"Forget it, I guess it's just my instinct messing with me."
Shiki Uzumaki gave a faint bitter smile. He hadn't developed any deeper feelings toward Ka Natsuko.
Yet as a man, there were certain instincts he couldn't possibly avoid.
At twelve years old, his body had already started maturing, and some uncontrollable impulses were only natural.
This was how Shiki justified his male instincts—by finding one excuse after another.
Then he picked up his clothes from beside the bed and began dressing.
Sunlight poured in through the window, far brighter than the cold moonlight of last night.
Shiki couldn't help but glance outside. The view was still lush and vibrant green.
When Shiki finished dressing and walked out, Ka Natsuko looked anxious.
It seemed whatever had happened in her village was urgent.
Still, Shiki shook his head. "Ka-nee, you should change first."
"What's wrong with it?" At first, she wanted to refuse—after all, time was short.
But when she glanced down at herself, she quickly shut her mouth.
She was still wearing the pink pajamas Shiki had helped her into yesterday.
The summery outfit revealed her smooth thighs, giving her a surprisingly indecent look.
"Fine... but I don't have anything else to wear."
Ka Natsuko's face turned deeply embarrassed.
"That's okay. If Ka-nee doesn't mind, you can borrow my sister's clothes."
Ka Natsuko nodded quickly. At this point, she couldn't afford to be picky.
She only wanted Shiki Uzumaki, who knew Konoha Village well, to take her to the mission site as soon as possible.
Still, she felt profoundly grateful for having met him.
Shiki pulled out a pale yellow long dress from Sena Hoshino's closet and handed it to Ka Natsuko.
Ka Natsuko hurried into Sena's room to change.
Soon, a beautiful young girl stood before Shiki.
Yet the difference struck him hard. Back in Nikamura, when he first met Ka Natsuko, she had worn traditional Japanese clothing.
Now dressed in a skirt, she appeared even younger, which made Shiki slightly uneasy.
"What? Is something wrong?" She asked gently, her tone carrying a hint of confusion.
She glanced down at herself, trying to find what might be amiss.
"No, nothing's wrong. Just that Ka-nee has become even more beautiful."
Shiki shook his head, honestly stating the truth.
"Huh? Really? Thanks, Shiki, but we should hurry."
She showed surprise at first, then returned to urgency.
Seeing this, Shiki saw no reason to delay further.
"Okay, let's go then."
"Could you tell me the details of this mission along the way?"
Ka Natsuko nodded and trotted to the doorway, but hesitated again.
Her two small feet were still bare. She looked around and noticed her shoes weren't by the door.
Just as she was hesitating, a sudden gust of wind blew, lifting her skirt hem.
Before her stood a kneeling boy.
"Sorry, Miss Ka. Please allow me to help you put on your shoes."
Shiki Uzumaki looked every bit like a professional butler, bowing while holding a delicate pair of shoes in his hands.
"Huh!" Natsuko gasped, shocked by Shiki Uzumaki's sudden appearance before her.
At that moment, however, Shiki suddenly raised his head. His clean face wore a slightly teasing expression.
"Alright alright, I won't tease you anymore, Sister Natsuko. But really, you're too stiff."
"Oh... I see now."
Natsuko couldn't help but feel touched. Shiki had gone so far as to kneel and offer to help her put on her shoes just to ease her nerves.
What a lovely child he was.
"Well then, no need to be so formal."
Natsuko nodded, yet took the shoes from Shiki's hands and carefully put them on herself.
When they stepped outside, Shiki realized it was already around ten o'clock in the morning.
Natsuko had been caught in the rain for quite some time, and he himself hadn't rested at all during the past two days.
"After getting this nap over with, there are still many things waiting ahead. Then tell me, can I keep up with your pace, Akatsuki?"
This thought briefly crossed Shiki's mind, reverberating in his chest.
But first, he needed to deal with the matter at hand.
Thinking thus, Shiki turned his gaze toward Ka Natsuko. [To be continued.]
Chapter 226: [Fire Release] Begins
Other than the main roads, most streets in Konoha were simple dirt paths.
Given that Shiki Uzumaki lived in such a secluded neighborhood, naturally there weren't any wide roads either.
However, being secluded also had its benefits—though not exactly bustling with luxury, there was thick green shade.
Just the sight of it could instantly lift your spirits.
Shiki took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air cleaned by the heavy rain, carrying with it a faint scent of the earth.
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