Kitsuchi looked at Uchiha Yin standing before him. Faced with that overwhelming presence, he could barely breathe.
He had no intention of backing down, yet when Uchiha Yin approached, he could not help taking a step back.
It was only a small step, but it dealt a heavy blow to Kitsuchi's pride.
After all, losing his nerve in front of his daughter was deeply embarrassing.
Kitsuchi wanted nothing more than to hang his head.
Seeing Kitsuchi's awkward expression, Uchiha Yin felt thoroughly satisfied. This was exactly the reaction he had wanted.
Kurotsuchi noticed her father's retreat, and she was not pleased.
She looked up and glared fiercely at Uchiha Yin. Her eyes plainly said, Don't bully my dad.
Uchiha Yin's eyes widened slightly. This girl was interesting. She actually dared to glare at him.
He shifted his gaze from Kitsuchi to Kurotsuchi.
He held out a hand. "Come with me!"
Kurotsuchi stared at the handsome hand extended toward her, its knuckles sharply defined.
Almost without thinking, she placed her hand in his.
Uchiha Yin looked at the little hand in his, then slowly closed his fingers around it.
As he did, Kurotsuchi felt a comforting warmth.
The tension she had felt vanished at once, replaced by a sense of safety.
Kurotsuchi looked steadily up at Uchiha Yin. "Okay!"
Kitsuchi watched his daughter release his hand and go to someone so dangerous. His heart ached.
Even so, he could not step forward to stop her. Ōnoki watched from the side, his hands clenched tight behind his back.
Uchiha Yin drew Kurotsuchi to his side and addressed Ōnoki with a solemn expression.
"Ōnoki, I'll keep my promise. As long as Iwagakure makes no move, I guarantee your granddaughter will be safe!"
Uchiha Yin left the rest unsaid, but Ōnoki understood perfectly.
He