The New Year celebrations have just passed, but the city, which is full of industry and green atmosphere, still retains some lingering charm of the New Year celebrations.
Fine snow began to fall from the tops of the skyscrapers that stood up like tall towers. Pedestrians walking on the road, wearing thicker warm clothes, began their night life.
Occasionally, you can see children running past in front of you, and there are also young teenagers and girls stopping in the square of the commercial street, as if they are waiting for someone, holding umbrellas and looking forward to a certain direction.
Although I have lived in this city for two years, I have completely lost the feeling of "beauty comes from distance". After all, no matter how novel something is, after getting used to it, it feels like it is just that. How Sakura feels now is These are it.
Although many things here are very convenient, it was very uncomfortable at first.
Generally speaking, convenience has its benefits, but it is also very fulfilling to be able to make enough food and clothing by yourself instead of relying on advanced tools all the time.
After all, as a ninja, you should not have too much enjoyment, and it is not advisable to fall into comfort. This is what she has been taught since she was a child.
This way of thinking has been engraved in her bones. Even if she changes to another place, this way of thinking cannot be changed even if she wants to.
"Sakura, you really don't like shopping. It's a rare holiday. It's time to indulge yourself physically and mentally."
Hanami Haruka, who walked out with Sakura in the night shopping street, said.
"Well, the main reason is that I don't have anything I want to buy. After all, the cosmetics I bought last time haven't been used up yet, so it would be too wasteful to just replace them with new ones."
Sakura, who only held a shopping bag in her hand, pressed her cheek with her fingers and smiled at Hanami Haruka beside her.
She has long cherry-colored hair, and her overall clothing is mainly simple. On both sides of her tight shorts, she always has the ninja tool bag necessary for ninjas. In it, kunai, shuriken and other fighting ninja tools are always ready at any time. On the other hand, In the ninja tool bag, there are auxiliary ninja tools, such as retractable medical kits, flares and flash bombs.
Even during vacation time, he is fully equipped.
Not only Sakura, but also Haruka Hanami, a fellow traveler, is also like this.
As a profession like ninja, you may encounter battles anytime and anywhere. Even in the base camp of your own camp, you must not give up your weapons.
However, compared to Sakura's flat figure, for a sixteen-year-old girl, her figure should be said to be slightly above the passing line.
Therefore, when Sakura accidentally brushed against her chest, she would cast an envious look.
"I always feel that Sakura, you will be very good at managing the family in the future. Even though you get so many bonuses every year, you are still so economical."
Hanami Haruka joked.
She and Sakura are both medical ninjas and work in the same department. Besides, they are about the same age, so it is natural for them to become friends over time.
Moreover, she is very aware of Xiaoying's strengths in the medical field. It is not an exaggeration to call her a gifted person. With her smart brain, seriousness and devotion to learning, she can quickly put theoretical things into practice. , can be said to be a 'genius'.
Therefore, the additional bonuses received every year are also a considerable sum for ninjas at this stage.
"Well...well, maybe."
Sakura responded vaguely, looking at the flashing neon lights around her, which showed a completely different New Year atmosphere from Konoha Village.
Although I have made friends again in this place and gradually got used to the life here, I still can't help but feel a little lonely at this time.
The faces of Naruto, Ino and others often popped up from the depths of her memory in the past few days, making her feel an indescribable depression in her heart. Her heart would sting from time to time, making her even more depressed. I miss my old companions.
Although she knew that such an idea was undesirable, it might be an emotion that even she couldn't control, and the feeling of longing that burst out during a special time period was even more difficult to contain.
"Alas..." The sigh disappeared in the freezing air.
Sakura walked endlessly on the smooth road of the commercial street, and from time to time the sound of pedestrians passing by and the sound of bus whistles could be heard in her ears.
Although there are people everywhere, the sense of belonging is really troublesome. Maybe it will take some time before she can truly integrate here.
"Ah, that is..."
