"Kurotsuchi, are you really ready for this?"
Originally, Aoba thought Kurotsuchi just wanted to mess around with him for a bit.
At most, it would be some verbal sparring, or a bit of effort on her part.
But he hadn't expected it to reach this final step.
"Are you still thinking of going to find Terumi Mei and the others?"
Kurotsuchi kept him pinned down, looking down at him from above, clearly dissatisfied.
"That's not what I meant…"
"Then stop talking nonsense. We're getting married soon anyway, a few days won't make a difference!"
Kurotsuchi forcefully pressed her lips onto his, cutting him off.
What happened next didn't need much elaboration.
Since Kurotsuchi had made such a decisive move to initiate the challenge, Aoba naturally had to bring out his real skills.
Still, he had underestimated her competitive spirit.
He never expected Kurotsuchi's offensive to come on so fiercely.
Like a machine with a switch flipped on, she showed no sign of fatigue, boldly kicking off the battle.
The result, naturally, was that she pushed herself to the limit.
Even though it was her first time in this kind of high-level "battle," she still forced herself to keep going.
During the fight, she repeatedly tried to establish her dominant position, just like back when they first met. As the Tsuchikage's disciple, even knowing she wasn't a match for Aoba, she would still come to spar with him every day.
Kurotsuchi provoked him with all kinds of stubborn excuses, and the result was defeat after defeat.
But there was also a difference. In past sparring matches, she had almost never won. This time, although she kept losing, after losing enough, she could finally make Aoba lower his head and admit defeat once.
However, every time Aoba admitted defeat, what greeted her was an even fiercer assault, like a violent storm.
The result was that the first burst of energy was strong, the second weakened, and the third ran out.
In the end, it was only because Aoba held back that Kurotsuchi didn't end up completely routed in an overly miserable state.
She didn't lose her mind to the point of only being able to lie there and hum unconsciously.
But for the next period of time, the aftereffects of the "battle" would likely leave her muscles in severe soreness, making even basic daily activities a bit difficult.
After all, she didn't have Karin's Uzumaki bloodline, nor Sakura's Strength of a Hundred Seal. For the next few days, she would inevitably be affected to some extent.
In today's "battle," Kurotsuchi's biggest result was probably just that, hurting the enemy three hundred while losing a thousand herself.
And when the storm finally subsided, Kurotsuchi could barely move even a single finger.
There wasn't any strength left in her body. In the end, Aoba helped clean her up and changed her into a new robe.
Then the two of them lay on the bed together, covered by a thin blanket.
But Kurotsuchi was still completely limp, like a puddle of mud. Exhausted in both body and mind, she could only half-open her moist eyes, curling up in Aoba's arms and breathing softly.
However, on her usually somewhat disdainful pretty face, aside from the obvious exhaustion, there was also a hint of satisfaction.
Aoba gently held her, and seeing her like this, reached out and pinched her nose.
If he had done that normally, she would've slapped his hand away and given him a big eye roll.
But now, after a soft "mm," Kurotsuchi just nuzzled into his arms and made no other movement.
Aoba found it a bit amusing and didn't tease her further.
"Tired?"
"Tired…"
Kurotsuchi's pink lips moved slightly as she muttered, her eyes almost unable to stay open, "I'm so tired I could die. It's more exhausting than sparring with ninjutsu."
"If you knew you'd be this tired, why were you trying so hard just now?", Aoba said, a bit exasperated.
"Heh…"
Kurotsuchi curled her lips slightly and opened her half-lidded eyes. Though still a bit moist, they were bright, with a stubborn glint flashing through them.
"I wanted to. What, you gonna stop me?"
"…"
What could Aoba even say to that?
"Hmph~ Hmph~"
Seeing him rarely give in, Kurotsuchi naturally showed a proud expression and snorted lightly.
But after being smug for a bit, she couldn't help letting out a sigh.
"What's wrong?"
Aoba looked at her in confusion, not understanding why she suddenly sighed.
Kurotsuchi pouted, "Didn't expect that in the end, I still got taken advantage of by a scumbag like you."
"…"
Aoba couldn't help twitching his mouth, speechless, "What do you mean I took advantage of you? Weren't you the one who pinned me down just now?"
"Mm—Damn it!"
Kurotsuchi's expression immediately fell. She bit down hard on his chest and said unhappily, "Can't you just let me have this moment?"
"Fine, fine. This was all part of my plan."
Aoba didn't argue and instead even cooperated, letting out a villainous "heh heh heh" laugh.
"Your laugh sounds awful."
Kurotsuchi mocked him without holding back.
Aoba: "…"
"You're still this lively. Looks like you've got plenty of energy left."
"Don't… I can't anymore."
Sensing this scoundrel's movement, Kurotsuchi quickly admitted defeat.
Seeing her like that, Aoba couldn't help rolling his eyes. He pinched her cheek and didn't make any further moves.
"Get some proper rest first. We'll talk about the Five Kage Summit after you've recovered."
"Mm, whether we talk about it or not doesn't really matter. It's all up to you anyway."
In this state, Kurotsuchi was still a bit stubborn, but overall much softer than usual.
After rubbing against Aoba again, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
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