Chapter 172
"Huff... Huff... I can't... I can't go on... We need to rest... Just for a little bit..."
A small figure was dragging along an even smaller one, dashing through the dense forest. Their speed gradually slowed until they finally came to a stop.
Haruto Saito was gasping for air as he let go of Minato Namikaze. Taking a few steps forward, he suddenly collapsed onto the grassy slope, leaning against a large rock. He was utterly exhausted, his chest rising and falling violently as if he could barely breathe.
Minato's face was pale, his small body trembling—not from exhaustion, but from the cold. He hadn't used much energy at all; Haruto had been carrying him the entire way. The hours of relentless running had exposed him to the freezing night air, leaving his limbs stiff and numb.
"We... need to rest first..." Haruto finally caught his breath enough to speak.
Minato was too cold to even respond.
Before long, a campfire was burning in the middle of the forest.
The bright flames pushed back the darkness, bringing much-needed warmth. Minato sat close to the fire, stretching out his hands. His pale complexion gradually faded, replaced by a healthier, reddish glow.
"We'll rest here for a while. Hopefully, it doesn't rain." Haruto sat beside the fire, leaning against a rock as he glanced up at the sky. Then he turned toward Minato. "Are you hungry? I brought some food. We can roast it."
Minato shook his head, frowning slightly. "Haruto-sama, I have school in the morning... Will I make it back in time?"
"No chance. But don't worry—skipping one day of school won't kill you," Haruto said with a chuckle before sighing. "I miscalculated. I didn't think the trip would be this long."