Just as Obito's crisis came to an end, someone suddenly knocked on Shi Xiu's courtyard gate.
Hearing the knock, Shi Xiu couldn't help feeling a little puzzled. He slowly got up and walked to the gate, gently taking hold of the handle before pulling it open.
As the gate swung open, he saw two figures standing quietly outside: Kakashi and Nara Luling.
Kakashi wore his usual mask, leaving only a pair of cold eyes visible. He stared straight at Shi Xiu, his gaze carrying an inscrutable chill.
Nara Luling, by contrast, seemed a little unusual. Her left arm was encased in a thick cast.
At that moment, Nara Luling's eyes flickered uneasily, and she kept avoiding Shi Xiu's gaze, whether deliberately or not.
Kakashi spoke first, his voice low and respectful. "Lord Shi Xiu, Lord Hokage has given the order. From now on, we will all follow your command. What are your instructions?"
As he spoke, Kakashi leaned forward slightly, showing his utmost respect.
Nara Luling opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she chose to remain silent. She simply lowered her head, pressed her lips tightly together, and said nothing.
Shi Xiu looked the two of them over, then gave a slight nod to show that he accepted their arrival.
His expression calm as still water, Shi Xiu said flatly, "Then come inside first." With that, he turned and walked into the courtyard.
Kakashi followed close behind Shi Xiu, maintaining a straight posture and keeping his eyes fixed ahead. He looked like a loyal guard awaiting his master's next order.
Nara Luling, meanwhile, was clearly nervous and ill at ease. Her steps were hesitant, and every so often she stole a glance at Shi Xiu's back.
What had happened that morning at the entrance to the Hokage Building, along with the look Shi Xiu had given her, had clearly left her feeling conflicted. Now, facing him, she was so flustered that she hardly knew what to do with herself.
Shi Xiu led Kakashi and Nara Luling into the courtyard. When he opened the house door, Kakashi and Nara Luling, following behind him, looked inside.
But in that instant, Kakashi's eyes flew wide open, as though he'd witnessed the most unbelievable sight in the world.
That usually impassive face of his, as expressionless as a playing card, now showed the first crack in its composure.
Kakashi's gaze swept over every corner of the room, and one familiar figure after another came into view.
Kakashi's heart began to race. A rush of indescribable excitement, doubt, and deep disbelief welled up inside him.
Those tangled emotions knotted together in his heart.
Kakashi's lips trembled slightly as a dry, hoarse voice escaped his throat. In disbelief, he cried, "Minato-sensei, Kushina-sensei, Rin, Obito..."
Minato and Kushina, who had been talking inside, heard his call and turned around at the same time.
Surprise flashed across their faces, but it was soon replaced by the joy of reunion.
Minato stood with a smile and called softly, "Kakashi." Beside him, tears glimmered in Kushina's eyes as she answered just as gently, "Kakashi."
At the sound of those familiar voices, Kakashi froze in place as if struck by lightning.
A moment later, he could no longer hold back the emotions surging inside him. Tears burst from his eyes like a flood breaking through a dam.
Stumbling forward, Kakashi raced toward Minato and Kushina, then plunged into Minato's warm embrace like a child and burst into tears.
Shi Xiu quietly watched the deeply moving scene. Then he turned around and slipped out of the room.
Nara Luling stood rooted in place for a long while before finally coming to her senses.
She took a deep look at the people embracing and weeping, a relieved smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, then turned to leave as well.
As she stepped outside, Nara Luling thoughtfully pulled the door shut behind her, careful not to disturb this tender moment of reunion after so long apart.
When Nara Luling came out of the room, the sunlight fell warmly upon her, and a breeze stirred her hair.
She turned without thinking, and her gaze settled on a figure nearby, busy among the flower beds.
Shi Xiu was holding a watering can, carefully watering each flower.
In the sunlight, droplets shimmered like tiny diamonds as they fell in a sparkling shower.
Nara Luling stood quietly where she was and pressed her lips together. It was as if two little people inside her were arguing fiercely.
One urged her to bravely walk over to him, while the other told her not to make a fool of herself.
After a struggle, Nara Luling finally took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and walked toward Shi Xiu.
She walked lightly, as if afraid to disturb the man absorbed in his flowers.
When she reached the flower bed, she deliberately made her words sound casual. "Lord Shi Xiu, I never expected you to grow flowers. They're beautiful."
Shi Xiu seemed not to hear her. He continued watering the flowers, his movements gentle and practiced.
His eyes remained fixed on the lovely blooms, and he gave no sign that he'd noticed Nara Luling.
Nara Luling stood awkwardly to the side, looking at Shi Xiu's calm expression. A wave of disappointment welled up inside her.
But she didn't give up. Gathering her courage again, she said, "Lord Shi Xiu, I'm sorry, I..."
Unfortunately, before she could finish, Shi Xiu cut her off coldly.
Shi Xiu slowly set down the watering can, straightened up, then turned to look at Nara Luling with an indifferent, almost cold gaze.
His voice was as still as a pool of water, utterly without emotion. "You don't need to apologize to me. You haven't done anything wrong."
Nara Luling stared blankly at Shi Xiu, unable to respond for a moment.
She could feel the unmistakable distance in his indifferent tone. It was like a sharp sword, stabbing mercilessly into her heart.
Nara Luling's hands clenched involuntarily, her fingernails digging deep into her palms, but she didn't feel the pain.
At that moment, fear and unease filled her heart. She didn't know what was wrong with her.
Shi Xiu, however, didn't care at all about what was going through Nara Luling's mind. His expression composed, he continued.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll take Kakashi with me to the border to complete the hostage exchange with Kumogakure. While we're gone, you must stay here. No one is allowed to come near this place, no matter who they are—not even Monkey! Do you understand?"
Nara Luling was taken aback by this. She clearly hadn't expected Shi Xiu to give her such an order.
But she quickly recovered. An almost helpless expression crossed her face as she lowered her head and replied softly, "I understand, Lord Shi Xiu. Please go without worry."
Shi Xiu nodded in satisfaction and gave a quiet hum of approval.
Then he turned and walked steadily toward his room.
Nara Luling was left standing alone, watching Shi Xiu's retreating figure.
Early the next morning, Shi Xiu came outside and paused when he saw Nara Luling still standing in the courtyard.
"Don't tell me you've been standing here all night?"
Nara Luling smiled at Shi Xiu's question. "I didn't want to disturb Lord Minato and the others while they were reuniting, so I stayed here on guard."
Shi Xiu sighed, sounding a little exasperated. "All right! Go rest in my room for a while. I'm leaving."