Yūto followed the clan head through a bustling construction site. Many tents still stood at the Chinoike Clan's temporary residence, and the clanspeople were busy hauling timber and tamping down foundations.
Several burly men worked shirtless beneath the blazing sun, sweating profusely as they erected house frames, while the women mixed mud and built walls nearby.
Children darted around the site, helping pass tools. The scene was bustling yet orderly.
"Yūna is over there overseeing construction of the main house." The clan head pointed to a capable-looking woman with a high ponytail not far away.
Yūna stood on a pile of building materials, blueprints in hand, issuing orders to the clanspeople from time to time. "Move that post another half inch to the left! Yes, just like that!"
As Yūto approached, Yūna happened to turn around. The moment she saw him, a delighted smile spread across her face. "Lord Yūto!"
She nimbly jumped down from the pile of building materials and patted her sawdust-covered apron.
"Um, Yūna," Yūto said, scratching his head in embarrassment, "I've been assigned a mission to the front line, so I might not be able to keep looking after Chino."
Yūna's smile froze instantly, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the edge of her apron.
She thought the pressure from Danzo had become too much for Yūto to withstand.
She was beginning to regret troubling Yūto.
A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. "Is it because of Danzo?"
"No, no, no!" Yūto hurriedly waved his hands. "Danzo's already been dealt with. He has his hands full looking after himself now. He definitely won't have time to cause trouble."
"Really?" Yūna's eyes lit up at once, and she grabbed Yūto's hand excitedly. "Thank you so much! I knew I was right to entrust Chino to you!"
Tears glimmered