Protection

"Do you... really need me?"

At last, they had temporarily escaped Kirigakure's pursuit.

Still very young, Kimimaro asked Lin Cheng, who was walking ahead of him, with a hint of confusion and hesitation.

"Of course! From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the person I'd been looking for—the one I could entrust my back to!"

Lin Cheng stopped and turned around. Looking Kimimaro in the eyes, he spoke with complete sincerity.

"Kimimaro! Are you willing to face danger with me?"

"Mm."

Kimimaro nodded lightly, revealing the pure, innocent smile only a child could wear.

"Let's go! We're not completely out of danger yet, so we still have a bit farther to travel!"

Lin Cheng extended his left hand toward Kimimaro and smiled gently.

"Mm."

Kimimaro nodded again, happily taking Lin Cheng's outstretched hand.

The two little boys exchanged a glance, then laughed as they headed off together into the distance.

Their laughter along the way seemed to fill every place they passed with a cheerful atmosphere.

Three days later, Lin Cheng watched as Kimimaro used the power of his Shikotsumyaku to spear fish out of the river.

With a helpless, rueful smile, Lin Cheng shook his head and waved Kimimaro over.

"Little Kimimaro! Come over here! We've got plenty already. If you catch any more, we won't be able to eat them all!"

"Oh."

Seeing Lin Cheng wave him over, Kimimaro obediently speared a fish and walked over to his side.

"Sit down!"

"Mm. Fish!"

Kimimaro obediently sat beside Lin Cheng and immediately offered him the fish skewered on his bone.

"Mm. This one's done roasting. Hurry and eat!"

Lin Cheng took the fish skewered on Kimimaro's bone and handed him a roasted one. Kimimaro was already swallowing in anticipation.

Lin Cheng's eyes were full of the affection of an older brother for his little brother!

"Big Brother Lin Cheng, you eat it! I've already had one!"

Though the way he swallowed had already betrayed what he wanted,

the well-behaved Kimimaro still shook his head and insisted that Lin Cheng eat.

"You silly boy! If you don't eat it now, it'll get cold and won't taste as good! Hurry up and eat!"

Lin Cheng held the roasted fish out to Kimimaro again and gave him an encouraging look.

"Mm~"

Happily accepting the roasted fish, Kimimaro immediately took an eager, enormous bite!

His eyes narrowed into crescents, as though the roasted fish in his mouth were the most delicious thing in the world.

He looked utterly blissful.

Seeing this, Lin Cheng continued roasting fish, a happy expression on his face.

He thought having a little brother was actually pretty great!

One ate fish while the other roasted it. The atmosphere was as warm as could be!

But there were always unpleasant people who showed up at the worst possible moment!

Lin Cheng had just finished roasting the third fish when the trap he'd left farther away was triggered.

"Eat your fish. Big Brother's going to take care of the annoying people."

Lin Cheng handed Kimimaro the roasted fish and stood up, reassuring him.

"Together!"

Kimimaro didn't take the fish Lin Cheng was holding out. His voice was calm.

But his eyes shone with stubborn resolve!

Lin Cheng had said he hoped Kimimaro could guard his back!

And Kimimaro would definitely do it!

Looking at the boyish face, young but resolute, Lin Cheng nodded and smiled.

"Okay! Remember, you have to protect yourself as well as me!

If anything happened to you, there'd be no one left to guard my back."

"Mm. I know! I will, Big Brother Lin Cheng!"

Kimimaro nodded firmly to Lin Cheng. Then the two of them turned to look toward the direction of the triggered trap.

Because the enemy had arrived.