Guardian

"Do you... really need me?"

Having finally shaken off the pursuit from Kirigakure for the time being.

The still-tender Kimimaro asked Lin Cheng, who was walking ahead of him, with a mix of confusion and hesitation.

"Of course! From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one I had been searching for—the person I could entrust my back to!"

Stopping in his tracks, Lin Cheng turned around and stared into Kimimaro's eyes, his gaze sincere.

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

"Mm."

Nodding gently, Kimimaro revealed a pure, innocent smile that only a child could possess.

"Let's go! We aren't completely out of danger yet; we still need to travel for a while longer!"

Extending his left hand toward Kimimaro, Lin Cheng said with a soft laugh.

"Mm."

Nodding again, Kimimaro happily took hold of Lin Cheng's outstretched hand.

The two young boys exchanged a glance, laughing as they headed further into the distance.

The laughter left in their wake seemed to imbue the places they passed with a touch of joy.

Three days later, watching Kimimaro use the power of his Shikotsumyaku to spear fish from the river.

Lin Cheng shook his head with a helpless, bitter smile and beckoned to Kimimaro.

"Little Jun! Come here! That's already plenty; we won't be able to finish them if you keep catching more!"

"Oh."

Seeing Lin Cheng beckon, Kimimaro immediately walked over to his side, still holding the skewered fish.

"Sit down, quickly!"

"Mm. Fish!"

Sitting obediently beside Lin Cheng, Kimimaro immediately handed the fish skewered on his bone toward Lin Cheng.

"Mm. This one is grilled; eat up!"

While taking the fish from Kimimaro's bone, he handed a grilled fish to Kimimaro, who was swallowing hard.

In Lin Cheng's eyes, there was nothing but the affection of an older brother for his younger brother!

"Brother Lin Cheng! You eat it! I've already had one!"

Although the act of swallowing had already betrayed Kimimaro's true thoughts.

The well-behaved Kimimaro still chose to shake his head, insisting that Lin Cheng eat.

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

Pushing the grilled fish toward Kimimaro once more, Lin Cheng signaled with his eyes.

"Mm~"

Happily taking the grilled fish, Kimimaro immediately took a large bite without waiting!

His eyes crinkled into crescent moons, as if the grilled fish in his mouth were the most delicious thing in the world.

He looked absolutely blissful.

Seeing this scene, Lin Cheng continued to grill the fish, a happy expression on his face.

He felt that having a younger brother was actually quite nice!

One eating fish, one grilling fish—the atmosphere was warm to the extreme!

However, there are always annoying people who appear at the wrong time!

Just as the third fish had finished grilling, one of the traps Lin Cheng had set in the distance was triggered.

"Finish your fish; Brother is going to go take care of some annoying pests."

Handing the grilled fish to Kimimaro again, Lin Cheng stood up to reassure him.

"Together!"

Not reaching for the grilled fish in Lin Cheng's hand, Kimimaro said in a calm tone.

Yet, his eyes flickered with stubbornness and determination!

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

And he would certainly be able to do it!

Looking at the face before him, tender yet filled with resolve, Lin Cheng nodded and smiled.

"Alright! Remember, not only must you protect me, but you must also protect yourself!

If something happens to you, there will be no one left to guard my back."

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

Nodding firmly at Lin Cheng, the two looked simultaneously toward the direction where the trap had been triggered.

Because the enemy had arrived.