Knock, knock, knock.
A series of hurried knocks echoed through the house. Uchiha Cho opened the door to find a grinning Hiroshi standing there. She put on a look of perfect surprise. "I thought you went to see your teacher. Back so soon?"
"Let in, I'll tell you," Hiroshi said, squeezing past her into the room. Seeing the helpless look on his girlfriend's face, he chuckled. "Sensei gave a mission. One that requires leaving the village."
"Tch. Big deal," Cho scoffed, turning her head away with a huff, pretending to be annoyed.
Because of her relatively low strength, she rarely got the chance to leave the village for missions. Hiroshi knew this, which was why he was teasing her.
Seeing her "I'm angry" pout, Hiroshi laughed heartily. "Sensei said you can co with . How about that? Don't be mad, I was just teasing."
Hearing this, Cho imdiately spun around, her face lighting up with "surprise." "Really? You're not lying to ?"
"Really. Would I dare lie to you?" Hiroshi shook his head, amused by her excitent as she practically bounced around the room. "Alright, calm down. Go pack your things. We leave soon."
"Oh! Right!" Cho exclaid, dashing into her bedroom to pack, completely ignoring her boyfriend.
Hiroshi could only smile wryly as he left her house to go pack his own gear.
At the doorway, he paused. He turned back to look at the house, listening to the sounds of movent inside. Subconsciously, his hand went to his chest, feeling the small box hidden in his pocket.
It contained an engagent ring. He hadn't decided when to propose, but standing there, he made up his mind.
After this mission was over, he would ask her to marry him.
anwhile, in Kyosuke's courtyard.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Enter."
Seeing Number 7 walk in, Kyosuke knew the arrangents had been made.
He set down his teacup and rose from his sandalwood chair, slipping on his outer coat. "Have they left?"
"Yes, my lord. They departed a few minutes ago. The Secret Guard squad is fully deployed and in position," Number 7 reported, his speech rapid and precise.
"Well done." Kyosuke touched his eyes lightly. Soon... soon I will be even stronger. Just a little more patience.
A cold, slight smile touched his lips. He looked at Number 7, who had followed him loyally for years. "Do you have anyone under your command capable of taking on a leadership role?"
"...I apologize, my lord. Not yet."
"Is that so..." Kyosuke's mind drifted back to the battlefield. He rembered a specific mont when Number 13 had been gravely injured protecting him. He rembered the look on Number 7's face in that instant. From that mont on, he knew that these two subordinates shared a special bond.
However, as Secret Guards, they existed to follow their master's will. Emotions were a luxury they could not afford. They both knew this, so their feelings remained unspoken.
But Kyosuke didn't view them rely as tools. They had risked their lives for him countless tis when he was weak. He wasn't made of stone; he was moved by their loyalty.
Looking at Number 7 today, a thought suddenly occurred to Kyosuke. "How old are you now, Number 7?"
Number 7 was clearly taken aback by the sudden personal question but answered imdiately. "Twenty-six, my lord."
"...Twenty-six already," Kyosuke murmured. Then, his tone turned icy and commanding. "Number 7, hear my order!"
"Yes! My lord, please speak!" Thinking a major mission was at hand, Number 7 instantly stiffened, his expression filling with killing intent.
In Number 7's mory, Kyosuke rarely used such a tone unless the situation was dire, like when Lady Nagisa was taken. He ntally braced himself for a dangerous assignnt.
However, Kyosuke's next words left him completely frozen.
"I order you... on this day next month, you will marry Secret Guard Number 13. After the wedding, her civilian identity will be restored. You will continue to serve by my side until you have trained a successor."
"My lord, this..." A rare look of confusion crossed his face, quickly replaced by a flush of excitent and gratitude.
"Don't ask why. Just execute the order," Kyosuke said, then stood and walked out of the room, leaving Number 7 standing there alone, trembling with emotion.
"Phew..." Number 7 took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, composing himself. He then gathered the other guards and followed Kyosuke out.
He didn't offer words of thanks. They were unnecessary. His life belonged to his master, as did Number 13's and the lives of all their subordinates. Gratitude was best shown through service.
Besides, Number 7 guessed that Kyosuke disliked overly sentintal displays. If he didn't, he wouldn't have left the room so quickly.
It had to be said, Number 7 was truly an exemplary subordinate.
Elsewhere in the Land of Fire.
Hiroshi and Cho were speeding through the forest. With their speed, it would take the better part of a day to reach the Capital, as the Daimyo's palace wasn't too far from Konoha.
Several hours passed. Hearing the ragged breathing beside him, Hiroshi asked with concern, "Cho, are you okay? Maybe we should rest for a bit."
Hearing her boyfriend's suggestion, the exhausted Cho didn't refuse. They found a clearing and sat down, leaning against each other.
"Hiroshi, you still haven't told what the mission is," Cho said, looking at Hiroshi, who seed lost in thought. A flicker of confusion passed through her eyes.
She knew that soon, the man in front of her would probably...
No. My feelings for him are fake. Everything is for Lord Kyosuke's plan. I can do anything for my lord... Cho silently admonished herself in her heart.
"Uh..." Hiroshi rubbed his nose awkwardly. He hesitated, then decided to tell the truth. "Actually, I don't know the details either. Sensei said soone will et us when we arrive, and they'll explain the mission then."
"What? That's so la."
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