"Shinji Uchiha?"
The handsome young man's words seemed to soothe Ryūsetsuna, easing much of her tension.
Shinji poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. "Judging by your Forehead Protector, you're a shinobi from Kusagakure, right? Why were you near our Konoha, and why were you being hunted?"
As something came back to her, Ryūsetsuna hurriedly checked her ninja pouch. When she saw that the classified scroll was gone, she froze.
Seeing her reaction, Shinji said, "If you're looking for the scroll marked 'Classified,' don't worry. It's already been handed over to an elder in our village."
Ryūsetsuna let out a sigh of relief. "My mission was to deliver that classified scroll to Konoha."
"Have some water first." Shinji smiled and casually remarked, "You're about my age, but you're already carrying out such an important mission! By the way, has something happened in your village? Who were those people chasing you?"
Ryūsetsuna already liked Shinji, and an elder had also instructed her to answer any questions Konoha asked without keeping anything secret. So she told him everything about the strange events that had recently occurred in Kusagakure.
Shinji asked a few more questions and confirmed that Ryūsetsuna knew nothing about Karin or Kusagakure's attempt to steal the Nine-Tails. Then he said, "Just rest here and don't worry. If the Akatsuki Organization really has infiltrated Kusagakure, Konoha won't stand by and do nothing."
As Shinji prepared to leave, Ryūsetsuna, now recovered enough to speak, asked hesitantly, "Um..."
Shinji turned back. "What is it?"
Ryūsetsuna looked curious. "Shinji, are you a member of Konoha's Uchiha Clan?"
"The real deal!"
With a smile, Shinji revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then turned and left the hospital room.
He was very interested in Ryūsetsuna's unusual ability to trade her life for another's, which