"Get on."
Natsume turned around and crouched in front of her.
"Huh?"
Hinata Hyuga completely failed to understand what he meant.
"We need to avoid your family's guards on the way out, so it'd be best if I carry you."
Natsume paused, then smiled. "If you want me to hold you instead, that's fine too."
"N-No need..."
Hinata Hyuga took a deep breath, rose onto her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Natsume supported her body with both hands and headed outside.
After the Cloud ninja kidnapping incident, the Hyuga Clan had tightened its defenses.
Getting in or out was difficult.
There were patrols everywhere.
Natsume planned to use the Mangekyō Sharingan to dash through the blind spots created when the guards moved.
Hinata Hyuga's body was taut with anxiety. She was worried they would be discovered.
She would be fine, but Natsume might get into trouble.
At the same time, lying on his back and feeling his warm presence made her face flush and her mind grow hazy.
She only snapped out of it when she heard Natsume's voice.
Hinata Hyuga landed steadily and instinctively looked around, her eyes immediately lighting up.
She had stayed at home for far too long. Even an ordinary street felt wonderfully novel to her.
"Let's go."
Natsume led the way, and Hinata Hyuga immediately followed.
He did not hold her hand, afraid she might faint. If that happened in front of everyone, he would never be able to explain himself.
Before long, they reached their destination.
"An orphanage?"
Hinata Hyuga stared at the words on the signboard, stunned.
"The Medical Ninja I mentioned is Yakushi Nonō. She happened to be off today, so she didn't go to Konoha Hospital."
Natsume smiled as he explained. "I grew up here. Like me, you