Being followed

Outside was indeed livelier, with fireworks filling the sky and crowds coming and going. The shopping street in particular had all kinds of stalls down its center, lit as brightly as day and selling food, accessories, and clothing. People thronged shoulder to shoulder, and festivity and vitality filled every corner. If not for the different visual style, Ye Feng really would have felt as though he had returned to the night markets of China in his previous life.

Ever since Ye Feng defeated Uchiha Shinichi, Inuzuka Clan Fengyu and Kurenai Yuhi had seemed like different people. They no longer argued, often went to and from school together, and got along much better when they were with Ye Feng.

Now and then, the two held pretty hair ornaments or clothes against themselves and asked Ye Feng whether they looked good. Ye Feng said yes to everything, leaving both girls beaming like flowers, their hands laden with purchases.

Rin Nohara also tried various hair accessories and clothes, but she bought nothing. She came from an ordinary civilian family with modest means, and she was mature for her age and very considerate, so she would not spend money carelessly.

Obito could also tell that Rin Nohara liked these things. Awkwardly, although he belonged to the Uchiha Clan, he lived on survivor benefits and also had a grandmother at home to care for.

Obito could only lower his head and quietly ask Ye Feng for a loan. "Ye Feng, do you have any money on you? Lend me some. I'll definitely pay you back."

Ye Feng also thought this was a good chance for Obito to win her favor. If he could help Obito, he did not mind this little bit of money. So he gave Obito all the money he had on him.

"Go for it. As long as you can win Rin over, you won't have to pay it back. Consider it an early wedding gift," Ye Feng teased.

Obito's face flushed crimson, and he said awkwardly, "What are you talking about!" Still, he knew Ye Feng was helping him. Then he whispered a "thank you" so quietly that Ye Feng would never have heard it if his hearing had not far surpassed that of ordinary people.

As though imagining something wonderful, Obito went to find Rin Nohara with a smile blooming across his face.

Just then, Ye Feng also noticed the gloomy Asuma Sarutobi behind them, his eyes drifting toward Kurenai Yuhi from time to time. Asuma Sarutobi really was a devoted little... brat.

"Asuma, do you like Kurenai Yuhi?" Ye Feng patted Asuma Sarutobi, wasting no time beating around the bush.

"How did you know?" Asuma Sarutobi replied guiltily.

"I could tell from your expression and the way you look at her. If you like her, pursue her. As long as she isn't married, you have a chance. Look at Obito. How could you let such a good opportunity slip away? Get going." Ye Feng shoved Asuma Sarutobi forward. Asuma Sarutobi looked back at him, gratitude showing in his eyes.

Ye Feng smiled back at Asuma Sarutobi. As he watched the cheerful group ahead, his expression abruptly darkened.

That was because Ye Feng had sensed two people following them all along. They kept a fixed distance, neither falling farther behind nor drawing closer, and made no attempt to hide it. They were utterly blatant. Of course, they might simply have been protecting them, since Asuma Sarutobi, Inuzuka Clan Fengyu, and Kurenai Yuhi had special backgrounds.

However, with his formidable spiritual power, Ye Feng sensed a faint killing intent. He just did not know who their target was. He himself was the most likely candidate. Not wanting his friends to be put in danger, Ye Feng hung back on his own to test whether he was their target.

At that thought, Ye Feng stopped and pretended to buy some snacks. His powerful spiritual power kept track of the two people, who stopped when he did. Carrying the food he had bought, Ye Feng continued forward, and the two followed again.

As he walked, Ye Feng pondered, They're clearly here for me. I haven't offended anyone lately. Although I'm fairly talented, it shouldn't be enough to draw an assassination from one of the village's major clans. Besides, I'm part of the Uchiha Clan. There's no need to take that risk over me. That leaves spies from another village or Shimura Danzō's Root as the most likely possibilities. Spies from another village wouldn't be stupid enough to follow me this openly, so that leaves only Shimura Danzō's Root.

Since you want to play, I'll play along. Ye Feng hardened his resolve. Then he left the crowd and headed into a sparsely populated alley.

The two Root members behind him saw Ye Feng leave the crowd for somewhere with fewer people. Although puzzled, they considered getting away from the crowd a good thing, as it would give them a chance to complete their mission and eliminate Ye Feng.

Normally, Ye Feng stayed in the Uchiha Clan Compound or the Ninja Academy. Even when he trained, Might Duy and a group of others accompanied him, leaving them no chance to strike. Now that an opportunity had actually arisen to catch him alone, the two Root ninja quickly followed. Upon reaching the dark, deserted alley, they saw that Ye Feng had already stopped, seemingly waiting for them.

"Who are you? Why are you following me?"

Ye Feng deliberately pretended not to know who had sent them. There was even a slight tremor in his voice as he intentionally showed weakness to the enemy.

"Want to know? Ask after you're dead!"

As he spoke, the slightly shorter of the two Root ninja charged at Ye Feng with a kunai in hand. Both Root ninja underestimated Ye Feng. Even if he was a genius, they did not think he could escape them. A child of almost five would be at the bottom of the ranks even if he had reached the chunin level. What was more, he was facing a special jōnin and a full-fledged jonin.

Ye Feng, for his part, trusted that with his physical toughness, escaping would not be very difficult even if he could not defeat them. He was feigning weakness to lull the enemy into carelessness and eliminate one before they brought their full strength to bear. That would greatly reduce the pressure. He would fight the other if he could win, and if he could not, that opponent would not be able to stop him from leaving.

Watching the ninja charge, Ye Feng pretended to show a trace of fear. The charging ninja also revealed a smile, while the full-fledged jonin standing motionless behind him could not even be bothered to pay attention. At that moment, both believed their mission was as good as over.

But when Ye Feng dropped his act and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile at his scheme's success, the ninja who had already reached him sensed something was wrong. By then, it was too late.