I... Don't Want to Give Up

Shi Xiu watched the scene before him, the corners of his mouth curling upward into a faint smile. He reached out to take the handkerchief and pen, the tip touching the paper as he slowly signed his name.

As he signed, Shi Xiu's thoughts drifted far away. He couldn't help but contemplate the various possibilities of the future.

Shi Xiu did not know if he would ever be able to return to the Blue Star. If he couldn't go back, where would his life lead? This question hung over him like a heavy, dark cloud.

Shi Xiu thought about the scene after a hundred-year cycle; he would remain unchanged, while everyone before him would have long since turned to dust.

Time passed ruthlessly, yet he felt trapped in this endless loop. The thought left Shi Xiu feeling lost and helpless.

Shi Xiu's gaze grew deep and distant, lost in his own mind, as if he had forgotten everything around him.

It wasn't until Reina gently tapped him on the shoulder that Shi Xiu snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream.

"Lord Shi Xiu? Is something wrong?" Reina's voice held a hint of concern and confusion.

Shi Xiu tried to make his smile look natural, shaking his head slightly as he replied.

"It's nothing, just thinking about some personal matters." Shi Xiu's voice was calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

Reina seemed to sense that something was off, but she did not press him further.

Reina took the handkerchief, offered Shi Xiu a warm smile, and said, "Thank you, Lord Shi Xiu!"

Watching Reina's smile, the gloom in Shi Xiu's heart dissipated slightly.

Not long after, the envoys from the Cloud Village arrived at the border.

Looking from afar, one person at the front of the procession was particularly eye-catching.

With her dark skin and white hair, paired with a well-tailored, sleek, and sexy professional outfit that perfectly outlined her graceful figure, she looked both beautiful and charming, yet sharp and capable.

Shi Xiu stared intently at the approaching group. He already knew the identity of the leader—the capable secretary to the Fourth Raikage, Mabui!

Thinking of Mabui, Shi Xiu couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the tragic fate she met in the original story.

Originally, Mabui had remained safely in the command center behind the front lines, a place considered absolutely secure.

Yet, who could have foreseen that disaster would strike? The command center was instantly razed to the ground by a devastating Tailed Beast Bomb from the Ten-Tails.

Mabui, along with Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, and others, had unfortunately perished in that attack.

However, what surprised Shi Xiu was that Darui was nowhere to be seen among the envoys.

This was unexpected; could it be that their previous battle had left Darui with an indelible psychological shadow?

After a brief negotiation between the two sides, Samui and the others were successfully ransomed. Seeing them being led away safely, Mabui breathed a sigh of relief.

However, as Mabui turned to leave, she caught sight of Shi Xiu's meaningful smile.

Mabui felt a chill in her heart; based on the intelligence Darui had provided upon his return, she knew this Shi Xiu was no pushover.

Mabui glanced at Shi Xiu once more before leading Samui and the others away without looking back.

With their departure, the border returned to peace.

Shi Xiu and Kakashi were preparing to return to Konoha Village when a low, hesitant voice from behind made them stop in their tracks.

Shi Xiu and Kakashi turned around to see Heimu Wu standing there, looking hesitant, as if he were harboring something difficult to say.

"Lord Shi Xiu, please wait a moment." Heimu Wu said, scratching his head in embarrassment, a look of awkwardness on his face.

Hearing the call, Shi Xiu turned slowly, his gaze falling calmly on Heimu Wu as he asked gently, "What is it, Captain Heimu? Is something the matter?"

To be honest, Shi Xiu held a deep appreciation for Heimu Wu.

Not only could this man remain calm in the face of tricky situations, but he also cared deeply for his subordinates, showing true leadership.

Heimu Wu bit his lip slightly, his eyes flickering as if struggling with whether or not to speak his mind.

After a brief internal struggle, Heimu Wu finally gathered the courage to speak: "Lord Shi Xiu, there is something I have been wanting to ask you..."

