Chapter 92 : A Candy!!!

The village where Mei Terumi lived nestled against the mountains and dense forests.

Throughout the village, hardly any young and able-bodied individuals could be seen. 

Only a handful of elderly residents remained, inhabiting modest wooden houses with roofs that leaked in many places.

As Uchiha Sogetsu carried Mei Terumi to the village entrance, they encountered an elderly woman leaning heavily on a cane. 

Her clothes were worn and tattered, her frame frail. She shuffled uncertainly through the wind and snow, her face etched with worry as she repeatedly called out, "Mei Terumi!"

"Grandma! Grandma, I'm here!" Mei Terumi exclaimed excitedly upon seeing the old woman.

Uchiha Sogetsu gently lowered her to the ground.

Little Mei Terumi rushed over and embraced the elderly woman tightly, affectionately rubbing her head against her chest. "Grandma, I missed you so much."

"Where have you been, child?" The elderly woman's anxious expression softened upon seeing Mei Terumi safe and sound. She let out a sigh of relief. "You had me worried sick! I searched everywhere, fearing the worst."

"I saw that you were unwell, so I went to the woods to gather firewood," Mei Terumi explained softly, her head bowed without complaint. 

She clutched the elderly woman's clothes, her voice trembling faintly. "But then I stepped into a trap. It was this kind ninja who saved me."

"Oh!" The elderly woman gasped in horror, holding Mei Terumi closer. "Are you hurt? Let me see if you're seriously injured."

Mei Terumi obediently shook her head, comforting her grandmother. "It's okay, Grandma. The ninja healed me. Look, I'm not hurt at all."

The elderly woman, still uncertain, inspected Mei Terumi closely once more, then finally relaxed. 

"Thank goodness you're safe. Thank goodness," she murmured with relief. "I was so scared. Promise me you won't wander off like that again."

"I promise," Mei Terumi nodded solemnly, her fear still palpable.

Meanwhile, the elderly man approached Uchiha Sogetsu, leaning on his cane, preparing to kneel. "Thank you, thank you, Sir ninja."

Uchiha Sogetsu extended his hand to halt her, smiling gently, "It's alright. Terumi Mei has helped me greatly. To be honest, I owe her."

"This child, if she've offended you in any way, please forgive her, Sir ninja," the old woman seemed fearful of ninjas, explaining anxiously.

"Grandma, the ninja brother is really nice!" Mei whispered, covering her mouth with her hand and tugging at the old woman's sleeve. "He's not like those bad ninjas. This Ninja brother is kind."

"Be quiet!"

The old man's expression changed slightly. He glared at her and scolded, "Don't speak ill of the Lord ninja! Have you forgotten how your parents died?"

At this, sadness filled Mei Terumi's eyes, and she bowed her head silently.

Observing this scene, Uchiha Sogetsu frowned, quietly sighing to himself.

He could guess the reason behind this situation. It was likely due to the Kirigakure's remoteness and resource scarcity, coupled with its strict secrecy policy, which elevated the status of ninjas to an extreme level. 

The civilians here had suffered oppression for so long that they naturally feared ninjas.

To some extent, the policies of the Hidden Mist Village were designed to exploit civilians to support the upper echelons of ninja society.

This situation wasn't unique to the Hidden Mist Village but pervaded the entire ninja world. Even in affluent places like Konoha, such disparities existed but were less visible.

High-ranking ninjas enjoyed abundant resources without worry, while less fortunate civilians toiled to sustain them.

Ninjutsu, originally meant for peace, had become primarily a tool of combat.

"Lord ninja, it's snowing outside."

Seeing no response from Uchiha Sogetsu, the old woman hesitated for a moment before cautiously suggesting, "If you don't mind, you could come inside and warm up."

"No."

Uchiha Sogetsu shook his head gently. "It wouldn't be good for you if I stayed. You've noticed, haven't you?"

Mei Terumi, still young, perhaps didn't fully grasp the concept of "ninja."

But the old woman, who had lived in the Hidden Mist Village for so long, scrutinized Uchiha Sogetsu with her eyes when they first met.

He wasn't wearing the forehead protector of the Hidden Mist Village, something inconceivable within the village itself.

The old woman's heart churned like a tempestuous sea, torn between survival and revealing the truth. But now, the truth was laid bare by the figure before her.

"No, no, I didn't find anything!"

The old woman's face paled, and she hastily pulled Mei Terumi close, kneeling heavily in the snow. "Ninja-sama, we know nothing!"

In her mind, countless scenarios flashed. An outsider ninja within the heart of the Hidden Mist Village spelled potential disaster. Silence was the only safe outcome for them.

"Please spare this child's life!"

The old woman prostrated himself, a bruise forming on her forehead. Eyes wide with terror, she pleaded, "She's innocent, and won't speak a word out of turn. Spare Mei Terumi, take my life instead!"

Confused, Mei Terumi was coerced into kneeling beside the old woman.

Only upon hearing his desperate words did she begin to comprehend. Fear flickered in her dark eyes. "Ninja... brother."

"Hmm."

Uchiha Sogetsu sighed, helping the old woman and Mei Terumi to their feet. "Don't worry, I won't harm you."

"Truly?"

The old woman seemed incredulous, sheltering Mei Terumi in her embrace.

Uchiha Sogetsu remained silent, crouching down to pat Mei Terumi's head. He handed her a candy wrapped in white paper and spoke gently, "In the future, don't wander into the woods alone. Take care of your grandmother. I'm leaving now. Don't mention seeing me to anyone, understood?"

Taking the candy, Mei Terumi's eyes shimmered. "Ninja brother, will we meet again?"

"Yes."

Uchiha Sogetsu ruffled her hair, straightening up with a smile. "We'll meet again someday in the future."

With that, he vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Grandma, the ninja brother is gone."

Mei Terumi stared at the spot where he had departed, her emerald green eyes tinged with nostalgia.

She delicately placed the candy on her chest, as if trying to capture the lingering warmth and scent.

"Let's head back."

The elderly woman took Mei Terumi's hand and they slowly made their way back to the village.

"Grandma, when I grow up, I want to become a ninja too!"

Mei Terumi suddenly resolved, her eyes firm. "I want to become a gentle yet powerful ninja like Ninja brother!"

"Alright then, you'll have to eat more~"

The old woman smiled. "To be a ninja, you can't be so thin."

As Uchiha Sogetsu departed, he felt a twitch in his eyebrow.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Puzzled, he furrowed his brow and carefully reviewed his actions, searching for any mistakes. Finding none, he reluctantly gave up, muttering, "Perhaps it's just my imagination. I've erased all traces. Even the Mist's Anbu can't find that village."

"Moreover, I've left a safety measure."

"The white paper wrapped around the candy has 'psychological invisibility' cast on it. Mei Terumi should be safe."

After reassuring himself once more, Uchiha Sogetsu remained cautious and returned to his original position. "Alright, this should ensure everything goes smoothly."

He chose a different path and vanished into the snowy forest.

This time, unlike before, he didn't erase his tracks but deliberately left clear footprints behind.

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