The vines of the Shinju shot out like lightning, wrapping tightly around Sara's falling body before snapping back with a sharp whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, the vines retracted and transformed back into the shape of the Shinju's arm. Sara, like a frightened little rabbit, was now trembling in his embrace.
"I—I thought I was going to die…"
After all, she was a pampered princess who had lived a sheltered life since birth. Sara shivered in the Shinju's arms, her voice quivering.
The Shinju said nothing—he simply placed a reassuring hand on the girl's back.
"It's fine. You're safe now…（--0027▿--0027）"
After a short moment, his tone shifted. "We should move."
Sara looked up at the Shinju's handsome profile, her tear-filled eyes shimmering.
For a brief second, she was lost in a daze.
Then she followed his gaze—and saw several flying puppets hovering in the distance.
Sara sighed in relief, motioning to the Shinju beside her not to worry. "It's okay. Those are Minister Anrokuzan's puppets. They're here to protect me. ୧⍢⃝୨"
But the next moment, one of the puppets raised its arm, its cannon muzzle glowing with purple chakra before firing directly toward Sara's position!
Boom!!
Shards of stone exploded outward, blasting a massive hole into the tower rooftop where they stood.
Sara, held in the Shinju's arms, barely escaped the blast. Her face was filled with disbelief.
"What's going on?! Aren't those puppets controlled by Minister Anrokuzan?"
"Why don't they recognize me?! (°A°`)"
The Shinju's eyes narrowed at the mention of that name.
Before taking on the Roran mission, Tsunade-sensei had warned him that Anrokuzan was a treacherous minister—one who had seized control of the ancient city of Roran through sinister means.
If the Queen was in danger now, there was little doubt this scheming minister was behind it.
"Could it be that Minister Anrokuzan is trying to kill you?"
He voiced his suspicion aloud.
Sara shook her head firmly. "That's impossible!"
"Anrokuzan is a loyal servant of the nation! After my mother's death, it was he who helped me govern Roran. Without him, Roran wouldn't be what it is today!"
Seeing the girl's stubbornness, the Shinju could only shrug.
"Fine, fine. Think whatever you want. I'm leaving. (||๐_๐)"
"Wait! You can't go yet!" Sara's voice rose in panic.
The Shinju spread his hands. "Why not? ┐(´-｀)┌"
Sara pointed toward the sky, where the puppets were rapidly closing in on them.
She didn't know why her minister's creations didn't recognize her—but she knew one thing: without the help of this red-haired guy, she'd already be dead.
The Shinju understood her meaning. Still, he had already done his good deed for the day. If she didn't believe him, that wasn't his problem. \(▔□▔)/
"I'm not one of your subjects, nor am I your guard. I have no obligation to protect you. ( ´◔‸◔`)"
"You're a shinobi from Konohagakure, right?"
Sara's voice trembled with urgency.
"Your village takes on missions, doesn't it? Then—can I hire you to protect me?"
Before he could respond, a massive puppet loomed before them, raising its colossal claw.
In that instant, Sara dropped to the ground, covering her head in fear.
"Help me!"
Crack—Boom! Boom! Boom!
When she dared open her eyes again, the puppet was gone—completely destroyed.
The Shinju smiled down at her.
"So… how do you want to handle my payment? վ--0027ᴗ--0027 ի"
He sheathed his massive chakra blade, looking genuinely pleased.
After all, this was the Queen of Roran. Her reward should be quite generous.
Sara blinked. "I… I don't know the standard price for a ninja. You can set it yourself."
The Shinju thought for a moment. "Then let's say… two hundred million. ｡◕‿◕｡"
Sara nodded blankly. Living in luxury all her life, she had no concept of how much two hundred million was actually worth.
After accepting the mission, the Shinju's first goal was to escort the Queen safely back to the palace.
On the way, he suggested, "We could make this a lot easier. Just tell me where Anrokuzan's mansion is, and I'll take care of it for you. (๑ت๑)"
"Forget it. I still don't believe he'd ever do anything to harm me," Sara replied, shaking her head.
Since the client insisted, the Shinju could only comply. He decided to first sneak her back into the palace—everything else could wait.
...
Meanwhile, in Roran City—inside Anrokuzan's mansion, in a shadowy corner.
The minister sat regally in his chair, dressed in a fine robe, his body covered with threads of chakra.
His expression was dark and grim.
"I've been here for six years. I was so close to gaining complete control over Roran… and yet, that Konoha shinobi who chased me six years ago has shown up again. (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ)"
"Shinju… no matter how powerful you are, you can't defeat me—not when I wield the power of the Dragon Vein! (▼ヘ▼#)"
As Anrokuzan plotted his next move, he sensed something through the chakra threads controlling the puppets guarding his estate—an intruder!
"Who dares break into my home?! Ծ‸Ծ"
...
At the same time, inside the Roran Palace.
The Shinju led Sara through the corridors, stepping past unconscious guards.
Sara followed close behind, trembling all the way.
Since asking for the Shinju's help, she had learned the true meaning of stealth infiltration.
Anyone who stood in their path was knocked out cold by the red-haired shinobi!
No one even realized they'd entered the palace—so technically, mission accomplished.
The two were now climbing the spiral staircase leading from the base of the tower to its uppermost floor.
Suddenly, from the dark corner of the hall, a shadow leapt out!
The Shinju instinctively prepared to knock the figure out again—but then noticed that more people stood behind the first one.
Among them were women, children, and the elderly—but not a single able-bodied man.
Their worn-out hemp clothing made it clear these were not guards, but impoverished citizens.
"Who are you people? Why are you here?" The Shinju stepped protectively in front of Sara, wary.
A woman wearing a headscarf stepped forward, her tone pleading as she looked past him toward Sara.
"Queen Sara, please—can you release my husband?"
Her words sparked an uproar among the crowd behind her.
"My brother too! He's been missing for days!"
"My son as well! He's only twenty—our family can't survive without him!"
A little girl sobbed, "I want my daddy… please give him back…!"
Sara froze, completely bewildered.
"If your family members went missing, you should report it to the officials. Why are you asking me?"
Her words ignited a storm of outrage among the citizens.
"The people who took my father said it was on Queen Sara's orders!"
"Yes, that's what they said!"
"Queen Sara, please… I just want my son back. I beg you…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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