Enemies pursued them from both sides, while Ninjas who had received orders rushed out from the outpost ahead to surround them.
"Then—Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Countless Narukos split off in both directions.
Sure enough, the Hot Water Ninjas immediately fell into chaos.
"Hehe."
Having dodged the attacks, Naruko looked rather pleased with herself.
"Heave-ho~"
After nimbly evading another attack, Naruko had a sudden idea and headed in the opposite direction. The enemies followed the Shadow Clones, while Naruko arrived at a mountain village from another route.
The place was quite lively. It seemed to be a popular hot spring resort, and even after nightfall, it remained brightly lit.
There seemed to be some sort of event ahead as well.
"Is it a festival?"
Naruko murmured.
Her tangled emotions seemed to settle down along with it.
The girls wore light Yukatas, while children wandered around hand in hand with the adults.
"..."
A young woman happily passed by with a child in tow.
A middle-aged man carried a child on his shoulders as he headed toward the festival.
"..."
—How nice.
Though Naruko merely silently pulled up her cloak's hood, Sparkle felt certain that was what she was saying.
"Huh?"
But at that moment, she noticed someone seemed to be tugging on her cloak.
Naruko turned around and saw a little blond girl tugging at the hem of her clothes.
"Mommy..."
The child was only two or three years old. Looking dazed and confused, she stared at Naruko with her large, watery eyes.
But when Naruko turned around, the little girl saw her face.
"You're not Mommy..."
Tears immediately streamed down her face.
"Huh? Um—well—"
Naruko instantly fell into a panic.
"Mommy doesn't want me anymore, waaah!!!"
People around them immediately began staring.
"If you don't behave, I won't want you