Hanami Haruka's exclamation suddenly came to her ears, as if she had discovered something terrible. Sakura woke up instantly and looked forward along Hanami Haruka's surprised gaze.
In front is a huge circular flower pond square.
There were couples sitting there in twos and threes having a tryst and communicating quietly.
However, among the many lovers, there appeared a guy who was incompatible with this atmosphere - he had long white hair with a hint of light gold, and was wrapped in a slightly plain black women's coat. , wrapping the whole body tightly without exposing any gaps.
Sitting on the edge of the flower pond, looking at the passers-by, I was like a lively hamster, with a little curiosity and confusion. For a moment, I was like a homeless child, full of A pitiful atmosphere.
"Is that the daughter of a certain family who got lost after coming out?" Sakura felt that the other person looked familiar.
Although the women's coat I am wearing is not expensive in terms of material.
But the girl's exposed skin is not rough at all, especially her fingers, which are even more delicate and smooth... Those are slender hands that can only be maintained without doing any rough work.
The confusion and curiosity that was inadvertently revealed while sitting by the flower pond seemed to coincide with the setting of a rich young lady who was inexperienced in world affairs.
"An acquaintance?" Sakura then asked. "That's His Highness Shion."
Hanami Haruka took a deep breath.
There was a slight fluctuation on her face, as if she had encountered something unexpected. After all, there was absolutely no such link in her shopping details. "Your Highness Ziyuan?"
Sakura was slightly surprised.
The word 'Your Highness' cannot be used casually to address people.
"She is a shrine maiden of the main line. Generally speaking, she lives in a different 'divine realm' from us and will not easily come to the 'mortal world'!"
Hanami Haruka said with a wry smile.
Although the industry of the Kingdom of Ghosts is developed, both the major cities and the villages and towns built next to each main city have gradually begun to have an industrial foundation.
Ninjas and science gradually formed mainstream culture.
But from the most primitive place, the Kingdom of Ghosts is a theocratic country where "witches" are supreme.
It's just that because the "miko" of the main line does not easily get involved in the world, she will only show her face on important festivals to maintain contact with the "human world".
"If you say so, it is indeed..."
Sakura was also shocked, and she suddenly remembered who this 'homeless' girl in front of her was.
She already knew everything about the situation in the Kingdom of Ghosts.
The Kingdom of Oni was originally a country established based on "theocratic power". Although it was hereditary like the daimyo in various countries, the hereditary nature of the shrine maiden and the hereditary rule of the daimyo were completely different.
Although in ancient times, the names of various countries were also exaggerated with titles such as 'gods', and they were the agents of gods in the 'human world'... But compared with the real 'gods' like 'miko', they are still somewhat different. different.
Miko can cultivate special chakra, suppress various monsters wandering in the ninja world, and quell disasters. They are not ordinary people who do not understand the use of chakra.
"But why is she in a place like this?" Sakura asked.
As the monarch of a country, even if he doesn't have bodyguards by his side, he still comes from the 'divine realm' to the 'mortal world' during a non-festival period... This is a big problem no matter how you look at it, right?
"Maybe he escaped secretly." Hanami Haruka sighed. "Escaped secretly?"
"Yes, I heard that this kind of thing happens several times every year." While sighing, Hanami Haruka walked towards the flower pond. Sakura also followed.
"Ah you are……"
Seeing someone approaching her, Ziyuan couldn't help but raise her head and narrowed her eyes to look at the person. "I am Wu Zhi's friend. We have met before, Your Highness Ziyuan."
Hanajianyao said respectfully.
"Kirieda? Ah, I remembered that branch miko who used monsters to fight in the Chuunin exam four years ago."
Shion suddenly realized that Hibikige was a fighting miko from a branch of the Kingdom of Demons.
Able to control multiple monsters, in terms of talent, she is also an outstanding miko in the branch.
Hanami Haruka nodded, and then asked: "Why is Your Highness here alone? Did you get separated from your entourage?"
