Parting with Fu (Part 1)

Fu had been teaching Ye Wuji for nearly a month now. This morning, just as she was about to head out to find him—as tormenting the boy had become a habit over the past month—she was interrupted.

As she reached the doorway, a group of people approached, led by the Takikage accompanied by several Anbu operatives. The Takikage looked her up and down before asking, "Are you still planning to go teach that brat?"

"What's wrong? Is there something going on today?" Fu felt a bit strange; she hadn't seen the Takikage seek her out in days, so why today?

"You don't need to go anymore. Your father has sent people for you. Prepare yourself; you are to depart immediately with his subordinates for Sunagakure," the Takikage stated.

"So soon?" Fu was taken aback.

"It is fast. You've been so busy teaching that brat that you haven't even realized a month has passed. Given the war, you should have arrived long ago. Rest assured, the men who have come are your father's direct subordinates, so there will be no issues. Besides, I will keep an eye on that brat for you to ensure nothing happens to him. Go back and prepare; don't make your father's men wait too long. After all, your father is still fighting over there. Although the war is nearing its end, if any changes occur, his men being away from his side could cause problems. You must leave today," the Takikage insisted.

"I see. Then let me handle a few things, and I will go with them," Fu took a deep breath, as if she had made a decision.

"At this point, what else could you possibly want to do? Are you that worried about that brat? I will tell him you have matters to attend to and cannot teach him anymore. I assume you knew from the start you couldn't teach him for long. Besides, I will look after him well. What is the point of seeing him? It will only add to your sorrow," the Takikage said, puzzled by her daughter's intentions.

"I must see him. Besides, I am his master, after all. I'm leaving, so how can I not tell him? Furthermore," Fu smiled, "he still hasn't seen the true face of his master. That simply won't do."

The Takikage didn't react at first, but then it dawned on her. "You want that brat to see that? Absolutely not." The Takikage's tone became firm. Looking at the resolute expression on her daughter's face, she knew Fu had made up her mind.

The Takikage didn't want her daughter to suffer another blow. If something like that happened again, it would be devastating for Fu. "Even if you want to do this, are you not afraid of scaring him? You must remember he is just a child. If this leaves a psychological scar, he might never recover. You said it yourself, you are his master—is this how you treat your student?" The Takikage decided to try a different approach to dissuade her.

Fu smiled, a look of someone who had let go of everything. "If that really happens, then Mother, I have never asked you for anything in my life. This time, I am begging you to seal his memories. Let him forget everything about me, can you? Mother."

"Why must you do this? He is just a brat; what does he understand? Why go to such lengths?" At this point, the Takikage didn't know what else to say.

"It is precisely because he is a brat. This past month, I have been very happy. It's strange, I don't even know why myself. Only a child can show their true inner thoughts; they aren't like adults who can pretend to be pleasant while harboring hatred. I want to see if this month of companionship can offset the fear of human nature. Besides, I don't know how long I'll be gone, so I might as well let myself give up."

After speaking, Fu turned and walked away. "I'm going to pack my things. After I see him, I will leave the village. Tell them to wait outside; it won't take long."

By this time, Ye Wuji had already arrived at their usual training spot. He had grown quite fond of the Water Release: Water Blade technique. It was almost like a half-Ice Release, allowing him to create weapons out of thin air. If he were skilled enough, he could manifest several kunai-like projectiles at once, or even a long blade of ice. He recalled the high-level experts in the Naruto World; their taijutsu was incredible. Even Madara, who relied on his eyes, possessed formidable taijutsu. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, when Madara was first summoned via Impure World Reincarnation, he had single-handedly charged the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Ye Wuji practiced the Water Clone Technique and the Water Blade technique for a while, but after waiting for some time, he realized Fu still hadn't appeared.

"Strange, why is Sister Fu so slow today? She's so strong, yet she's only sixteen. Her level must be that of a genius, at least on par with Kakashi or Itachi. Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve, and Itachi was even more impressive, becoming an Anbu captain at thirteen. Still, there are many experts in the Naruto World. Look at Mifune from the Land of Iron; he fought Hanzo when he was young. Even though he lost badly, he was still incredibly powerful."

"Must work harder. Training." Ye Wuji encouraged himself. He was just about to practice his hand seals when he saw a figure appear before him—it was Fu. She was dressed in her usual attire, but she carried a scroll on her back that was nearly as tall as she was.

"Sister Fu, you're late today! You have to treat me to a meal. How can a ninja be so unpunctual?" Ye Wuji greeted her, sounding like an old man.

