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The exhibition match was completed on the 24th, and Sawara Kiri's Jonin appointment was delivered to him on the 25th.
At the same time, news reached his ears that three financial personnel, two supervisors, and nine executive personnel had been detained or executed—these individuals were the main administrators of the Heroic Martyrs Welfare Department and the Orphanage's financial system, primarily responsible for distributing and organizing welfare and assistance matters for Konoha Ninja families.
Among those executed, two were Special Jonin who had transitioned to administrative roles, and one was a high-level manager from a certain special confidential department.
Evidently, that person was Danzo's.
Sawara Kiri clearly understood that this was Lord Third's 'explanation' to him.
The world of Ninja was this simple and clear.
Once you displayed your value, everything that had previously made you uncomfortable would be swept away with lightning speed.
To demonstrate the Hokage Building's stance on corruption and wickedness, Lord Third Sarutobi Hiruzen even held a press conference, extensively reporting on Konoha's thorough and clear anti-corruption efforts, while also promising compensation to the affected individuals.
The entire front page of the Konoha Daily that day was filled with this report, and the entire Konoha Village was abuzz with praise for Lord Third.
Only Sawara Kiri knew that this was a whole plate of dumplings made just for his vinegar.
But, so what?
Having the qualification to be exploited was actually a good thing, wasn't it?
"What a realistic world."
He thought, putting away the newspaper in his hand, and turned to look behind him.
Then, he saw the girl, who had just changed into casual clothes, somewhat unnaturally tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Upon seeing Sawara Kiri already waiting by the street, her usually cool and beautiful face inadvertently showed a hint of awkwardness, and she immediately took a few quick steps forward.
"Sorry, did I make you wait long?"
Uchiha Megumi seemed a bit unaccustomed to being alone with Sawara-kun, especially in such a bustling place. She tried very hard to rein in her usual decisive demeanor from the Security Department, acting like a true noble young lady, striving to be gentle and elegant:
"The Security Department has been a bit busy lately, so I came out a little late."
Sawara Kiri turned to look at her.
The loose black hooded tracksuit somewhat concealed the girl's quite tall figure, yet her ample curves were still discernible in the details. Her short skirt with a faint crosshatch pattern just covered her knees, revealing two fair calves, and she wore Ninja shoes as usual.
If one got closer, one could also glimpse the red and white Uchiha fan earrings hanging from the girl's earlobes.
Despite having been busy all day in the streets, she carried the pleasant scent of orange jasmine.
And, most importantly…
A faint blue halo shimmered above the girl's head.
"Did Megumi change before coming?"
Uchiha Megumi seemed not to have expected such a question, unconsciously paused, looked down at her casual clothes, and scratched her cheek: "I was in a hurry, so I only changed my jacket and skirt. Is it impolite?"
The girl's tone was subtly nervous.
Sawara Kiri smiled gently: "No, I just wanted to say it suits you very well."
He stepped closer to the girl, leaned down slightly, and deliberately said: "And there's a very pleasant scent."
"Kiri!"
Miss Megumi was a little annoyed, her cheeks flushed, and she complained softly: "If it's sweat, just say so!"
"Then it's very pleasant sweat."
"Hmph!"
Before the slightly stuttering Miss Megumi could speak further, Sawara Kiri had already started walking towards the only Ninja clan commercial street, which was gradually becoming lively in the evening.
However, his peripheral vision remained on Miss Megumi's head.
"Mid-level Heart Knot (Not Activated)"
Since their parting at dawn that day, Sawara Kiri and Uchiha Megumi had met a few more times.
However, this heart knot prompt had never changed, leaving Sawara Kiri clueless as to how to gain heart knot points.
As a last resort, he could only try to interact more often.
But, if one were to deduce based on the solution method for the 'Shallow Heart Knot' encountered previously, would the 'Mid-level Heart Knot' also need to be activated through a method related to the 'heart knot' itself?
Sawara Kiri thought this, but his gaze caught Miss Megumi's subtle, joyful expression within her calm demeanor.
Clearly, she didn't seem to have any heart knots.
In that case…
He thought for a moment, and said casually: "Speaking of which, since the team disbanded, it's been a long time since we've had a meal together like this, hasn't it?"
"It's clearly because you've always been too busy!" Upon saying this, Uchiha Megumi also felt a bit annoyed.
Every time she tried to arrange a meal with him, he would constantly put it off due to various matters. Even their last meeting was a chance encounter during patrol.
However, thinking of what Kiri had said to her that night, Uchiha Megumi couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.
Their relationship now… should be considered 'quasi-lovers,' right?
If that was the case…
The girl thought, her gaze unconsciously falling on Sawara Kiri's clearly jointed large hand, her small fingertips mimicking the legs of a tiny person, subtly inching closer as if eager to move.
