"This will do." Under everyone's gaze, Lin Chongshu bent down and scooped her up in his arms. Mikoto buried her entire face against his chest, her fingers clutching the fabric on his back.
Passersby on the street had already begun discussing the Uchiha Massacre. "I heard the entire Uchiha Clan was wiped out. Only one survivor was left." "Who did it? They didn't even spare the elderly or children."
Hearing the words drifting over from the street, Mikoto trembled in Lin Chongshu's arms, her grip on his back tightening.
Although Lin Chongshu had already told her about it, having it fully confirmed still came as a tremendous shock.
Lin Chongshu carried her swiftly through the streets and turned into the entrance of Hidden Leaf Hospital.
Sasuke had already passed the critical stage. Two Anbu stood guard outside his room.
Lin Chongshu set Mikoto down on a chair in the hallway. Her legs were still weak, and she nearly slid halfway off the seat. Lin Chongshu steadied her before she could fall.
Lin Chongshu turned and walked to the ward door, telling the Anbu that he was Anbu as well. His identity could be verified with Uzuki Yugao, and he had come to check on the Uchiha survivor.
Both Uzuki Yugao and Hayate Gekkō belonged to the Hokage's direct Anbu force, and their ranks were somewhat higher than those of ordinary Anbu.
The Anbu told him to wait while he confirmed it. He returned not long afterward, nodded, and let him enter.
As Lin Chongshu helped Mikoto to her feet, she became even more certain that he belonged directly to the Hokage. Yet an ordinary member of the Hokage's direct force could never have made Hidden Leaf Village spare her.
The Uchiha Clan had been preparing a coup, and Hidden Leaf