In fact, I knew that Zi Yuan had sneaked out alone, but in order to take care of the other party's emotions, I still kept my attitude and words in reserve.
"No, I sneaked out alone. The witches on the mountain were all bewitched by my witchcraft!"
As if making such a rebellious move was very remarkable, Shion paused for a moment. For his peers, it was not a fruitful thing at all. Sakura, who was keeping quiet on the side, couldn't help but feel sympathy for each other.
"Please don't act like this, Your Highness." Hanajian Haruka smiled bitterly again.
I knew it would be like this, and it's not something to be proud of. "In that case, this is a rare opportunity." Ziyuan stood up from the edge of the flower pond.
"Rare opportunity?"
"Yes, this is a rare opportunity to serve me. Tonight, you two will be my servants."
The natural attitude made Sakura, who originally had a feeling of "sympathy" for Shion, immediately frown in displeasure.
Although the other party has a noble status, his rhetoric is extremely unpleasant. "Okay, Your Highness, I am willing to serve you."
Hanami Haruka was used to this, and knew Shion's willful and arrogant temperament, so she was not surprised at all.
When they came into contact, they were already prepared for this. "So, what about you? Broad forehead?" "Wan——"
Before Sakura could say anything, Hanami Haruka quickly stopped her with the palm of her hand, and forced her to bend down and bow.
"She is also very happy, Your Highness." Hanami Haruka said on behalf of Sakura.
"You are worthy of being a ninja trained by your father. Well, you feel extremely honored to be able to serve by my side."
Ziyuan straightened her body, feeling very satisfied with the two people's obedient attitude, which was completely different from the restless shrine maidens at the shrine.
The character 'Well' was forced out of Sakura's forehead.
To be honest, she really wanted to touch the other person's head gently.
"Just be patient, Sakura. Just think of it as playing house with a wayward child."
Seeing that Sakura was showing signs of anger, Hanami Haruka came over and said softly, "You willful child... Well, I didn't expect that you also have a sharp tongue."
Sakura's evaluation of Hanami Haruka was undeniable. He was indeed a willful child. Hanami Haruka smiled and said nothing.
"Hey, what are you two muttering about?"
Shion looked at Haruka Hanami and Sakura talking quietly and asked loudly, "We are discussing where it would be better to take His Highness to play next."
Hanami Haruka lied without blushing, as if the person who said the words "wayward child" was not him.
"No need to bother, I'm hungry now, go there and buy me some food." Ziyuan pointed to the dessert shop on the opposite street, showing that she wanted to eat.
Hana Jianyao understood immediately and knew that Ziyuan had sneaked out and must have forgotten the money, so she was sitting here helpless and waiting.
Leaving a look at Sakura, Hanami Haruka walked towards the dessert shop on the opposite street to buy hot-selling desserts for Shion.
"It's so slow. He must have run away secretly."
After waiting for about a minute, Shion began to kick the stones on the roadside out of boredom, as if she was dissatisfied that Hanami Haruka hadn't come back for so long.
"I'll be back soon." Sakura responded perfunctorily.
Although the other party is a girl of the same age as myself, her willful character is just like the children on the D-level missions she did in Konoha in the past, making it difficult to get along with her.
Reminds me of the painful memories of taking care of naughty children.
"Then, girl with a broad forehead, go and buy me a drink. It needs to be heated. I'm thirsty." Ziyuan licked her lips and gave an order to Sakura. "Sorry, one person must be left to watch you." "
Sakura's disguised rejection.
And girls with wide foreheads... Sakura really felt that her hands were itching. "Are you resisting my order? I'm thirsty now!" Shion looked over with a glare.
"…"
Sakura was slightly speechless, thinking that the other person might be rolling around on the street and acting coquettishly at the next moment. It was an illusion.
"Hurry up and buy me something to drink! Otherwise I will tell you the future when you die!" Shion used these words to scare Sakura. As a miko, she can see the scene when people die.
Sakura also knew about such rumors.
