Chapter 11: Don’t Let Me Forget You, Okay?

"Haku's really in trouble," Shinji muttered, his expression grave as he hid in the shadows.

What surprised him even more was that the Anbu ninja chasing Haku had originally been sent to monitor Shinji.

At the training ground,

Boom!

Another firework lit up the night sky.

Glancing at the sky, the Anbu ninja smirked. "You guys will meet tonight. You guys certainly know how to pick your moments. You almost succeeded."

Haku remained silent, slowly stepping back.

"No wonder the village treats you and that kid next door like pests," the Anbu ninja's voice turned icy.

Without hesitation, Haku bolted into the woods adjacent to the training ground.

"Hmph!" The Anbu ninja snorted, about to give chase.

But just as he turned, he spotted movement in the grass nearby.

A figure in a fox mask emerged cautiously.

"Who goes there?" The Anbu ninja drew a kunai, vigilant.

It was none other than Shinji, hidden in the darkness.

Glancing at the retreating Haku and then back at the Anbu ninja, Shinji realized his recent proximity to Haku could implicate him if things went wrong. Moreover, the Anbu ninja's openly hostile demeanor suggested a connection to Danzo, likely monitoring him with malicious intent.

Amidst intermittent fireworks in the sky, Shinji and the Root ninja confronted each other in the secluded training ground, an eerie tension hanging between them.

Rustle.

A sudden rustling in the grass caught both their attentions simultaneously. The vigilant Root ninja hurled his kunai towards the source without hesitation.

Simultaneously, a small head popped up from the grass, an apple in its mouth, big eyes wide with curiosity fixed on the two figures in the training ground.

"Shion!?" Shinji exclaimed in surprise.

The kunai thrown by the Root ninja came dangerously close to Shion, bewildered and vulnerable, possibly striking her down in an instant.

Instinctively, Shinji stretched out his left hand towards Shion.

Instantly,

A yellow phantom burst forth from Shinji's body, extending like an arm and transforming into a colossal skeleton arm that shielded Shion in the grass.

Clang!

The skeleton arm deflected the kunai with a resounding clash, leaving the arena momentarily still.

All three present, including Shinji himself, stood in stunned silence at this unexpected turn of events.

Shion, momentarily stunned, broke free and looked up at Shinji with gratitude. "Big brother, it's you again! You saved me!"

The Root ninja stared at the towering phantom of the skeleton arm projected by Shinji, visibly taken aback. "Who are you?!"

Behind his fox mask, Shinji felt perplexed. "What's going on? Why did I instinctively use 'Susano'o'? Shion clearly has a protective charm!"

Regretting his impulsive use of 'Susano'o', Shinji processed the situation.

In an instant, all three moved.

Shion scrambled out of the bushes, apple forgotten, rushing towards Shinji.

The Root ninja instinctively attempted to flee.

Shinji's scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan was already activated, fixated on the Root ninja.

In that moment, the Anbu ninja's crouched leap was abruptly halted, frozen in place.

It seemed as if time stood still.

"Phew,"

After ensnaring the opponent temporarily with an illusion, Shinji breathed a sigh of relief.

In that moment, Shion darted forward, clutching Shinji's arm. "Brother, last time I didn't get a chance to thank you before you left!"

Shinji, retracting 'Susano'o', sighed in resignation.

It appeared that Shion's previous exposure to 'Susano'o' had nullified the psychological suggestion he'd implanted with his Mangekyo Sharingan.

Shion continued eagerly, "What's your name, big brother? Are you a Konoha ninja? Can we be friends?"

Shinji gently pulled away from Shion's grasp. "I..."

Before Shinji could respond, Shion hurriedly interjected, "I understand. You don't want to reveal your identity! I promise, I won't tell anyone about you. It'll be our little secret!"

"Our little secret," Shinji muttered, speechless.

Shion beamed up at Shinji. "So this time, don't disappear and make me forget you, okay?"

"Fine," Shinji hesitated briefly before reluctantly nodding.

Shion's face lit up with joy. "Really?"

"Really." Removing his fox mask, Shinji revealed a sincere expression. "If you don't believe me, look into my eyes."

Obediently, Shion gazed into Shinji's eyes.

They were pupils emanating a captivating allure, drawing one in with an irresistible urge to explore.

Shinji focused, discreetly activating his Mangekyo Sharingan, subtly implanting another psychological suggestion in Shion. "You're here now. You haven't met anyone."

Shion's gaze initially glazed over, then dulled as she repeated mechanically, "I haven't met anyone. I haven't met anyone."

Completing the illusion, Shinji patted Shion's shoulder lightly. "Sleep."

Thud.

Shion slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Watching Shion sleep peacefully and the Root ninja ensnared in his illusion, Shinji pondered his next move.

If Haku had issues, it didn't surprise him.

He knew Haku hailed from Kirigakure's Ice Release clan, making his presence at Konoha Ninja Academy peculiar.

Nonetheless, Shinji had to shield Haku despite his suspicions.

He needed time to mature.

During this critical period, he couldn't afford to give Danzo any pretext to target him.

"It seems likely Haku is a spy planted by other villages in Konoha, but how did he manage it?"

Recalling the Root ninja's earlier words, Shinji speculated on Haku's true allegiance.

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

The Root ninja had mentioned the timing of their rendezvous, precisely exploiting the village's current staffing shortages!

Abruptly, Shinji turned towards the Anbu building in determination. "Should I take the risk?"

End of chapter.