"Host, a mission is here!"
Furin had barely closed her eyes for long when the System suddenly popped up.
"Mmph..." Furin scrunched up her little face, blinking her sleepy eyes, and said feebly, "I can't even move right now, are you serious about giving me a mission?"
"Rest assured, Host, this mission definitely doesn't require you to move!" The System assumed a solemn tone, sounding exceptionally earnest, as if it had completely anticipated Furin's doubts.
"Oh?"
Furin instantly grew a bit more alert. A mission that didn't require moving? She frowned slightly, turning things over in her mind, and genuinely couldn't think of any task that didn't involve even the slightest movement.
However, having just "disciplined" the System that morning, Furin figured it wouldn't dare step out of line... right?
"Fine, go ahead and issue the mission." Furin let out a helpless sigh, closing her eyes to wait.
The System's prompt tone immediately sounded:
Mission Name: Big Brother's Back
Mission Introduction: As a little-sister character, an older brother's embrace and back are indispensable sources of a sense of security. This mission aims to train the Host's emotional bonding ability and enhance the intimacy between siblings through the task.
Mission Objective: Have Big Brother take the initiative to carry the Host on his back for 3 minutes or more.
Mission Reward: Host's stamina recovers by 60%, acquire [Ask and You Shall Receive]: As the name implies, all ninjutsu require no hand seals.
Furin opened her eyes to read the mission introduction, her expression gradually shifting from clueless to rigid, and finally turning bright red.
"System, do you have some kind of misunderstanding about 'not needing to move'?" She grabbed her head with the last remaining bit of her strength and questioned it through gritted teeth.
"Host, I'm telling the truth!" The System's voice was full of innocence. "You really don't need to move; Itachi is the one moving, you just have to climb on his back."
"You..." Furin was instantly speechless. Climbing onto Itachi's back—that certainly didn't sound like she needed to do much moving, but the problem was... if she had to ask for it, did she even want any face left?!
"I refuse." Furin spoke decisively, intending to just lie flat and give up.
The System let out a theatrical sigh: "Oh, Host, I went to great lengths to design this mission just to help you better integrate into your role. You have to understand my painstaking efforts!"
"Painstaking efforts my foot!"
Furin glared angrily at the System interface in her mind. Unfortunately, she was completely devoid of strength right now, so she could only put up a tough front verbally: "What kind of weird mission is this? I'm not doing it!"
The System explained with a straight face: "The mission reward is so generous, aren't you tempted at all, Host?"
Furin rolled her eyes speechlessly. Of course she was tempted! A clap of her hands and—Ask and You Shall Receive! That was infinitely better than foolishly weaving hand seals.
Just as Furin was still grumbling inwardly, Itachi noticed that Furin in his arms had been restlessly frowning, seeming somewhat troubled.
Itachi turned his head, looked at Furin's flushed little face and slightly bashful appearance, and asked in puzzlement, "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Furin bit her lip, feeling the heat on her face shoot straight up, and spoke in a tiny voice, "B... Big Brother, I'm so tired, I can't walk anymore..."
Itachi was slightly stunned, then a faint smile appeared on his face. He reached out and ruffled Furin's hair: "Is that so? Then I'll carry you."
Itachi smiled without saying much more, turned around, and squatted down: "Hop on."
Furin was startled for a moment, then slowly climbed onto Itachi's back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Pressing her cheek against Itachi's shoulder, she felt both nervous and shy, her heartbeat racing frighteningly fast.
Itachi stood up, steadily carrying Furin on his back as his pace slowed: "Tell Big Brother whenever you're tired from now on, understand?"
"Mm..." Furin buried her face and gave a soft acknowledgment, but the corners of her mouth quietly curved upward into a sweet arc.
The System popped up again at that moment, speaking in a cheeky tone: "Host, you're awesome! The reward has been credited, please check it!"
"Shut up!"
…………
"Furin, you must have worn yourself out recently, right?" Itachi asked as they walked, his tone carrying deep concern.
"A little bit..." Furin buried her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's, yet her heart felt incomparably at ease.
Quietly resting on Itachi's back, listening to his steady footsteps and heartbeat, Furin couldn't help but let a smile lift the corners of her mouth.
Itachi continued as they walked: "Furin, sometimes you should think more about yourself. Don't always be worrying about the family when you're this young."
His tone carried a trace of helplessness and even more heartache.
This little younger sister of his was heartbreakingly sensible. Clearly still just a child, she was already thinking about how to give her family a better life—not only serving him food at the dinner table, but also practicing diligently, claiming it was to protect everyone.
Buried against Itachi's back, Furin gave a muffled reply: "Got it."
Yet, the response was perfunctory and entirely lacking in conviction. Itachi gently shook his head, knowing Furin hadn't taken a single word to heart.
To keep the atmosphere from becoming too solemn, he turned his head and smiled at Furin: "Furin, let's go buy some Tri-color Dango."
"Huh? Does Big Brother want to eat some?" Furin was taken aback, not expecting Itachi to suddenly change the subject, and for a second she felt a bit unaccustomed to it.
"Mm." Itachi nodded, his eyes carrying a hint of doting affection.
Before long, the brother and sister arrived in front of the Tri-color Dango stall.
Itachi skillfully pulled out some money to buy a few skewers, then—to Furin's utter surprise—shoved the whole batch of dango straight into her arms.
"Brother isn't eating?" Furin looked down at the dango in her hands, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Brother is carrying you right now, so I don't have a free hand." Itachi explained with a straight face, though a trace of mischief hid within his tone.
"Oh..." Furin nodded, understanding half-heartedly.
Looking at the colorful Tri-color Dango in her hands, her eyes lit up, and she couldn't help breaking into a happy smile.
Ever since she had tasted this dessert last time, she had fallen in love with its sweet and chewy texture. She eagerly took a bite, the soft and sweet flavor instantly melting in her mouth.
"So good!" Furin couldn't help exclaiming, her mood instantly soaring.
After finishing one skewer, she picked up another and brought it right to Itachi's lips: "Big Brother, say ah."
Seeing the Tri-color Dango right in front of him, Itachi froze.
He had originally only intended to use buying dango as an excuse to make Furin happy and coax her into eating a bit more, but now look at this—Furin was actually taking the initiative to feed him.
"Eat up, Big Brother!" Seeing that Itachi still hadn't moved, the flush on Furin's face instantly crept all the way up to the tips of her ears.
Furin glanced around and noticed quite a few passersby watching, which made her even shyer, causing her voice to unconsciously rise a fraction.
Watching Furin's bright red face, Itachi found it quite amusing inwardly, though his expression remained calm. He leaned down and bit off the dango Furin was offering, speaking mildly: "Thanks, Furin. It's delicious."
Hearing Itachi's praise warmed Furin's heart, but the blush on her face deepened even further.
To hide her shyness, Furin puffed out her cheeks in feigned anger: "If it weren't for the fact that you're carrying me, Big Brother, I wouldn't feed you at all!"
Seeing her putting on such a haughty yet adorable display, Itachi couldn't help letting out a low chuckle.
With her on his back, he walked with steady strides through the bustling market street. The surrounding commotion seemed to fade away, leaving only his little sister's sweet-tempered murmurs and the lingering scent of dango by his lips.
At that moment, Itachi suddenly felt that such a peaceful, ordinary life wasn't bad at all.