The Meteorite Called Star

"Hello, I am Kaguya from Konoha," Kaguya said with a smile. "I am here on a mission."

"Are you alone?" Akahoshi asked in surprise, glancing behind her to see no one else.

"No," Kaguya shook her head slightly, "I have two companions, but they encountered some trouble on the way and will arrive later. I ask for your understanding."

"I see," Akahoshi smiled, standing up and looking Kaguya up and down. "But I am curious about your..."

"You want to know about my capabilities?" Kaguya's eyes sparkled. "If you have any doubts, I can demonstrate."

"That's not necessary," Akahoshi quickly waved his hand, laughing. "Any ninja sent by Konoha must be quite capable, so there's no need for a demonstration."

"Thank you for your trust, Hoshikage." Kaguya nodded.

Hearing Kaguya address him as "Hoshikage," Akahoshi's eyes lit up with apparent delight. He turned to Sumaru and said, "Please arrange a room for our guest."

"Yes," Sumaru responded respectfully.

"There's no need," Kaguya shook her head, "Since I am here, I would like to see where the 'Star' is first to prepare for the mission."

"Ah, such dedication, as expected of a Konoha elite," Akahoshi's face showed a friendly smile. "In that case, Sumaru, please show her to the 'Star'."

"Yes."

Following Sumaru, Kaguya entered a dense forest. The forest was lush, with abundant vegetation and occasional bird calls.

Sumaru couldn't help but steal glances at Kaguya's face as they walked.

"What is it?" Kaguya stopped and turned, her eyes blinking. "Is there something on my face?"

"No, no," Sumaru quickly turned back, his face turning red, and he waved his hands nervously. His heart was pounding uncontrollably.

"Oh." Kaguya turned back, saying nothing more.

Sumaru patted his chest and quietly sighed in relief.

"Up ahead is where the 'Star' is," Sumaru said, pointing to a large crater in front of them.

Kaguya looked ahead and saw a place resembling a meteorite crater, where no grass grew, and broken rocks and charred trees were scattered around. It seemed the impact of the meteorite had caused this, and some power lingered here, preventing the trees from weathering over the years.

At this moment, Kaguya dashed forward like lightning, sensing the presence of Ten-Tails' chakra in the area.

The 'Star' people referred to was actually a meteorite containing Ten-Tails' power that fell here hundreds of years ago, leading to the establishment of Hoshigakure.

"Wait, outsiders are not allowed!" Sumaru shouted from behind, chasing after Kaguya, but he was too slow to catch up.

Kaguya reached a wooden hut in the center of the crater, sensing residual energy inside. She opened the door and found the central platform empty, with several people lying unconscious around it.

The residual energy on the platform confirmed that the meteorite had indeed been there but seemed to have been taken by someone else.

Kaguya frowned, realizing that others had also targeted the meteorite.

"Kaguya, you can't go in there!" Sumaru panted, catching up. He froze upon seeing the scene before him. "What is this..."

"It was stolen," Kaguya said, frowning and rubbing her chin.

"I think you stole it," a scar-faced Star Ninja burst in from outside and shouted at Kaguya. "You're the only one here, so who else could it be?"

"It wasn't me," Kaguya coldly glanced at the Star Ninja.

The Star Ninja felt a chill down his spine under Kaguya's gaze. He couldn't understand how a girl of only a dozen years could have such an intimidating look. Was it just an illusion?

"Then who do you think took it?" The Star Ninja steadied his nerves and asked.

"How could it be..." Sumaru looked back and forth between Kaguya and the Star Ninja, unsure of whom to believe.

Kaguya snorted and ignored him, walking straight outside.

"Don't think you can run!"

Kaguya suddenly turned around and fixed the Star Ninja with a cold stare. His words got stuck in his throat, and his body stiffened, as if he had lost control, unable to move even a finger. Kaguya gave him a final glance and then turned and left.

The Star Ninja's body relaxed, returning to normal. He stared at Kaguya's departing figure, feeling a mix of uncertainty and humiliation. He had just been intimidated.

He gritted his teeth, vowing to teach this girl a lesson in the future.

"The Star, you didn't take it, did you?" Sumaru caught up, looking uneasy and hesitant.

"If you believed me, you wouldn't need to ask. If you didn't believe me, why ask at all?" Kaguya stopped and turned, saying, "You're just looking for an excuse for yourself."

Kaguya ignored Sumaru and continued walking forward. She could faintly sense the power of the Ten-Tails, but perhaps because the meteorite had been there so long, its energy had soaked into the surrounding soil, making it harder to detect.

Sumaru's face turned red with embarrassment. He didn't know what to say.

"I didn't take it," Kaguya said suddenly, her back still to Sumaru.

"Okay." Sumaru felt relieved, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and nodded heavily.

As the sun set and evening fell, the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon.

They returned to the village, and Sumaru led her to a house, opening the door and walking inside.

"This is my home. It's a bit simple, so please don't mind," Sumaru said awkwardly.

"It's fine, it's nice," Kaguya said, looking around.

Sumaru then led her to a room that was very tidy and decorated with some small ornaments.

"This was my mother's room," Sumaru said, a bit embarrassed. "I clean it every day, so please make yourself comfortable."

Kaguya nodded, seeming satisfied.

"Oh, you haven't eaten yet, have you?" Sumaru slapped his forehead. "I'll prepare some food, please wait a moment."

"Okay."