Enemy

Under the gaze of his companions and the restaurant patrons, Ye Zi put on a real-time competitive eating show. He swept the grilled meat from the table into his mouth with a speed that rivaled a gust of autumn wind scattering fallen leaves. His eating pace was so astonishing that even the Akimichi Clan would have been left in awe.

In less than five minutes, only empty plates stained with oil remained on the table.

Bei Xingye stared blankly at Ye Zi, the slice of meat he was holding with his chopsticks falling onto the table with a soft pat. Kushina, meanwhile, had already filled her own plate with more than enough.

"It doesn't seem like enough."

Ye Zi rubbed his stomach, still feeling a slight pang of hunger. He frowned slightly, but despite his dissatisfaction, he didn't plan on ordering more grilled meat. After all, Bei Xingye wasn't a wealthy patron.

Sighing inwardly, he looked towards Kushina, who was slowly eating the grilled meat on her plate.

Sensing Ye Zi's gaze, Kushina quickly pulled her plate back, warily watching Ye Zi's wolf-like expression. She scoffed, "Don't expect me to share."

"Tch."

Ye Zi turned his head away, not surprised by the outcome.

Just then, Bei Xingye, having snapped out of his daze, trembled as he picked up the slice of meat that had fallen on the table and threw it into his mouth, chewing silently. After a moment, having swallowed the meat, he used the brief time of chewing to calculate the money in his wallet. Then, with a forced smile, he said, "Um, do you want more?"

Ye Zi's eyes lit up at the question, but he didn't want Bei Xingye to spend more, so he shook his head, indicating it wasn't necessary.

Seeing this, Bei Xingye let out a subtle sigh of relief. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have been so concerned, but Ye Zi's stomach was like a bottomless pit; you never knew how much he could consume.

Although Ye Zi wasn't eating anymore, Bei Xingye, who had only eaten two slices of grilled meat, felt too embarrassed to order more. He sat there blankly, staring at his small plate with only a slight oil stain.

Suddenly, a pair of chopsticks holding grilled meat reached into his plate and placed a slice down.

Bei Xingye looked towards Kushina, who was sitting on the inner side. She had transferred half of the grilled meat from her plate to his.

"Kushina..." Bei Xingye's eyes were filled with emotion.

"Eat quickly, before someone snatches it," Kushina said, glancing at Ye Zi. He remained unfazed, resting his chin on his hand and looking out the window.

After the meal, Bei Xingye suggested they take a walk in the Sakura District, to which Ye Zi and Kushina readily agreed.

It was the height of cherry blossom season, and the area planted with cherry trees was bustling with villagers. Pink petals danced in the wind, and the air was filled with the unique fragrance of cherry blossoms.

Kushina watched the drifting petals, remembering that it was here, a year ago, that she realized she didn't truly want to become Hokage.

Even now, those malicious taunts about her unusually red hair never ceased. Fortunately, her two companions beside her had never shown any disgust towards her hair, not even the slightest hint.

Looking at Ye Zi, who stood with his hands in his pockets with a detached expression, and Bei Xingye, who was beaming and whose gaze towards her always held a hint of warmth, Kushina's lips curved into a smile.

As evening approached, Bei Xingye reluctantly bid farewell to Kushina and Ye Zi and left first.

Ye Zi watched Bei Xingye's elongated shadow in the twilight and asked Kushina beside him, "What are your plans?"

"What plans?" Kushina feigned ignorance.

"Nothing," Ye Zi shook his head, turned, waved, and walked away.

Only after Ye Zi disappeared around a corner did Kushina let out a soft sigh. She knew Bei Xingye liked her, but she had no feelings for him. She really wanted Bei Xingye to give up soon, but thinking of his personality, she felt helpless.

She shook her head, casting these troublesome thoughts aside, and started walking in the direction of her home.

Around the corner, Ye Zi leaned against the wall, his head slightly turned to watch Kushina's departing figure. He wondered if he should secretly follow her.

The few hostile presences he had sensed at noon were definitely not friendly, and they were targeting Kushina. Although he didn't understand why someone would target a mere Genin like Kushina, he felt he should inform her or follow her to protect her from the shadows. However, when he thought of those presences belonging to Konoha ninja, and the Anbu monitoring him from the shadows, he hesitated.

"Since someone is already protecting her, there's no point in me going," Ye Zi thought, his decision leaning towards not following.

He turned and took a step, but couldn't bring himself to take a second.

"But... what if something unexpected happens?"

Ye Zi stopped, his brow suddenly furrowed deeply. In the past, he would have remained uninvolved, but why was he hesitating so much at this moment? Was it solely because Kushina bore a slight resemblance to Ye Rui?

With that thought, Ye Zi shook his head in annoyance. He knew it might truly be because of Ye Rui, but he didn't want to admit it. His ultimate goal was to leave this place and return to Earth, so he didn't want to get involved with anyone here.

But... why couldn't he just turn and leave decisively?

"Damn it."

After hesitating for a long time in place, Ye Zi moved his lips, silently cursing, and then quietly hurried in the direction of Kushina's home.

He could sense an Anbu member monitoring him but couldn't shake them off. Even if he had the ability, he wouldn't dare to, and moreover, he currently lacked the ability to evade their surveillance.

Konoha village was vast, with the Hokage Rock forming one side and towering walls enclosing a large area. Inside the walls, besides dense residential areas, there was also the Forest of Death. It could be said that the expansive Konoha village had both prosperous and secluded places, and the area where Kushina lived was one of the secluded parts.

When Ye Zi arrived at Kushina's home, he saw several Konoha ninja lying in a pool of blood. His expression changed instantly. After a brief assessment of the situation, a flicker of regret crossed his eyes.

Several Konoha ninja were dead, with multiple wounds. The fatal injuries were cuts across their throats. The blood still had some warmth, indicating that they had not been dead for long.

"Kushina..."

Ye Zi glanced towards the residence. Sensing Kushina's absence, uncontrollable worry appeared in his eyes, and he immediately ran towards the nearest wall.

He had no time to notify others, and he was certain that the Anbu would abandon their surveillance upon seeing this scene and instead report to the Hokage.

As expected, the moment he scaled the wall and exited the village, Ye Zi could no longer sense the Anbu monitoring him.

After climbing over the wall and leaving the village, Ye Zi ran around like a headless fly. Lacking effective tracking methods, even though the enemy had abducted Kushina not long ago, he couldn't determine which direction they had gone.

His heart sank, and Ye Zi felt a surge of unquenchable anger building in his chest.

If he hadn't hesitated for so long...

Ye Zi clenched his fists, his face so dark it looked like water could drip from it. A chilling killing intent appeared in his eyes.

He suddenly thought of Ye Rui, and his expression grew even more somber.

The feeling of being unable to protect was like his heart being ripped apart, causing him immense pain.

If Orochimaru were here, he would surely be surprised. Although Ye Zi had killed many people on missions, Orochimaru had never seen even a trace of killing intent from him. But now...

Just as Ye Zi began to despair while searching for clues, in the last ray of sunlight before the sun set, several strands of pure red hair caught his eye.