And it is said to be 100% effective, and there has been no error so far. Even Sakura can't help but feel nervous.
Even if she is a willful child, this guy is still a willful child with a terrible weapon in his hand. He must not look at her like an ordinary person.
Just when Sakura was at a loss, Hanami Haruka walked out of the dessert shop and came over with a bag of desserts and a hot drink. Shion then withdrew the fierce look at Sakura and accepted Hanami's offer with peace of mind. A free gift from Haruka.
"As expected, you are still obedient, unlike this rude, unfeminine girl with a wide forehead." Shion commented. Hanami Haruka smiled awkwardly, completely unaware of what happened between the two of them.
Sakura glared at Shion with blazing eyes. This person was really talkative.
"I'm sorry, Sakura. Your Highness, she was just a little willful, but she didn't mean any harm." Hanami Haruka walked over and continued to steady Sakura. "I know."
Sakura took a deep breath and calmed down.
She was naturally able to detect that Ziyuan had no ill intentions, but lacked the common sense to get along with ordinary people, which made him appear rude and rude.
Given the other party's identity, he must have grown up in luxury and wealth, with countless servants taking care of him. In addition, the other party's 'adopted father' is also the military leader of the Kingdom of Ghosts... even in name only. , she is also the most noble person in the Kingdom of Ghosts.
In fact, Sakura couldn't feel even basic kindness from her. She was like a alien being of 'nothingness' and 'emptiness'.
Is this the miko? Sakura looked at Shion happily drinking hot drinks and tasting desserts, and felt an indescribable weirdness.
It seemed that the girl in front of her, although she was wearing human skin, really lacked the breath of human beings.
In her eyes, I am probably just a ball of 'air' that can be seen everywhere.
"Be patient a little longer. I just sent a message and people will be coming from the shrine soon."
Hanami Haruka continued to speak softly.
It is not good for anyone to have too deep a relationship with this 'His Highness'.
Because he was caught in the sight of this 'His Highness', his future 'death' was already determined.
And no matter who it is, as long as they talk about such a heavy topic as death, they can't stay by their side without changing their expressions.
Moreover, to be honest, in Hanami Haruka's view, Shion, who had seen the tragic death of countless people, could still remain such a willful and arrogant child.
I don't want to have anything to do with such people.
"I really caused trouble to you tonight. All the money Your Highness Ziyuan spent tonight will be returned in full later."
The old miko said to Hanami Haruka and Sakura in a slightly apologetic tone. At the same time, she felt a headache for her miko-sama.
Fortunately, he didn't leave Ziyuan City, otherwise, it would be troublesome to find him.
"It's nothing, we had a pleasant evening with His Highness." Hanami Haruka responded with a smile, as if he was really honored.
Sakura was very surprised. She didn't expect that the girl next to her who could be regarded as a friend had the ability to keep her face straight and tell lies with her eyes open.
Ziyuan over there snorted softly. Surrounded by many witches, it was obvious that there was no way to escape.
However, she had long known that her whereabouts would be leaked, so she was not surprised by such a scene.
I was just thinking about how to escape from the guards of these witches next time. "Then, goodbye."
The old shrine maiden called to the shrine maiden guarding Shion, and took him back to the shrine along the long way.
Watching Shion's leaving figure, Sakura suddenly sighed: "It seems that she is not very good at being a miko."
It can be seen that Ziyuan does not particularly like to be cared for.
"No matter how much you like the 'human world', the main line of shrine maidens cannot stay for a long time... Those attendant shrine maidens are already being lenient and have not completely eliminated this kind of sneaking away. However, this is what the shrine maidens should manage. This matter has nothing to do with us ninjas."
Hanami Haruka said this.
"But I remember that there are also shrine maidens in the military." Sakura thought for a while and said.
"They belong to a different category of 'worldly' practitioners. This type of shrine maiden will not have their strength decline due to being contaminated by the aura of the mortal world. On the contrary, they are the main line of shrine maidens, an essential armed group used to govern the 'human world'."
