[Affection detected]

[Multiple sources: +5000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 15,000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 65%]

"That's enough!"

"Shiratori!"

Kuroi couldn't stand to hear any more.

He got up from the ground, crouched beside Shiratori, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said to Chiba, "He's already exhausted. Stop questioning him. Everything he's done is for us."

"Are we more important than the future of Ame?" Chiba glared at Kuroi, eyes red with emotion.

Kuroi's throat tightened. His eyes turned red as he stared back at him, pleading silently. He was begging Chiba not to say any more.

Let Shiratori rest for a moment!

"In my heart, every single person in Ame is the most important. It's because of everyone… that the village exists… and only then can it have a future..."

Shiratori's voice cracked as tears spilled down his cheeks. He lifted his head and met Chiba's gaze, his small frame trembling with emotion.

[Affection detected]

[Multiple sources: +5000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 15,000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 66.5%]

These tears were truly worth it!

He let the sobs rack his body.

"…I'm sorry…" Chiba suddenly said.

He lowered his head and repeated, "I'm sorry."

He shouldn't have questioned Shiratori. Shouldn't have spoken that way to him in the name of the village.

He was just… Too worried about him.

"It's okay."

Shiratori wiped the tears from his face and gave Chiba a bright, genuine smile: "I know you were only that upset because you care about me, Chiba-nisan."

[Affection detected: Chiba +2000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 66.7%]

Chiba reached out and gently rubbed Shiratori's head.

He'd contributed so many affection points, Shiratori might as well generously let him have his fill.

The emotions of all four slowly calmed down.

Sakikawa looked at Shiratori with a teasing grin and said, "You've got some serious skills. You actually dodged the village patrols and followed us without being noticed. No wonder you're Hanzō's student."

Shiratori smiled sheepishly and said modestly, "It was just… luck!"

Kuroi clicked his tongue in amazement: "That's way too lucky!"

Chiba furrowed his brow and asked worriedly, "How did Akasuna, get away?"

Kuroi and Sakikawa's expressions became serious, and they both turned to look at Shiratori. After all, Akasuna was a famous puppet master from Suna.

Under their stares, Shiratori's shoulders tensed and his voice grew small. "It… it was the curse… it broke out… I won't let it hurt you guys…"

Kuroi immediately stepped closer: "Hey, we're not afraid of you. Don't worry."

Shiratori looked at Kuroi, swallowed nervously, and said cautiously, "I've been practicing controlling her properly back in the village, but this time… when I saw you all hurt, I got a little panicked, and she got out of control… then I don't know what happened, the ninja just… ran away…"

The three exchanged a glance.

The most likely explanation was that his curse, in a moment of rage, went out of control.

The curse had already posed a threat to Akasuna's life, so Akasuna chose to retreat.

"You're amazing," Sakikawa said as he patted Shiratori's shoulder with a relaxed smile. "We don't even have a cursed spirit like yours. Don't be afraid of your own power."

Shiratori's tense posture gradually relaxed, and he nodded at them.

"So what should we do now?"

Kuroi looked at Chiba, who pressed his lips together, glancing at Shiratori from the corner of his eye.

He couldn't guarantee that the road ahead was safe. And he couldn't guarantee that returning to Ame wouldn't lead them into Akasuna again.

There was danger whether they advanced or retreated. So they might as well take the contract to the border.

"Keep moving forward."

Chiba stood up and said to Kuroi and Sakikawa.

Kuroi couldn't help but smile. "Got it!"

Sakikawa looked at Chiba, silently questioning him with his eyes.

Chiba gently shook his head.

They had no other choice.

Sakikawa withdrew his gaze and placed a hand on Shiratori's shoulder.

"You'll walk in the middle of us from now on."

Shiratori nodded: "Okay, I understand."

The four of them continued toward the border of the Land of Rain.

He walked, protected in the center by the three of them.

---

At the training ground, Hanzō stood in place, staring at the rising sun.

From five in the morning until now, a full three hours had passed.

There was still no sign of Shiratori.

His expression grew increasingly grim.

"Hanzō-sama, maybe he just forgot…"

The other ninjas in the training ground tried to defend Shiratori.

"Yeah, he's still a growing kid. Oversleeping is totally normal."

They tried to stay calm under Hanzō's oppressive aura.

He swept his gaze across them.

The ninjas immediately felt a chill on their scalps, no one spoke again until his figure disappeared from the training ground.

Hanzō arrived at Shiratori's apartment. He opened the window and entered.

The room was empty.

His eyes landed on a piece of paper on the desk. He stepped forward and picked it up, it was a letter Shiratori had left behind.

[Sensei, by the time you read this, I've already left Ame. I went to find Chiba-nisan. You don't need to worry about me. I'll return safely with him and the others. Don't worry.]

Hanzō's pupils shrank.

He should have known, Shiratori had always been bold and reckless.

He should have realized the bond between him and Chiba was deep, how could he possibly stand by and watch Chiba walk toward death?

Hanzō grabbed the letter and strode quickly toward the office.

Shiyu burst into the office, panicked: "Hanzō-sama, what's wrong?"

He panted for breath, staring at the low-pressure aura emanating from his leader.

Hanzō handed him the letter.

Shiyu scanned its contents, and immediately went pale, swaying on his feet.

Mizu caught him and asked in confusion. "What happened?"

Shiyu clutched Mizu's wrist tightly. "Shiratori… he followed Chiba to the border to carry out a mission…"

Mizu trembled violently, his heart sinking into an abyss.

A chill surged from the soles of his feet, spreading quickly through his whole body. Just thinking about the possibility that Shiratori might not come back was like being thrown into an ice cave.

"Mizu, lead twenty ninja to the border to support Chiba."

Hanzō ordered firmly.

"Understood!"

Mizu snapped out of his terrifying thoughts and nodded without hesitation.

"Go quickly and return quickly."

Hanzō said solemnly.

"Yes!"

Mizu turned and immediately left the office.