Relocation and Romance

Izuna felt a warmth in his heart as he watched Madara nod at him and give him that gentle, encouraging smile. The force with which he plucked the Biwa became a little lighter.

Brother Ban is really supportive of me! I need to work even harder!

He was smugly pleased with himself, completely oblivious to the complex and heavy brainwaves coming from Ban's side.

The stage lights and shadows shifted, and time flew by.

The next scene will depict the Relocation to Fukuhara.

The actors on stage busied themselves, carrying large and small boxes and props to simulate the chaotic scene of a hasty relocation.

Kiyotsune watched as several servants struggled to carry a large, obviously oversized trunk past, and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. "Brother, you have way too much luggage!"

Sukemori stood to the side with his arms crossed, complaining, "He took everything he could carry—books, clothes, even his favorite inkstone and incense. If I hadn't stopped him, he probably would have dug up the plum Plum Tree in the courtyard that he often stared at in a daze and taken it too."

Kiyotsune smiled helplessly, then turned around and saw Takuichi and Shinrei walking over from the other side.

"Takuichi, and Shinrei! Have you finished cleaning up?" Kiyotsune surprise.

Takuichi pointed to the two small bags stacked on the ground next to him—his own was smaller, and Shinrei's was slightly larger, but they mostly contained jewelry and clothing bestowed or given by Tokuko; she had very few of her own original belongings.

Kiyotsune exclaimed enviously, "Wow! It's so lightweight and convenient!"

Sukemori complained from the side, "If Grandpa hadn't insisted on Relocation to Fukuhara, we wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble."

Kiyotsune, on the other hand, was quite optimistic. "If we stayed in the Capital City, something might happen again! Once we get to Fukuhara, we'll have the sea in front and mountains behind! It'll be perfect for protecting everyone!"

Sukemori glanced at his younger brother speechlessly. "I really envy your childlike innocence, Kiyotsune. What Grandpa wanted to protect was the Taira's rule. Because the capital relocation was so hasty, there wasn't even time to build a proper residence. Everyone had to demolish their houses in Kyoto and transport the timber thousands of miles to Fukuhara to rebuild."

His gaze turned towards Kyoto, and his voice lowered. "The streets of the Capital City... will probably be reduced to Ruins as a result."

This somewhat somber and chaotic scene of the capital relocation did not last long.

Soon, the light and shadow on the Genjutsu wall in the background changed, and the street scene of Kyoto receded like the tide, replaced by the blue sea and sky, the white sand beach, and the rugged reefs.

The sea view of Fukuhara is vividly displayed on the stage.

The atmosphere immediately changed.

Kiyotsune, barefoot, ran joyfully on the fine sand, dodging the simulated Water Release, her clear, childlike laughter ringing out. "Oh! The sea is coming! How relaxing!"

Sukemori, still dressed formally, stood in a slightly drier spot, looking helplessly at his younger brother who was having a blast. "Kiyotsune, I really envy your childlike innocence."

Takuichi had somehow gotten close to Sukemori, and seeing that although Susumu complained, his eyes were unconsciously following Kiyotsune's happy figure, he lowered his voice and asked with a hint of mischief, "Don't you want to play in the water?"

Sukemori, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, immediately bristled. "No way!"

"Stop lying," Takuichi reached out to pull him, "You clearly really want to play~ Come on, come on~ It's okay to relax once in a while, Sukemori."

"Hey! Higa Takuichi! Let go! What kind of behavior is this!" Sukemori struggled frantically, trying to maintain his mature-beyond-his-years dignity, but Takuichi was obviously stronger than him. The two of them tugged at each other at the edge of the beach, one refusing with a stern face, the other insisting with a smile.

Shinrei stood aside watching them fool around, and couldn't help but cover her lips with the back of her hand and chuckle softly.

Just then, a clear and melodious voice rang out, carrying just the right amount of politeness and curiosity.

"Are you two... Sukemori and Kiyotsune?"

The two people who were pulling each other stopped and looked in the direction of the sound.

A handsome young man dressed in a white Kariginu stood not far away.

He was tall and elegant, like a noble young man who had stepped out of a painting, completely out of place with the noisy brothers.

The actor who plays the role is Uchiha Hinata.

He bowed slightly and introduced himself, "I am Taira no Tsunemori's youngest son, and my name is Taira no Atsumori."

"Ah, um... who is he?" Takuichi released Sukemori and looked at Kiyotsune and Sukemori with some confusion.

Kiyotsune had already run back, his eyes shining, and took the initiative to introduce, "He is our great-uncle's son, my cousin Atsumori!"

Atsumori smiled and nodded, "I visited your residence earlier and learned that you were here, so I took the liberty of coming to inquire after you."