Hanami Haruka explained, "What are the characteristics?"
"The characteristic is that they will form a contract with monsters. The more 'distractions' they are contaminated with, the stronger they will become."
Thinking of this, perhaps she recalled something, and Hanami Haruka's fair face turned rosy. Not sure if it was an illusion, but Sakura felt that Hanami Haruka's legs began to tremble uneasily.
◎Seat by the window in the family restaurant.
The three people sat down around a dining table. Asuka took off the monocle from his eyes and said to the two people at the dining table: "Speaking of which, it seems that the three of us haven't gone out to eat together for a long time. Today is a good opportunity. It's rare, so as the elder brother, let me treat you."
"There is no way. After all, we all have our own things to do. This is the only time we can come out and have a good gathering."
Cai, who was sitting opposite, nodded slightly while looking at the menu and ordering.
"So, Cai, how is life on the border? Although I keep getting letters, I still want to hear it myself."
Asuka asked with interest. He is already eighteen or nineteen years old and can be said to be a complete adult.
His voice is richer and his appearance is more masculine, giving him the impression of a calm and reliable adult.
"Um..." Cai thought about it for a moment, exhaled and said, "It's not a wonderful experience. Although there are conflicts with Iwagakure ninjas from time to time on the eastern border, bloodshed rarely happens. Most of the time, it is still the same as before, in the name of squad leader, leading the team members to patrol everywhere and spend the time peacefully."
Cai is not a fanatic who is keen on war. On the contrary, he prefers this kind of daily life with a little challenge in peace.
If you are too peaceful, you will feel bored, but if you keep fighting, you will also feel bored.
In the past two years, his team has been staying on the eastern border, and will only return to the Kingdom of Ghosts during festivals or Chinese New Year.
And this is also the most common state on the eastern border. "Other than that, I am studying and practicing." At the end, Cai added this sentence.
It is impossible to spend all the time on patrol. Cai will use his free time to study and practice to improve himself as much as possible.
"What about this year's goal?"
"Pass the Jonin test in April this year, preferably in one go!" Aya responded firmly to Asuka with a resolute attitude.
"Cai, you are really full of momentum." Asuka was shocked by Cai's momentum and said blankly.
Then, he looked at Yi Ji who was playing with her hair on the other side. Compared to two years ago, she looked more beautiful between mature and immature.
Judging from her face alone, she is definitely the type to attract bees and butterflies, but her temperament is so cold that she seems to be breathing out cold air. The four words "Keep strangers out" are written directly on her face. Strange men who want to talk to her will definitely do so. Let's freeze to death.
It gave Asuka the illusion of meeting his mother Liuli. "Yi Ji, how are you doing outside?"
"What else can I do? I am often ordered around by the old man. Thanks to him, I now have to travel tens of thousands of miles every year. It is rare for me to have some leisure time now. I don't know what will happen this year."
Yiji let go of her hair and raised her brows with a hint of displeasure in her tone.
"I feel the same way about what you are going through, Yiji. Dad does like to do things for others sometimes."
Asuka wiped the non-existent sweat on his face and nodded deeply.
I remembered that I was often ordered around by my father, Shiraishi, and worked overtime for countless days and nights. During those days, I was so busy that I was so busy that my mind was filled with the word 'work'.
"I'm thinking about going to his study in a few days and stealing the wolfberries he put there, as well as a few copies of "Intimate Love in Heaven."
Yiji used a calm tone and said extremely terrifying words.
Judging from her overly serious attitude, she really planned to do this.
"Those things are my father's precious possessions. They can't be discovered easily." Feiniao did not stop him, but thought that the success rate of doing so would not be too high.
"No, I will know where to put it by looking at it with my white eyes." Cai interjected.
Asuka and Kazuki looked at each other and picked up the cup in their hands. Cai also raised the cup. The cups touched each other in the air and made a crisp sound. "Then, cheers to our next victory!"
