Chapter 41: Stealing Leisure

  The base of the Orochimaru is built in a mountain range, hollowing out the inside of the mountain. The surrounding area is still a pristine forest with no human footprints. I often sneak out and wander around the forest, after all, this feeling of being in a place without any human presence makes me feel very comfortable.

  I usually head in the direction of the small town to stroll through the forest, and after finishing, I can also go to the town to buy something before heading back. However, today my mood is good, so I specially chose a direction that I had never been to before.

  I removed all the chakra shields and ninjutsu from my body, restoring my original appearance. In this place full of natural vitality, one can't help but feel like shedding all restraints and disguises.

  I strolled along, quietly savoring the soft earth beneath my feet, and the fresh forest air seemed to cleanse my soul.

  The sky is a bright blue mirror, dazzling sunlight pours down on the unobstructed branches and leaves, as if igniting golden flames, but without feeling hot, tree shadows stretch out, and the fragrance of the earth wafts through the forest.

  Jiuyue should also like it here!

  I followed a quiet animal path, walking slowly and entering the depths, occasionally encountering small animals that were not afraid of life, staring at me with curious eyes, and my mouth involuntarily curled up into a joyful smile.

  Compared to the narrow depths of human hearts, that beautiful life is more suitable for appearing here, isn't it! I gently stroked my own chest.

  "This is really a... suitable place for rest." I ignored the whispers from the bottom of my heart, "But no... at least not now..."

  I clear my mind of all thoughts and quietly take a stroll here.

  I don't know how long I walked, but suddenly I had the urge to overlook the entire forest. I didn't want to step on the trunks of these trees, so I used Chakra to condense and stepped onto the top of a certain tree.

  The Air-Step Technique is a skill I've developed to reach the sky. The basic form starts with using chakra to climb trees, then crossing over water, and further on, I can stay at any depth in the water. My ultimate goal is to set foot in the domain of the sky, using chakra to counteract gravity, requiring my entire body to steadily release chakra to balance with gravity, allowing me to achieve what's called "Air-Step Flight". However, even for me, it's impossible to use this technique for more than half an hour. Currently, I can't ascend at a speed faster than a quick step, or I'll easily fall. But in its current state, it's already sufficient!

  I actually originally liked lying in the shade, although I still like it now, but I don't know how many tricks Jiuxi has played on this body. On sunny days, I usually lie on a tall cluster of trees, feeling the warm sunshine sprinkled on my body, just like a wild animal.

  It's been a long time since I've slept so soundly, it's rare to have this feeling now, (it feels so comfortable... just take a little rest!)

  In a dreamland, unknowingly, the red crow descends into the forest, the sunset's lingering glow has passed, the moonlight appears, and the star shadows float.

  After an unknown period of time, I felt a chill in my sleep, (was it evening?)

  As I was half asleep, a pair of big round eyes suddenly appeared in front of me within ten centimeters, scaring me so much that my body reflexively retreated backwards. For a moment, I completely forgot that I was sleeping on the top of a tree over ten meters high and fell straight down to the ground.

  What a big mistake! I never thought that in such a deep mountain and dense forest, there would be other people appearing. If it were Bai or Jun Mochiro coming to find me, they would mostly wait for me to wake up naturally nearby, and wouldn't disturb me or scare me awake. I think I probably won't have the mood to sleep at noon for the next few days!

  Just as I was about to use Instant Movement to avoid falling to the ground, I was rescued one step ahead.

  I had just been put down and was about to steady myself when I heard, "Hey! What's going on? Don't you know it's me who saved you? Can't even say a thank you?" The speaker was a tall youth with yellow long hair, seemingly over ten years old, but his eyes still shone with a dense childishness that made it hard to guess his real age.

  I originally wanted to say thank you, but then I found it strange to say that to the culprit who made me fall down, so I just nodded and pointed upwards, making a sleeping gesture to indicate that I didn't fall down voluntarily.

  "Ah! So all fairies are mute, huh? Well, in that case, I forgive you." The young man looked self-satisfied with his own magnanimity.

  He's really a simple person with his emotions written all over his face.

  "Spirit, what are you doing running to the depths of the forest in the middle of the night? And climbing such a tall tree, don't you know it's very dangerous? Ah, right, you can't speak, so no need to answer me."

  I don't know what to say, I've never met someone who talks to themselves like this before, whether it's now or in the past.

  A scene flashed through my mind (under the moonlight, a figure was standing proudly, that person was laughing, laughing with great joy, great sorrow, great sadness...)

  "Hey! Spirit, are you okay? You seem down?" The blond-haired youth looked at me with his bright big eyes.

  What a beautiful gaze! I looked at the young man's sincere eyes, and it seemed to have driven away the gloom in my heart just now.

  The blond-haired youth saw me recover with a faint smile and said, "Really good-looking! Right, spirit, I'll show you something great too!" The youth seemed to be about to pull out something from his pocket, but suddenly changed his expression and shouted loudly, "Oh no, I forgot that at dusk I have to go to the gathering point! Spirit, then... tomorrow at this time wait for me here, I'll show you a good thing, it's like that." The youth said as he quickly left in a certain direction.

  I watched as the young man walked away in the distance, leaving behind a sea of yellow-haired youths with unanswered questions.

  They all said it's dangerous for me to be alone in this deep forest, yet they asked me to wait here (although it's not dangerous for me!)

  And now it's already evening! It's still very late, I look at the position of the moon above my head (the assembly time has long passed).

  Besides, I haven't even agreed yet, and the young man has already run away... I have a very speechless feeling.

  And why does he keep calling me elf? I'm utterly perplexed.

  Forget it, nothing will happen in the base anyway, I'll come back and take a look tomorrow.

  I just vaguely saw a ninja headband on the boy's body... it was probably Iwagakure, but I don't know if he was a genin or chunin.

  I thought of the figure of the young man leaving with a fiery passion, and couldn't help but smile wryly.

  What a lovely child. This thought flashed through my mind, and I suddenly felt that Jiuxiao must have done something to this body, not just physically, but also putting some strange things in my brain. Since Jiuxiao's chakra emerged, I've developed many strange habits or thoughts, such as unintentionally batting my eyelashes, lazy smiles, liking to sunbathe, often laughing, loving sleep... no, that's because I haven't fully grasped the power of this body yet, so I often fall asleep to reduce consumption. What else? Ah, it seems I've also become more optimistic!

  Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. Anyway, I won't blame Jiu Yue. It's just that I feel a bit strange about this. If Jiu Yue likes me like this, then... let's just leave it at that! Just as I don't care about anything else, I only hope Jiu Yue can be happy. Jiu Yue feels the same way towards me, but unfortunately, these two hopes are probably not on the same path... Hehe, I guess that's something to worry about in the future!

  I snapped out of my daze, lifted my head slightly, and saw the two familiar figures standing before me. A warm feeling spread through my chest, like sunlight shining on my skin. I couldn't help but smile faintly. "Training's over! How did you think to come pick me up? Never mind, let's head back to base together then, White, Jun."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Yes, sir!"