Sukemori straightened his clothes, which had been Takuichi, regained his composure, and spoke with the aloof politeness of a scion of a prominent family.

"Brother Atsumori, there's no need for you to come all this way to inquire."

He found it strange that his cousin, who seemed so refined and had such excellent taste, would come to the beach to find them.

Atsumori's gaze, however, fell upon Kiyotsune, his eyes bright and sincere. "Because I've always wanted to get to know Kiyotsune! Hearing that you were here, I couldn't wait to find you!"

"???" Sukemori was practically filled with a question mark.

So he actually wants to see Kiyotsune??

In his eyes, Kiyotsune was still an immature child who liked to play in the water and play the flute, while the man in front of him, Atsumori, was an exceptionally noble young master.

A rich young master wants to befriend a little brat? This combination just doesn't look right.

Kiyotsune, however, was already flushed with excitement. "Brother Atsumori! I... I've long admired you! I've heard you're a renowned flute player!"

Atsumori took out a beautifully crafted bamboo flute from his sleeve and handed it to Kiyotsune with a smile, "I wouldn't call myself a master. This flute is called 'Little Branch,' and it was a treasure bestowed upon my great-grandfather by His Majesty Toba-in."

Kiyotsune carefully took the flute, his eyes filled with admiration and fascination. "Truly living up to its reputation! The flute body is lustrous, the tone holes are perfectly round... Please, I must hear Atsumori play his flute!"

"I'm also eager to hear Your Kiyotsune's wonderful voice!"

"Then how about we play a duet tonight on this shore, facing the bright moon and the ocean tide?"

"That would certainly be an incredibly elegant and delightful affair!" Atsumori readily agreed.

The two looked at each other and smiled, and a pure and joyful friendship based on shared interests was instantly established.

Takuichi nudged Sukemori with his elbow, his eyes full of amusement.

Sukemori pushed him away irritably, but secretly felt a little relieved.

He had indeed secretly worried about how Kiyotsune, with his innocent and carefree nature and lack of political acumen, would manage in the treacherous Taira and the new environment after the capital was moved. That's why he had stayed by his side and dared not leave.

Unexpectedly, his superb flute skills opened a door for him, leading him to meet a person like Atsumori.

In any case, it's a good thing.

However, at that moment, Atsumori's gaze naturally turned to Mare, who had been standing quietly a little distance behind the three men, her presence somewhat Shinrei.

Because she was turned to the side, facing Atsumori, the sea breeze was blowing her long, black hair, partially obscuring her face, making it difficult to see clearly.

Atsumori politely asked, "Excuse me, who is this gentleman...?"

Shinrei turned around when she heard the sound.

Just then, the sea breeze lifted her hair, revealing her entire face.

Her delicate features, serene expression, and the bright red Butterfly at the back of her head stood out against the backdrop of the blue sea and sky.

In that instant, Atsumori seemed to be struck by something invisible; his eyes widened slightly, and he stood frozen in place.

Kiyotsune, not noticing Atsumori's unusual behavior, smiled and introduced, "This is my family's Guardian Ninja, Higa Shinrei. That over there is her older brother, Higa Takuichi."

Shinrei lowered her head and bowed to Atsumori, her voice calm and even. "Shinrei greets Atsumori."

Atsumori's face flushed red instantly.

He waved his hand somewhat flusteredly, his voice unconsciously rising a little. "Ah, um, no need to be so formal! Please, please raise your head!"

Now, Kiyotsune finally understood.

He narrowed his eyes, looked at Atsumori, whose face was flushed, and then at Shinrei, who had her eyes downcast. He vaguely understood something, but said nothing. His smile faded and became more scrutinizing.

Sukemori raised an eyebrow, understanding dawning on him. Oh wow, it seems this elegant and handsome cousin, Atsumori, has fallen in love with Shinrei at first sight.

He glanced at Shinrei, then at Atsumori, thinking to himself: This guy is indeed good-looking, from a good family, and exceptionally talented. Standing next to Shinrei, they could be considered a handsome couple... perhaps...

Kiyotsune's smile returned, but now it held a hint of protectiveness. He stepped forward, slightly blocking Shinrei's path, his tone still polite, yet carrying a subtle reminder: "Atsumori? Although Shinrei is Guardian Ninja, I genuinely consider her an older sister. Please don't treat her with disrespect."

Atsumori immediately straightened up, his tone extremely serious, even somewhat urgent. "Of course! How could I possibly slight such a beautiful and special young lady!"

He paused, then his gaze couldn't help but drift to Shinrei, asking expectantly, "Excuse me, will Miss Shinrei also be attending tonight's moon-viewing ensemble?"

Shinrei kept her eyes lowered and respectfully replied, "I will follow Lord Kiyotsune and protect him."

