The psychological torment of a monotonous, dull life far outweighs the physical torment.
It's no wonder Matatabi's willpower isn't firm enough, locked inside that endless seal space for so long, with even the flow of time inside and outside not being the same.
As a Tailed Beast, though it had experienced being sealed before, the thing it was best at was enduring.
But this time's seal was completely different from the past. Not only was there no image to see, but there wasn't a single sound either.
To be in a pitch-black, soundless space for so long, even a Tailed Beast would go insane.
Yugito was also shocked for a moment by Matatabi's sobbing voice, never having expected the Two-Tails to show such a side.
But why was she able to communicate with Matatabi again?
Inside the sealed space, Matatabi kept pouring out bitter complaints toward Yugito, but Yugito herself had already fallen into a daze.
Aoba stood up and walked in front of her, raising his hand to pat her head.
"I've lifted the seal inside your body. From now on, if you want to go out, remember to use Transformation Jutsu, don't cause panic."
As he spoke, inside Yugito's body, Matatabi, who had been complaining nonstop, instantly went quiet and obedient.
It was a sensible cat.
"You… you're not afraid I'll run back to the Hidden Cloud, or directly cause trouble in Konoha?"
Yugito looked at him in confusion, completely unable to understand why he was doing this.
Letting her go out freely was already one thing, but now he even released the seal on her body.
One had to know, she was a Jinchuriki, and could even use the power of the Tailed Beast.
If she wanted to, with Aoba not around, there was no one in Konoha who could stop her.
"Of course I'm afraid."
Aoba looked at her softly, "But I think you probably won't let me down, right?"
"I…", Yugito opened her mouth, unable to get words out.
She had been forced into being this maid. Reasonably speaking, with her strength, she would definitely want to escape.
But he treated her so well, trusted her so much… And even if she ran, where could she go?
Hidden Cloud Village was already impossible to return to. Going back would only mean being treated as a traitor.
Going elsewhere, if discovered, she'd also be treated as a rogue ninja.
It seemed there really wasn't anywhere to go.
"As long as… as long as you treat me a little bit better, I won't leave," Yugito said, her face flushed red.
"Is that so? Then forget it."
Aoba directly chose to refuse. What he liked most was saying no to those who thought too highly of themselves.
"Ah?"
Yugito opened her mouth, staring at Aoba in a daze.
She had just been trying to find a step down, but this guy didn't give her any face at all.
"If you really want to run, that's fine too."
"What?"
"Because…"
Aoba revealed a wicked smile.
"If you ran away, I'd have the excuse to capture you back, and then train you harshly, turn you into my personal ninja weapon."
"You… you really are a bastard!"
Hearing the wolfish words come out of Aoba's mouth, Yugito's cheeks flushed with heat.
She wasn't some ignorant ninja. That girl Kin often secretly read those kinds of books, and sometimes she'd sneak a glance too.
"Haha! I'm just joking with you."
Aoba's smile returned to warmth as he reached out and pinched her cat ears.
Yugito pouted, she didn't believe even half a punctuation mark of that.
If she really dared to run, he might actually train her into a weapon.
Because this guy was a pervert.
But what she couldn't understand was, even though she'd already been left to his disposal, all he did was make her wear clothes and the like.
Judging from his daily interactions with those few shameless women, he was undoubtedly a lecher. Yet whether it was her, or Kin, or Samui, or Mabui, he had never crossed the line with any of them.
Sometimes she even wondered: when he made her wear those shameful outfits, did he actually have feelings for her… or was he just deliberately teasing her?
"Aoba, do you… do you like me?", Yugito blurted the question out unconsciously.
But only after she asked did she realize she had asked something foolish.
Even Aoba was stunned for a second, then chuckled, "Isn't that a question you already know the answer to? If I didn't like you, why would I treat you so well?"
"Ah?"
His straightforward answer left Yugito frozen on the spot.
Aoba then continued, "I've already confessed to you like this, aren't you going to give me a response?"
"This… I…"
Yugito didn't know how to answer.
"Just say whether you accept or reject. Even if you reject me, I won't say anything."
Aoba, though a lecher, wasn't someone who couldn't control himself in front of women. He could still draw the line.
He could squeeze out their labor, but this kind of matter was better when both sides were willing.
"You… you're too much of a scumbag."
Looking at his serious, handsome face, recalling the words he just said, Yugito's cheeks turned even redder.
"Is that so? Then that's a pity."
Aoba stroked her cat ears again, then headed toward the kitchen.
'Ju… just like that?'
Yugito stared blankly at Aoba's back, momentarily at a loss.
She had thought he would say a few more words, but unexpectedly he just walked away.
She hadn't even rejected him.
For a moment, Yugito felt a pressure in her chest, like something was stuck there.
Having grown three years older, Aoba had become more mature. The childishness on his face had faded, replaced by firmness, and along with his great strength and decent personality, he treated her well too.
This really was her type. Just… just a little too scummy.
But honestly, if he had been a bit more forceful, maybe she would've half-refused and half-accepted.
Suddenly, Yugito felt a hate-iron-for-not-becoming-steel kind of frustration toward Aoba.
"What are you standing there stupidly for? Hurry up and clean the room."
Aoba glanced at the still-dazed Yugito and couldn't help but call out.
"Ah?"
"Ah what? You just made the whole room a mess."
Aoba pointed helplessly at the living room, which had been thrown into chaos by Yugito's sudden chakra burst earlier.
"I got it."
Yugito looked down, her expression embarrassed, and quickly began tidying up.
"By the way, you've already had lunch, right?"
"Mm."
"Good. Then I won't make your portion."
Aoba quickly finished preparing the meal, packed it into a lunchbox, and headed out.
"You're not eating at home?"
Seeing this, Yugito asked curiously.
"This is for Konan-nee and Shizune-nee. They're a little inconvenienced right now, so I'm bringing it over."
"Oh."
Yugito curled her lips.
Aoba smiled, "The cake you made tasted pretty good. Could you make some more? I'll come back and eat it."
After saying that, without waiting for Yugito's reply, he directly left.
"This guy!"
Yugito was a little angry, but still went into the kitchen again.
"I just like making sweets myself, that's all…"
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