Shoi felt the weight of Hinata on his shoulder as he climbed out of the pit, her unconscious body limp against him. His mind raced, struggling to balance his inner thoughts.
But now, there was no time for such distractions. He could have taken advantage of her vulnerability, but he knew the consequences.
Not only would it destroy whatever fragile bond they were forming, but it would also bring unimaginable trouble from the Hyuga clan, especially with someone as important as Hinata.
"Better to keep things clean," he muttered, his voice low as he carefully made his way out of the pit.
The village ahead was still in chaos, the flames consuming more and more of the wooden homes. The cries of the villagers echoed faintly in the night air.
Shoi cast a quick glance toward the devastation, his expression darkening.
"Fuck them," he repeated, his eyes narrowing as he turned away from the sight. His own survival—and Hinata's—was far more important to him than playing hero.
He had no attachment to the village or its people, and saving them wouldn't bring him anything but trouble.
Focusing on his chakra control, he walked effortlessly over the rugged terrain, each step smooth and deliberate.
As he adjusted his grip on Hinata, her unconscious form light in his arms, he couldn't help but notice how peaceful she looked, despite the danger they had just escaped.
"Let's get you home," he murmured to himself, his eyes set on the distant horizon.
The Hyuga compound was far, but with his speed and strength, he would reach it before sunrise.
As he moved swiftly through the forest, his mind wandered back to the events of the past few hours.
Shoi was not a hero, nor was he someone who usually involved himself in other people's problems.
Within a few hours, he reached the Hyuga compound, leaving Hinata in her room. Glancing outside, he realized it was already morning.
Hinata wouldn't be waking up anytime soon, so he figured he might as well explore the village.
As Shoi stepped out of the Hyuga compound, the warmth of the morning sun touched his face. The village was starting to stir; shopkeepers were setting up their stalls, and the faint aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air.
Despite the chaos of the previous night, the village was returning to its usual routine, as if nothing had happened.
Shoi walked casually through the streets, observing the villagers as they went about their day. They greeted each other with smiles, completely unaware of the events that had unfolded in the dead of night.
Village life had always struck him as oddly peaceful, yet it still felt foreign to him.
His life had been one of survival, power, and distance from these everyday routines.
"As he moved through the streets, his eyes scanned his surroundings, absorbing every detail.
He passed by a training ground where a few young shinobi were practicing their techniques. The sight reminded him of how much he still had to learn—jutsus, combat skills.
His chakra control was mediocre; he knew he needed to work harder on it.
Turning a corner, he spotted a familiar figure—Sakura. She stood by a training post, catching her breath after what appeared to be an intense session.
She noticed him and raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised to see him again.
"You," she said, wiping sweat from her brow as she approached. "You're the guy with Hanabi… Shoi, right? From that day?"
Shoi shrugged, a bit taken aback. "Yes."
Sakura folded her arms, her expression curious. "Hmm, last time you were with Hanabi?"
He nodded.
"You know," she began, her tone casual but light, "there's a tea shop just around the corner. I was thinking of grabbing a drink after training. Want to join me?"
Shoi blinked, caught off guard by the sudden invitation.
He wasn't one to get involved in casual social interactions, especially after the long night he'd had. But something in Sakura's eyes made him pause.
She was trying to seem nonchalant, but there was an undeniable curiosity beneath the surface.
"I guess I could use a drink," he replied, playing along but keeping his guard up.
"Great!" Sakura smiled, gesturing for him to follow. "It's nothing fancy, but the tea's good."
They walked side by side, the morning bustle of the village gradually increasing as the shops opened and people started going about their day.
Shoi kept his gaze forward, but he could feel Sakura occasionally glancing at him, as if trying to size him up without being too obvious.
The tea shop came into view, a small, cozy place nestled between a few other stalls. The warm scent of brewing tea drifted from the doorway, and Sakura led the way inside, picking a corner table by the window.
Shoi sat across from her, his senses still alert to any ulterior motives, but outwardly, he remained calm.
Sakura ordered two cups of tea, then leaned back in her chair with a casual smile. "So, how have you been settling in? It can't be easy being an outsider in a place like this."
Shoi shrugged. "I manage."
"I've noticed you around a couple of times," she continued, taking a sip of her tea. "First with Hanabi, and now… well, just wandering the village on your own.
Most people like to keep close to their clans, but you seem different."
Shoi raised an eyebrow. "Is that a bad thing?"
Sakura shook her head. "No, just… interesting. I like to get to know people who stand out."
Shoi leaned back slightly, taking a sip of his own tea. "I'm just passing through. Not looking to stand out."
"Still," Sakura said with a thoughtful smile, "you must be someone special to be staying with the Hyuga, of all people.
They don't exactly open their doors to just anyone."
Shoi met her gaze, keeping his expression neutral. "I've got my reasons."
Sakura nodded, letting the conversation lull for a moment as she sipped her tea. Her approach was subtle, but Shoi could sense she was fishing for information.
She wasn't being aggressive about it—just gently nudging, trying to see what he would offer up.
"So, any plans while you're in the village?" she asked, her tone casual. "You must have something you're working on."
Shoi set his cup down, carefully considering how much to reveal. "Nothing in particular. Just learning the ropes."
Sakura smiled, her curiosity evident, but she didn't push. "Well, if you need any help—or just want someone to show you around—let me know. It's easier to navigate the village with a guide."
After a bit more conversation, she finally said her goodbyes, leaving Shoi still seated at the table, lost in thought.
"Hmm... what was she trying to do?" he wondered. From his observations, it seemed like she was trying to gather information from him.
Luckily, with he now know chakra control, And Now he could hide his chakra, making it difficult for others to sense its presence or purity.
Still, while these thoughts floated in his mind, one thing became clear to him—Sakura had an impressive figure. Her... assets might not be the largest, but those curves...!
"Ahem!" He coughed, shaking his head. "Am I really getting this perverted? Must be that degenerate system messing with me!"
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