"That's wonderful!" Atsumori's eyes lit up instantly, and his smile was incredibly radiant.

Takuma, who plays Takuichi, standing to the side. "..."

Holy crap, what's wrong with this guy? Is he really in love at first sight? He didn't act like this during rehearsals!

Looking into Atsumori's almost gleaming eyes, alarm bells rang in his mind.

Could this guy be confusing the on-screen and off-screen aspects? While Lian does look good right now, he's really getting into character!

During the previous rehearsals, Izuna did not strictly require them to maintain the "adult" state of the Transformation Technique; they only needed to understand the movement and the emotional tone of the lines.

When arranging the scene of Hinata and Shinrei's first encounter at the beach, Izuna simply felt that adding a touch of budding, hazy emotions between young people during this relatively peaceful period of relocation would add more depth to Fukuhara's seemingly tranquil time and foreshadow possible future developments.

Hinata, who plays Guo Sheng, and Lian, who plays Shinrei, had no objections. The two simply went over their lines twice to confirm the basic movements and reactions before it was over.

At that time, Hinata was completely in a professional, performative state.

Uchiha Hinata is a calm and precocious individual who has made a name for himself on the battlefield and in assassination missions at a young age. Although he is only 13 years old, his temperament far surpasses that of his peers.

He is good at understanding people's hearts, and it is not difficult for him to portray the elegance of a noble young man and the feelings of love at first sight. In addition, he himself does not have any particular interest in little girls his own age, so he was naturally at ease when facing Hinata Rei, who was also a child during rehearsals.

But he never expected that at the moment of the actual performance, when the two of them used the Transformation Technique to adjust to close to their character's age, Hinata Rei revealed her adult appearance and demeanor, it would have such a direct impact on him.

A sea breeze swept by, revealing before him a slender, graceful young woman with a serene and beautiful face.

The focus and tranquility between her brows, the liveliness and contrast brought by the bright red Butterfly at the back of her head, and the gentle temperament that Hinata Rei unintentionally revealed.

Setsuna Shinrei turned her head and their eyes met, Hinata felt as if his heart had been squeezed tightly by something, and then suddenly released, his blood rushing to his limbs.

What acting skills? What studying? What kind of task-oriented performance?

None of that is needed anymore.

He's in love.

That surge of warmth rising from the depths of my heart, that desire to get closer, to know more, to make those calm eyes look only at me—it was incredibly real, surging and overwhelming.

At this moment, Uchiha Hinata understood with absolute clarity what the phrase "love at first sight" truly meant.

He looked at Lian, and only one thought flashed through his mind in an instant.

--It's decided! No matter what, I'm going to win Hinata Rei and make her my wife!

Hinata Rei, caught in the sudden, intense, and direct gaze of admiration from "Atsumori," was truly at a loss.

After reciting her lines according to the script, she should have stood respectfully with her eyes lowered, but the gaze was so intense that she couldn't help but secretly look up.

Upon looking up, she was met with Atsumori's face, which was flushed with excitement and shyness, making him even more handsome and extraordinary. His eyes, which seemed to be filled with the starlight of the entire sea, were staring straight at her, filled with undisguised amazement and eagerness.

That look in his eyes... it didn't seem like acting at all!

Lian's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks began to burn uncontrollably.

After all, she was still a sensitive young woman at heart. Although she was well-trained as Ninja, she had never before been looked at with such a gaze by such an outstanding man.

Especially his appearance at this moment, that refined and elegant look that lies between youth and adulthood, is simply... excessively handsome.

She subconsciously looked away slightly, her ears turning slightly red.

Keen-eyed audience members had already noticed this subtle shift in atmosphere.

The pink bubbles emanating from the two young actors were so obvious that they immediately became excited.

"Ouch~"

Wow...

"Oh dear, young man."

"Look, look! That Atsumori, his eyes are practically glued to the screen!"

"Miss Shinrei is blushing! How cute!"

Is this acting or for real?

"Whether it's true or not, they look perfect together!"

Quiet murmurs spread through the audience.

The other actors on stage naturally noticed it as well.

Kiyotsune's smile faded, his brows furrowed slightly, and his gaze towards Hinata revealed obvious displeasure. He subtly moved closer to Shinrei, his body conveying a strong sense of protectiveness.

Sukemori, on the other hand, wore a look of anticipation, a playful smile curving his lips. He nudged Takuichi next to him with his elbow and whispered, "Hey, your 'little sister' seems to be in trouble."

Takuichi didn't respond to Sukemori's words. He just narrowed his eyes, staring at Shinrei, who seemed to want to devour Atsumori, and snorted coldly in his heart.

You, Uchiha Hinata always act so calm and collected, but you're actually this kind of person! You dare to make a move on Rei? Just wait and see how I help you get into character!