"Because the Hokage Building's work has always been very busy." Sawara Kiri turned his head and smiled apologetically.
This slight interruption immediately startled Miss Megumi, causing her to retract her small hand and quickly change the subject with a guilty conscience:
"Ah! Oh, right!"
"But, Kiri-kun actually got promoted to Jonin before me!"
"This should also be considered Lord Third's compensation, right?"
Sawara Kiri seemed to smile indifferently, and led the way into the pre-booked barbecue restaurant.
Private rooms were easy to book now; in wartime, those with leisure to dine in such places were either high-ranking members of Ninja clans or Ninja teams who had recently returned from the battlefield, and their numbers were not large.
After simply ordering, he poured a drink for Miss Megumi and himself:
"By the way, do you have any news about Captain Oshima and Runya?"
"…"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Megumi's gaze involuntarily dimmed slightly, and the joyful spirit she had felt from being alone also faded a bit.
"They passed away at the end of last year."
Sawara Kiri seemed to pause inadvertently upon hearing this, and after a long moment, said with some regret:
"…I see."
The two he mentioned were teammates from their same squad—however, they didn't have his good fortune to find work within the village.
The fate of ordinary Chunin and Genin on the battlefield was not much better than moths flying into a flame.
However, Megumi quickly composed herself, feigning dissatisfaction:
"Today is to celebrate Kiri's Jonin advancement, you know."
"Honestly!"
"Why bring up such things suddenly?"
"Because it's just the two of us left, you see." Sawara Kiri said with a rather helpless tone, looking gently at the girl opposite him, "But, it's also the only good news among all the bad news."
"Megumi, you must strive to live on."
"You… always say such inauspicious things." The girl pursed her lips as if displeased, and refilled his drink, "It should be 'we both must strive to live on,' right?"
Sawara Kiri paused slightly upon hearing this, seemingly hesitating.
After feigning hesitation for a long time, he finally said to her: "Actually, starting tomorrow, I'll be accompanying my squad to the front lines for a high-level mission."
"…"
Miss Megumi's action of pouring his drink paused involuntarily.
The battles on the front lines were now in full swing.
At this point in time, going to the most intense battlefield, everyone knew what it meant.
Almost the instant these words fell, Sawara Kiri immediately saw the faint blue halo above Uchiha Megumi's head flicker twice, and her heartbeat couldn't help but quicken by half a beat.
However, after just a momentary flicker, the halo returned to its original state.
Sawara Kiri's expression paused.
Then, he heard Miss Megumi's voice seem to lighten a bit, as she chuckled as if completely unconcerned: "What, so you were worried about something like that!"
"Megumi?"
Before Sawara Kiri could ask, he heard the girl continue on her own:
"If that's the case, then before you leave tomorrow, I'll give you a big gift."
"For good luck~"
"Eh?"
"No need to say more, it's decided!"
The girl set the tone quite forcefully, completely unlike her usual effort to appear well-behaved, leaving him no room for rebuttal.
Just as Miss Megumi's words fell, the charcoal and grilled meat arrived together.
Their conversation reverted to the track of shy lovers on a first date, chatting and laughing as they ate the barbecue, seemingly having forgotten everything that had just happened.
'Evoking past sad emotions, it had no effect?'
'It seems the Mid-level Heart Knot isn't activated this way.'
'Or rather, do I have to actively plant the corresponding heart knot for Megumi?'
This question lingered in Sawara Kiri's mind until the meal was over.
After seeing Uchiha Megumi home, he walked alone on the quiet, empty streets at night.
A moment later, he suddenly stopped.
His figure flickered.
When he reappeared, he was already on the rooftop of another secluded building.
Before him was the short, thin figure of Yagura Karatachi.
His pale purple eyes glanced at him, his voice neither loud nor soft, seemingly with a faint smile:
"Quite perceptive, aren't you?"
"I thought dating your Konoha girlfriend might make you let your guard down a bit."
"That depends on what you're here for." Sawara Kiri said, leaning against the railing at the edge of the rooftop, turning to face him against the evening wind, "If you're here for a casual chat, I can completely drop my guard."
"As for whether you'll get caught, that's your business."
Yagura Karatachi saw his relaxed demeanor but showed no annoyance. Instead, he took out a scroll from his Ninja tool pouch and threw it over.
"This is your reward for your last mission."
The scroll rolled on the rooftop ground, rolling twice towards Sawara Kiri, but he didn't lower his head to pick it up.
Yagura Karatachi was not surprised. He slowly took a Kunai from his waist and quietly looked at him:
"Besides, Lord Mizukage also asked me to convey a message for him."
"—With reward comes punishment."
Almost the instant the words fell.
Yagura Karatachi's short figure suddenly vanished.
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