Chapter 81, Chapter Seventy-Nine
-
"I never thought we'd have the chance to stand here and have a proper conversation. Kakashi." Yuki held Karin in her arms. Thanks to Sakura's simple first aid, the bleeding from the wound Sasuke had pierced through Karin's heart had temporarily stopped. Sasuke, who had overused his Sharingan, had been taken away by Obito. Even Yuki knew that Sasuke's next step would likely be to have Itachi's eyes replaced.
Sakura's gaze fell on Kakashi-sensei, his eyes holding a complex mix of emotions... and then on Naruto beside him, whose gaze was strangely intense. Although she had heard rumors of Yuki-senpai's romantic entanglements, Naruto was merely a fox spirit orphan whom Yuki-senpai had cared for—
"Aren't you leaving with Sasuke?"
Kakashi's words made the beautiful girl raise an eyebrow slightly as she looked at the several Konoha Jonin surrounding her.
She said coldly, "Is this the kind of formation you've set up so that I can leave unscathed?"
Not to mention, among them was an old acquaintance of hers—Nara Shikara, a former member of Kato Dan's squad.
"Snow, return to Konoha."
Lu Liang gazed at her, a face both familiar and unfamiliar. Years had passed, yet she still possessed that delicate face of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old, and that slender figure. Only now their positions were vastly different, even their identities were adversaries. His own appearance had also changed; he had transitioned from youth to middle age, and wrinkles had appeared at the corners of his eyes.
Xue looked up at him. Compared to his early twenties, the man in his thirties had become increasingly mature and composed. He stood casually with his left hand on his hip, seemingly trying his best to appear nonchalant. Having known him for many years, Xue could easily see his nervousness and the posture that suggested he was ready to form hand seals and cast a shadow binding spell at any moment.
She chuckled softly.
"I think we can no longer address each other by our first names, Nara Shikara."
"If I want to leave, can you stop me?"
"Aren't you underestimating me too much?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Kakashi raised his headband, revealing the Sharingan that was the same as hers.
His brows were furrowed, his expression a complex mix of emotions. The woman he had been longing for was right before him, yet his tone remained heavy: "If it were just you alone, even with so many of us, we truly couldn't keep you here. However, with your rudimentary medical ninjutsu, if you don't want this child to die from exhaustion while we're pursuing you, then return to Konoha, Yuki."
Lu Liang took a deep breath, watched as Xue and Kakashi's eyes met, and then he spoke again.
"Return to Konoha, Yuki. Over the years, I've been reviewing the Uchiha clan's and Konoha's past records, as well as the policies Konoha implemented against the Uchiha clan. I've always firmly believed that you wouldn't collude with Itachi. Our Nara clan will clear your name. As the second-in-command of the Nara clan, I'll offer you protection, okay?" Shikara's words startled Yuki slightly. She remained silent for a moment, unsure how to respond.
“If you want to save this child, that’s fine! Go back to Konoha… go back to my side, as long as you accept Konoha’s investigation. With the Nara clan’s abilities, you will not be harmed, and this child will be protected.” The other party was too emotional and unconsciously took two steps forward, blocking Xue and Kakashi’s view. Even the two companions beside him couldn’t help but show shocked expressions.
Sakura thought to herself, if she could read minds—no, even if she couldn't, she could tell from the expressions of his companions: Is this really their Captain Nara?! The Nara second-in-command, who usually seems indifferent and averse to trouble, has not only unexpectedly taken on the mission of hunting down the rogue ninja, but is now uttering such shocking words?!
Finally, Yuki averted her gaze from Shikara, unsure of what to say. Shikara's suggestion was so appealing that she couldn't even refuse. Returning to Konoha was only temporary… The crucial question was how she, as a rogue ninja, would approach those two high-ranking Konoha officials… And what would happen to Nara Shikara if her plan succeeded? Her gaze fell on Karin's unconscious face in her arms; she had to at least get Karin to safety.
"I...I'll help too, Xue!" The blond, blue-eyed boy suddenly raised his hand.
The girl raised her head, her eyes no longer displaying the blood-red Sharingan, but instead revealing a dark pupil that indicated her willingness to accept this unequal price. Her voice was cold and clear.
