Land of Hot Water, named after the natural hot springs scattered throughout the territory, is a narrow strip of land between Land of Fire and Land of Lightning.
This is a Shinobi World famous tourist destination. Even during the war, the hot spring hotels dotted here and there were still crowded with people. Famous nobles and wealthy businessmen from all over the world were squandering the wealth they earned during the war years here.
Uchiha Jun put on the attire of a noble prince, and Uchiha Hikari also put on a plain light purple kimono. Her long black hair was tied up in a loose bun behind her head, revealing a slender white back of her neck.
Yugito Uchiha Jun had no intention of criticizing anyone and did not treat them differently. He was also wearing a blue kimono, but the expression on his face was still a bit stiff, but at least he had no intention of resisting.
"Let's go and have some fun first. It's boring to fight and kill all the time."
Uchiha Jun waved his hand and led the two of them into the busiest commercial street of Land of Hot Water.
There are many shops on both sides of the street, selling takoyaki, selling fried noodles, selling three-color dumplings, selling cotton candy... The aromas of various foods are mixed together, filling the air into a breathtaking smell.
Geishas in gorgeous kimonos walked by with oil-paper umbrellas, and occasionally looked back and smiled, showing their charm.
Uchiha Jun stood in front of a jewelry store and his eyes fell on an opal hairpin.
The workmanship of the hairpin is extremely exquisite. The silver hairpin is carved with fine vine patterns, and the top is inlaid with a dark green cat's eye stone, which glows with a warm amber-like luster under the light.
"Boss, how much does this cost?"
"Your Majesty, you have a good eye! This hairpin is the treasure of our store. It is made of fine cat's eye stone and the silver is sterling silver imported from Land of Lightning..."
The boss introduced it eloquently, but Uchiha Jun interrupted him directly, "Stop talking nonsense, how much does it cost?"
The boss immediately understood and raised five fingers with a smile, "Five hundred thousand taels."
Uchiha Jun Without saying anything, he took out a banknote and slapped it on the counter. "Wrap it up."
Then he inserted the hairpin into Uchiha Hikari's cloud-like black hair.
Her breathing stagnated slightly, and she gently raised her fingers and touched the end of the hairpin.
"It's so beautiful." Uchiha Jun smiled and took a half step back, taking a look, "It suits you better than I thought."
"... thank you."
Uchiha Hikari lowered his head, his voice was very soft, but his ears quietly turned red.
Yugito on the side watched this scene silently, with extremely complex emotions flashing through his feline-like vertical pupils.
It wasn't hostility or jealousy, but a feeling... that she couldn't explain.
From childhood to adulthood, in Kumogakure, her status as Jinchuriki destined her to be unable to have the emotions and needs of ordinary people.
No one will buy hairpins for her, no one will pay attention to what she likes and dislikes.
She is just a tool, a weapon, and a ninja.
But the young man in front of her who had just captured her was buying hairpins for her.
This made her feel a strange, indescribable... confusion.
At this moment, Uchiha Jun turned his head and glanced at her.
Then he walked to the stall next to him and picked up a bracelet woven with red rope, embellished with a round cat's eye stone, which shimmered amber in the sunlight.
"This is quite suitable for you."
He handed the bracelet to Yugito, "Try?"
Yugito was stunned.
She looked at the bracelet, then raised her head again, looking at the smiling face of Uchiha Jun, and was silent for a long time.
"... Why?"
She finally spoke, her voice hoarse and dry, "I am your prisoner."
"Prisoners can also wear bracelets." Uchiha Jun smiled, "Don't think too much, just think of it as... an entry gift."
Yugito looked at him, and the outstretched hand hovered in the air for a moment.
Then, she slowly stretched out her hand and took the bracelet.
"... thank you."
I don't know if it's Limited Tsukuyomi that's working, or Stockholm's law.
Yugito did not breathe in response, but lowered his head and held the bracelet in his palm. His voice was muffled, as if it was squeezed out from the bottom of his throat.
Uchiha Jun smiled and said nothing more.
Take the two of you to continue eating, drinking and having fun.
