The little girl's eyes lit up for a moment, as if she had grasped a life-saving straw, but then she looked at Shisui hesitantly, as if to judge whether he was really trustworthy.
Finally, she timidly pointed in a direction.
"... over there, near the residential area below Raikage Rock..."
"Okay, I'll give it to you."
Shisui nodded and took the initiative to walk to the girl, but did not get too close and kept a polite distance.
"Let's go, don't be afraid, I know the way."
The little girl wiped her tears, stood up slowly, and followed Shisui step by step.
With someone by her side, she obviously felt much more at ease, and her crying stopped. She would only occasionally flinch at distant sounds or swaying tree shadows.
In order to lighten the atmosphere and out of politeness, Shisui asked while walking.
"What's your name?"
"Sa...Samui."
The little girl answered softly, her voice still a little nasal.
"Samui? A very nice name."
Shisui said sincerely.
It seems that names with some names are particularly common in Kumogakure.
Perhaps Shisui's calmness and friendliness infected her, Samui gradually became less nervous, and even began to secretly look at the black-haired and dark-eyed young man next to her, who seemed calmer and quieter than herself.
The distance was not too far, but the little girl's steps were small and she could not walk fast.
Shisui patiently matched her speed, and occasionally reminded her to pay attention to the stones under her feet.
Finally, they came to a neatly planned residential area with mostly two- or three-story buildings. Samui stopped in front of a house with a wind chime hanging on it.
"This is it."
She whispered, then plucked up the courage to step forward and knock on the door.
The door opened quickly, and a couple who looked to be in their early thirties with kind faces appeared at the door.
The man has blond hair similar to Samui, while the woman has dark brown hair.
When they saw their daughter, their faces immediately showed relief, anxiety and concern.
"Samui! Where have you gone? You came back so late, you're worried about us!"
The mother knelt down and hugged her daughter.
"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry..."
Samui lowered his head.
"This is...?"
Father noticed Shisui standing a few steps outside the door.
Samui quickly poked his head out of his mother's arms, pointed at Shisui and said.
"It was this big brother who sent me back! I was scared on the road alone and didn't dare to walk. It was the big brother who helped me!"
Upon hearing this, the couple immediately looked at Shisui, their eyes filled with gratitude.
The man walked out quickly and thanked him sincerely.
"Thank you so much, kid! We are the parents of Samui. Please come in and sit down, thank you so much! Haven't you had dinner yet? Be sure to stay and eat together!"
The woman also nodded repeatedly.
"Yeah, it's really troublesome for you. Come in quickly, don't stand outside."
Shisui was a little embarrassed by this enthusiasm. He took a half step back and bowed politely.
"You're welcome, uncle and aunt, I'm just dropping by. My name is Uchiha Shisui. My brother is still at home waiting for me to go back for dinner, so I won't disturb him."
Hearing "Uchiha", the couple seemed to understand something, and there was a hint of understanding and respect in their eyes.
They saw that Shisui had decided to leave, so they no longer forced him to stay.
"Then... thank you so much, Shisui."
Samui's father said solemnly.
"You are welcome to play in the future. Samui, thank you brother quickly."
Samui walked out from behind his mother, raised his little face, looked at Shisui with his big blue eyes, and said seriously.
"Thank you, big brother."
Shisui smiled at her and waved her hand.
"You're welcome. I have to go home early when it gets dark, or be with the adults. Uncle and aunt, Samui, goodbye."
After saying that, he bowed slightly again, turned around and left quickly, his figure quickly disappearing into the growing dusk.
Samui was held by her mother's hand as she walked into the house. She couldn't help but look back at the direction Shisui left.
The big brother who appeared in the frightened dusk and sent her home quietly and reliably left a deep impression on her.
Shaoyu's mansion has been lit with warm lights.
The alluring flavor unique to sukiyaki, mixed with the sweet aroma of soy sauce and the smell of meat fat, spreads from the direction of the restaurant.
Shisui opened the door, feeling slightly sweaty after training and feeling the coolness of the evening, and took off his shoes at the entrance in a dignified manner and put them away.
"I'm back, brother."
His voice had the distinct clearness of a young man.
"Well, go wash your hands and get ready to eat."
Shaoyu was sitting at the low table, holding an internal intelligence briefing of Kumogakure in his hand, and responded without raising his head.
His posture was relaxed, showing a bit of homely casualness.
Dinner starts soon.
Keiko Mrs. brought the steaming sukiyaki pot to the table, placed several plates of fresh side dishes and dipping sauces, and then quietly retreated to the booth next to the kitchen, leaving the two brothers to eat.
Unless there are guests or special instructions, Keiko does not need to stand by.
The fat and thin top-quality Thunder Bull meat in the pot changes color quickly in the boiling soup, and the vegetables absorb the fresh and sweet juice.
Shisui Although he is young, his food intake increases with the amount of training and he eats very well.
Shaoyu ate slowly and spent more time observing his brother or thinking about the information in the briefing.
For a while, there was only the slight clanking of tableware and the subtle sounds of food cooking in the restaurant.
After a while, Shaoyu spoke inadvertently, breaking the silence.
"In addition to training and clan affairs, have you met any new people in the village recently?"
He asked casually.
After all, Shisui is getting older and has shown extraordinary talents. It is also necessary to properly contact other peers or forces in the village and understand the ecology of Kumogakure.
Shisui was picking up a piece of hot beef. He paused when he heard this, rolled the piece of meat in the raw egg liquid, put it into his mouth, chewed it and swallowed it, and then answered seriously.
"Well, I met someone today."
"Oh?" Shaoyu raised his voice.
"Boy or girl?"
As the question came out of his mouth, the air suddenly became quiet.
Shisui did not answer immediately.
He lowered his head and poked the rice in the bowl unconsciously with his chopsticks, and the tips of his ears seemed to turn a slightly imperceptible red.
The only sound left in the restaurant was the continuous "beep" sound of the sukiyaki pot.
One second, two seconds...
Shaoyu waited for a while and didn't hear his brother's answer. Then he looked away from the briefing with some surprise and really looked at Shisui.
The younger brother's head was slightly lowered, his eyes covered by thick eyelashes, but his slightly awkward movements and silence sent some unusual signals.
Shaoyu's eyes, which were always calmly analyzing and penetrating into people's hearts, showed a rare hint of surprise.