Everyone's eyes were fixed on Hyūga Shigeo. He sat at the desk in the village chief's office, gaze deep and silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Let's go camping?"
The moment those words left his mouth, not only did the thirty-six ninja stare wide-eyed, but even the three by his side were stunned.
"Alright! I'll prepare everything!" Wu Mang's face lit up with excitement.
"Bring Grandma Chen, Xiaoming, and also Wuqianling. That girl stormed off after I angered her and hasn't shown up in over three months. This is a good chance to see her again. Prepare the wagons—we'll go farther this time. Ready the tents, food… we might even stay overnight."
Shigeo thought that since it was camping, it should be done grandly, a chance for the ninja who had been beaten for three months straight to finally relax.
"Yes!" Wu Mang answered happily.
Leaving Nanmo Village, Shigeo took a small boat across to Nanmo City, the capital on the main island.
Before he even set foot ashore, people at the harbor recognized him, waving frantically.
"Village Chief! Village Chief!"
Shigeo nodded lightly as one man rushed forward to tie his boat.
"It's been so long, Shigeo-dono! You've come to the capital?"
"Yes."
He walked forward. Along the way, people tried to hand him gifts, all of which he politely refused.
Some were unwilling to leave, trailing behind him. Soon, a small crowd followed him down the streets, growing larger with every step.
"Shigeo-dono! Did you receive the preserved fruits I sent last time? I made them myself. How did they taste? Not bad, right?"
The candied fruit shop owner bowed from afar, then called out.
Shigeo felt a touch of awkwardness. Too many gifts arrived in his name. Since he seldom came to the capital, townsfolk often asked ninja or villagers traveling from Nanmo Village to carry presents to him.
There were simply too many. He handed them all over to the village office. Honestly, he had no idea what candied fruit they spoke of.
"Mm. Very tasty." He nodded, unwilling to let the man's heart sink.
As he walked on, everyone he passed bowed their heads in respect. Some eyes sparkled with awe, some nearly rushed forward but restrained themselves. They knew they could not disturb him. He carried too much on his shoulders already.
Now, the city was far more stable than it had been a year ago. By decree of Wu Youhua, anyone pestering Shigeo would be detained immediately.
Indeed, more than a year earlier, whenever he appeared, chaos erupted. Even if he didn't walk the streets, simply drifting across the sky, the people would chase him madly, surging like a tide.
In Nanmo Country, he was their idol, their savior, their godlike figure.
"Shigeo-dono!"
A sudden voice. A girl appeared at a street corner, clad in a light-blue dress, quiet and graceful, holding a large bouquet of bellflowers. She did not block his path, standing at a respectful distance.
"Shigeo-dono, I like you…" She raised the flowers, her face burning red, biting her lip after the words escaped.
Shigeo halted. He pondered how to respond without hurting her heart when a gust of wind swept by.
"Brother Shigeo, what are you doing in the capital? My mother is waiting for you. Come, let's go to the castle!"
It was Wuqianling. Shigeo waved to the crowd and left with her.
The girl holding the flowers was trembling with joy. "I said it. I finally said it!"
…
Inside the castle, Shigeo explained his purpose to Wu Youhua, then prepared to leave with Wuqianling.
But Wu Youhua refused to let him go so easily. After asking about his health, she brought out three garments.
"These are handmade by me. The cloth isn't expensive or luxurious. I know you prefer plain comfort, so I chose this material. Try them on, see if they fit?"
She ignored official business, carefully holding the clothes up to him.
In the past, she had made fine robes for him. He never wore them. Reflecting, she realized perhaps they were too extravagant—gemmed buttons, gold and silver embroidery. They were too grand, which was why he avoided them.
This time, she stitched everything herself. Buttons wrapped in cloth. Plain colors. Simple design. She hoped he would accept them.
Shigeo stood still, watching her compare the clothes against him. He couldn't explain the feeling stirring within him.
At his side, Wuqianling tugged her mother's sleeve, smiling up at him.
"What are you staring for? Try them!"
He snapped out of it, nodded, and put them on. They fit well, crafted with care, modest in design—exactly his taste.
"Thank you."
Wu Youhua smiled, joy flooding her heart. He had never shown this expression before. She took his hand gently.
"Don't overwork yourself. Shinobi are strong, yes, but even you must take care of your body, understand?"
Shigeo nodded. She looked to Wuqianling.
"Go. Have fun."
On the boat ride back, Wuqianling could hardly believe it.
"Really? We're going camping? Overnight? Just the two of us?"
Shigeo chuckled, flicking her forehead.
"You're still a little girl, but your imagination runs wild."
"Hyūga Shigeo!" Wuqianling shot up angrily. "I'm only a year younger than you!"
"Alright, alright, sit down." Shigeo said.
"Yes!" She obeyed, but her smile faded. "If I had known you came for camping, I'd have packed at the castle. Too late now…"
"I realized something," Shigeo said, staring at her with sharp eyes.
"What?"
"Ever since my one-year vow ended, you haven't cried once."
Wuqianling's watery eyes darted nervously, his piercing gaze locking onto her face, making her heart pound uncontrollably. At last, unable to resist, she admitted…
(End of Chapter)
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