He paused, took a deep breath, and continued: "Lord Shi Xiu, I would like to know your thoughts on Reina."

???

The sudden question caught Shi Xiu off guard. He stared at Heimu Wu with suspicion for a long moment before asking in confusion, "Hm? Captain Heimu, are you saying you like Reina?"

Upon hearing this, Heimu Wu realized Shi Xiu had misunderstood and hurriedly waved his hands to explain.

"Lord Shi Xiu, you've misunderstood! Reina is a war orphan; my father took her in and raised her out of pity years ago. I have long since viewed Reina as my own younger sister."

Shi Xiu nodded; so that was it. Their interaction had indeed been very close, but he hadn't expected that kind of relationship.

Heimu Wu took a deep breath and continued slowly: "Lord Shi Xiu, I believe you must have noticed that Reina likes you. Despite the gap in status between you and her, I still wanted to take the liberty of asking: what are your true feelings toward Reina?"

At that moment, Kakashi caught on immediately and quickly interjected.

"Lord Shi Xiu, my apologies, but I have an urgent personal matter to attend to. I hope you will excuse me."

Before the words were even out of his mouth, Kakashi dashed away like a gust of wind.

Shi Xiu's gaze remained on Heimu Wu, though in reality, he had noticed Reina hiding behind a large tree, secretly peeking at the situation, from the very beginning.

Shi Xiu shook his head slightly, sighed helplessly, and then spoke to Heimu Wu with a serious and sincere expression.

"Brother Heimu, matters of the heart can never be forced. To be honest, I know full well that I am not the right match for Reina, and therefore... there is simply no possibility between her and me."

Not long after Shi Xiu finished speaking, Kakashi came jogging back.

Immediately after, Shi Xiu reached out and grabbed Kakashi without a moment's hesitation. The two instantly activated the Flying Thunder God technique, vanishing from the spot in the blink of an eye without a trace.

Only Heimu Wu was left standing there alone, dazed, staring at the place where Shi Xiu had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

Heimu Wu stood quietly in place, his gaze fixed on the direction where Shi Xiu had just vanished, a trace of faint sorrow and regret flickering in his eyes.

After a long while, he shook his head gently and let out a deep sigh, as if he wanted to release all the emotions in his heart along with that breath.

Subsequently, he turned around slowly and walked with heavy steps toward a large tree not far away.

When Heimu Wu reached the back of the tree, he found Reina hiding there. At this moment, she was covering her face with both hands, tears pouring out from between her fingers like a bursting dam.

Seeing this scene, Heimu Wu's heart tightened involuntarily. He slowly crouched down and reached out to gently pat Reina's slightly trembling shoulder, attempting to offer her some comfort.

However, the moment his hand touched her, Reina, who had been holding back her grief, seemed to find an emotional outlet; she could no longer suppress her feelings and burst into loud sobs.

The wailing was heart-wrenching, filled with despair and unwillingness, echoing through the silent woods and breaking the hearts of all who heard it.

Heimu Wu watched the heartbroken Reina, his heart filled with pity, yet he did not know how to soothe her wounded spirit.

After a good while, Heimu Wu managed to calm his own emotions slightly and spoke to Reina in the gentlest tone he could muster.

"Reina, you heard it too. Lord Shi Xiu has already made his decision; perhaps we should try to let it go..."

But before he could finish his sentence, Reina suddenly lifted her head, looking at Heimu Wu through tear-blurred eyes, and choked out, "Captain, I... I really don't want to just give up like this!"

Heimu Wu looked at the determined yet sorrowful expression in Reina's eyes, finding himself at a loss for words for a moment.

After a brief silence, he sighed helplessly once more, then raised his hand to gently stroke Reina's hair, saying earnestly.

"Very well, Reina. If this is your choice, then as your captain, I will support you." Having said that, Heimu Wu gave Reina an encouraging smile.