Night settled over the oasis town. Scattered lights glimmered along its streets, and a cool breeze swept through the alleys.
People gathered in small groups on the streets, chatting and laughing, utterly unaware of the storm about to descend.
Atop a tall building, Uchiha Shinichi and Tsunade stood side by side, taking one last look over the town.
"Little Tsunade, are you ready?" A faint smile played on Shinichi's lips. With his hands casually tucked behind his head, he looked utterly at ease.
His Flight Technique was already prepared. Chakra slowly gathered beneath his feet, giving off a faint blue glow.
Tsunade took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Although this was not the first time Shinichi had carried her through the air, she still could not quite get used to flying at such heights in a way that defied everything considered normal in the Shinobi World.
She glared at Shinichi and said through gritted teeth:
"The Country of Roran isn't far from here anyway, so you... you'd better fly slowly!" Her voice carried an awkward tension, but even more than that, a trace of anticipation she herself had not noticed.
A mischievous gleam flashed in Shinichi's eyes. Without hesitation, he swept Tsunade into his arms, resting his palm on her waist and pulling her a little closer. Then he pushed off with both legs. Lightning flared, and he shot into the air!
"Don't worry, little Tsunade! I'll be gentle—" Before he could finish, the two had become a streak of lightning tearing across the night sky toward Rōran.
The night wind howled. Tsunade instinctively tightened her arms around Shinichi's waist, a faint blush rising to her cheeks before the rushing wind swept it away.
Shinichi narrowed his eyes, savoring the warmth beneath his hand, and his smile deepened.