Shun had just understood the characteristics of his new ability, when two completely different emotional fluctuations once again entered his perception.
His heart stirred, and his consciousness instinctively traced the emotions back to their source, quickly locking onto it.
The owner of one of the emotional surges was, surprisingly, Ino.
At this moment, the lights in her room were already out, but the quilt was gently rising and falling, and her breathing was quick and gasping, clearly indicating she had fallen into a similar dream as before.
As Shun's consciousness approached, he could vaguely "see" the scene in her dream: a wedding room, pink gauze curtains, scattered rose petals, and that unyielding blush on Ino's face.
He immediately withdrew his consciousness, sighing softly.
Ino would need to change her bedding again. Always having such dreams...
Her feelings for him were so intense that even her dreams were filled with such fervent images. It seemed that this emotional fluctuation would not easily dissipate in a short time.
He did not linger, turning his consciousness instead to the source of the other emotion, which was Hinata's room.
Unlike Ino's fervor, Hinata's emotions were filled with gentle longing, like a secret hidden deep in her heart, cautious yet exceptionally sincere.
Shun hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to enter her dream.
Rather than passively observing, this time he wanted to actively weave a gentle dream for Hinata.
His consciousness approached, drawing upon his new power to begin weaving new scenes.
The sky in the dream was a clear, cerulean blue, and Hinata, dressed in a white training uniform, was strolling along a path by the river.
The cherry blossom trees by the path were in full bloom, and pink petals drifted down with the wind. They landed in her hair and on her shoulders, making her pause. She reached out to catch a petal, a faint smile gracing her lips.
But just then, a deafening roar suddenly sounded from afar. The ground trembled violently, and the river water surged, creating huge waves.
Hinata's face paled, and she looked up to see a giant, crimson fox bursting out of the forest. Nine furry tails thrashed wildly behind it, each swing kicking up gales, and its beastly eyes were full of violent murderous desire.
"Ah…"
Hinata took a step back in fright. Facing that monster's overwhelming aura, her hands trembled uncontrollably, and her Chakra became chaotic.
Nine-Tails opened its gaping maw, and a dark red Tailed Beast Ball coalesced within its mouth, then hurtled towards her.
Just at this critical moment, a black figure suddenly descended from the sky.
"Hinata, don't be afraid. I'm here."
The familiar voice made Hinata look up sharply, only to see Shun standing in front of her, his black robe flapping in the strong wind.
He raised his right hand, and a light blue Chakra condensed in his palm, which he gently pushed towards Nine-Tails's Tailed Beast Ball.
The seemingly gentle movement instantly deflected the Tailed Beast Ball back, striking Nine-Tails's chest.
Nine-Tails let out a pained roar. Its massive body stumbled back a few steps, and a hint of apprehension flashed in its eyes.
Shun gave Nine-Tails no chance to recover. His figure flickered, and he appeared before it, continuously striking its body with his two large fists.
"Roar!"
Nine-Tails roared again, its tail lashing towards Shun, but he easily dodged it.
Shun's footsteps were light, like a black lightning bolt, and he quickly beat Nine-Tails into a retreat, until it finally transformed into a red light and vanished from the dream.
With the crisis averted, Hinata remained frozen in place, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, her cheeks flushed.
Shun walked up to her and gently brushed aside her hair. "Hinata, were you scared? It's alright now. With me here, no one can harm you."
Hinata looked up, met his gentle gaze, and instantly lowered her head again. "Sh… Shun-sama… thank you…"
Shun squatted in front of her, meeting her gaze. "Actually, I've noticed you for a long time. Hinata, I like you."
"!!!"
Hinata suddenly looked up, her eyes wide. "Shun-sama… you… what did you say? I… I didn't mishear, did I?"
Shun smiled and nodded, the warmth of his fingertips making Hinata's cheeks even redder. "You didn't mishear, Hinata. I like you. I know you're quite shy, so from now on, let me be the one to approach you, alright?"
From that day on, Shun began a gentle courtship.
He would prepare Hinata's favorite cherry blossom mochi in advance, and during her Gentle Fist practice breaks, he would appear at the training ground with a bento box.
The two sat on a stone bench under a cherry blossom tree, Hinata nibbling on the cherry blossom mochi, her cheeks flushed with a faint blush.
Shun quietly watched her, sunlight filtering through the petals onto both of them, warm and pleasant.
On weekends, Shun would invite Hinata to climb the green mountains behind the village to watch the sunset and the moon rise.
The mountain path was not steep, and Shun deliberately slowed his pace to match Hinata's rhythm.
When they reached halfway up the mountain, Hinata was a little tired.
Shun naturally took her hand, leading her slowly. "Don't be afraid, I'm holding you. Watch your step."
As Hinata's hand was held in his palm, she clearly felt the warmth of his hand, and her heart beat faster. She did not pull away, only lowered her head, letting him lead her.
They arrived at the summit just in time for the sunset. The sky was ablaze with orange-red hues, and the distant village twinkled like stars scattered on the ground.
Hinata looked at the beautiful scenery before her, exclaiming, "It's so beautiful."
Shun turned his head to look at her, smiling. "In the future, I'll take you to see even more beautiful sights."
Occasionally, they would go shopping together at the village market.
Shun softly suggested, "This color suits you very well. You'll look beautiful wearing it."
Upon hearing this, Hinata's cheeks grew redder, but she still placed the fabric into her shopping basket.
Passing by a jewelry store, Shun saw a delicate pearl hairpin. Remembering that Hinata usually tied her hair with simple hair ties, he bought it and personally placed it in her hair.
"You look even prettier like this."
Hinata looked in the shop mirror: the pearl hairpin complemented her long hair beautifully.
"Thank you, Shun-sama."
Shun smiled and ruffled her hair. "You don't need to call me 'sama,' just call me Shun."
As they spent more and more time together, Hinata gradually opened up a lot.
The atmosphere between them grew increasingly intimate, no longer having the initial awkwardness and shyness.
This evening, the two walked side by side along the river path, just as when the dream began, cherry blossom petals drifting with the wind.
Shun kissed Hinata's lips. "Hinata, will you be my queen? On the day you turn 18, I will come and marry you, and you will become my queen."
Hinata looked at the sincerity in his eyes. She no longer hesitated, and gently nodded. "Shun… I will…"
***
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