Shi Xiu walked slowly toward the Hokage Building with steady steps. Sunlight fell across him, casting a long shadow.
Just as Shi Xiu stepped onto the corridor leading to the Hokage's office, an Anbu member suddenly appeared and blocked his way.
"Stop! Lord Hokage is discussing important matters. Orders have been given: no one is to approach!"
The Anbu member spoke sternly, exuding an air of authority that discouraged anyone from disobeying.
Shi Xiu stopped and calmly looked at the Anbu member blocking his path.
Shi Xiu showed no sign of displeasure or anger. He merely nodded slightly to show that he understood the other man's duty. Then he silently turned and walked to the entrance of the Hokage Building, where he stood waiting.
While he waited, Shi Xiu couldn't help falling into deep thought.
From what he knew of the current timeline, Orochimaru must have already begun those experiments. He needed to seek Orochimaru out and see if he could get something of Hashirama's and Tobirama's.
Shi Xiu had once wanted to use Impure World Reincarnation on Hashirama and Tobirama, but there weren't any bodies of theirs in Konoha's cemetery. Whatever else one could say, Tobirama really was a cunning old fox.
And then there was Nagato... Though Shi Xiu had no idea what the so-called contingency plan Black Zetsu had mentioned was, he had a vague feeling that it was very likely connected to Nagato in some way.
At that thought, Shi Xiu subconsciously looked up at the virtual arrow floating in the air.
To his surprise, the arrow indicating Black Zetsu's location was still pointing toward Kirigakure.
Had Black Zetsu never left? Or was he plotting some new scheme in Kirigakure?
Questions crowded Shi Xiu's mind, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.
Just then, Shi Xiu sensed something unusual.
In an instant, a powerful sense of alertness surged through him. He realized someone was sneaking up behind him.
But there was no time to think. Almost instinctively, Shi Xiu whipped around, thrust out his right hand like lightning, and clamped it around the figure's throat. Then he slammed the person hard against the solid wall.
Only then did Shi Xiu come to his senses. He focused on the person before him and saw that it was an Anbu member.
As Shi Xiu wondered what was going on, a familiar voice suddenly broke the brief silence.
"Ow, that hurts so much! It really hurts!" Nara Luling groaned, arching her back and writhing like a fish caught in a net. "Lord Shi Xiu, you're being way too rough! Please let go of me!"
Hearing Nara Luling's words, Shi Xiu finally snapped out of it and hurriedly released his grip on her throat.
Even so, Nara Luling held a hand to her throat and panted heavily. That blow had clearly left her suffering.
"Hmph, what are you trying to do, sneaking up behind me like that without a sound? If we were outside, I might've slapped you dead!"
Shi Xiu glanced at Nara Luling, his tone revealing a hint of displeasure.
Nara Luling knew Shi Xiu was only joking, but when she thought of his unfathomable strength, she couldn't help shivering.
"Hehe, Lord Shi Xiu, are you here to see Lord Hokage?" Nara Luling asked curiously, her lips curling into a friendly smile.
Shi Xiu nodded with a smile. Seeing this, Nara Luling quickly glanced around, as if checking whether anyone was listening.
Then Nara Luling cautiously stepped closer, suddenly bringing her head near Shi Xiu's ear as she whispered.
"Kumogakure just sent a letter saying they're willing to pay eight hundred thousand ryo to get their prisoners back! Lord Hokage is discussing it with the daimyos right now."
Shi Xiu looked at Nara Luling, who stood close enough that he could catch a faint, delicate floral scent. It made him feel a little nervous.
But when he heard what Nara Luling said, his otherwise calm eyes flickered slightly. Eight hundred thousand ryo for the prisoners? Kumogakure was certainly being generous! That was no small sum.
Shi Xiu quickly regained his composure, then looked at Nara Luling with a smile and asked evenly, "Why are you telling me this? Isn't this information supposed to be confidential?"
Nara Luling was taken aback by Shi Xiu's question, clearly not expecting him to respond that way.
But she quickly recovered and pretended nothing was amiss. After a light cough, she said,
"Don't worry, Lord Shi Xiu. There's no harm in telling you. I just think Kumogakure has been far too arrogant this time! They're practically acting as if Konoha doesn't exist! So I was wondering if you could think of a way to teach them a little lesson..." A sly glint flashed in Nara Luling's eyes.
Shi Xiu smiled. His expression seemed gentle and harmless, but there was an inscrutable meaning lurking beneath it.
Shi Xiu fixed his gaze on Nara Luling, as if trying to see right through her.
Under his gaze, Nara Luling tensed and instinctively took a step back.
"Lord Shi Xiu... What's wrong? Did... did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Nara Luling's voice trembled slightly. Nervous and uneasy, she cautiously looked up at Shi Xiu.
But the smile vanished from Shi Xiu's face in an instant, replaced by a cold, dark expression.
Shi Xiu asked coldly, "Monkey sent you, didn't he?"
The words rang in Nara Luling's ears like a thunderclap. Her body jerked, and fear rose from deep within her.
"What are you talking about, Lord Shi Xiu? I was only making a suggestion. I'll be going now..."
Just as Nara Luling turned to leave, Shi Xiu swiftly reached out and grabbed her arm.
Startled, Nara Luling tried to wrench herself free, but Shi Xiu was too strong. No matter how hard she struggled, it was no use.
Suddenly, a sharp crack rang out, and a searing pain shot through Nara Luling's forearm.
Shi Xiu had used too much force and broken her forearm. The sudden pain made Nara Luling suck in a sharp breath, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Just then, an Anbu member hurried over in a panic. After bowing to Shi Xiu, he said, "Lord Shi Xiu, Lord Hokage asks... asks you to come see him immediately."
Shi Xiu slowly released Nara Luling's slender arm. He gave her a complicated look, then turned and walked into the Hokage Building.
Shikamaru Nara clutched his injured arm. Thinking of Shi Xiu's expression, Nara Luling felt a strange unease in her heart. Without a word, she turned and walked toward the Medical Department.
Shi Xiu sighed. I'd finally let myself fall for someone, only to lose so completely.
He had to admit that he'd once been a little taken with Nara Luling, but now...