Shi Xiu looked at the scene before him and couldn't help letting the corners of his mouth curl into a faint smile. He reached out to take the handkerchief and pen, then lightly touched the tip of the pen to the paper and slowly signed his name.
As he signed, Shi Xiu's thoughts began to wander. He couldn't help considering all the possibilities the future might hold.
Shi Xiu didn't know whether he could return to Blue Star. If he couldn't, where would his life go from there? The question hung over his heart like a heavy cloud.
Shi Xiu thought about what things would be like after a hundred-year cycle. He would remain unchanged, while everyone around him would turn to bones.
Time would pass mercilessly, while he seemed trapped in this endless cycle. The thought left Shi Xiu feeling lost and helpless.
Shi Xiu's gaze gradually grew distant as he sank into his thoughts, seemingly forgetting everything around him.
Only when Reina gently tapped him on the shoulder did Shi Xiu come back to his senses, as if waking from a dream.
"Lord Shi Xiu? Is something wrong?" Reina's voice held a note of concern and confusion.
Shi Xiu tried to make his smile look more natural. He gently shook his head and said,
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about something personal." His voice was calm, but inside, his emotions churned.
Reina seemed to notice something was off, but she didn't press him.
Reina took the handkerchief and gave Shi Xiu a warm smile. "Thank you, Lord Shi Xiu!"
Seeing Reina's smile, some of the gloom in Shi Xiu's heart lifted.
Before long, the Kumogakure envoys arrived at the border.
From a distance, one person at the head of the group stood out in particular.
With dark skin and white hair, she wore a sleek, well-tailored outfit that accentuated her curvy figure. She looked both beautiful and alluring, as well as sharp and capable.
Shi Xiu watched the approaching group without blinking. He already knew the identity of their leader: Mabui, the capable secretary at the Fourth Raikage's side!
Whenever Shi Xiu thought of Mabui, he couldn't help sighing to himself over her tragic fate in the original story.
Mabui had spent the war safely in the command center at the rear. It was supposed to be a completely secure place.
But no one could have foreseen the unexpected. The command center was struck by a single devastating Tailed Beast Bomb from the Ten-Tails and instantly reduced to rubble.
Mabui, along with Yamanaka Inoichi and Nara Shikaku, had died in the attack.
However, Shi Xiu was a little surprised that Darui wasn't among the envoys who had come this time.
He hadn't expected that. Could his battle with Darui have left him with a deep-seated psychological scar?
After a brief exchange, Samui and the others were successfully ransomed. Watching them being led away safely, Mabui let out a breath of relief.
However, when Mabui turned to leave, she saw the meaningful smile on Shi Xiu's face.
Mabui's heart tightened. From the information Darui had brought back, she knew that Shi Xiu was no pushover.
Mabui looked at Shi Xiu, then left with Samui and the others without looking back.
With Mabui and the others gone, the border grew peaceful once more.
Shi Xiu and Kakashi were about to return to Konoha. Just as they were turning to leave, a low, hesitant voice came from behind them, making them stop.
Shi Xiu and Kakashi turned around to see Heimu Wu standing there hesitantly, as if something difficult to say weighed on his mind.
"Lord Shi Xiu, please wait a moment." As he spoke, Heimu Wu awkwardly scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
Hearing him, Shi Xiu slowly turned around and regarded Heimu Wu calmly. "What is it, Captain Heimu? Is something wrong?"
To be honest, Shi Xiu held Heimu Wu in high regard.
He was able to remain calm in all sorts of difficult situations, and he cared deeply for his subordinates. He had the bearing of a leader.
Heimu Wu bit his lip slightly, his eyes shifting uncertainly as if he couldn't decide whether to say what was on his mind.
After a brief struggle, Heimu Wu finally summoned the courage to speak. "Lord Shi Xiu, there's something I've been wanting to ask you..."
He paused, then took a deep breath and continued, "Lord Shi Xiu, I'd like to know how you feel about Reina."
???
The unexpected question left Shi Xiu stunned. He stared at Heimu Wu in confusion for a moment before asking, "Hm? Captain Heimu, do you like Reina?"
Hearing this, Heimu Wu realized Shi Xiu had misunderstood and hurriedly waved his hands as he explained,
"You've got the wrong idea, Lord Shi Xiu! Reina was an orphan of war. My father took her in out of pity and raised her. I've always thought of her as my own little sister."
Shi Xiu nodded. So that was it. The two of them had seemed quite close just now, but he hadn't known there was a connection like this between them.
Heimu Wu took a deep breath, then continued slowly. "Lord Shi Xiu, I'm sure you've noticed that Reina likes you. Although there's a difference in your status, I'd still like to ask you frankly: how do you feel about Reina?"
Just then, Kakashi immediately caught on and hurriedly cut in,
"Lord Shi Xiu, I'm sorry, but I really need to take care of something. Please excuse me."
Before he had even finished speaking, Kakashi dashed away like a gust of wind.
Shi Xiu kept his eyes on Heimu Wu, but he had actually noticed Reina hiding behind that large tree and secretly watching them from the very beginning.
Shi Xiu gently shook his head and sighed helplessly. Then, looking serious and sincere, he said to Heimu Wu,
"Brother Heimu, feelings can't be forced. To be honest, I know I'm not the right person for Reina, so... there's no chance of anything between us."
Not long after Shi Xiu finished speaking, Kakashi came jogging back.
Without hesitation, Shi Xiu reached out and grabbed Kakashi. The two of them performed the Flying Thunder God Technique, vanishing from the spot in the blink of an eye.
That left Heimu Wu standing alone, staring blankly at the spot where Shi Xiu had disappeared. For a long time, he said nothing.
Heimu Wu stood silently where he was, gazing in the direction Shi Xiu had vanished. A faint sadness and regret showed in his eyes.
After a long while, he gently shook his head and let out a deep sigh, as if releasing all his feelings with it.
Then he slowly turned and walked heavily toward a nearby tree.
When Heimu Wu reached the other side of the tree, he found Reina hiding there, her face covered by both hands as tears streamed through her fingers like a burst dam.
Seeing this, Heimu Wu's heart clenched. He slowly crouched down and gently patted Reina's trembling shoulder, trying to comfort her.
But the moment his hand touched Reina, she could no longer hold back the sorrow she had been suppressing. It was as if she had finally found an outlet for her feelings, and she suddenly burst into tears.
Her sobs were heart-wrenching, filled with despair and unwillingness to accept it. They echoed through the quiet woods, breaking the hearts of anyone who heard them.
Watching Reina cry as if her heart had been shattered, Heimu Wu felt nothing but pain for her, yet he had no idea how to soothe her wounded heart.
After a long while, Heimu Wu finally steadied himself a little and spoke to Reina as gently as he could.
"Reina, you heard him too. Lord Shi Xiu has already made his decision. Maybe we should try to accept it and move on..."
But before he could finish, Reina suddenly raised her head and looked at Heimu Wu through tear-filled eyes. Sobbing, she said, "Captain, I... I really don't want to give up just like this!"
Seeing the determination and sorrow in Reina's eyes, Heimu Wu was at a loss for words.
After a brief silence, he sighed again, then gently stroked Reina's hair and said earnestly,
"All right, Reina. If that's what you've chosen, then as your captain, I'll support you." With that, Heimu Wu gave Reina an encouraging smile.