In a small grove, Ye Wu Di looked at Hinata's flushed cheeks and the Brave Hero's Reboot Life: Seize the Future in an Instant! they'd "studied" from after school till nightfall.
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Brother Wu Di, it's dark… should we… go back?"
"Alright, let's head back and keep seizing the future."
"Mm! I'll follow Brother Wu Di's lead!"
But as Hinata rubbed her sore little hands, warm breath puffing out, a strange glint flashed in Ye Wu Di's eyes.
Someone's here!
The moment the thought hit him, three masked figures emerged from the darkness.
They blocked the path back to the Hyuga compound.
"Ye Wu Di, the boss wants to see you. Come with us!"
The masked trio drew their ninja blades, staring coldly at Ye Wu Di and Hinata.
Their intent was clear: resist, and they'd strike without mercy!
"Brother Wu Di, I… what do we do now?"
"Don't be scared. I've got this."
Ye Wu Di gently ruffled Hinata's hair, comforting her.
But this time, instead of fainting from his closeness, Hinata puffed her cheeks stubbornly, holding on.
In her heart, she'd already made a plan!
If their target's Brother Wu Di, I'll push him away when I get the chance!
He's so good to me—I can't let these weird bad guys take him!
Go, Hinata! You can do it! You… mm, Brother Wu Di's too close, so dizzy…
I can't faint… but it's really, really dizzy…
Ye Wu Di didn't know Hinata's inner resolve.
His eyes locked on the three masked goons.
"…"
They want to take me?
Yeah, probably for the Uchiha Shisui version of my Body Flicker Technique!
As for their identity—Konoha's ANBU or Root. Plus, Kakashi was watching me earlier.
These three who deliberately avoided him? Definitely Root.
Danzo Shimura's First Pot Shadow crew!
Still, better "politely" confirm it.
With that, Ye Wu Di's lips curved up. He stepped forward.
"Some big shot wants to see me? The Pot Shadow? I'm so scared."
Pot Shadow? Back-Pot?
What kinda dumbass title is that?!
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for earning 666 points of negative emotions from Root Special Jonin XXX!
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for earning 666 points of negative emotions from Root Chunin XXX!
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for earning 666 points of negative emotions from Root Chunin XXX!
Hearing the system pings, Ye Wu Di's smile widened.
Heh, confirmed—First Pot Shadow, Danzo's goons!
Identity locked. Time for the show!
As Ye Wu Di confirmed their affiliation, the two Root chunin gripped their blades and crept closer.
Their thick killing intent and bloodstained swords were highly intimidating.
Hinata shrank back, peeking out with her big blinking eyes.
These guys… so scary…
I gotta get ready—then pounce and hug them, stop these bad guys from hurting Brother Wu Di!
Go, Hinata! You can do it!
Step step step.
"Captain, told ya—against a kid with some skill, just attack. Saves time."
"Exactly! Boss said alive and intact, but didn't say uninjured!"
The special jonin nodded, signaling them to strike.
"Mm. You two, go. Quick and clean."
But just as he nodded, Ye Wu Di spoke up.
"Hang on—you guys aren't jonin, right? You feel way weaker than Kakashi-sensei and Guy-sensei."
"…"
White Fang's son, Copy Ninja Kakashi?
Konoha's proud Blue Beast, Might Guy?
Those freaks—even if we're special jonin at best, real jonin or not…
Unless we've got numbers and perfect conditions…
We wouldn't dare mess with them!
"We…"
As the special jonin opened his mouth to save face, timid Hinata raised her little hand.
"Um… Brother Wu Di, I just used Byakugan and… saw… they're not jonin level…"
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for earning 999 points of negative emotions from Root Special Jonin XXX!
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for earning 999 points of negative emotions from Root Chunin XXX!
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for earning 999 points of negative emotions from Root Chunin XXX!
Insulted again by kids way younger and weaker, the two chunin charged, blades flashing.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Just some brats—daring to look down on us? I'll take 'em!"
"Back off! My blade's been thirsty too long—this kid's first cut is mine!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Oh no! Brother Wu Di's in danger!
Seeing both chunin attack, Hinata mustered all her courage and dove forward.
"Don't hurt Brother Wu Di! Hya!"
But the moment she leapt from Ye Wu Di's arms, momentum sent her headfirst into the ground.
"Aaah~ Oof!"
Seeing this, Ye Wu Di sighed helplessly and grabbed her tiny ankle mid-dive.
Hinata's fierce kitten pounce? Yeah, super cute.
"Hinata, what're you doing?"
"P-people… wanted to protect… Brother Wu Di…"
Hinata's voice grew quieter, the last words a mosquito buzz.
But Ye Wu Di heard.
His face softened into a doting smile as he ruffled her hair.
"Don't worry. I've got it. We'll leave safe and sound today."
"Mm mm! Hinata always believes in Brother Wu Di!"
"Mm."
Step step.
Comforting Hinata, Ye Wu Di looked up at the two Root chunin inches away.
"You hear that? My wife says no."
"So today's tea invite from the Pot Shadow…"
His smile vanished, turning "kindly."
"I'll pass!"
"Get it?"
"…"