"…Someone tried to assassinate me at the snack street… I suspect they were assassins sent by Kirigakure… Later, the Konoha guards appeared…"
Ye Mizunotsuki recounted the recent events to Hiruzen Sarutobi, with Kakashi silently present.
"Unbelievable! So Kirigakure hasn't given up on you yet… They actually dared to send ninjas into Konoha to kill!"
Hiruzen slammed the table in anger, looking even more furious than Ye himself. A small tuft of beard under his chin seemed to bristle in tandem with his emotions.
"Why does the atmosphere feel… off today?" Ye murmured to himself, slightly confused.
From the moment he entered the room, he had sensed it—not just Hiruzen, but even Minato Namikaze's gaze felt unusual. Though they tried to hide it, Ye noticed.
It wasn't hostility… but something else.
He frowned subtly, thinking it must be surprise. Like seeing a ghost! The feeling left him slightly uneasy.
"Could they have discovered something?"
"Ye, what are you mumbling about?"
Just then, Minato patted him on the shoulder with a genuinely concerned look. Ye quickly composed himself, waving his hand and shaking his head.
"Maybe I'm overthinking," he said, pursing his lips.
"Don't worry about today's events. It was self-defense, so you are naturally innocent," Hiruzen finally said. Then he gestured toward Kakashi. "To prevent a similar incident from happening again, I will assign you guards for the next month. They will secretly protect your safety until we can be sure no further assassination attempts occur."
"'Hawk,' this task is yours," Hiruzen added.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Kakashi replied. With his mask on, his expression was unreadable.
Ye froze briefly, neither opposing nor questioning the order.
Protection? Surveillance? Probably both.
Still, he admired Hiruzen's style. Even if there were hidden motives, they were openly presented. He respected that honesty.
"I look forward to working with you, 'Hawk,'" Ye said with a smile. Kakashi gave a slight nod in response.
After some light conversation, Ye thanked Hiruzen and others again and prepared to leave.
Kakashi quickly formed a hand seal, and a whirlwind swirled through the room. In the blink of an eye, he vanished, already entering mission mode to secretly safeguard Ye's safety.
After leaving the Hokage building, Ye stopped by a secondhand market to get a wooden tub for bathing, then headed home. Near his doorstep, he carried a large bag of wet soil…
Kakashi, hidden in the shadows, couldn't help smirking. He remembered Ye mentioning something a few days ago.
This guy… isn't actually feeding that strange little fat one dirt, is he?
Impossible. No way.
Kakashi shook his head firmly. The soil must be for planting flowers. Surely!
Little did he know, Ye's personal motto was "Whatever I say, I do." Of course, selectively…
Unlocking his door, a hungry Grattoni leaped toward him, tongue extended, ready to lick his face. Ye kicked the dog aside and tossed the bag of soil.
As Ye closed the door, Kakashi caught a glimpse through the crack: Grattoni happily digging into the wet soil, munching away.
Kakashi: "…Alright, the ninja world never ceases to amaze."
Night fell, and when Ye returned home, the sky was full of stars. As time passed, the sun rose again, signaling a new day.
Like always, Ye acted as if nothing had happened—no assassins, no killing—packing his belongings and heading to the Ninja Academy. Of course, he reminded Grattoni not to go outside or chew furniture.
"Can't sense him at all… no wonder he's an Anbu Jonin," Ye muttered, concentrating but unable to detect Kakashi, sent by the Third Hokage. He felt slightly disheartened; his strength still had a long way to go.
"Ye-kun!"
"Ye!"
Suddenly, two voices called out behind him. Turning around, he saw Mitamura Akazuki and Uzuki Yuuka standing cheerfully before him. Their expressions showed relief at seeing him unharmed.
"Yo."
Ye paused, then waved. "Thanks for yesterday. Did I scare you?"
"Wha—No! I want to become a powerful kunoichi like Lady Tsunade. A little thing like that won't scare me!" Akazuki said, raising her small fists as if defending her honor.
Yuuka, however, smiled quietly. Last night, she was scared enough to drop her dumpling; now, she seemed relieved.
"Ye-kun, yesterday… everything's fine now, right?"
Her delicate concern warmed Ye's heart.
"Don't worry. It's over. The Hokage himself said so," he reassured her.
Yuuka didn't ask for details, and Ye didn't elaborate. Hearing the Hokage's name put her fully at ease.
Under Ye's gaze, her cheeks slowly flushed red.
"Huh? Yuuka, your face… are you sick?"
Carefree Akazuki reached to check her friend's forehead, but instead found her even redder, like a ripe red apple ready to bite.
"You're talking nonsense, Akazuki!"
Yuuka didn't understand her sudden emotions—she felt inexplicably shy and happy, stomping her feet as if fleeing some invisible monster.
Akazuki muttered behind her, "What's going on? Is she really sick?"
Ye chuckled. Not a novice in understanding feelings, he realized what just happened. Girls in the ninja world matured early. At nine years old, they already understood "affection for the opposite sex." Incredible.
"Heh, let nature take its course."
Ye had no interest in chasing romance; he had more important goals.
Power.Revenge.The peak of the ninja world.
And an even more exciting, free life.
Before him lay a sea of stars. He would not waste another moment of his life.