Another little wife?

The moment the handkerchief in Naoru's hand touched Xiangling, she flinched backward in fear!

But Naoru gently yet firmly steadied her with one hand, while his other hand wiped the tears and grime from his own face!

In that instant, the once‑fearful Xiangling felt Naoru's hand was so warm, and the terror in her heart vanished inexplicably!

It felt just like the way her mother used to wipe her face before.

Xiangling's defenses crumbled in an instant, and she threw herself into Naoru's arms!

".Wuwuwu...

She began sobbing loudly in Naoru's embrace, her tears soaking the shirt across his chest!

"Alright, alright, it's okay now. Let's go, I'll take you home!"

Under the night sky, Naoru cradled the tiny Xiangling and headed toward Konohagakure, the Fire Country's village!

He didn't glance back at the bodies on the ground; after the mission was reported, the Land of Grass would send its own people to clean up!

Konohagakure, at the main gate!

A tall figure and a small one stood hand‑in‑hand at the entrance!

They were Naoru and Xiangling!

Because Xiangling was a little burden that slowed Naoru's pace, it took them five days to return from the Land of Grass to Konohagakure.

"Hey, this is Konohagakure—my home, and from now on it's yours too, got it!"

Naoru said to the little Xiangling.

Xiangling stared at the grand gate before her, eyes wide with amazement.

A tiny nation like the Land of Grass never has a gate as magnificent as Konohagakure's; seeing it for the first time, Xiangling felt like a country‑bumpkin stepping into a city.

.Whoosh

Two figures suddenly appeared in front of Naoru!

?Yo ho, isn't this our little master Naoru? So, you're back from a mission?

One of them said with a teasing tone.

Seeing the two figures before her, Xiangling shrank back behind Naoru in fear.

"Huh, there's a little girl too. Hey, Naoru, you didn't happen to kidnap some kid, did you? That's illegal here in Konohagakure!"

The other, noticing Xiangling clinging to Naoru, chimed in.

Ugh, I'm telling you two old guys, you're getting up there in age—time to retire. Stop scaring the little girl, or you'll break her spirit!

Naoru laughed back at them.

They were the pair of Konohagakure gate guards Naoru had known since childhood; the three of them had known each other for five years, and every reunion came with a few jabs.

.Tch, you rude brat!

"Jokes aside, Naoru, you still need to explain this little girl's background—it's part of our duty!"

Getting serious, they put away their smiles and spoke earnestly to Naoru.

"Relax, relax. This little girl is someone I met while on a mission in the Land of Grass. She was locked in a dungeon by my target, and her mother was killed by those people. Seeing her all alone, I brought her back."

"Don't worry, she's fine. I'll brief the Third Hokage about the details."

Naoru waved his hand, speaking calmly. He didn't elaborate further; after all, Xiangling's abilities are quite attractive to others, so the fewer people know, the safer she is.

"Oh, I see! Alright, I won't keep you. Go submit the report. Your two sisters have probably been missing you these past few days!"

After parting ways, Naoru led Xiangling into the village.

Strolling through the streets, Xiangling marveled at the bustling scenery inside Konohagakure, even more astonished.

Especially when passing the food stalls, the aromas made her mouth water.

Watching Xiangling stare at the food, unable to move, Naoru rubbed his forehead. In his past life, he only knew her as a Sasuke‑obsessed fangirl—he never realized she was also a foodie!

Having no other choice, Naoru bought her a skewer of candied hawthorn.

"Here, eat this first. I'll take you to meet an old man, and after that we'll go get something tasty!"

Xiangling took the candied skewer from Naoru and happily began munching.

Hokage's Office!

...**Knock knock knock...

Come in!

Naoru pushed the door open and stepped in with Xiangling.

"Old man, I'm back. Did you miss me?"

Naoru grinned and leaned toward the Third Hokage.

"Oh, isn't this Konohagakure's prodigy Jonin? So you've had enough fun out there…"

The Third Hokage gave a sideways glance at Neiraku, his tone dissatisfied, and said!

Neiraku quickly waved his hand: "Hey, look, old man, aren't you misunderstanding? It's not that I didn't want to come back sooner, it's that I couldn't. Look, I even brought a little one!"

Neiraku brought the girl behind him, Xiangling, in front of the Third Hokage. Xiangling, frightened by his gaze, instinctively curled into Neiraku's arms!

In fact, the Third had already seen her when Neiraku arrived, but said nothing, because he knew Neiraku wouldn't bring someone over for no reason!

"What? Brought another little wife back? Don't forget, that little Yakumo girl is still staying at your place. Watch out for a house fire!"

The Third said lightly!

Perhaps after spending so much time with Neiraku, the Third had actually started to master the art of retorting!

"At this point there's no need for you, old man, to worry. I'm still young and in good shape. As for you, you're old now; even if you wanted to, you'd be out of your depth!"

Neiraku looked at the Third with a mischievous grin!

"I…"

Caught off guard, the Third felt a mix of embarrassment and anger!

"You brat, anything else? If not, get out of here quickly!"

"Hold on, old man, take a good look at her hair color!"

Neiraku gently nudged Xiangling forward!

The Third stared at Xiangling's hair color for a moment.

"Red hair… could it be??"

His tone wavered as he looked at Neiraku.

"Right, I met this little girl during the recent mission. Unfortunately she's too young to remember anything from before, but if I'm not mistaken, she should be from the Uzumaki clan!"

Then Neiraku recounted the whole process of how he met the girl to the Third!

Finally, Neiraku said to the Third: "Old man, I brought her to see you because I want her to join Konohagakure and become one of its people, so I came to tell you personally, lest the ANBU keep watching her!"

"And also, I brought her back and consider her my sister now. I won't hand her over to you to turn her into your lab rat. Don't even think about it!"

Neiraku warned the Third!

The Third said nothing, just lifted his pipe and took a drag of dry tobacco!

Neiraku stood aside with Xiangling, waiting quietly for the Third's decision!

Finally, after a few puffs, the Third spoke: "You kid, what do you think Konohagakure is? We wouldn't treat an innocent like that!"

"Don't worry, I'll inform the ANBU. From now on, this girl will be one of Konohagakure's people! But since you brought her back yourself, you better make sure nothing weird happens, got it?"

The Third said to Neiraku!

"Tch, Konohagakure hides Danzo, who secretly kills geniuses, and Orochimaru, who was sentenced after being caught dissecting live humans, and you still dare say you won't hurt innocents!"

Neiraku muttered to himself, but kept it hidden.

"Fine, no problem, that's that. I'm heading back, old man!"

Neiraku waved at the Third, turned, and left with Xiangling.

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