The bustling morning market, Koki saves a little girl
Koki's eyes darted around, and a spark of inspiration ignited in an instant. He excitedly took Obito's hand and led him through a maze of streets and alleys.
"Follow me," Koki said succinctly, their steps leading down different paths.
"This street is lined with shops, so I don't think we'll encounter as many elderly ladies needing to cross the street anymore."
Led by Koki, Obito stepped into this bustling and prosperous street, his eyes filled with curiosity and amazement.
Shops along the street were deserted, vendors' shouts rose and fell, and people thronged between the stalls, carefully selecting fresh fruits and vegetables and other daily necessities.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians, each wearing a distinctive Gunbai garment, a symbol of the Uchiha Clan. In the morning light, the garments swayed gently, shimmering and sparkling.
Without exception, the shops on both sides of the street hung curtains with Gunbai logos, which swayed gently in the wind.
Koki and Obito continued walking slowly along the street, their figures quickly attracting the attention of the surrounding clansmen.
As the son of the clan leader, Koki enjoys a very high reputation in the Uchiha Clan. He is well-liked by the clan members for his approachable and helpful personality.
Whenever a member of the tribe notices Koki's figure, they will unconsciously stop what they are doing or put down their shopping baskets, and wave to Koki with sincere smiles on their faces.
Some members of the tribe would even come up to him, call him by his name affectionately, ask about his recent situation, or express their love and gratitude for him.
"Koki, you're up so early today too!" A middle-aged woman greeted her warmly, her hands full of vegetables and fruits.
"Koki, long time no see. Is training tough lately?"
"Auntie, the vegetables you bought today look very fresh. Have a nice day!"
"It's alright, training hasn't been too strenuous lately."
Koki always responded to each tribesman's greeting with the gentlest smile. He listened patiently to everyone's words, and even in the midst of a busy schedule, he never appeared impatient or perfunctory.
Obito quietly observed all of this from the side. For the first time, he witnessed how popular Koki was among the clan members, and he also saw Koki's sincerity and respect towards everyone.
This scene was unusually lively in the early morning, a stark contrast to the quiet mornings that Obito usually saw.
"Koki, why are there so many people here this morning?" Obito couldn't help but ask, his eyes darting around, trying to catch every detail.
Koki smiled and explained, "This is the morning market. Many people come here early in the morning to buy vegetables and daily necessities. I used to come here often with my mother. Back then, I was like her little shadow."
At this point, a nostalgic look appeared in Koki's eyes. "However, since I've been busy with training, I've rarely had the chance to come here again."
Obito nodded after hearing this; he could feel the warmth in Koki's words and her reminiscence of the beautiful past.
The two walked and chatted, weaving through the bustling crowds in a relaxed conversation, occasionally pausing in front of stalls, their eyes drawn to the uniquely crafted goods.
They had originally intended to avoid an elderly woman who needed help crossing the street, but unexpectedly found a long-lost sense of leisure and joy in these vibrant streets and alleys.
Koki and Obito strolled through the bustling market, seemingly out of place with the noise and chaos of the outside world. Their attention was focused more on their conversation and the surrounding scenery.
However, at that moment, Koki caught a glimpse of a terrifying scene out of the corner of her eye—a rickety signboard hanging above a little girl of about two years old who was playing, the signboard looking as if it would fall at any moment.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment. Koki's heart clenched, and he acted without hesitation, quickly displaying his speed and agility, rushing towards the little girl like a shooting star.
His body reacted instinctively. In that instant, Koki's mind went blank, and he instinctively stretched out his arms and pulled the little girl away from the impending danger.
With a loud crash, the signboard fell heavily to the ground. If it had hit the little girl, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
The little girl was unusually quiet in Koki's gentle embrace, her eyes wide open, reflecting Koki's anxious face.
Her lips trembled slightly, like ripples on a stormy sea, as if she were still immersed in the terror she had just experienced and had not yet fully recovered.
People were drawn together as if by a magnet, and the sounds of discussion surged from all directions like a tidal wave.
The shop owner's apology, Obito's concern, and the endless discussions among those around them.
But for Koki, all sounds were like the wind passing by; his only concern was the little girl in his arms, who was about the same age as his younger brother.
She seemed to have just recovered from the shock, her body trembling involuntarily, yet she stared intently at Koki, her eyes filled with a complex mix of gratitude and fear.
Koki gazed at the clearly frightened little girl, she couldn't help but wonder how Itachi would react if he were in the same situation.
He gently comforted her, trying to build a fortress of peace for her, "Don't worry, everything is fine, you are safe now."
Just then, the little girl's parents ran over in a panic.
Seeing their daughter unharmed, disbelief flickered in their eyes, and their hearts pounded like drums in a storm. Only when they were certain that their daughter was truly unharmed did they slowly calm down.
They quickly bowed to Koki in gratitude, their voices filled with immense thanks and lingering fear. "Thank you so much, Lord Koki! Without your help, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
It turned out that the girl's parents were so busy shopping that they forgot about their child who was still standing nearby.
Koki at her anxious parents, their brows furrowed and their eyes filled with regret. Yet, when they looked at Koki, their eyes were filled with boundless gratitude.
Koki gently tried to return the little girl to her parents, but found that her little hands were tightly wrapped around his neck, unwilling to let go.
Tears of fear still glistened in the little girl's eyes. She seemed to regard Koki as her strongest support. Helpless, Koki could only continue to hold her. His actions were gentle yet firm, giving the little girl a great sense of security.