Two hours later.
So... that was how it was...
Looking at Zong Mi's worried face beside the bed, and the little bald boy hiding behind him, occasionally peeking at him, Chiba frowned slightly. He forcibly held back a sigh, though a flash of understanding passed through his heart.
Over the previous two hours, Zong Mi had carefully explained the situation here to him.
"This is the predicament we're facing right now. As for what to do next, I don't know either. If this continues, I'm afraid..."
At this point, Zong Mi glanced at the frowning Chiba, pressed his lips together, then looked at the little bald boy poking his head out and gently stroked his head, letting out a soft sigh.
Though he was merely an ordinary fourteen-year-old boy, that sigh was filled with sorrow. It was absolutely not a sigh a normal child could make. It was clear that beneath Zong Mi's youthful appearance was a mature heart forged by harsh circumstances, one that did not match his age.
This Taki Chiba could be trusted.
Such a thought passed through Zong Mi's mature mind, so at odds with his outward appearance. Throughout his account, he had been observing this Konoha ninja who looked younger than himself, and by instinct, he had judged that this Konoha ninja could be trusted.
His instincts told him that this boy from Konoha truly wanted to help them.
And that he was worthy of trust.
Indeed, if things kept going like this, then everything might truly...
Hearing Zong Mi's words, Chiba could not help but sigh inwardly as well.
He had no doubts about what Zong Mi said. While Zong Mi had been observing him during the account, he had also been observing Zong Mi. He could tell that Zong Mi was telling the