Valley

Before setting out on the mission, Uchiha Naoto had dosed Wuming and Qiancao with a poison that would take effect in seven days. Although, in Qiancao's understanding, such a thing did not exist in the Naruto World, Hiri was still deeply worried about them.

Not wanting to bluntly say that Naoto was lying, Qiancao could only comfort her, "It should only be for one night. Counting the two days of travel, we are still far from the deadline for our return."

Senju Arashi asked curiously, "If you don't return, what will the Uchiha Clan do to you?"

Qiancao fell silent, unsure if he should speak ill of the Uchiha. Although they had never done anything good for him, the blood of the Uchiha flowed through his own veins, and a clean break was impossible.

To his surprise, Hiri spoke up from the side, "Qiancao and the girl over there took a poison newly developed by the clan before executing the mission."

"If they don't return to take the antidote within seven days, I fear their lives will be in danger."

After hearing Hiri's words, Senju Arashi put on a fearful expression and joked, "It seems that peace with the Uchiha is still a long way off."

Hiri, however, did not seem to be joking at all; she said with an earnest tone, "Miss Senju, I have a presumptuous request. I wonder if you could grant it."

Senju Arashi glanced at Qiancao triumphantly, as if to say: See how famous I am? You brat didn't even recognize me.

Then, Senju Arashi said, "We've been through life and death together, so just say whatever request you have, Sister."

Qiancao was amazed at how quickly Senju Arashi had become familiar with them, but Hiri, who had known of Senju Arashi's personality beforehand, spoke up:

"My name is Uchiha Hiri. You can just call me Hiri."

"I have heard that the Senju Clan and the Aburame Clan have a very good relationship, and the Aburame Clan are experts in using toxins. They would certainly be able to suppress the poison in Qiancao and Wuming."

"Please, Miss, take them both back and give them their freedom!" As she spoke, she even tried to struggle to her feet, wanting to make a formal request in a kneeling position.

Unfortunately, her body was too weak, and she nearly fell to the ground, only saved by Qiancao supporting her.

With her hands bound, Senju Arashi wiggled on the ground like a caterpillar, facing Hiri and saying, "Sister Hiri, there is no need to be so formal."

"Since I haven't returned, the personnel responsible for my retrieval in the clan will definitely come into the mountains to look for me."

"I have a communication insect on me used by the Aburame Clan for long-distance contact. If I'm not mistaken, my friends from the Aburame Clan will come to find me."

"When that time comes, I will ask them to examine these two young ones. If they can solve it, that would naturally be for the best."

Hiri was overjoyed, her voice trembling as she thanked her, "Thank you, thank you, Miss..."

Qiancao, standing to the side, could tell that Hiri was genuinely happy for them from the bottom of her heart. A wave of emotion welled up in him, but he still said calmly:

"Sister Hiri, if we leave, what will happen to you? Why don't you come with us!"

Hiri smiled weakly, "My parents and friends are all still in the clan; how could I just walk away? But you are different. Poor children who have lost their parents should not be treated like that by the clan..."

She then pulled herself together and said confidently, "When I go back, I will say that Uchiha Keisuke forcibly ambushed us, and that I was separated from you when I woke up."

"Ever since he woke up, his behavior has been strange. Some people in the clan had already been keeping an eye on him, but I didn't expect he would actually dare to make a move."

Senju Arashi couldn't help but interject, "Speaking of which, that companion of yours is truly strange."

Hiri asked, "I wonder if Miss Arashi could describe to us what was strange about Keisuke?"

So, Senju Arashi lay on the ground and vividly described the final, terrifying appearance of Uchiha Keisuke—or rather, Black Zetsu.

When she mentioned a thin black film covering half of his body, Qiancao's heart skipped a beat: Isn't this appearance exactly that of Black Zetsu, the one who incited all the conflicts in the ninja world in the Naruto anime?

Suppressing the urge to explain it to the two women, Qiancao decided to keep the secret for now. He knew that even if he revealed the origin of Black Zetsu, no one would believe him, and it would only invite suspicion and panic.

Hiri pondered deeply based on Senju Arashi's description, but finally apologized:

"As far as I know, our clan does not have any ninjutsu that looks like that, and I don't know where Uchiha Keisuke learned it."

Seeing her sincere expression, Senju Arashi knew that Hiri was likely telling the truth, so she stopped dwelling on it and turned to Qiancao:

"Little Brother Qiancao, come help your sister turn over. Lying on my stomach like this makes my chest hurt!"

Looking at the two flattened spheres beneath Senju Arashi, Qiancao thought to himself, It must be quite tiring to carry those two things around.

He stepped forward to help Senju Arashi turn over, letting her sit against a large boulder by the river.

Senju Arashi thanked him, and looking at Qiancao, she couldn't help but tease, "What I said earlier is still valid, you know. If Little Brother Qiancao thinks of anything he wants to do to me, this sister is always ready."

She teased Qiancao until his face turned red, and he couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

Seeing him blush, Senju Arashi felt very satisfied: It seems I still have quite a bit of charm!

Having regained some ground, Senju Arashi felt much better and said to Qiancao, "You protected us when we fell into the water; I'm afraid you're not lightly injured. You should rest for a while."

"This place is vast and we can't see the exit. Those rogue ninjas shouldn't be able to find us for the time being. Staying here is the safest option."

Hiri agreed with Senju Arashi's assessment. For travelers lost in the mountains, the best choice is to wait in place, conserving energy while awaiting rescue.

The two women closed their eyes to rest, striving to recover their strength as soon as possible.

Qiancao, whose entire back was swollen, found it hard to meditate, so he simply searched the surroundings and laboriously gathered some dry branches.

He placed the firewood between Arashi and Hiri, intending to start a fire to dry their clothes.

After searching for a long time without finding a fire-starter, he had no choice but to weave the hand signs for the Great Fireball Technique, barely managing to puff out a ball of flame.

That single ball of fire, no larger than a finger, felt as if it had completely hollowed out his body. Fortunately, though small, it served its purpose.

Seeing the two women resting, their expressions gradually relaxing under the glow of the fire, Qiancao felt quite relieved.

He went to Wuming's side. By now, Wuming had fallen into a deep sleep, and the wound on her chest had completely vanished, revealing snow-white skin and two alluring curves.

Having been teased by Senju Arashi for so long, Qiancao felt a stir in his heart and couldn't help but take a few more looks.

Coming to his senses, he silently cursed himself for being lecherous. He had plenty of opportunities to look openly, yet he had been pretending to be a gentleman.

Today, taking advantage of Wuming's injury and unconsciousness, he was acting like a scoundrel.

When Wuming recovers, I will definitely look at her openly. Qiancao made a secret resolution in his heart and couldn't help but touch Wuming's cheek with his hand, "Wake up soon!"

To his surprise, just as he touched her twice, Wuming, who was lying on the ground, slowly opened her eyes.