"All right, that takes care of business."
Genya stretched.
"We rarely get to visit the capital. Even if we're here for unpleasant reasons, there's no need to stay on edge the whole time. Relax and have a look around. See how prosperous the Land of Fire's capital is. Just don't cause too much of a stir."
The sudden change left everyone a little stunned.
One moment they were plotting a massacre, and the next they were going shopping?
But seeing Genya's expression, as though he had everything under control, they gradually relaxed.
With the arrangements settled, everyone dispersed.
"Chinatsu, come on. Let's go shopping!"
Genya took Chinatsu's hand, an easy smile on his face.
Chinatsu smiled gently and let him lead her.
Uchiha Hozuki followed silently a few paces behind them, already carrying several small bags.
Uchiha Hozuki and Uchiha Arashi, both former members of the Hardline Faction, were now Genya's staunch supporters.
Inside the bags were gifts Genya had enthusiastically picked out for the girls back in Konoha.
For Hinata, he had chosen an adorably dopey white rabbit plush in a kimono.
For Ino, a scarf embroidered with an intricate floral pattern.
For Nami, an elegantly old-fashioned silver hairpin tipped with tiny amethysts.
The three strolled down the street like that, Genya and Chinatsu looking like an ordinary pair of siblings, while Hozuki resembled a silent bodyguard.
Their leisurely outing, however, did not last long.
When Genya stopped at a stall selling wind chimes, his hand paused around Chinatsu's before he turned around as though nothing were wrong.
Almost simultaneously, at the other end of the street, the crowd seemed to part under an unseen force. Two figures headed straight toward them with unmistakable purpose.
Orange hair, black chakra receivers embedded in his face, and the ripples of