Land of Water

"Mm..."

Ye Lan replied casually, then politely asked the girl, "I still don't know your name, miss?"

The girl froze for a moment, then bit her lip and softly said, "My name is Kuri..."

"Miss!!"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a slightly panicked shout.

Ye Lan followed the voice and saw an elderly man in black hurrying over.

When the girl saw him, she hurriedly called out, "Grandpa Miyamama!"

The old man rushed over, shielding the girl without even sparing Ye Lan a glance. He anxiously asked, "Miss, are you all right?"

The girl smiled and shook her head.

Seeing that she was unharmed, the old man let out a relieved sigh.

He then glanced at Ye Lan, watching him with clear wariness as he asked coolly, "Who are you? Why were you with the miss?!"

As he spoke, his robes rustled in the wind. Clearly, he did not take Ye Lan for a good man.

Ye Lan said nothing, merely folded his arms and stared calmly at the old man.

Seeing this, the girl hurried over to stand protectively in front of Ye Lan. Flustered, she said, "Grandpa Miyamama, it isn't what you think. He didn't hurt me. On the contrary, he rescued me from those two bald idiots."

"Hm??"

The old man called Miyamama followed the girl's gaze to the side and indeed saw two bald men lying unconscious on the ground. Killing intent immediately filled his eyes.

The girl tugged at the old man's sleeve and explained everything that had happened. Only then did he calm down.

Kurihana Miyamama looked at Ye Lan and said apologetically, "Little brother, I'm truly sorry. This old man misunderstood you. Thank you for saving the miss."

Ye Lan waved it off and said, "As long as she's all right."

Hearing that, the old man said ashamedly, "This is all this old man's fault. The miss and I have only just arrived in Konoha. The miss is playful by nature, and this old man failed to keep a proper watch over her, which led to her encountering such scoundrels."

"Fortunately, the miss is safe and sound. Otherwise, this old man truly wouldn't know how to apologize to my lord."

He then turned to the girl and scolded her, "Miss, if you run off without listening to this old man again, I'll tell my lord."

The girl's little face immediately filled with panic. Tugging at his sleeve, she pleaded sweetly, "Grandpa Miyamama~ Don't tell Father, okay? Grandpa Miyamama is the best."

The old man smiled helplessly, his face full of indulgence. "I really don't know what to do with you."

"Hehehe..."

Seeing the girl's innocent appearance, not only Kurihana Miyamama, but even Ye Lan felt his heart melting.

After a moment, the old man said to Ye Lan, "Little brother, no matter what, I must thank you today."

Before Ye Lan could speak, the old man took a forehead protector from inside his robes and placed it in Ye Lan's hand.

"My name is Kurihana Miyamama. If you ever come to Kirigakure in the Land of Water, just give my name."

Ye Lan lowered his head and looked at the forehead protector in his hand.

He smiled and nodded at the old man.

Kurihana Miyamama smiled, then turned to the girl and said, "Miss, let's go."

Hearing that, the girl looked at Ye Lan with considerable reluctance.

Then, under Ye Lan's gaze, she left with Kurihana Miyamama.

Before leaving, she did not forget to turn back and call to Ye Lan with a grin, "Hey! Thanks! My name is Raku! Come to the Land of Water and play with me sometime!"

Ye Lan nodded firmly at the girl.