Arc XIII Chapter 16
XIII
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Arc XIII Chapter 16
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The man’s words made the magistrate listen. The magistrate studied them intently before clicking his tongue, displeased. “It appears that my subordinate is correct. So, you curs are ninja from Amegakure. Consider yourself fortunate that you enjoy the protection of your village. As such, I shall overlook your transgression, once. Now begone, children, and cease interfering.” His gaze shifted to the beaten boy on the ground. “The matter of his punishment is none of your concern.”
“...” Yuki clenched her tiny fists. Of course, she disagreed vehemently, but how was she supposed to respond? The magistrate was obviously taunting her. Think, Yuki, think. What would Nee-san say in her place!
Yuki gathered her courage. Always maintain eye contact! Never blink! Just as Nee-san had taught her. Also, speak with absolute confidence and conviction! Believe in yourself! And most importantly, make the enemy know their place! Nee-san would surely approve!
Yuki sharpened her glare, lacing her voice with as much arrogance and pride as possible. “Au contraire, Honourable Magistrate. However excusable your ignorance may be, given your position, you should nevertheless be aware that all matters pertaining to heaven and earth fall under my authority.”
...
...
...
The whole square had suddenly fallen eerily silent.
Yuki’s chest swelled with pride, fully satisfied with her work. That sounded very much like something that her Nee-san would have said in a situation like this, but on the other hand, it was probably not exactly the smartest thing to say now that she thought about it. Quite the contrary. Which was most likely the reason as to why Yuji had paled considerably beside her. Her companion stared at her accusingly, his face completely aghast.
Yuji’s eyes spoke volumes. What have you done?
...
...
...
Oopsie.
“...” The magistrate frowned, visibly enraged. “Guards, arrest them! Mark my words, you whelps will pay for your insolence!”
The men under his command moved, the ninja first. Katsuki jumped from her arms and Yuki immediately reached for her holster for another kunai. Not too late.
The first attack came without warning. In a mere instant, the chunin in charge lunged at her, head on. Fast.
Fortunately, Yuki reacted in time, blocking his attack, blocking his kunai. Steel pressed against steel, their kunai bit into each other. The enemy was stronger, taller, more muscular, yet Yuki resisted, refusing to cede any ground. Her defence held fast, despite the odds.
The enemy ninja grinned, putting even more force into his kunai, much to his enjoyment. He knew that he was stronger. He knew that he held the upper hand. Slowly but surely, he was pushing her back. “Hehehe, what’s wrong, girl? In a tight spot, aren’t you?”
“... ... ...” Yuki gritted her teeth in silence, still holding the line.
The man flashed his teeth. A smirk spread across his lips, evil, almost predatory. “The Magistrate was right. Ame-nin or not, you damn brats should’ve kept your fucking mouths shut when you had the chance. This is what you get for making fools of us.” He increased the pressure behind his kunai further. “Masato, Toru, Koji, get her little friends. Time to show them what happens if you mess with ...”
“I beg your pardon~, but to show what exactly~?” A melodious voice interrupted the chunin, her words gentle, soft, angelic, faintly whispered into his ears. The voice was close, originating from right beside him, from right next to him.
“Huh?” The man turned his head, glancing sidewards. He never knew what hit him. It happened in a fraction of a moment, too fast for the man to comprehend.
The air shifted. A slender hand. Two fingers, almost careless, lifted. A faint glimmer of purple all too familiar. A mere flick that followed.
The man shot across the entire square, his body sent flying, tumbling through the air at a speed that defied reason, to the point that the ground cracked beneath him. The poor sod slammed straight into the nearest wall, the impact dull, heavy like that of a sledgehammer. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes rolled backwards. His body moved no more.
Yuki remained frozen, her kunai still raised. Her eyes shifted ever so slightly, spotting a certain familiar presence. Her instincts had not been mistaken.
Graceful, serene, refined, elegant, regal, her posture flawless, her composure immaculate, all mundane unworthy of her attention, she had appeared among them, gracing the mortals with her presence, much like the princesses of legend. Her kimono deep black, touched with subtle shades of purple, enriched by floral embroidery. The collar and sleeves, crisp and pristine. The faint disturbance of her arrival still lingered. The edges of her robes and the strands of her black hair slowly drifted in the air, stirred by the force of motion, until finally settling.
A delicate smile adorned her lips, her deep purple eyes as beautiful, as mesmerising, as captivating as ever. Her expression carried that same familiar warmth and benevolence that she had long since come to know and cherish.
Yuki’s eyes sparkled, filled with awe and admiration alike. “Nee-san~!” Of course, it was her! Nee-san had arrived to smite the heinous fiends!
“...” Her Nee-san tilted her head, beaming at her, delighted by her sight. “Hehehe~, my sweet, little Yuki-chan~, I might be mistaken, but it appears that your actions have somehow got all three of you ...” She briefly glanced at both Yuji and Mayumi. “... into quite a predicament, right~?” Her voice carried a slight hint of admonishment.
“...” Yuki blushed at her words, her cheeks running cherry red from embarrassment, all while twiddling with her tiny fingers. Nee-san might have kind of a point, and she might have miscalculated, but still. Ignoring the fact she had caused an open confrontation, which led to them coming under attack, the entire situation had been more or less under control so far! That was much of an accomplishment by itself!
Yuki averted her eyes, meek, demure, timid. Her voice murmured, “Well, you see, Nee-san~, I only wanted to help the boy ... And I kept thinking ... wondering ... what Nee-san would have done, ... which did not exactly work out the way I expected ...”
“Hehehe~.” A gentle giggle interrupted her, warm and comforting. Nee-san raised her hand and gently ruffled Yuki’s hair, which only served to worsen her condition. Flustered, Yuki’s cheeks turned bright crimson, her little head practically steaming. “There is no need to apologise, Yuki~. That is what your big sister is here for, after all, to take care of such trifling matters.”
“... ... ...” Yuki pouted in protest, mildly annoyed. On one hand, she appreciated Nee-san’s protectiveness, but on the other hand, it aggravated her majorly that Nee-san was still treating her like a little child! Nee-san was even teasing her over her minor blunder! That was not fair! She was already fourteen! She was also a big girl! All things considered, Nee-san was barely two years older than her. Even then, her sister continued coddling her in all ways imaginable. And yet, ... how could she possibly resent her beloved Nee-san even for a second ...
Yuki’s lips mustered a faint smile, a smile of happiness. Beneath her chest, her tiny heart fluttered. There was so much warmth in her words. To see how much Nee-san cherished her. It made her happy, more than anything else in the world. Because it meant that she held a special place in her heart, the same way that Nee-san held a special place in her heart, a heart that yearned for so much more ... If only Nee-san knew ...
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