"I'll never forget this, you bastards! One day, I'll return and destroy all of you humans!"
The demonic dragon heads screamed in suppressed fury as they were forcibly dragged toward the center of the sealing technique Hinako had unleashed. Their cries continued for a while before gradually fading as the body they inhabited shrank and was swallowed into the heart of the seal.
Whoooosh.
He disappeared completely.
The only thing left behind where he had once sat before the small shrine was a medium-sized stone covered in intricate black sealing inscriptions, intertwining and overlapping in an elaborate pattern.
A heavy silence settled over the enormous chamber after all the explosions, shouting, and chaos that had filled it only moments before.
"Phew..."
Hinako let out a long sigh of relief.
The sealing technique had drained far more of her chakra than she had expected, even after all the training she had undergone. A moment later, dizziness overtook her. Her knees gave way beneath her, and her body began to tilt.
But Thorn appeared beside her at the perfect moment, catching her before she could fall with a swift movement.
He spoke with unmistakable pride.
"Well done."
Hinako smiled brightly and happily as she looked at him.
"Thank you, Master."
"It seems you've exhausted your chakra reserves."
Thorn said as he examined her and assessed her condition.
A mischievous idea flashed through Hinako's mind in less than a second, accompanied by a sly smile she couldn't completely hide despite her efforts.
Pretending to be more exhausted than she actually was, she said,
"Yes, Master. I'm completely worn out from using the sealing technique. I can't even walk anymore."
Thorn looked at her, immediately recognizing the playful thoughts running through her mind. After spending an entire year together, he knew her all too well.
Leaning more heavily against him and pretending she couldn't even stand, Hinako asked,
"So... could you carry me, Master?"
Thorn felt the familiar mixture of helplessness and embarrassment this impulsive girl always managed to bring out in him. He was usually a man of few words who preferred straightforwardness and simplicity, not situations like these that left him completely flustered.
Before he could answer, a voice came from behind them.
"Ahem, ahem. Are we disturbing you by being here?"
One of Hinako's warrior uncles spoke after most of the team had gathered around the two of them, each wearing an awkward expression.
"No... there's no need for that."
Thorn replied briefly.
But Hinako interrupted him before he could continue.
"Yes, uncles. You can go back ahead of us."
Everyone looked at her silently for a few seconds before one of them joked,
"At least pretend while we're watching."
"That's enough. Let's head back."
Thorn said.
He reached an arm toward her, lifted her up, and carried her onto his back.
Everyone around them froze in surprise.
Even Hinako herself was stunned. She had only been teasing him and had never expected Thorn to actually do it. Her face flushed bright red, and she couldn't think of a single word to say.
"Let's go."
He spoke in the same calm tone as always, as though what had just happened was perfectly natural and not worth commenting on.
Silence filled the chamber for several awkward moments, an embarrassment that none of the team members could hide.
Before they began the journey back, one of the warriors spoke up.
"My brother and I intend to remain here for now and guard this cave."
Thorn looked at him for a moment as he considered the suggestion. The sealed stone still rested at the center of the chamber, and someone needed to stay close to it. The cave itself also required constant surveillance after everything that had taken place within it.
"Very well. It would be best to organize a rotating team to guard this cave."
He said while looking at the stone in the center.
Then he turned toward the exit and began walking, with Hinako still silently resting on his back, her face still burning red.
(Fenrik Walt pic is available to everyone on my Patreon page even if u r not member)
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