Chapter 32 Social Anxiety and Social Boldness

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Seeing Shibi Aburame approaching, Satoru Hyūga heaved a sigh of relief and said with a smile to Might Dai and the other person, "Senior Dai, since my teacher has agreed, then you can join my team."

Might Dai looked at Ryosuke Tanouchi hesitantly. The latter looked like he was on the verge of tears but couldn't shed any, and he wished he could bury his head in his belly.

"What are you staring at me for? If they want you, just go. If Shibi Aburame sets his sights on me, won't he find an opportunity to get rid of me on the way?"

Seeing that Ryosuke Tanouchi didn't object, Might Dai suddenly felt a sting in his nose, and in an instant, his eyes welled up with tears. He couldn't help but take a step forward and hug Satoru Hyūga.

"Wuuu, thank you so much... The blood of my youth is burning passionately again!"

Satoru Hyūga subconsciously recoiled a bit to keep Might Dai's tears off his clothes.

This scene happened to catch the eyes of Anko and Uchiha Rin who were walking behind.

"Geez... Since when did Satoru become so considerate?"

Uchiha Rin wore a complicated expression and said, "It seems I underestimated this guy. Apart from having an enormous appetite and being lazy, this guy is actually quite upbeat."

With his body tightly clamped by Might Dai's big hands, Satoru Hyūga felt like he was on the verge of suffocating.

"Dai... Senior Dai, go a bit easier, please."

"Ah, so sorry, Satoru."

Might Dai quickly released Satoru Hyūga and took a step back, looking apologetic.

Satoru Hyūga took a breath. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Might Dai and Rock Lee suddenly embrace each other and kneel on the ground, wailing loudly.

"Rock Lee, did you hear that? Someone actually invited us to join the team of their own accord!"

"Yes, father, I'm so moved!"

"This is youth! Rock Lee, let the eternal flame of youth flare up again!"

"Yes! Father!"

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Uchiha Rin helplessly covered her face with her palm and sighed, "I take back what I just said. Will there be any issues if Satoru lets these two oddballs join the team?"

"I don't think so..." Anko smiled awkwardly. "Although Rock Lee's personality is a bit peculiar, he's quite dependable when it counts."

The leader of the caravan, Tarō Igiyama, stammered, "Um... Can we get going now?"

Actually, he had been extremely impatient just then. But when he saw how Jonin Ryosuke Tanouchi behaved towards the newly arrived Shibi Aburame, he was suddenly taken aback.

This ninja called Shibi Aburame actually made Jonin Ryosuke Tanouchi show so much deference and even a trace of fear. Then his strength and status must be extremely high, right? I mustn't offend him!

So, he made the entire caravan watch the dramatic spectacle of Might Dai and Rock Lee.

"Sure." Seeing that everyone around was looking at him, Shibi Aburame nodded.

In the forest of the Land of Fire, a large caravan was making its way along the path cleared in the forest.

Inside this caravan, there were two starkly different states at this moment.

"Here, Lord Shibi Aburame, this is a watermelon from the Grass Country. It's especially sweet. Have a taste, please."

"Lord Shibi Aburame, this is the special spiced beef of the Land of Iron. It's really delicious."

"Lord Shibi Aburame, this is..."

A group of people from the caravan were bustling around Lord Shibi Aburame, obsequiously presenting all kinds of rare treasures and delicious foods. However, on the other side of the caravan, the situation of Ryosuke's team was completely different.

Taking a bite of the dry rations in his hand, Kenjin stared at the delicious food beside Shibi Aburame, almost green with envy.

"These damned caravan people! Before that team arrived, they were constantly flattering us. But now, they've all flocked over there!"

"Kenjin, keep your voice down." Ryosuke shivered and immediately whispered a scolding. "If Shibi Aburame hears this, we're finished."

Hearing this, Kenjin shrank his neck. "Lord Ryosuke, is Shibi Aburame really that terrifying? You're also a Jonin. How could you be so afraid of him?"

"It's not fear." Ryosuke looked around and whispered. "This is respect, respect for the strong. You're a chunin and you don't understand. Shibi Aburame has a great reputation among Jonins."

"It's said that before, when he was in the Anbu ninja, he carried out life-and-death missions and earned the title of Omnipotence Ninja. He always acts alone, and no ninja could escape unscathed under his hands."

"I really didn't expect him to lead a team. Otherwise, I would never have offended him and gotten on his bad side. It's definitely the most terrifying memory of my life!"

Hearing Ryosuke's introduction of Shibi Aburame, Kenjin immediately shivered and swallowed his saliva.

On the other side, Shibi Aburame frowned impatiently and ignored the group of obsequious caravan members around him.

"So cool. No wonder even Jonin Ryosuke respects him so much. It seems such things don't catch Lord Shibi's eye at all."

"Exactly. Lord Shibi is so aloof. Is this a common trait of the strong?"

"The imposing aura of Lord Shibi Aburame makes us admire him greatly."

The caravan members immediately turned into flatterers, showering Shibi Aburame with praise. It almost made Satoru Hyūga throw up.

Have you ever thought that maybe Teacher Shibi ignores you because he has social anxiety?

Satoru Hyūga knew only too well. Shibi Aburame, who seemed cold and invincible, actually suffered from severe social anxiety. He would get overwhelmed when there were too many people.

He knew very well that Shibi Aburame's inner monologue must be: Why are you all surrounding me? Do I have pockmarks on my face? Don't look at me, don't look at me... Ugh, just go away!

Satoru Hyūga took a deep breath, a glint in his eyes. So let this good student who respects his elders rescue his teacher from the sea of suffering!

If I don't go to hell, who will?

Satoru Hyūga instantly turned into a social butterfly, rushed forward, and snatched the watermelon handed by a caravan member.

"Wow, is this the legendary big watermelon from the Grass Country? It's really juicy!"

"Hmm, this special spiced beef from the Land of Iron has such a strong aroma. It's not too much for me to have a taste, right?"

"And this, give it to me!"

Caravan members: What the hell?

By the time they came to their senses and looked at Satoru Hyūga devouring the watermelon, a hint of anger showed on their faces. But since Shibi Aburame didn't say anything, they didn't think it appropriate to speak up either.

"Hey, Rin, Anko, and Might Dai-senpai, come and have a taste! Eating watermelon is such a great thing!"

Satoru Hyūga had watermelon pulp all over his mouth as he waved to the people behind.

Uchiha Rin and Anko were immediately stunned, with their mouths wide open.

"Satoru... he really caught us off guard."

"I hope those people in the caravan won't get angry. The mission has just started. It'll be a hassle if we cause any trouble." Uchiha Rin helplessly rubbed her forehead.

Unlike Anko and Uchiha Rin who were reserved, Might Dai and Neji Hyūga didn't stand on any ceremony at all. They immediately rushed to Satoru Hyūga's side and started munching on a piece of watermelon.

"So delicious!"

"I'm so touched! Satoru actually shared such a precious delicacy with us. The fire of youth in my body is burning again!"

After throwing away the watermelon rinds in their hands, Dai and Neji Hyūga hugged each other and burst into tears.

When the members of Ryosuke's team saw this scene, their eyelids started twitching. They suddenly felt that the dry rations in their hands didn't taste as good anymore.