The dilapidated South Sand Castle gate looked particularly weathered, with cracks in the city walls not yet fully repaired, and a faint scent of sorrow lingering in the air.
Shun stood before the gate, his fingers unconsciously adjusting his collar, his gaze frequently sweeping into the city, appearing somewhat anxious.
Mei stood beside him, arms crossed, looking at him with a disdainful expression. "Why are you so nervous? Weren't you quite arrogant earlier?"
Shun glanced at her, lowering his voice. "What do you know? Yukari usually doesn't get angry, but when she does, it's quite terrifying."
Mei was about to retort when a clear female voice suddenly came from the crowd. "Shun!"
Yukari rushed through the crowd. She had a graceful figure, her fair cheeks flushed from running, and her red eyes were filled with joy. Shun instinctively opened his arms but remembered something at the last moment, his movements stiffening mid-air.
Yukari keenly noticed his abnormality, and her steps gradually slowed. She stopped a step away, her gaze sweeping over Mei beside Shun, and she tilted her head slightly.
"Welcome back, and who is this?"
The surroundings instantly fell silent. Shun's throat tightened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Mei, meanwhile, straightened her back, meeting Yukari's scrutinizing gaze without flinching.
Shun gulped, his voice slightly dry. "This is Terumi Mei, a... friend... I met in Kirigakure."
Yukari's smile froze. The surrounding clamor of voices seemed to suddenly fade away, leaving only a suffocating silence.
The next second.
"Shun! You... get over here!"
She grabbed his left hand and dragged him to the side.
"Hey! Yukari... slow down!"
Shun chuckled awkwardly, the dignified Uchiha genius now looking like a child who had made a mistake.
Mei stood her ground, watching the two argue in low voices not far away.
Yukari's expressions, sometimes angry, sometimes helpless, and Shun's flustered explanations, were all clearly reflected in her eyes. Strangely, she wasn't as angry as she had imagined. Instead, there was an inexplicable... sense of relief?
A few minutes later, the two returned.
Yukari's eyes were a little red, but her expression had calmed down. She walked up to Mei and extended her hand.
"Let's reintroduce ourselves. I'm Uzumaki Yukari, this idiot's girlfriend."
Mei was startled for a moment, then shook her hand, a faint mischievous smile playing on her lips. "My name is Terumi Mei. Don't worry, I'm not interested in your 'main wife' position. He said he wanted me to be his 'little wife'."
Yukari's eyes flashed with a dangerous light, and she let out a chuckle. "Main wife? Is that how he introduced me?"
She took Shun's hand, asserting her ownership, and said, "Is this the... friend you mentioned?"
Shun waved his hands repeatedly. "Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!"
Yukari hooked one arm through Mei's and held his right hand with the other. "Alright, let's go home first. As for you, I'll punish you tonight."
As the sun set, the shadows of the three young people stretched long.
Entering South Sand Castle, traces of war could still be seen on the streets. Collapsed houses had not yet been fully repaired, and occasionally, ninjas wrapped in bandages could be seen hurrying by.
Shun's expression gradually grew serious as he asked, "How are those children now?"
Due to the urgent war, many young children were allowed to graduate early by the Konoha high-ranking officials. These children, who should have been learning shuriken throwing in school, were sent to the most brutal Kirigakure battlefield.
Yukari's steps paused slightly, her expression dimming. "There is no longer any danger to their lives, but disabilities and psychological trauma will be difficult to eliminate in the short term."
A hint of gloom flashed in Mei's dark eyes. She was from Kirigakure, the invading party.
Shun silently clenched his fists and whispered, "The war is over. I'll take you back to Konoha tomorrow."
Yukari nodded. "Mm. I understand."
Shun looked up, his eyes rekindling with light. "Psychological trauma can be treated with Genjutsu, and as for disabilities, we need to research cloning technology, which requires a lot of money, but I'll find a way."
Yukari was slightly taken aback, then showed a gentle smile. "You're still the same, always thinking of solving everyone's problems."
Mei stood by, quietly watching Shun's profile. The setting sun gilded his handsome features, and a determined flame flickered in his dark eyes.
This guy, who was usually so jovial, had this side to him after all.
...
After night had fully fallen, they arrived at the temporary medical station.
On the innermost bed, a black-haired boy lay quietly. The sleeve of his right arm hung empty, and his dark eyes stared at the tent ceiling, his gaze as hollow as stagnant water.
"Sanji..." Yukari called softly, but the boy showed no reaction.
Shun squatted by the bed, reaching out to gently caress the boy's forehead. "Does it hurt?"
The boy slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse. "It doesn't hurt. It's just that I can't be a ninja anymore."
Shun's hand trembled slightly, and the three tomoe in his red eyes slowly rotated.
Sharingan: Genjutsu: Mind Healing.
The boy's eyes gradually focused, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly, as if he saw something beautiful. The light of the oil lamp flickered in his dark eyes, like a rekindled vitality.
Yukari stood at the entrance, her fingers tightly clutching the hem of her clothes. Mei noticed tears sparkling in her ruby-like eyes.
"This jutsu can only temporarily relieve it. True healing requires time."
When they left the medical station, the night sky was already full of stars.
The ruins of South Sand Castle looked particularly desolate under the moonlight, but also somehow held a certain hope of new life.
Shun said, "Early tomorrow morning, we'll set off back to Konoha. Yukari, you're responsible for arranging the transfer of the wounded. Mei, you'll come with me to procure some medicinal herbs."
Yukari suddenly reached out and grabbed Shun's right hand. "Don't think you can get away with this. As for the 'little wife' matter, we'll settle the score slowly when we get back."
"Yukari, don't be angry." Shun forcefully hugged her.
Mei watched them bicker, a smile unconsciously forming on her lips.
The night breeze ruffled her hair, carrying the unique freshness of early spring. Perhaps, going to Konoha with this man wasn't such a bad thing.
***
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