"This..." Yui shot Nai Hyuga a sidelong glance, a huge question mark forming in her mind.
Nai Hyuga turned her head aside and repeated, "This is also a safety precaution."
With that, Nai Hyuga stepped forward, pulled the still-embarrassed Uesugi Yuri up from below her, and gathered her into her arms.
"Hold on tight..." Nai Hyuga instructed quietly, then formed hand seals.
"Yui, keep up..."
A fierce gust swirled around them, and amid Uesugi Yuri's startled cries, Nai Hyuga gradually disappeared from Yui's sight.
"Uh..." Yui's face darkened with exasperation.
Shaking her head slightly, she rapidly formed hand seals, cast Flying Ninjutsu, and hurried after them.
"Miss... you can fly, too?"
Once she recovered her senses, Uesugi Yuri looked at the clouds drifting around them, and her eyes lit up.
Still, she remained a little frightened when she looked at Nai Hyuga.
This lady seemed different from the one before. She was so cold...
Like a block of ice. Even her arms felt icy.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
"Point out the direction," Nai Hyuga said flatly. "We need to reach the Land of Whirlpools quickly. It's urgent."
"Yes, yes..." Uesugi Yuri nodded vigorously and pointed ahead. "That way. If you keep going straight, you should reach a harbor. Once you pass it, keep flying east..."
One day later... Uzushiogakure, the Land of Whirlpools.
"Princess Mito..."
An old man with dark red hair knelt before Mito Uzumaki, his eyes full of worry and his fingers trembling around his teacup.
"Lady Mito, what should we do now?"
The old man drained his tea and sighed.
Mito shook her head helplessly. Although her face was calm, a trace of deep concern still showed in her eyes.
"I've already sent some ANBU to Konoha to request aid. Now we're waiting for their response."
"If I