"I... I promise you, in exchange, please heal Karin."
-
So what exactly is going on? Xue unconsciously took two steps back.
Why is this blond, blue-eyed boy in a cell where rogue ninjas are imprisoned? And it looks more like a hotel room than a prison cell. Since the Inuzuka clan took over the duties of the Uchiha clan's security forces, have the prison cells been decorated so in a welcoming manner? How can prisoners reflect on their sins like this?! Or was it through the Nara clan's underhanded dealings that she was granted this cell?
Xue looked up at the monitor on the ceiling.
Her heart sank as Naruto approached her step by step.
"Stop, stop, Naruto!"
She was somewhat flustered. Faced with eyes and hair color exactly like Minato's, and an appearance similar to Kushina's, she was momentarily lost in thought.
Naruto lowered his eyes, seemingly unhappy with Yuki's rejection.
Xue pressed her palm against the boy's chest, feeling his warm body temperature, and frowned slightly: "How did you get in?"
Naruto seemed a little embarrassed. He touched his nose, took out the key to the cell door from his pocket, and said in a low voice, "Kiba idolizes you, and I promised him I'd get his autograph..."
Xue was slightly stunned, and it took her a while to remember who Ya was.
The son of the Inuzuka clan chief who bumped into her while on patrol.
Her subconscious refusal didn't stop Naruto from getting closer; he was like a traveler desperately thirsting for water in the desert. The boy lowered his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against Yuki's earlobe, and Yuki frowned. Naruto's broad arms encircled her waist, and just like when they were children, he gently rested his chin on the crook of Yuki's neck.
"When we were little, Yuki would always agree to whatever I did. Why didn't you tell me about Yuki and Dad and Mom?" Naruto's cloying voice came through the phone, and Yuki's temple throbbed slightly. As far as she knew, Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who defeated Pain, successfully persuaded Nagato and Konan with his talk-no-jutsu, and was revered as a hero by Konoha.
She turned her face away and said:
"Konoha should be on high alert right now, is it really okay for someone as strong as Naruto to hang out with me?" Xue paused slightly, then continued, "Naruto, you're not a child anymore. Our relationship can't go back to—"
Before she could finish speaking, a soft kiss, carrying the scent of ramen, sealed her lips.
Xue's eyes widened. The boy's kiss was very awkward, completely different from Sasuke's.
Her instinctive sticking out of her tongue resulted in an even more intense response from the other person.
Even though it was just a kiss, her whole body felt like it was on fire. She could clearly feel the bright, warm chakra flowing from him. Yuki tried to gently push him away, but he held her even tighter.
Naruto opened his eyes as he kissed Yuki, whose face was flushed and who was lost in passion. His azure eyes shone with an astonishing light.
It's so hot, and the snow feels really strange.
Naruto's tongue is too... too erotic...
Naruto leaned against the wall with one hand and wrapped his other arm around Yuki's waist.
The two embraced and kissed, and when their lips parted, a thin strand of saliva was pulled out.
Xue avoided his gaze and lowered her eyes.
She was startled by his actions; his hand went deep into her wetness, and Naruto whispered in her ear.
He had dazzling blond hair and clear, bright eyes, as if they had been washed by water.
With an innocent expression, he uttered such vulgar and obscene words.
The stark contrast made Xue flinch.
The gushing tide wet my fingertips.
Naruto paused for a moment, then smiled, his eyes crinkling like a bewitching young fox.
He licked his fingertip and said, "It's sweet, and a little salty."
"Naruto, don't lick..."
Naruto pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his head in the crook of her neck once more.
He took a deep breath and murmured, "Xue smells so good..."
The touch was soft and warm, exactly the feeling he had cherished since childhood, and it remained so now. Looking back, most of his childhood memories of Xue were from before he was seven. Back then, he could only see her once a week; their time together was so limited… However, just seeing Xue, a hug, could dispel all his loneliness and sadness… A simple pat on the head and a kiss on the cheek brought him even more joy…
The girl who was a vague impression in my memory finally became clear and vivid at this moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
