
"I want to apply for early graduation too! I'm going to be Hokage—how can I stay in school forever?"
"Naruto! Improve your theory scores first!" Iruka shouted. "If you can't properly use the three basic techniques, you won't graduate even in sixth grade!"
Naruto fell silent. He knew it was true.
"I didn't expect you to graduate early," Shikamaru sighed.
"There's no point staying here anymore," Xia Li replied.
"With your level, sure. But you waited this long… was it because of Ino?" Shikamaru teased.
"She's part of it, but not the whole reason," Xia Li admitted.
"Well, early graduation is troublesome," Shikamaru muttered. He would never do something so tiring himself.
Yet his hand clenched unconsciously. He didn't want to fall too far behind.
Annoyed, he glanced at Choji, who was still eating.
"Hey, Choji. I know a way for you to eat more barbecue."
"Huh?" Choji's eyes sparkled. More barbecue?!
"As long as you keep up with Xia Li, you'll definitely get more barbecue," Shikamaru grinned.
"More barbecue?! Full power! I'll surpass Xia Li!" Choji roared, completely fired up.
Shikamaru laughed. No guilt at all—encouraging classmates to work harder wasn't a bad thing.
"Xia Li, I want to graduate too!" Naruto said.
"Then you'll have to work twice as hard. The genin exam focuses heavily on the three basic techniques," Xia Li replied.
"My transformation is okay, but shadow clone and substitution are really hard…" Naruto said dejectedly.
"I'll come over after school and teach you some tricks," Xia Li said after thinking.
"It's a deal!" Naruto's eyes lit up.
After class, Xia Li was completely surrounded. Boys asked how to graduate early; girls complained endlessly.
Used to it, Xia Li simply said goodbye to those close to him and greeted everyone else politely. No need to stay cold on the last day.
"Xia Li, come with me."
An untimely voice rang out.
It was Sasuke.
"Okay," Xia Li replied with a smile.
The two left the classroom and soon arrived at a familiar spot—the place where Xia Li had once beaten Sasuke badly.
"So? Why didn't you invite me out earlier?" Xia Li asked casually.
"I'm going to defeat you and prove I can graduate early too," Sasuke said coldly, already charging forward.
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