Chapter 13:Is everyone so busy tonight?

"Did you get rid of it?"

Seeing that the Anbu hadn't caught up, Shinji, who was weaving through the village, felt relieved.

Hiss.

Just as he relaxed, a pain shot from the wound on his back.

He frowned, his expression darkening.

The injury on his back wasn't severe; thanks to the "breathing method" he used to stop the bleeding along the way, there was hardly any blood loss. But the troublesome part was explaining this injury!

Once Danzo found out his subordinates, sent to monitor him, somehow blew themselves up outside the Sand Garrison, any lingering doubts would surely lead to a thorough investigation. Then, he wouldn't be able to hide the injury on his back at all.

After his recent encounter at the Anbu building, he, as the intruder, could easily be identified.

"All this is too risky!"

Shinji sighed.

It wasn't that he didn't understand the risks; he simply needed Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan too desperately.

At the same time, he hadn't expected the Anbu wearing a dog-faced mask to be so vigilant. From noticing something wrong with him to taking action, it hadn't taken even a second, leaving him no time to react.

And their display of ninjutsu had been extremely skilled—surprise attacks, trapping the enemy, bursting out, one after another.

If he hadn't mastered 'Water Breathing,' breaking free from the encirclement this time might have required him to activate 'Susanoo.'

Shinji turned into an alley, his heart wavering over whether to escape the village.

At that moment, at the other end of the alley, a hurried figure approached.

"Karin?"

Shinji stopped in his tracks.

The figure he met in the alley was none other than his classmate, Karin!

Karin didn't seem to expect to meet Shinji there and was visibly taken aback, her expression awkward.

But she didn't stop or greet Shinji; instead, she quickened her pace and hurried past him.

Not wanting to cause trouble, Shinji refrained from greeting her.

As they brushed past each other, Karin suddenly stopped, turned around, and asked, "Are you injured?"

Shinji quickly explained, "It happened during practice earlier."

Without waiting for Shinji's explanation, Karin rolled up her sleeves and extended her snow-white arm. "Quick, bite!"

"Well..."

Shinji was surprised.

He knew well that Karin's special constitution could heal any injury, but he hadn't expected her to not listen to his explanation and offer her arm so readily.

Though confused, he quickly realized this was the best solution to his current predicament.

So without hesitation, he looked at Karin's arm covered in bite marks and bit down.

Instantly, a warm current flowed into his mouth and focused on the wound on his back.

Soon, the pain in his wound faded, replaced by a tingling numbness.

"Thank you!"

Shinji sincerely thanked Karin.

Karin simply nodded and hurried away.

"Is everyone this busy tonight?"

Watching Karin's hurried departure, Shinji couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

This unexpected encounter with Karin had resolved his immediate problem, but it wasn't time to relax.

Upon returning to his apartment, he changed his clothes and completely incinerated the old ones.

Examining himself in the bathroom mirror, he confirmed that the wounds on his back had healed completely, leaving no scars.

Sitting on his bed to rest, he pondered.

"I still need an alibi!"

To completely dispel suspicion, he needed an alibi—an influential witness who could easily be convinced.

Suddenly, he thought of Shion, who had passed out on the training ground.

As a shrine maiden from the Ghost Country, she held a noble status and was highly regarded even by the Hokage. She had no ties to the Uchiha clan, making her an ideal witness.

So Shinji immediately set off for the training ground.

There, he found Shion lying sound asleep, drooling on the ground.

He gently patted her shoulder. "Hey, wake up!"

Shion groggily sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Why did I fall asleep?"

"How should I know!"

Shinji shrugged, observing her reaction closely.

While the Mangekyo Sharingan was a potent tool for weaving illusions, its effectiveness depended on the user. Obito could control the Fourth Mizukage with his Mangekyo Sharingan, but that didn't mean Shinji possessed the same ability.

Judging from Shion's current response, as long as he didn't reveal elements like the Mangekyo Sharingan or 'Susanoo' in front of her, it would be a casual encounter without triggering her suspicions.

Helping Shion to her feet, Shinji asked, "You're not from our village, are you?"

Shion lifted her chin proudly. "You should address me as 'Your Highness'!"

"'Your Highness'?"

"That's right!" Shion adjusted her attire and declared, "I am Shion, the priestess of the Ghost Kingdom!"

At her declaration, her stomach emitted a loud growl.

Shinji thought, "Are you hungry?"

Blushing slightly, Shion admitted, "A little."

"Let's go. I'll treat you to barbecue."

Shinji suggested, leading the way out of the training ground.

Curious, Shion asked, "Why are you inviting me to barbecue?"

"Do I need a reason?"

Shinji brushed off her question.

Shion quickly added, "You're not trying to befriend me, are you? But since you're so sincere, I'll reluctantly accept."

Shinji glanced at Shion sideways.

He saw genuine surprise in her eyes, as if making a friend was a rare and joyful occasion.

"How lonely she must be!"

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Feeling a twinge of guilt about using Shion as his alibi, he quickened his pace.

"Wait for me! You haven't even told me your name yet!"

Following Shinji like an eager follower, Shion hurried after him.

Soon, they arrived at a bustling neighborhood.

Boom.

Fireworks blossomed in the night sky, eliciting cheers from the villagers.

Evidently, the village hadn't canceled the fireworks festival despite the incident with the Root ninja's self-detonation and the Anbu building break-in.

Following his memory, Shinji purposely led Shion to the barbecue restaurant Haku had mentioned casually before.

Tonight, their classmates had planned to dine there and watch fireworks together.

He had initially been invited but declined.

As the aroma of barbecue drifted from the restaurant, Shion sniffed, "Wow, that smells amazing!"

"In that case..."

"Uh-huh!"

Shion nodded eagerly, almost drooling at the corners of her mouth.

Shinji promptly ushered her inside.

Hearing laughter from his classmates on the second floor, he didn't rush to join them. Instead, he chose a private room next door.

He needed to create the illusion that he and Shion had been dining here for a while.

Later, he could discreetly appear before his classmates, blending in and ensuring they all became witnesses to his presence there throughout the evening.

Soon, plates of fresh meat and a hot grill arrived.

Shinji and Shion wasted no time, clearing the table of barbecue amid the splendid fireworks outside the window.

As they finished up, Shinji pondered how to reveal himself to his classmates next door.

After their meal, Shion opened the door to the private room and called out to the owner downstairs, "I've made a friend! I'm treating the whole place tonight!"

Diners upstairs and downstairs erupted in cheers upon hearing her announcement.

Thrusting out her chest proudly, Shion glanced back at the stunned Shinji.

Click.

The door next door swung open, and a voice rang out, "My friend, your treat isn't needed!"

End of chapter.