"Big brother... Big brother... please teach us..."
"Yeah, yeah, stupid big brother, just teach her! Sister He Yin has never begged anyone before!"
"As long as big brother teaches Sister He Yin, Chun will give big brother Chun's favorite grasshopper..."
Inside the ruined house, the children's pleading voices only grew more intense. A few of the children even wore expressions that went beyond mere whining and acting cute—expressions as though they had found something fun to play with.
No... I can't take it anymore...
Stop... stop shaking me! Chiba's head was filled with those crisp, spoiled children's voices. His weak body kept swaying, with every sign that the shaking was growing worse. It felt as if even his brain were being shaken around, and the discomfort became increasingly intense. A feeling of nearly fainting rose within him, and he almost instinctively cried out for them to stop.
But by then, he was already too dizzy to speak. He could not even open his mouth.
"Enough!"
Then, just as the Little Monster whom all the major ninja villages feared enough to issue special treatment orders for was about to be shaken unconscious by a group of children, He Yin, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke. Her first words came as a harsh, scolding shout.
"Gah..."
At once, all six orphans jolted, and their voices cut off abruptly.
In an instant, the ruined house fell silent.
"Let go!"
That was followed by another stern shout.
"Yes..."
The children answered in scattered voices, somewhat frightened and somewhat unwilling. As they did, the little hands clutching at Chiba's tattered, misshapen clothes slowly released their hold, reluctant and unwilling to let go, then withdrew behind their owners' backs.
The children looked at one another, lowered their heads, and did not dare look