"You little brat, what are you saying? I came today because I have something to tell you," Fu said, unusually serious.

"What is it?"

"I have a mission and have to leave. It's a long-term assignment, so I might not see you for a long time. I'm leaving today and had to pack, which is why I'm late. Got it, brat?" Fu said.

"Oh." Ye Wuji nodded.

"Little guy, you don't seem surprised at all." Seeing his reaction, Fu was actually a bit startled.

"It's normal. I was wondering if Sister Fu had made a mistake. You've been practicing with me all month and haven't done anything else. I thought you were being punished and couldn't take missions. I've heard people say that ninjas earn their money through missions. You've been with me all this time instead of earning money, and I've been worried about that." Ye Wuji explained.

"Little guy, you're thinking about earning money already? When you grow up, you'll be able to earn plenty," Fu said, finding his mindset strange.

"That won't do. I'm currently eating and staying at Uncle Ukyo's house, and I have no relation to him. I can't just stay there forever without doing anything. Even Sister Tomomi has started learning to cook, and Yuta is Uncle Ukyo's apprentice, which is different from me. I haven't mentioned it because I haven't seen Uncle Ukyo lately, but even if you hadn't said anything today, I would have told you when he returned. I might not have much time for training in the future. Besides, even if Uncle Ukyo doesn't mind me staying, I heard he's only staying here for two years. After that, he's leaving, and I don't plan on following him. I'll have to earn my own way, so I want to see what I can learn now."

After hearing Ye Wuji's words, Fu fell silent. She hadn't considered that aspect at all, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

"Oh, right, Sister Fu, how long is this long-term mission?" Sensing the change in atmosphere, Ye Wuji quickly asked.

"I don't know. I have to go to other countries; it might take several years," Fu replied.

Hearing it would be that long, Ye Wuji paused, then continued, "That mission must pay a lot of money then. When we meet again, you have to treat me to a meal!"

Hearing his childish words, Fu couldn't help but smile. "Fine, whatever you want to eat, I'll treat you." She patted Ye Wuji on the head.

"Hmph, by then, you might not be able to reach my head anymore!" Ye Wuji huffed, sounding slightly annoyed.

"That's true. When we meet again, you'll definitely be taller. But, little brat, weren't you happy being with me? You didn't show any reaction when you heard I was leaving," Fu teased, pretending to be unhappy.

"I was very happy being with you, Sister Fu. As for you leaving, that's normal; it's not like we can't meet again. As for a reaction, I don't have anything to show," Ye Wuji said.

Hearing this, Fu was truly speechless. She stared intently at him, making Ye Wuji feel a bit uneasy. He quickly said, "Sister Fu, if you want anything, just take it. I don't mind."

"I've realized something," Fu said, looking at him.

"What is it?" Ye Wuji asked.

"You, little guy, will definitely not be popular with girls in the future," Fu said with the tone of a prophet.

"Huh?" Ye Wuji was stunned.

"This is for you." Fu tossed him a package. "It's a gift. Keep it safe."

As Ye Wuji caught it and prepared to see what was inside, Fu added, "You really won't be popular with girls."

Ye Wuji looked at her, confused.

"Since I'm your sister, I'll teach you. In a situation like this, you should say something like 'take care of yourself,' instead of looking at the gift I gave you. Understand? In the future, when you encounter this, do that, got it?" Fu said, acting like an expert.

"Oh, I see." Ye Wuji slung the package over his back and stopped looking at it.

"Good. Now, I have a question for you: do you think I'm prettier, or is your Sister Rei prettier?" Fu asked.

As Fu asked this question, Takikage-sama was watching the scene from a hidden spot nearby, causing the Anbu at his side to ask with some confusion, "What does Lady Fu mean by that?"

Takikage smiled but did not answer.

Upon hearing this question, Ye Wuji chuckled to himself, As expected, women all love this question. It's a good thing I'm not a child.

Ye Wuji hurriedly replied, "Of course Big Sister Fu is prettier! You're much prettier than Big Sister Rei, and Big Sister Rei has a terrible temper—she only knows how to bully me."

"Not bad, to think you know Big Sister Fu is pretty. So, do you want to see Big Sister Fu's true face?" Fu kept a smiling expression, but there was no warmth in her eyes as she stared fixedly at Ye Wuji.

True face? Ye Wuji was stunned by these words. Could it be that the Big Sister Fu before him wasn't showing her real face, but was using a Transformation Technique?

"I do!" Ye Wuji laughed, thinking to himself, Could it be an even more beautiful face, or something else entirely?