Malphegor
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IUTT: Ch. 142
🕑 Added 2025-06-24 22:31:37 +0000 UTCYumi had no idea that her mindset at the time was already the beginning of her downfall.
So later, when Tsukishima defeated everyone with overwhelming strength and raised his blade in triumph, basking in everyone's cheers, she blushed with excitement.
If things had ended there, it wouldn't have been a big deal, after all, her emotions were stirred up by the atmosphere and would have faded as the selection process ended.
But when he walked through the passage for the official members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he didn't even glance at her. Worse, as he passed by, he said something that clearly drew a line between them. That made her feel deeply upset.
In that moment, it was as if she had lost something important, and she couldn't calm down no matter how hard she tried.
Her mind uncontrollably recalled all the wonderful moments they had shared, how he cared for her meticulously, his obsessed expressions, and his commanding presence not long ago.
Humans were strange creatures. Once you changed how you saw someone, everything they did appeared different in your eyes.
Although Shin merely intended to use a rational approach to shed his "simpering follower" image, he unintentionally triggered a "playing hard to get" effect.
"Yumi..." As Seiichi noticed Yumi completely ignoring him, his heart filled with bitterness. He tried again to speak.
But Yumi's eyes suddenly lit up. She looked ahead with a hint of joy, shook off his hand, and ran toward the front.
At that moment, Shin was deep in thought, planning his next steps, when someone suddenly blocked his path.
The first thing he saw was a pair of high heels, followed by fishnet stockings and legs that flickered into view beneath a high-slit skirt swaying in the wind.
His gaze moved upward, perfect hips, a slender waist, ample chest, and finally, a beautiful face. But once he recognized her as Yumi, his expression immediately darkened.
He quickly realized that the way he had cut off his "simping behavior" might have had unintended consequences.
As a mad scientist, he shared a key trait with Tobirama and Orochimaru: rationality, never allowing emotions to overrule their thinking.
Haven't you noticed? Both Tobirama and Orochimaru never married and looked down on love their entire lives.
That was because once mad scientists start thinking, they really forget everything else.
If it weren't for Tsunade, years of love and conflict, fate's twists, coincidences, and her relentless dedication, understanding, and tolerance, plus her carefree, uncalculating personality, Shin probably would never have considered marriage.
To him, women that others fawned over were just "pink skeletons."
Science, that was the true romance for men.
So in a sense, he was quite heartless. The fact that he could turn enemies into lab materials without a shred of guilt said it all.
But the way he first looked happy, then quickly soured his expression, appeared completely different in Yumi's eyes. To her, instinctive reactions were the truest reflections of one's heart.
He was clearly happy to see me, yet he put on that awful face? That's just too much!
"Do you... need something?" Shin asked calmly, regaining his composure.
"When did our relationship become so distant?" Yumi huffed. "Are you saying now that you've joined the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, you don't acknowledge me as your captain anymore?"
"You misunderstood." Shin lightly shook his head and sighed. "In the past, I was aimless, living in a delusional world, as if I were possessed. But yesterday, I suddenly had a moment of clarity. I understood many things and remembered much of what you had said to me. These past two years, I really have caused you a lot of trouble. Please rest assured, that kind of trouble won't happen again."
With that, he gave a slight bow, then moved to walk past her.
Yumi grabbed him angrily. "What do you mean by that!?"
"I mean nothing more than what I said." Shin sighed again. "In the past, I couldn't understand people. But now, I really do. I truly understand how you feel. I won't misread your intentions again, or act like some lovestruck fool clinging to you, annoying you."
"Tsukishima, you better remember what you just said." Yumi's eyes instantly turned red. She said with deep grievance, "Don't you ever come looking for me again."
With that, she suddenly turned around and ran away from the place that had brought her so much heartache.
He says he finally understands? Isn't it still the same, completely unable to understand human emotions?
If this had happened a day earlier, she might have felt relieved, thinking he had finally taken her words to heart and decided to back off. But the fact that he did this today made her feel unbearably upset, it was something she simply couldn't accept.
Let's see how long you can keep this up.
When the time comes, I definitely won't care about you!
Even if you beg me, it won't work!
"Phew!" Shin let out a sigh of relief after finally getting Yumi to leave.
After what just happened, it was likely that the two of them wouldn't cross paths again before his plan was completed.
However, just as he was about to leave, another figure stepped in to block his path, making him frown slightly.
"Is something the matter?"
Seiichi didn't respond, he just stared coldly at Shin, as if trying to kill him with his gaze.
"If you've got something to say, then say it. If not, I'm leaving." Shin said playfully.
Seiichi responded, "I told you before to stay away from her."
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Shin said. "You saw what just happened. I've made everything very clear."
"Good. As long as you understand." Seiichi's eyes remained sharp. "Yumi and I have been childhood friends, we grew up together. And our two families will soon be joined through marriage. So I expect you to keep your word and stop having any unrealistic fantasies."
"Lunatic."
After giving what he thought was a fair assessment, Shin turned and walked away with long strides.
What a Young Master A... Who the hell cares about your nonsense?
After leaving the street, he headed to the training grounds. He pretended to train just like Tsukishima normally would, and then returned to his house.
At the gate, he saw someone he didn't expect: Jūzō.
Neither of them spoke at first. They just stared at each other in silence. After a long pause, Jūzō awkwardly said, "Congratulations."
He actually spoke like a normal human being?
Shin was a bit surprised.
Looks like beating him up really worked.
"It was expected. Nothing to congratulate," Shin replied calmly.
"Don't get cocky. I'll definitely surpass you someday," Jūzō said with lofty ambition.
"If that day really comes, I'll hand over Kubikiribōchō to you myself."
"You better keep your word!"
Watching Jūzō's back as he walked away, Shin felt a strong sense of accomplishment.
Who would've thought that being a spy would also give him the chance to save a lost youth?
Though he couldn't help but wonder, Once this kid finds out his brother is dead, will he fall apart all over again?
Let's hope you can endure it.
