Looking at Yūhi Kurenai lying on his bed, whom he had finally coaxed to sleep, Yamei gently kissed her forehead.
He had originally planned to take them with him, but they were different from Uchiha Izumi and the others.
Here, Yūhi Kurenai and the others still had friends, relatives, and families. It would be unfair to make them follow him to the Land of Waves.
Besides, his goal was unification. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
They could continue living in Konoha. Besides, he had the Flying Thunder God and could come see them anytime.
After tidying up, Yamei vanished once more.
The moment he appeared, the colorful assortment of small clothes before him made his eyes swim.
"Who is it?!"
A startled cry rang out. Then the wardrobe doors flew open, revealing a delicate figure holding a kunai and staring nervously at the wardrobe.
A mischievous smile rose at the corner of Yamei's lips. He vanished, then slowly appeared behind her and covered her mouth with one hand.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
The sudden attack filled the girl's face with panic. Her eyes widened as she struggled with all her strength.
"Little Ino."
The instant his voice sounded beside her ear, her struggling body froze.
Ino slowly turned her head. The moment she saw that familiar face, joy and surprise overwhelmed her, and she threw her arms tightly around Yamei.
"You jerk! I can forgive you for suddenly showing up, but you even scared me!"
Ino's choked words were full of reproach, yet her tone carried an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and longing.
"Don't cry. If you keep crying, you'll turn into a little piggy."
"Who... who's crying? I just got sand in my eyes from the wind!" Ino stubbornly retorted. Just as she was about to speak