Chapter 365: Apprenticeship

"Sand Clone, huh…"

But after the powerful Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets accurately hit the opponent, Kimimaro saw Gaara turn into a puddle of sand and dissipate.

"Sand Binding Coffin!!"

As expected, a low, thunderous shout came from the side. Gaara, who had somehow appeared beside him, clasped his hand, and immediately all the sand gathered around Kimimaro, trapping him tightly inside!

"I didn't expect to encounter such a powerful opponent in such a boring exam…"

After successfully trapping Kimimaro, Gaara's face twisted with excitement. Killing such a powerful opponent could satisfy his inner bloodlust immensely. He then clenched his hands tightly!

"But it's all over now… Sand Waterfall Funeral!!"

Gaara's highly concentrated sand could crush any opponent into a pulp, but at this moment, Temari noticed that Haku's face beside her showed no sign of change, as if he wasn't worried at all about Kimimaro's situation.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Larch!!"

As expected, amidst the astonished gazes of Gaara, Temari, and the others, a sudden light shout came from within the sand.

Immediately, a dozen or so sharp, white bones pierced through the sand. Kimimaro, with his entire body covered in white bones, forcefully emerged from the sand!

"How is this possible?!"

"Gaara's sand was actually… What kind of monster is this guy?!"

Seeing Kimimaro actually emerge from Gaara's Sand Waterfall Funeral, Temari and Kankuro could hardly believe their eyes.

Moreover, the large number of white bones emerging from his body—anyone witnessing Kimimaro's Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku, for the first time would likely have the same shocked expression as they did.

"It looks like you're a worthy opponent…"

"Then I'll kill you with this most powerful spear!!"

Facing the astonished gazes of everyone present, Kimimaro, with sharp white bones piercing through his entire body, started to form a massive, bone-constructed spiral spear from the bones emerging from his right hand, gradually shaping his arm into a gigantic bone spear!

Attacking with the hardest bones as a spear is a demonstration of Kimimaro's advanced use of the Kaguya Clan's Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku.

"Enough, Kimimaro…"

Just as the battle was reaching its climax, Haku, who was observing from the side, suddenly spoke up, "Let's stop here… Don't forget that we still have a mission…"

"Hinata and the others are no longer in danger…"

"We need to reach the destination quickly and not keep Yu-sama waiting…"

Seeing that Kimimaro seemed completely absorbed in the fight with Gaara, Haku gently reminded him from the side.

Hearing Haku's reminder, the fiercely driven Kimimaro seemed to suddenly calm down. He cast a deep glance at Gaara and the others, gradually retracting the chilling white bones from his hand. "Right… Haku is right. We can't keep Yu-sama waiting too long…"

"Consider yourselves lucky today…"

"So… Let's leave our battle for next time!!"

With those words, Kimimaro and Haku's figures swiftly turning to leave.

"I'm Sand Burial Gaara…"

"You, the guy with white hair, what's your name?!"

Seeing someone of his own age who could break through his absolute defense and completely suppress him, Gaara couldn't help but ask as he watched Kimimaro leave with Haku.

"Kaguya Kimimaro!!"

By the time Kimimaro and Haku's figures were fully out of sight in the dim forest, Kimimaro's name echoed distantly.

"Kaguya Kimimaro…"

Amidst Temari and Kankuro's anxious glances, Gaara murmured Kimimaro's name, his face twisted with a savage, bloodthirsty expression, "I didn't expect to find such an interesting guy in this world… It really came at the right time this time, it's not boring at all!!"

The next morning, the bright sunlight streamed into Yu's room, finally waking Yugao from her deep sleep.

Feeling the warm body temperature of Yu beside her, Yugao gave a comfortable murmur, turning over to press her face against Yu's chest, like a lazy kitten.

"You're finally awake…"

As Yugao slightly opened her eyes, she saw Yu's young, handsome face wearing a teasing and mischievous expression. Remembering the wild night they had together, her face flushed slightly, and she shyly buried her head back into the blankets.

Indeed, over the past few days, Yu, who had become quite experienced, had finally advanced their relationship and reached third base with Yugao.

"By the way, Haku and Kimimaro are about to participate in the third round of the Chunin Exams…"

Lazily snuggling in Yu's embrace, Yugao traced circles on his chest with her fingers and said softly, "Kurenai will be there as well. Aren't you going to prepare a bit?"

During this time, Yu had introduced Haku and Kimimaro to Kurenai and Yugao, so Yugao was aware that Yu had these two subordinates.

"Are you interested in coming with me to watch?"

Yu gently stroked Yugao's smooth back with his left hand and comfortably closed his eyes.

The Chunin Exams were not important to him; what mattered was that Orochimaru was likely to launch the Konoha Destruction Plan soon, and it would also be the day he visited Danzo to catch up.

"Hmm… I think I'll stay here and wait for you to come back!"

Feeling Yu's hand playing on her back, Yugao lightly sighed and said after some consideration.

"Alright then…"

Yu chuckled softly and didn't insist. After a bit more intimacy, Yu got up and put on his clothes. Just then, an abrupt knocking sound came from outside the door.

"Early in the morning, who could it be…"

Having their rare alone time interrupted, Yugao, somewhat annoyed, put on Yu's coat and went with him to answer the door.

Her flawless, long white legs were partially visible, combined with her cascading purple hair and the sultry, lazy look of someone who had just woken up. It's often said that a woman's charm is at its peak when she's just awakened and wearing a man's clothes, and it proved to be true in this case.

"Kid, knocking on my door this early and disturbing my sleep, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

When Yu opened the door, as he had sensed with his Observation Haki, the boy standing there had blonde hair and was wearing an orange hoodie. It was Naruto, who had barely passed the second round of the Chunin Exams.

"I had to ask Kakashi-sensei and the others for a long time before I found out you lived here!!"

As soon as the door opened, Naruto's distinctive loud voice began to shout, "I'm here today to ask you to be my teacher! The glowing orb technique you showed me last time was so cool! You have to teach me how to do it so I can make an impression in the third round of the Chunin Exams… Uh, you guys?!"

Seeing not only Yu, who was shirtless, but also Yugao, wearing Yu's coat and lazily leaning against him with a charming demeanor, Naruto's eyes widened in shock, and he became so flustered that he could barely speak.

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