Kurenai Yuhi wanted to speak out to stop him, but her voice was soft and weak, sounding more like an invitation of reluctant acceptance.
A sense of shame washed over her like a tide, nearly drowning her.
The pressure of those large hands pressing on her aching muscles was just right.
The soreness accumulated over several days turned into extreme relaxation after the initial pain.
Her body instinctively craved this comfort, and deep down, she even secretly longed for more.
Aokawa's expression remained focused.
It was as if what he was pressing under his hands was not a young girl's soft skin, but a piece of jade that needed careful carving.
His movements were steady and powerful, neither rushed nor slow.
His thumb followed the muscle grain on the inside of her thigh, pushing upward inch by inch.
Kurenai Yuhi's body would tremble uncontrollably with each movement.
The fingers that were originally clutching the bedsheets had turned white at the knuckles from excessive force.
That breathtaking stretch of pale skin changed shape under his palms.
An indescribable scent permeated the air.
It was like the sweet, cloying fragrance emitted by a ripe peach the moment before its skin bursts.
It was getting closer and closer.
That hand had already passed the middle of her thigh, drawing nearer and nearer.
Kurenai Yuhi's heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible giant hand.
Thump, thump, thump.
The violent heartbeat made her eardrums ache.
She even felt as if the hot breath she exhaled could ignite the air in front of her.
No.
He really couldn't go any higher.
But her throat felt as if it were blocked by cotton, unable to make a sound.
That sense of tension made her toes curl up involuntarily.
Just as that extreme sense of crisis reached its peak.
That scorching heat stopped.
Aokawa's palm suddenly came to a halt.
He seemed completely unaware of the girl's tension, which was on the verge of collapse.
He just gave a heavy press with his thumb and then briskly withdrew his hand.
"Alright, the meridians on this side are mostly cleared."
Aokawa looked up, gazing at her with clear eyes: "Switch to the other leg."
That calm tone made it seem as if the heart-pounding, ambiguous interactions from just now were all just Kurenai Yuhi's own illusion.
Her tight nerves instantly relaxed.
Kurenai Yuhi felt as if she had just been fished out of the water, her whole body somewhat exhausted.
She panted heavily, her chest heaving violently.
In those watery eyes, there was a hint of relief.
That feeling of being left hanging was frustratingly uncomfortable.
She bit her red lips and gave Aokawa a somewhat resentful glare.
This guy must have done it on purpose.
But seeing Aokawa's completely open and honest expression, she couldn't find any reason to lash out.
She could only blush and obediently stretch her other leg over.
Having been mentally prepared this time, Kurenai Yuhi thought she could be more composed.
However.
When Aokawa's palm covered her skin again.
That familiar electric sensation still made her tremble uncontrollably.
Her body had even become more sensitive because of what had just happened.
Aokawa didn't seem affected by the atmosphere earlier.
He continued to knead and massage step by step.
Only this time, his gaze occasionally swept over the girl's slender neck, which was tilted back slightly from endurance.
And her collarbone, which glowed pink under the light.
His Adam's apple slid up and down imperceptibly.
But the movements of his hands did not cross any lines, maintaining the professionalism and restraint of a healer.
This push-and-pull sensation was actually more agonizing than direct contact.
Kurenai Yuhi closed her eyes tightly, not daring to look at his face.
She could only lose herself alone under the control of those large hands in this small room filled with the scent of hormones.
She didn't know how much time had passed.
"Alright."
Aokawa patted her ankle, signaling the end of the treatment.
Kurenai Yuhi felt as if she had been granted a grand pardon.
She withdrew her leg almost immediately and, without even bothering to put on her shoes, jumped off the bed barefoot.
She quickly straightened her messy skirt, covering up those enchanting sights once again.
"Th... thank you, Aokawa."
She lowered her head, her voice frantic like a startled deer.
She didn't dare stay in the room for another second.
"I... I'm going back first!"
Leaving behind those words, she grabbed her shoes from the floor and rushed out the door as if escaping.
It wasn't until that red and white figure disappeared into the night.
That Aokawa slowly withdrew his gaze.
The girl's unique fragrance still lingered in the air, and his fingertips felt as if they still held that creamy, smooth touch.
He looked at the door, which was still swaying slightly, and gave a soft laugh.
He had just turned around.
Knock, knock, knock!
The knocking was somewhat abrupt.
The enchanting atmosphere from just now was instantly broken.
Aokawa took a deep breath to calm his slightly agitated blood.
He walked to the door and opened it.
Standing outside was an Anbu Ninja wearing a mask, not the Kurenai Yuhi who had just fled in panic.
"Aokawa-sama." The Anbu bowed slightly, his tone respectful.
"Minato-sama requests your presence. Please come to the Command Center."
Aokawa nodded slightly: "I understand, I'll be there right away."
He looked back into the room.
There were still some messy traces on the bedsheets, and the faint fragrance of the girl had not completely dissipated.
Aokawa closed the door, locking that scent inside the room.
He turned and walked toward the Command Center in the middle of the camp.
The camp under the night sky was not quiet.
Patrolling Ninjas and medical teams carrying the wounded were everywhere.
The clouds of war had never truly dissipated.
He lifted the curtain of the Command Center.
Minato Namikaze was standing in front of a huge map of the Ninja World, his brow furrowed.
His signature golden hair seemed to have lost some of its luster under the dim light.
Hearing the movement, Minato Namikaze turned around.
Seeing it was Aokawa, his furrowed brow relaxed slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Aokawa, you've come."
"I hope calling you here so late didn't disturb your rest?"
Aokawa shook his head: "No, Minato-sama."
Minato Namikaze looked him up and down and asked with concern: "How has your recovery been lately?"
"You sustained quite a few injuries in that previous battle."
Aokawa knew that Minato looking for him at this time was definitely not for idle chatter.
It must be that the situation on the Front Lines was critical and they were short on manpower.
He flexed his wrist and spoke the truth.
"The bow's Kekkei Genkai ability is still in the recovery phase and cannot be used with high intensity for the time being."
"However..."
Aokawa paused, his tone calm yet revealing confidence.
"In terms of Ninjutsu and Taijutsu alone, there are no major issues."
"If Minato-sama has a mission, please feel free to give the order."
If it hadn't been for the recovery period specially granted by Minato Namikaze, he wouldn't have been able to settle down and deal with the Caged Bird Seal and the Sage Storage Seal.
He would remember this favor.
Hearing this, the hint of fatigue in Minato's eyes seemed to dissipate quite a bit.
"Since you say so, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
...
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