I straightened up, even though it felt like it was stabbing my bones. "I can treat my own wounds," I replied quickly. I tried to sound relaxed, but my breath was heavy. "I'll be going now."
I took a step, but the boy moved faster.
In one swift motion, the boy stood in my path. His body wasn't large, but his demeanor made him seem immovable.
"Hey, move aside," I hissed. My eyes narrowed, full of warning.
But the boy remained where he was. "I'll help you. If I remember correctly, there's a good place nearby. A place where you can safely treat your wounds."
I studied the boy more closely. There was no forehead protector on his head. No village symbol. But a katana hung at his waist, casting a dark shadow. His demeanor was not like that of an ordinary boy—too calm, too confident. "Are you sure? If you're lying..."
"I won't lie," the boy said with a slight smile. As he raised one eyebrow, his eyes sparkled mischievously. "After all, as a handsome man, how could I let a beautiful girl get hurt?"
I frowned and sighed loudly. "Hah! Handsome man? You're just an annoying guy."
The boy laughed. His voice sounded light and sincere, like water flowing over stones. "So, do you want to come with us or not?"
I looked into the boy's eyes, trying to read his hidden intentions. But all I found was confidence.
Slowly, I put my kunai back in my belt.
"Tetsu, Ajisai, come out," the boy said, turning around.
Two figures emerged from behind the bushes. A tall boy with sharp eyes, and a little girl who stared at me as if I were an alien. Both children looked alert but waited for a signal.
"Do we really have to help the girl, Boss?" the tall boy whispered.
"Yes," replied the boy with the katana without hesitation. "After all, we can't just leave an injured girl alone in the middle of the forest, can we?"
We began to walk. The air started to cool, and the twilight light began to sink behind the tall trees. Shadows fell long on the ground.
I stole a glance at the boy. His demeanor... was unusual. He occasionally looked back at me, as if checking that I could still walk.
I kept my distance, refusing to show weakness. But the pain in my shoulder grew sharper. Cold sweat dripped at my temples. My legs felt shaky.
I stumbled. The world swayed.
The boy caught me. His hand was quick, gripping my arm, preventing me from falling to the ground.
I pulled away. "Thank you, but I'm fine. I can still walk on my own," I mumbled.
The boy didn't respond. But then, without warning, he bent down and lifted me. In an instant, my body was cradled like a princess.
"W-what are you doing!?"
The boy ignored me. "I'm going to carry you."
I tried to squirm, attempting to free myself from his hold. But my efforts were in vain—the boy seemed to have anticipated every move I made.
He adjusted his grip skillfully. His right arm supported my legs, while his left slipped carefully under my back, avoiding my left shoulder that was still bleeding. His touch was gentle yet strong—like he was used to carrying injured people.
"Press the wound on your left shoulder with your right hand," he said without looking at me. His voice was firm and calm, like a command from someone who knew exactly what they were doing. "So that the blood doesn't flow out more."
I paused for a moment, then looked at the boy with a sharp gaze.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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