Only the comrades who had been in the backroom knew about Atsui's presence; those on duty outside were still unaware.
They wouldn't be cautious around Seiji.
That was Samodo's instruction.
Yet, the younger brother, originally meant to be quietly sent to the Ninja Academy, had now been discovered by Seiji.
"…Alright, come with me."
Samui placed the cloth on the table and went upstairs.
Seiji immediately followed.
"Sister?"
Atsui, about the same age as Seiji, scratched his head in confusion.
Why was she going upstairs?
He hadn't seen the face of the child in front of his sister and assumed it was a customer.
Brushing it off, he picked up the cloth Samui had left and tiptoed to wipe the greasy table.
When Samui pushed open the door to the second floor, her fingers trembled slightly, but she quickly masked it, stepping aside for Seiji to enter first.
The second floor contained a small, cramped room—staff resting area—with a low table and a few cushions in the corner near the window.
Sunlight poured through, adding a soft warmth to the space.
Yet the warm light could not dispel the chill clinging to Samui.
Seiji casually sat in a chair, long fingers tapping the table as he looked at Samui:
"Since you came upstairs, let's not waste time. Give me a sword technique—something plain and unassuming. If it doesn't suit me, I'll come back for another."
Seiji spoke boldly, making his request.
When you can extract benefits, you take them all.
There were powerful Lightning Release techniques, but they consumed too much chakra and weren't suitable for public use.
Others would question how Seiji learned such techniques.
The best choice was sword techniques—subtle enough to resemble basic swordplay.
"Alright."
Samui nodded.
The scroll she would give Seiji was naturally covered by village expenses.
She asked him to wait, and soon returned with a scroll.
Besides Lightning Release, the Cloud Village also excelled in swordsmanship.
In the ninja world, swords and ninjutsu often intertwined.
For example, Killer B's Seven Swords technique nearly broke Sasuke's defenses, forcing him to resort to the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Seiji took the scroll, but his eyes did not immediately land on it; instead, he scanned Samui's face.
From her delicate features down to the fair, slender neck and the graceful curve of her posture.
Samui felt his gaze. Her expression remained calm, but the chill in her eyes deepened.
She knew that look well.
Being an undercover spy, she had encountered many people.
That gaze was…
Golden hair swaying, her heartbeat quivering.
Seiji's eyes lingered on her face for a moment, then shifted to the hem of her skirt.
His gaze traveled down her long legs, a spark of interest breaking the calmness in his eyes.
Samui, forced to act against her will, had no choice but to comply.
What expression should she wear?
"Miss Samui,"
Seiji smiled slightly, speaking evenly:
"Your younger brother is still so young, with great potential. If something were to happen to him, that would be too much of a loss, wouldn't it?"
Samui's face remained cold, but her eyes betrayed subtle ripples.
Even her composed self could not fully control her emotions when it came to her only brother.
"Don't be nervous. I just hope Miss Samui shows a bit more sincerity."
Seiji continued.
The air seemed to freeze. Sunlight gently fell on the low table, but could not dispel the heavy tension in the room.
Samui hesitated, finally lowering her gaze, fingers unconsciously clutching her skirt.
Refusing Seiji could have meant him reporting to Samodo—or worse, revealing the hideout altogether.
No spy could escape Konoha's scrutiny then.
Even telling Samodo wouldn't help—he wouldn't care.
She had brought this on herself.
Seiji's gaze was like needles.
Her fingers tightened slowly, then relaxed, finally lifting the hem of her skirt just a little.
Silent, her cold expression hid all emotions. Her fair, slender legs were exposed in the sunlight, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Seiji's smile grew brighter.
For Samui, working for the Cloud Village was complicity—sin!
Her left eye shifted from black to scarlet, a single Sharingan tomoe appearing.
Even her right eye, which had never reacted, began to show hints of crimson.
Special chakra began forming in her brain, flowing toward Seiji's right eye.
Seiji sensed he was only a thin veil away from activating his right eye fully.
The Cloud Village wanted his body, the Uchiha wanted his loyalty.
Meanwhile, the impending ninja war loomed, and today, with the pressure accumulated from Uchiha Yozuki, he finally found a chance for release.
Forced melons aren't sweet, but they quench thirst.
Even during tedious training, one must take breaks.
"Not bad. I'm satisfied with this sincerity. I feel a bit more assured about your return to the Cloud Village, but…"
Halfway through, Seiji straightened, and the slight resistance from Samui stopped her action.
The scene looked almost absurd.
"Let's call it a day. I hope Miss Samui chooses her words more carefully next time."
Seiji casually tucked the scroll into his robe and left.
He had leverage now, but pressing too hard could backfire.
Samui still looked about fifteen.
Samodo, clearly in his thirties, would be hard to deal with.
You pick the softest persimmon first.
The door closed softly. The faint click of the wood echoed eerily in the quiet room.
Samui stood still, shoulders trembling slightly.
After a long moment, her hands finally released the skirt, body slumping against the cabinet.
Her usually cold, elegant face now held a trace of hidden blush.
"Anyway… no one saw anything."
She let out a deep sigh, frustrated.
If she hadn't said that one sentence before Seiji could pin it on her, it would have been better.
Perhaps Seiji's attention would have gone to someone else, not her.
About two minutes later, the light footsteps of Atsui sounded outside:
"Sis?"
Samui immediately raised her head, suppressing all emotions, turning to her younger brother's innocent face.
Atsui looked puzzled.
The guest had just left, and his sister had mysteriously stayed inside.
Tired?
Samui squatted down, stroking his golden hair, eyes soft yet tinged with a bittersweet trace.
As long as her brother's future was safe, it was worth it.
This was for her only family… her little brother.
(End of Chapter)