Early the next morning.
After eating the breakfast prepared by the Daimyo's Mansion chefs, Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi headed to the shrine under the guidance of an attendant.
As the shrine drew closer and closer, an unnatural expression flickered across Hyuga Setsuna's face beneath his Rabbit Mask.
He had accidentally seen the daimyo's daughter naked just last night, and now he had to face the girl herself. It was truly unsettling...
Even when he woke up that morning, scenes of the beauty he had seen the previous night still flashed through Hyuga Setsuna's mind from time to time.
Led by the attendant, they passed through the vermilion torii gate, climbed the brand-new steps, and arrived at the shrine.
Looking at the shrine before him, a complicated expression flashed through Hyuga Setsuna's eyes as he thought to himself.
Just stay calm. Other than Grandmother, no one knows about what happened last night.
At the same time, Akishinomiya Yuri was having breakfast inside the shrine when a maid informed her that the two Leaf Village ninja had arrived.
She hurriedly got to her feet and headed outside, grabbing several rice balls on her way out.
Seeing this, Granny Shiori, who floated beside Akishinomiya Yuri, smiled and said softly.
"What a greedy child!"
In the shrine's outer hall, Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi waited for Princess Akishinomiya Yuri to arrive.
Before long, they saw Akishinomiya Yuri in red-and-white shrine maiden robes jogging toward them from the distance.
At the sight of Akishinomiya Yuri in her red-and-white shrine maiden robes, scenes from the previous night involuntarily surfaced in Hyuga Setsuna's mind again.
Hyuga Setsuna quickly took a deep breath and shook all those images from his head.
Meanwhile, Kakashi looked curiously at Hyuga Setsuna, who seemed somewhat off beside him, beneath his dog mask.
After jogging up to them, Akishinomiya Yuri braced her hands on her knees. Her face was flushed as she panted and apologized.
"Sorry, I'm late!"
She had chatted with Granny Shiori until very late the previous night, so she had only just gotten up that morning. She had barely taken a few bites of breakfast before rushing over.
Having skipped breakfast and then jogged all the way here, it was truly a little too much for someone with Akishinomiya Yuri's constitution!
Hyuga Setsuna looked at the adorable, flushed girl before him and replied calmly.
"It's alright, Your Highness."
"Why did you call us here?"
Kakashi beside him nodded as well, indicating that it was fine.
Akishinomiya Yuri straightened up and lightly patted her chest to calm her rapid breathing before saying.
"I called you two here because I'd like you to protect me. I want to go outside and see the sights over the next few days!"
After Granny Shiori had suggested the idea last night, Akishinomiya Yuri had been tempted by it. That was why she had called Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi over today.
Upon hearing that, Hyuga Setsuna's brows furrowed slightly beneath his Rabbit Mask, and he spoke hesitantly.
"Your Highness, if you wish to go out, we will naturally protect you!"
"But will the daimyo permit you to leave?"
Seeing the princess suddenly propose going outside, Hyuga Setsuna could roughly guess that this had been suggested by the old woman who followed Akishinomiya Yuri.
After seeing that old woman beside Akishinomiya Yuri with his Tenseigan the previous night,
Hyuga Setsuna had begun to understand why the daimyo had said that Akishinomiya Yuri liked to fantasize and ask strange questions.
Her love of fantasy was probably because she could see things ordinary people could not.
And her fondness for strange questions was probably because she had become rather mature early on under that old woman's guidance?
And was this sudden wish to go outside and see the scenery truly just about enjoying the view?
Remembering the daimyo's warning that they should take extra care in protecting Akishinomiya Yuri lately, Hyuga Setsuna's gaze darkened beneath his Rabbit Mask.
Akishinomiya Yuri smiled proudly and said happily.
"As for Father, he has already agreed to let me go outside!"
As soon as she got up that morning, Akishinomiya Yuri had sent a maid and an attendant to find the daimyo.
This time, the daimyo had not opposed her going out as he usually did. He had merely warned her to remain under the protection and within the sight of the Leaf Village ninja.
Surprise flashed through Hyuga Setsuna's eyes. He truly had not expected the daimyo to agree to let Akishinomiya Yuri see the outside world.
He had clearly told them to protect Akishinomiya Yuri before, yet now he was unusually allowing her to go out?
And wasn't staying within the Daimyo's Mansion safer than being outside?
Thinking back on everything they had encountered since arriving in the Land of Fire these past two days, Hyuga Setsuna's brow furrowed deeply.
The daimyo's late-night conversation with two ninja of unknown identity, as well as his strange attitude when receiving the two of them!
The dead soul lingering in the world of the living beside Akishinomiya Yuri!
And the person lurking in the shadows, intending to harm Akishinomiya Yuri!
A trace of gloom flashed through Hyuga Setsuna's eyes. In his view, this mission was simply far too strange and inexplicable!
After remaining silent for a while, Hyuga Setsuna said.
"Since the daimyo has already agreed to let Your Highness go out, when do we leave?"
Since he could not make sense of this mission, Hyuga Setsuna decided to go with the flow and remain by Akishinomiya Yuri's side.
From the current situation, every key point was connected to Akishinomiya Yuri. As long as he stayed by her side, he would eventually figure everything out!
Seeing that Hyuga Setsuna had agreed, Akishinomiya Yuri said happily.
"Of course, we'll leave right now!"
"But you two need to change clothes first!"
Hyuga Setsuna raised his brow at that, asking in confusion.
"Change clothes?"
Looking at the confused pair before her, Akishinomiya Yuri said with a troubled expression.
"Of course! If you don't change, those outfits of yours will be far too conspicuous!"
"And only the two of you will be accompanying me outside this time. The guards and maids won't be needed!"
After pausing for a moment, Akishinomiya Yuri continued while looking at the puzzled pair.
"If anything dangerous happens, having the two of you ninja protect me will be enough!"
"If an enemy appears that even you two cannot handle, then bringing however many guards and maids would make no difference."
Hearing Akishinomiya Yuri's words, surprise flashed through Hyuga Setsuna's eyes.
Had those words been taught to her by that old spectral woman, or had the princess thought of them herself?
Just then, Kakashi suddenly spoke softly from the side.
"Your Highness, it would be dangerous if both of us appeared openly. How about I continue protecting you from the shadows, while Captain Yagokoro protects you openly?"
As Hyuga Setsuna listened to Kakashi, speechlessness immediately flashed through his eyes.
Kakashi was obviously just trying to avoid trouble. He had learned how to slack off at such a young age!
Still, that plan suited him perfectly as well. Hopefully, there will be some different gains today!
"What does Your Highness think?" Hyuga Setsuna asked Akishinomiya Yuri.
Akishinomiya Yuri looked hesitant. She still thought it would be livelier with all three of them together. Wouldn't it be too boring with only two...?
At that moment, Granny Shiori appeared behind Kakashi and smiled at Akishinomiya Yuri.
"Little Yuri, agree to it!"
Seeing Granny Shiori, Akishinomiya Yuri stopped hesitating and quickly nodded.
"I agree!"
La la la, the second update is here! Please invest, vote with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and rewards!!
Writing two updates a day feels like my body has been completely drained...
Before you continue