Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 33 A Sudden Proposal

Chie tidied her hair and broke the silence by speaking first: "Would you like some tea? I'll go pour you some." After saying that, she went into the kitchen.

Xia Ri coughed twice, forcing an unnatural smile. "I heard you were back, so I came to see you." She scratched her head, a blush still lingering on her wheat-colored face, and continued, "Are you... alright?"

"Thank goodness I'm still alive." Aburame Zhicheng continued rubbing his stomach, laughing and teasing, "You're still the same as always, never knocking before coming in."

"How would I know you were..." Xia Ri stopped mid-sentence, coughed again, and said, "Never mind, it's good that you're back safe and sound."

The room fell silent again, with only the sound of boiling water coming from the kitchen.

After a long silence, Xia Ri finally revealed the purpose of her visit: "Actually, I also have something to ask you... Same place tonight, how about drinks? Consider it a welcome-back dinner."

"The usual place?" Aburame Zhicheng looked bewildered.

Summer glanced at the kitchen, thinking he had some concerns, and immediately explained, "Sorry, I forgot you're not a member of our team. The so-called 'old spot' refers to the grove of trees by the river behind the waterfall outside the village. There's a flat rock there where my team and I often have meals."

"Oh, okay then." Aburame Shisei nodded.

"Then it's settled." Xia Ri breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had completed a difficult task. She stood up and walked towards the door. "See you tonight. Chie, I'm leaving now!"

"Take a leisurely stroll in summer," Chie said, peeking out from the kitchen.

The door closed, and the room fell silent again.

Chie came out carrying two cups of hot tea, her face still flushed: "Natsumi-nee is still so... straightforward."

Aburame Shisei took the teacup and chuckled, "It's been like this since I was little."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, then Chie looked out the window and said, "Shall we go to the Sato's house now? Mrs. Sato should be home preparing dinner by now."

"Let's go."

As expected, the Sato family's house was located at the west end of the village, near the abandoned old mill. The wooden house was slightly larger than Takikawa Hide's, and there was a small, well-maintained vegetable garden in front of it.

The woman who opened the door was about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. She had a delicate and gentle face, wore an apron around her waist, and had flour on her hands.

"Excuse me, are you...?" Her gaze swept over the two faces before finally settling on Aburame Shisei, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

"Mrs. Sato, I am Hideki Takikawa, and this is my fiancée, Chie." Shisei Aburame bowed slightly.

Mrs. Sato was taken aback at first, then smiled gently and said, "Please come in."

The interior is simply yet warmly furnished, with a family photo hanging on the wall. In the photo, Yoshisuke Sato is embracing his wife and daughter, both with bright smiles.

A little girl, about four or five years old, was sitting on the floor playing with a doll. When she saw a guest arrive, she shyly hid behind her mother.

Mrs. Sato smiled and patted the girl on the back: "Don't be afraid, go out and play. Mother has to entertain guests."

After the little girl left, Aburame Shisei took out a scroll from his bosom, performed a hand seal, and opened it. Inside was a bundle of banknotes, as well as some shiny items, including clothes, small objects, and several kunai and shuriken.

"This is some money that the captain entrusted to me to keep before he passed away, as well as some of his belongings."

Mrs. Sato picked up a well-worn amulet from above. This was a common item carried by Takigakure ninjas on missions, said to ensure their safety.

She gently traced the blurred lines with her fingers, her eyes gradually reddening, but she held back her tears: "Thank you for bringing it over."

She cried very restrainedly, not making much noise, for fear of disturbing the child.

Actually, she had a premonition before the two came to her door, but she didn't expect her premonition to be so accurate this time.

Aburame Shisei comforted her, saying, "Please accept my condolences. If you need any help, please let us know."

While it may seem that Yoshisuke Sato's death was orchestrated by him, in reality, even without his presence, Yoshisuke Sato could still have died at the hands of those wandering ninjas.

He never actually intervened; at most, he simply stood by and watched someone die. Therefore, Sato Yoshisuke's death had absolutely nothing to do with him.

He did have compassion, but not much. It's just a pity that such a person's will was too strong to be used by him.

After a long while, Mrs. Sato wiped away her tears: "I'm sorry, I was rude. As a ninja's wife, I should have been prepared for this, but when the day actually comes... it's always hard to accept."

For the rest of the time, they chatted about everyday things.

Mrs. Sato recounted amusing anecdotes about her late husband, mentioning how he always said he would apply to be transferred to the village patrol team after this mission so he could spend more time with his family.

She spoke calmly, but her fingers remained tightly gripping the amulet.

As the sun set, they said goodbye and left.

Mrs. Sato saw them to the door, bowing deeply: "Thank you. Yoshisuke... he must feel very reassured to have a teammate like you."

Aburame Shisei simply smiled and nodded, offering no response.

On the way back, the setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them.

The sunset in Takigakure Village is beautiful. The distant waterfall is bathed in golden mist under the setting sun. Farmers on the ridges of the fields return home one after another, and wisps of smoke rise from their chimneys. The air is filled with the aroma of firewood and food.

The two walked side by side, neither of them speaking at first.

As they crossed a small wooden bridge, Chie suddenly stopped, reached out and hugged his waist tightly, and said in a muffled voice, "Shu-kun, can you not be a ninja?"

Chie hugged her arms tighter and tighter: "We can farm. There's a piece of wasteland at the east end of the village that we can cultivate. As long as we work a little harder, the harvest will be enough to live on. We can grow flowers, and I can take on more garden design jobs. You can also do something else. There's always something to do in the village."

She spoke faster and faster, but her voice grew softer and softer until it was barely audible.

Aburame Shisei turned around and hugged her, comforting her, "Chie, becoming a ninja isn't something you can just quit. Ninjas also have the responsibility to protect the village. Don't worry, I'll definitely protect myself from now on."

Chie buried her head in his chest again: "Shukun, let's get married."

Aburame Shisei paused slightly, not expecting the plot to develop so quickly. But before he could react, Chie's voice rang out again.

"I know it may be a bit sudden, but during the days you've been missing, I've thought about it every day. If you come back safely, I must say these words."

"Haha." Aburame Zhicheng chuckled dryly, scratched his head, and said, "But isn't this a bit too early for us?"

Although he disguised himself very well, he was not the real Takikawa Shuu after all. Moreover, he still had many secrets, and he hadn't even had a chance to enjoy his freedom yet.