The Monkey Sent You, Didn't He?

Shi Xiu walked toward the Hokage building with steady, measured strides. Sunlight spilled over him, casting a long shadow in his wake.

As Shi Xiu stepped into the corridor leading to the Hokage's office, an Anbu member suddenly flashed into view, blocking his path.

"Halt! The Hokage is currently discussing important matters. Orders have been issued: no one is permitted to approach this area!"

The Anbu member's tone was stern, radiating an authority that made it difficult for anyone to defy him.

Shi Xiu stopped in his tracks, his gaze calm as he observed the Anbu member blocking his way.

Shi Xiu did not show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction or anger; he merely nodded slightly to acknowledge the other's duty. Afterward, he turned silently and walked to the entrance of the Hokage building, standing there quietly to wait.

Taking advantage of the lull in activity, Shi Xiu couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Based on his knowledge of the current timeline, Orochimaru must have already begun those experiments. He needed to pay Orochimaru a visit to see if he could obtain some remains of Hashirama and Tobirama.

Shi Xiu had once considered using Reanimation on Hashirama and Tobirama, but to his surprise, there were no remains of them in the Konoha cemetery. One had to admit, Tobirama was truly cunning.

Furthermore, regarding Nagato... although Shi Xiu was not clear on what the "backup plan" Black Zetsu had mentioned actually was, he vaguely sensed that it was inextricably linked to Nagato.

At this thought, Shi Xiu subconsciously looked up at the virtual arrow floating in the air.

To his surprise, the arrow representing Black Zetsu's location was still pointing toward the Mist Village.

Could it be that Black Zetsu had never left? Or was he brewing some new conspiracy within the Mist Village?

A flurry of questions flooded his mind, causing Shi Xiu's brow to furrow involuntarily.

Just then, Shi Xiu keenly sensed a subtle anomaly.

In an instant, a sharp sense of alertness surged within him. Shi Xiu realized that someone was stealthily creeping up behind him.

However, time was too tight for him to deliberate. Almost as an instinctive reaction, Shi Xiu spun around, his right hand shooting out like lightning to clamp firmly onto the intruder's throat, and he used the momentum to slam them hard against the solid wall.

Only then did Shi Xiu snap back to reality. He focused his eyes and realized that the person before him was actually an Anbu member.

Just as Shi Xiu was filled with suspicion, a familiar voice broke the brief silence.

"Ouch, that hurts! It really hurts!" Nara Luling groaned in pain, arching her back and twisting her body like a fish struggling in a net. "I say, Lord Shi Xiu, you're being too heavy-handed! Please, let me go!"

Hearing Nara Luling's words, Shi Xiu finally came to his senses and hurriedly released his grip on her throat.

Even so, Nara Luling kept a hand to her throat, gasping for air; it was clear that the previous strike had caused her significant distress.

"Hmph, what exactly are you trying to do? Sneaking up behind me like that—if we were outside, I might have slapped you to death!"

Shi Xiu glanced at Nara Luling, his tone revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

Nara Luling knew that Shi Xiu was only joking, but at the thought of his unfathomable strength, she couldn't help but shudder.

"Hehe, is Lord Shi Xiu here to see the Hokage?" Nara Luling asked curiously, the corners of her mouth lifting into a friendly smile.

Shi Xiu nodded with a smile, confirming her suspicion. Seeing this, Nara Luling quickly glanced left and right, as if checking to see if anyone was eavesdropping.

Then, Nara Luling leaned in cautiously, brought her head close to Shi Xiu's ear, and whispered in a low voice.

"A letter just arrived from the Cloud Village. They say they are willing to pay 800,000 ryo to trade for their captives! The Hokage is currently discussing this matter with the feudal lords."

Shi Xiu stared at Nara Luling, who was inches away. A faint, lingering scent of flowers drifted from her, making Shi Xiu feel slightly tense.

However, when he heard what she said, his calm eyes flickered. 800,000 ryo for captives? The Cloud Village was certainly generous! That was no small sum.

Shi Xiu quickly regained his composure, turned to look at Nara Luling with a smile, and asked in a flat tone, "Why are you telling me this? This information should be classified, shouldn't it?"

Nara Luling was slightly taken aback by the question, clearly not expecting such a response.

But she quickly recovered, feigning nonchalance, and cleared her throat before speaking.

"Don't worry, Lord Shi Xiu, it's fine to tell you. It's just that I personally feel the Cloud Village is being too arrogant this time! They clearly don't hold Konoha in any regard! So I was thinking, perhaps you could find a way to teach them a small lesson..." As she spoke, a glint of cunning flashed in her eyes.

Shi Xiu wore a smile—one that appeared gentle and harmless, yet held a hint of unfathomable depth.

His gaze remained locked on Nara Luling, as if he were trying to see right through her.

Feeling the weight of his stare, Nara Luling's heart tightened, and she subconsciously took a step back.

"Lord Shi Xiu... what's wrong? Did... did I say something wrong?"

Nara Luling's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with nervousness and unease as she looked up at him cautiously.

However, the smile on Shi Xiu's face vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, gloomy expression.

Shi Xiu asked coldly, "Did the Monkey send you?"

The words struck like a thunderclap in Nara Luling's ears. Her body jolted, and a sense of dread welled up from the depths of her heart.

"What are you talking about, Lord Shi Xiu? I was just speaking my mind. I'll be going now..."

Just as Nara Luling prepared to turn and leave, Shi Xiu moved quickly and grabbed her arm.

Nara Luling was startled and tried to pull away, but Shi Xiu's strength was overwhelming; no matter how hard she struggled, it was to no avail.

Suddenly, a crisp crack echoed out, followed by a sharp, piercing pain in Nara Luling's forearm.

It turned out that Shi Xiu had used too much force, causing her forearm to fracture. The sudden, excruciating pain made her gasp, and beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.

At that moment, an Anbu member rushed over, looking flustered. He bowed to Shi Xiu and said, "Lord Shi Xiu, the Hokage asks... asks that you see him immediately."

Shi Xiu slowly released her slender arm, gave her a complex look, and turned to walk into the Hokage building.

Nara Luling clutched her injured arm, thinking of the look in Shi Xiu's eyes. She felt a strange sensation in her heart, then turned and walked toward the Medical Department without a word.

Shi Xiu sighed. It was so hard for me to finally feel something for someone, yet it led to such a crushing defeat.

He had to admit, he had indeed felt a spark of attraction toward Nara Luling, but now...