"Don't worry, I'll handle this. You just need to focus on preparing for the class placement test. Don't let dating drag down your grades. That would be embarrassing."
Arisu patted Yukio on the shoulder and spoke half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Hearing this, Yukio finally showed a relieved smile and nodded heavily.
"Mm! I understand, Father!"
Looking at the rare expression of youthful happiness on his son's face, Arisu felt a little emotional.
Time had passed so quickly. The little child from back then was now fighting for a future with the girl he liked.
He stood up and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he turned back and added, "And... next time, remember to lock the door. Put away the tissues and body wash too. Your mother isn't blind."
Yukio's face instantly turned red again. Embarrassed, he buried himself under the blanket.
"Got it already!"
The moment the door closed, Arisu couldn't help laughing quietly before heading downstairs.
When Tsunade saw him come down, she raised an eyebrow.
"You talked it out?"
"Yeah, it's settled."
"That kid has nothing but Ino on his mind right now... I'll need to give the Ino-Shika-Cho families a heads-up, but it shouldn't be a big problem."
Arisu sat on the sofa and took a sip of tea.
Tsunade chuckled and leaned against his shoulder.
"That brat is just like you. He likes blonde women."
Arisu stroked his chin and thought for a moment.
"But are you really going to break up the Ino-Shika-Cho formation?"
"Those clan families are deeply rooted. After so many years of development, even the Hokage has to think twice before touching them."
Tsunade couldn't help asking.
Arisu looked completely relaxed.
"It's just a team assignment. If the kids want to be together, then put them together."
———
The next day, Arisu once again visited the territories of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.
Inside the meeting hall, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza gathered once again.
"Lord Arisu."
The three stood up and bowed at the same time. Their attitudes were respectful, though mixed with a bit of caution.
After hearing Arisu's request, all three of their expressions changed.
Yamanaka Inoichi frowned.
"Lord Arisu, this... breaking apart Ino-Shika-Cho is a taboo that has existed for generations."
"Our three clans have trained together from childhood to build teamwork. If they're forcibly separated, it will greatly affect the next generation's coordination..."
"It will have a huge impact. I know."
Arisu calmly interrupted him. His presence was steady and powerful.
"But this isn't a discussion. It's a notification."
"Yukio and Ino must be on the same team. Shikamaru and Choji can team up with other people."
Nara Shikaku lazily opened one eye.
"What a hassle... Lord Arisu is really going to force this through?"
Akimichi Choza looked pained.
"If Ino is taken away... then Ino-Shika-Cho can't even be formed..."
Arisu smiled, his voice calm. "The three clans have received plenty of care from the Hokage's faction over the years. I don't want to damage our relationship."
"But when it comes to my son, I make the decisions."
"Ino will still belong to the Yamanaka Clan, but in her generation she must form a new team with Yukio and Aburame Torune."
"As for Shikamaru and Choji, I'll have Minato arrange stronger teammates for them as compensation."
"Besides, Ino and Yukio like each other. Don't go around playing the role of people who break up young couples."
The three exchanged glances.
In the end, they compromised.
None of them dared oppose him.
A few years ago, some members of the Uchiha Clan had dared to try assassinating Yukio.
And what happened?
The Uchiha hawks were wiped out completely.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clans didn't dare clash head-on with Arisu either.
Arisu was someone who dared cripple a Hokage.
Yamanaka Inoichi sighed. Thinking about how his daughter had been mentioning Yukio's name every day lately, he could only nod.
"...We'll follow Lord Arisu's arrangements. We only hope that Yukio treats Ino well."
Yamanaka Inoichi bowed.
"Naturally."
Arisu stood up.
On the day of the team assignment ceremony, the ninja academy playground was filled with excitement.
As the names were announced one by one, Yukio stood among the crowd. Outwardly calm, his heartbeat had sped up slightly.
He secretly glanced at Ino.
She was also looking at him nervously.
"Team Seven, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura..."
"Team Eight, Hyuga Hinata, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba..."
Finally, the new team list was announced, "Team One, Yamanaka Ino, Aburame Torune, Yukio!"
The moment those words were spoken, a small commotion spread through the crowd.
Ino froze at first.
Then an extremely bright smile bloomed across her face.
She almost ran through the crowd and came to Yukio's side, lightly tugging on his sleeve. Her voice was filled with unconcealed excitement.
"Yukio! We're really in the same team! That's great..."
Looking at her slightly flushed face, Yukio felt warmth in his heart.
He couldn't help reaching out and rubbing her golden hair.
"Yeah. I told you we'd be together."
"From now on, we're teammates."
Not far away, Nara Shikamaru had both hands behind his head, his face full of shock.
He was completely stunned.
'They really split them up by force!?'
Arisu's influence was terrifying.
A family tradition that had lasted for over a thousand years had been broken just like that.
This was truly frightening.
Shikamaru sighed helplessly, "Ah... we got split up. What a pain..."
Akimichi Choji puffed out his cheeks and ate snacks unhappily, occasionally glancing in Ino's direction.
Aburame Torune stood nearby wearing sunglasses. His expression was calm, and faint sounds of insects crawling could be heard from his body.
He nodded slightly toward Yukio and Ino.
"Let's work well together from now on."
Yukio nodded with a smile.
Father really broke apart Ino-Shika-Cho just for him this time...
It was a little overbearing, but it really was nice.
After the assignments ended, the new Team One was sent to a classroom to gather.
Their team leader was Yamato.
This was also personally chosen by Arisu, who thought he was a good Konoha jonin and possessed Wood Release.
There was a high chance Yukio would awaken Wood Release as well.
And he might even surpass Hashirama Senju.
Inside the classroom, Ino sat obediently next to Yukio.
Every now and then she secretly glanced at him, a sweet smile always on her lips.
Aburame Torune sat quietly on the other side. Occasionally, a few black kikaichu crawled out from his sleeves before retreating back inside.
Teacher Sarutobi Shinnosuke cleared his throat and began explaining future training plans and teamwork principles.
As Yukio listened, he felt the warmth of the girl beside him drawing slightly closer.
He quietly said to Ino, "From now on, I'll protect you during training. Torune's bugs should be very strong too. If the three of us work together, we'll definitely become powerful."
Blushing, Ino replied softly, "Mm... I'll work hard too. I won't hold everyone back."
Aburame Torune tilted his head slightly.
"I'm better at scouting and control with my insects. I'll leave close combat to you two."
Yukio nodded with a smile.
"Hello, everyone. I'm your team leader, Yamato!", Yamato said with a warm smile.
At this time, although he had originally been raised by Danzo, Arisu had destroyed Danzo and saved him.
Yamato was deeply grateful to Arisu.
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