In the vast borderlands of the Land of Fire, a dense forest stretched out, lush and deep with greenery.
Warm, bright sunlight pierced the thick canopy like golden arrows, casting dappled shadows that fell softly across the ground carpeted with fallen leaves and grass.
Heimu Wu, captain of the Land of Fire's Border Guard, stood in the forest. He was straight-backed as a pine, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.
Not long ago, he had received an important message from the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi: today, Kumogakure would send people to retrieve the comrades who had been captured a few days earlier.
Heimu Wu couldn't help pondering who would be responsible for bringing the prisoners to the border for the exchange.
Would it be that memorable man from last time? At the thought of Shi Xiu, the towering, blood-red giant immediately appeared in Heimu Wu's mind.
Shi Xiu seemed to possess an innate, overwhelming presence and an irresistible charisma, inspiring Heimu Wu with respect and admiration.
Just as Heimu Wu was lost in thought, several figures suddenly appeared before him without warning.
Startled, Heimu Wu shouted, "Who's there?"
At the same time, he swiftly reached for his waist and drew a razor-sharp kunai, gripping it tightly as he took a defensive stance.
But when he got a good look at the newcomers, his taut nerves relaxed at once, and he slowly put away the kunai he had just drawn.
A short distance ahead, Shi Xiu stood smiling at him. Kakashi was beside him, along with several captured Kumogakure ninja.
"Sir, it's you!" Heimu Wu hurried forward, unable to hide his excitement, and greeted him respectfully.
At the same time, several other Border Guard members hurried over at the sound.
When they saw Shi Xiu, their faces all showed delight and excitement.
Shi Xiu gave a slight nod, signaling for Heimu Wu to take the prisoners away.
Heimu Wu's expression turned serious. Not daring to slack off, he quickly turned and waved to his team, loudly ordering them to come forward and take charge of the prisoners.
At his command, the team members immediately ran over.
Only then did Fusen and the others notice how strangely Samui and the other prisoners had been bound. They exchanged glances, at a loss for words.
An indescribable awkwardness showed on every face.
Shi Xiu seemed to notice their peculiar looks. He gave a light cough, then calmly explained, "There's no need to be surprised. We used this unusual way of binding them partly to ensure the prisoners' safety and partly for our own convenience. I hope you understand."
After hearing this, Heimu Wu was still a little puzzled, but didn't dare ask anything more.
They had been bound like this before they left, and they had arrived the same way. He didn't believe Shi Xiu hadn't had some ulterior motive.
Men understood these things!
But Heimu Wu knew his place. There were things he shouldn't ask about.
So he put the matter aside and quickly ordered Fusen and Noma to escort the prisoners away, then began preparing for further negotiations with Kumogakure.
Just then, Reina hurried forward with quick, small steps, her face tinged with shyness and nervousness. When she stopped in front of Shi Xiu, she raised a hand and offered him the handkerchief he had used to bandage her wound last time. "Lord Shi Xiu, I've washed the handkerchief you lent me to bandage my wound last time, very carefully! I'm returning it to you now."
Hearing her, Shi Xiu looked at the handkerchief in her hand. The corners of his mouth lifted into a warm smile, and he gently shook his head. "You don't have to return it. You can keep it as a gift."
At Shi Xiu's answer, Reina's already flushed cheeks turned even redder, like ripe apples. Looking flustered, she fiddled with one corner of the handkerchief and murmured, "Lord Shi Xiu, I don't think I should..."
Just then, Heimu Wu walked over with a smile. He laughed heartily, then patted Reina on the shoulder and teased, "Ha ha, Reina, if Lord Shi Xiu says it's a gift, then just accept it. Besides, I noticed you clutching that handkerchief tightly in your sleep both nights."
"C-Captain!" Reina was mortified by Heimu Wu's words. She stamped her foot and glared at him, as if blaming him for blabbing. But after that, she couldn't help sneaking another glance at Shi Xiu. Her face bright red, she asked in a quiet voice, "Then... Lord Shi Xiu, I was wondering if you could... sign your name on the handkerchief for me?"
Shi Xiu hadn't expected such a request. He froze for a moment, surprised that a girl would ask him for his autograph.
But he soon collected himself and smiled, nodding in agreement.
Then Shi Xiu instinctively felt through the pockets of his clothes, but found nothing.
Heimu Wu scratched his head apologetically, wearing an awkward smile, and said, "Sorry, I don't seem to have a pen with me."
Just as Shi Xiu was at a loss, Reina seemed ready for this.
"I have one! I have one!" She quickly pulled a delicate pen from her pocket and held it high, calling out excitedly.
Shi Xiu was a little surprised and looked at Reina curiously.
Reina seemed a bit guilty. Her eyes darted about as she stammered out an explanation.
"Well... I'm in charge of recording all the day-to-day events in our border region, so of course I carry a pen with me. Right?"
She laughed awkwardly, trying to hide her fluster.
Just then, Heimu Wu, standing beside Shi Xiu, suddenly cut in with a dubious look. "In charge of recording? Shouldn't that be Wagiri—" Before he could finish, Reina darted forward with astonishing speed and clamped both hands over Heimu Wu's mouth, afraid he might say more.
At the same time, Reina's face was bright red and her expression tense. She forced an awkward smile at Shi Xiu while keeping Heimu Wu's mouth covered. "Oh, Lord Shi Xiu, please don't listen to our captain's nonsense! He's been so busy with work lately that his brain's gone fuzzy. He can barely get a sentence straight. Heh heh..."