"Dad! Grandpa Sword! Grandpa Gu!"
As Ning Fengzhi pressed the button to enter the trading square, the residual glow of spatial transfer had yet to fade when a familiar voice crashed straight into his chest.
Ning Rongrong rushed toward him without hesitation, momentum unchecked, burying herself tightly in his arms. Her shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly. Ning Fengzhi stiffened for half a breath before instinct took over, arms closing around her with controlled force, as if afraid she might vanish again if he loosened his grip.
"Silly girl," he said softly, voice rougher than he intended. "Why are you crying?"
Only then did he realize the moisture blurring his own vision.
Chen Xin stood nearby, watching the scene unfold with a quiet exhale of relief. He reached out and gently patted Ning Rongrong's back, his expression unusually mild. "Our little princess has grown up."
Gu Rong lingered awkwardly at the side, rubbing his hands together before finally giving in and ruffling her hair with exaggerated force. "You weren't bullied over there, were you? If anyone dared wrong you, tell Grandpa Gu. I'll go get justice for you."
Ning Rongrong sniffed, then lifted her head, tears still clinging to her lashes—but mischief had already returned to her eyes. "Really?" she asked sweetly. "Someone in the Ninja World did bully me. I almost couldn't come back."
Gu Rong's chest puffed out instantly. "Say the word. Who was it?"
She blinked innocently. "Uchiha Madara. His strength is… probably just stepping into divine-level combat power."
Gu Rong froze.
The bravado drained from his face so fast it was almost impressive. He coughed twice, laughter stiff and dry. "Ah… well. This old man would like to live a few more years. How about we leave that one to Grandpa Sword?"
Ning Rongrong burst into laughter, doubling over. "I'm kidding! The Ninja World already teamed up to deal with him."
That answer wiped the smiles from the elders' faces.
Ning Fengzhi's expression sharpened. Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a glance, both instantly alert. "Teamed up?" Chen Xin asked. "And survived?"
If that was truly possible, then the assumptions underlying the legion battle would have to be reexamined from the ground up.
Ning Rongrong shook her head, the humor fading. "It was a special case. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't be repeatable."
Chen Xin caught the key immediately. "Then how did you escape?"
Her brows knit together as she counted on her fingers, voice filled with lingering pain. "Five Fortune Orbs. All used. That's the only reason we made it out."
She sighed, shoulders drooping. "Thinking about it still hurts. Those were life-saving treasures…"
Ning Fengzhi gently rubbed her hair, his tone calm and firm. "Treasures can be replaced. You can't."
She immediately relaxed, nestling back against him like a cat finding familiar warmth. "Dad really is the best."
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she added, "By the way, I'm really interested in Konoha's Flying Thunder God Technique. I'm just… a bit short on sacrificial coins."
Her eyes slid sideways.
Gu Rong noticed far too late.
"Buy it," he said reflexively, waving his hand. "Whatever our little princess wants—"
"Really?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. "The base price is five hundred ten thousand. With infusion, that's one million five hundred thirty thousand. I already have twenty thousand, so Grandpa Gu only needs to help me cover one million five hundred ten thousand."
Gu Rong's arm froze midair.
He stared at her, then at the invisible hole his wealth was about to fall into. Finally, he scratched his head helplessly. "Little ancestor… please stop tormenting Grandpa Gu."
Laughter rippled through the group.
Once it subsided, Ning Fengzhi looked at her thoughtfully. "Why infusion?"
She tilted her head, answering with unexpected seriousness. "The technique itself is too difficult. Spatial talent, perception, mental force—you need all three at once. I tried cultivating it normally, but I couldn't even touch the spatial threshold."
She raised a finger, eyes bright. "So I thought—why not master the technique first through infusion, then reverse-engineer the spatial principles inside it?"
"It's like learning how to write before understanding the meaning of the words."
She went on to explain chakra nature transformation in simple terms, translating complex theory into something intuitive and precise.
Ning Fengzhi listened carefully, then nodded. "You've thought it through."
He smiled faintly. "As the academy's dean, I can't directly bypass the Elder Council for you. But there's another way."
He met her gaze. "Challenge Xiang Jingyu in the arena. Let the elders see your growth for themselves."
"Xiang Jingyu?" Ning Rongrong blinked. "Since when does he represent the academy?"
Chen Xin answered calmly. "He's currently ranked first in the arena. A genuine prodigy."
Then, with a hint of warning, he added, "If you haven't progressed much, you'll feel it."
She lifted her chin. "After what we've seen in the Ninja World? He wouldn't even crack the top twenty."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled softly. "Then I'll be watching."
Elsewhere in the trading square, the mood was far less dignified.
"This is robbery!" Obito wailed, face pressed against the display glass.
The stall owner crossed his arms. "My prices are fair."
"Can't you make it cheaper?"
The man smiled thinly. "If you can help me acquire Ninja World goods cheaply, I'll discount."
Obito deflated instantly. "Forget it…"
Asuma, hand in hand with Kurenai, had already circled the area. "Compared to direct exchange, prices here are higher—but without reservation fees, it's still better overall."
"I want that storage spirit tool!" Obito ignored him completely.
Kakashi glanced over. "Why? You don't even use weapons."
Obito's gaze lingered on the glass, watching Rin's reflection. His fingers brushed the surface, but he said nothing.
"Did you enter the genius arena?" Genma asked around a senbon.
Asuma groaned. "All night. Didn't even touch the top hundred."
"That's normal," Kakashi replied lazily. "Even Minato-sensei participated."
Obito bristled. "Big words. Did you make top twenty?"
"At least stronger than you," Kakashi said. "Twenty-ninth."
Obito lunged.
Genma caught him by the collar. "Calm down. Intelligence gathering, remember?"
Kakashi walked away unbothered, hands in pockets, eyes curved in quiet amusement.
Rin watched them go, laughing softly.
The crowd swallowed them whole.
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