Chương 32: Chp-32: Social Anxiety vs. Social Proficiency
Seeing Shibi Aburame step in, Satoru breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Might Dai and Guy. "Dai-senpai, since my teacher has agreed, why don't you join our team?"
Might Dai hesitated, looking at Tanai Ryo, who seemed on the verge of tears, wanting to disappear.
Why are you looking at me? They want you to join, so join them. If Shibi Aburame holds a grudge against me, he might find a chance to take me out on the way!
Seeing Tanai Ryo not object, Might Dai suddenly felt a lump in his throat, tears welling up as he stepped forward and hugged Satoru tightly.
"Thank you so much... My youthful blood is burning again!"
Satoru instinctively tried to lean back, avoiding getting Dai's tears on his clothes.
Just then, Anko and Uchiha Rin arrived and saw the scene.
"When did Satoru become so compassionate?" Rin's expression was complicated. "I guess I underestimated him. Aside from his enormous appetite and laziness, he's quite a sunny guy."
Being tightly hugged by Dai, Satoru felt like he could hardly breathe.
"Dai... Dai-senpai, please lighten up."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Satoru."
Dai quickly let go, stepping back with an apologetic expression.
Satoru took a deep breath and was about to speak when Dai and Guy suddenly hugged each other, kneeling on the ground, and burst into tears.
"Guy, did you hear? Someone actually invited us to join their team!"
"Yes, Father, it's so touching!"
"This is youth! Guy, let the eternal fire of youth burn once more!"
"Yes, Father!"
...
The atmosphere became awkward. Rin covered her face with her hand and sighed. "I take back what I said. Satoru, letting these two weirdos join the team won't cause problems, right?"
"It shouldn't, I hope..." Anko laughed awkwardly. "Guy's personality is a bit strange, but he's reliable when it counts."
The caravan leader, Jinshan Taro, stammered, "Um... can we depart now?"
He had been very impatient earlier, but seeing how the previously arrogant Ryo showed such respect and even a hint of fear towards the new arrival, Shibi Aburame, he realized this ninja must be of extremely high status and strength and thus should not be offended.
So, he allowed the entire caravan to watch Dai and Guy's emotional display.
"Yes." Shibi nodded as everyone turned to him.
...
In the Fire Country forest, a large caravan travelled along a cleared path.
Within the caravan, two contrasting states emerged.
"Here, Shibi-sama, this is a watermelon from the Grass Country, very sweet and delicious."
"Shibi-sama, this is speciality beef jerky from the Iron Country, very tasty."
"Shibi-sama, this is..."
A group of people from the caravan gathered around Shibi Aburame, presenting him with various delicacies. Tanai Ryo's team was in stark contrast.
Biting into a piece of dry rations, Kenjin eyed the feast around Shibi with jealousy.
"Those caravan bastards, they were sucking up to us before that other team arrived. Now they've all switched sides!"
"Keep it down, Kenjin." Ryo shivered and whispered, "If Shibi Aburame hears us, we're done for."
Kenjin shrank back. "Ryo-sama, is Shibi Aburame really that scary? You're a Jonin, too, but you seem so afraid of him."
"It's not fear." Ryo glanced around and whispered, "It's respect, respect for a powerful ninja. You wouldn't understand as a Chunin. Shibi Aburame is well-known among Jonin."
"I heard that in the past when he was in the Anbu, he performed missions with a high mortality rate and earned the title of an all-around ninja. No ninja has ever survived his attacks."
"I never expected him to be leading a team. If I had known, I would never have offended him. Having him hold a grudge would be a lifelong nightmare!"
Hearing Ryo's description of Shibi, Kenjin shivered and swallowed hard.
On the other side, Shibi was frowning impatiently, ignoring the sycophants around him.
"No wonder even Ryo respects him so much. It seems these things don't impress him at all."
"Yes, Shibi-sama is too cool for such things. Is this the common trait of strong ninjas?"
"Shibi-sama's lofty aura is truly awe-inspiring."
...
The caravan members turned into sycophants, showering Shibi with flattery. Satoru almost felt sick.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe Shibi-sensei is ignoring you because he has social anxiety?
Satoru understood perfectly. Despite Shibi's seemingly invincible exterior, he suffered from severe social anxiety, becoming paralyzed in large crowds.
He knew that right now, Shibi's internal dialogue was probably something like: Why are you all surrounding me? Is there something on my face? Stop looking at me... Please go away!
Satoru took a deep breath, a glint of determination in his eyes. He was ready to save his teacher from this torment.
If not me, then who?
Satoru transformed into a social butterfly, rushing forward and grabbing the watermelon offered by a caravan member.
"Wow, this is the famous watermelon from the Grass Country? It looks so juicy!"
"Hey, this speciality beef jerky from the Iron Country smells amazing. Is it okay if I try some?"
"And this, give it to me!"
Caravan members: ???
By the time they realized what had happened, Satoru was already devouring the watermelon. They felt anger rising but didn't dare speak up as Shibi hadn't said anything.
"Hey, Rin, Anko, and Dai-senpai come and try some. Eating watermelon together is such a joy!"
As he waved to the others, Satoru's face was covered in watermelon juice.
Rin and Anko were stunned, their mouths hanging open.
"Satoru... really is full of surprises."
"I hope the caravan members don't get angry. The mission just started, and it would be troublesome if there were any conflicts." Rin sighed helplessly.
Unlike Rin and Anko's restraint, Dai and Guy had no reservations. They rushed over to Satoru, grabbing pieces of watermelon and digging in.
"This is delicious!"
"It's so touching that Satoru is sharing such precious food with us. The fire of youth is burning within me again!"
Throwing away their watermelon rinds, Dai and Guy hugged each other and cried.
Tanai Ryo's team watched this scene, their eyelids twitching, finding their dry rations suddenly unappetizing.
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