The traces of Obito and Black Zetsu's frantic retreat
vanished completely into the woods, and the wind that had carried smoke and murderous intent gradually subsided.
Pine needles fluttered down in its wake, scattering soft rustles across the thin moss on the ground, as though gently drawing the curtain on that harrowing confrontation.
"Hehe~ Don't be scared anymore, little girl... The bad guys are gone."
Qingwu turned around and saw Xiaoguang still holding up the Lotus Lantern. Her arms were growing sore, but her fingers gripped it tightly.
It seemed Black Zetsu's presence had brought back memories of her nightmare of being sealed away.
Such an adorable little girl.
How could you bear to seal her away for hundreds, even thousands of years?
You bastard.
You've earned yourself a death sentence.
The thought made Qingwu ache for Xiaoguang even more. He walked over, gently took her wrist, and lowered the lantern. "You can put it down now, Xiaoguang. I'm here. No one can hurt you."
Her wrist was slender and supple as a willow branch.
Qingwu is holding me... He's holding me... So... so soft and warm... So warm... I love it so much...
With her wrist in his hand, Xiaoguang could feel the warmth of his palm and the thin calluses Taijutsu training had worn onto his fingertips.
Xiaoguang lowered her head. Stray hairs at her temples clung to her cheeks, damp with the cold sweat from her fright. After all, Black Zetsu was the culprit who had left her sealed away in darkness and solitude for so many years.
Of course seeing him had shaken her.
Qingwu cursed again. Black Zetsu, you fucking deserve to die.
"Qingwu, just now... I wasn't trembling."
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, but stubbornly earnest. "Really... I wasn't. I