As night fell, Uchiha Jun took the two of them to Land of Hot Water's most prestigious hot spring hotel - "Moon Viewing Hot Spring".
This hotel is located halfway up the mountain and covers an extremely large area. There are seven open-air baths of different styles. Each bath uses natural hot spring water from different springs. It is said that it has different curative effects on the skin, joints, and meridians.
Uchiha Jun directly booked the entire hotel.
"What? Private reservation?" When the hotel owner heard this request, the smile on his face suddenly froze, "Sir, our Moon Viewing Hot Spring is the largest hot spring hotel in Land of Hot Water, and we will pay for one night..."
"Ten million taels."
Uchiha Jun slapped a stack of banknotes on the counter, "Is that enough?"
The hotel owner looked at the bank note, his eyes almost popped out of his head, and he nodded quickly. "Enough! Enough! Absolutely enough! I will clear the place right now!"
In less than half an hour, only Uchiha Jun, Uchiha Hikari and Yugito were left in Moon Viewing Hot Spring.
The heat of the hot springs rises in the courtyard, and the air is filled with a faint smell of sulfur and grass. The mountains in the distance show deep outlines in the twilight, and the last ray of sunset on the horizon is slowly dissipating.
Uchiha Jun leaned on the bluestone beside the pool, spread out his arms and rested them on the edge of the stone, and let out a long sigh in comfort.
The steam swirled in front of him, blurring his vision and blurring the outline of the woman in the distance.
At the same time, over at the female hot spring, Uchiha Hikari and Yugito were soaking in the hot spring. There was a short distance between them, and the heat on the water made each other's vision blurry.
Yugito was leaning on the rocks beside the pool, eyes closed, brows slightly relaxed, and the originally tense face showed signs of relaxation for the first time after being soaked in the hot spring.
"... The water here is so comfortable."
She suddenly spoke, her voice was very soft, as if she was talking to herself.
"Yeah." Uchiha Hikari responded without saying anything more.
Yugito was silent for a moment and then said, "Today... he bought me a bracelet."
"I have eyes." Uchiha Hikari's voice was still calm.
"... Aren't you angry?"
"Why are you angry?" Uchiha Hikari turned his head and glanced at her, "He is free to buy things for him."
Yugito was silent for a few seconds, then lowered his head and looked at the red rope bracelet on his wrist, with a confused look in his eyes for the first time.
Suddenly, a loud noise came from the entrance of the hotel.
"Go away! If I can't afford the trip, why can't I take a bath? I can take a bath in this hot spring today!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! I'm really sorry, the venue has been booked tonight..."
"Booked the venue? Who booked the venue? Let him get out and see me!"
Uchiha Jun sighed lightly, raised his hand Hand Seals to cast Shadow Clone, and then Shadow Clone walked towards the entrance.
At the door of the hotel, five or six wandering warriors with long swords on their waists were pushing and shoving with the hotel owner. The leading warrior had a sinister face and a thick gold chain hanging around his neck. At first glance, he was not a good person.
He was about to force his way in, but when he saw Uchiha Jun walking out in a bathrobe, his triangular eyes narrowed slightly and the corner of his mouth raised a sinister smile.
"You're the one who arranged the show? Boy, are you quite rich?"
"Do you know what the principle of 'everyone who sees you has a share' means?"
Uchiha Jun looked at him, there was no wave in those dark eyes.
"Fuck you, the new 'script' has just been drawn up, so let's let you experience the 'loli' experience."
The leading warrior was stunned for a moment, then became furious: "What the hell--"
Before he finished speaking, he felt like the world was spinning.
When he came back to his senses, the few wandering warriors were all stunned in place, and after a while, screams and wails began one after another.
"Hey!! No! Don't mess with my bond!! Damn old man!!"
"Why does this old man need to be so fussy! No! Stop fussing! My purse! My purse is going to fall off!!"
"Damn it! Where is Loli?! Kid! You deserve to die!!!"
"What does that Elephant do?!... No! Don't come over! Don't come over!!!"
In just a few moments, several wandering warriors bled from their orifices and died with ferocious expressions.