Chapter 217 The Great Swallow Sees the Light of Day Again

"But..." Tsunade stammered, as if she wanted to persuade her but didn't know how to start.

Forget about unraveling the mystery of Haruko's reincarnation; she hasn't even figured out a cure for Haruko's frail health yet, and now Haruko is going to face danger again...

Tsunade couldn't help but blame herself for her incompetence. After struggling for a long time, she still looked at Haruko across from her with pleading eyes.

"Haruko, can you... not go? Your body isn't suited for the battlefield. Give me five more years... no, three! I'm sure I can research a cure for you!"

Upon hearing Tsunade start, Hiruko immediately followed up, saying, "Yes, Haruko didn't have to go at all. With our efforts, you can stay in the village and won't encounter any danger!"

“Tsunade… Hiruko…” Haruko paused, then looked at the other two who hadn’t spoken, “Do you think so too?”

Orochimaru and Jiraiya exchanged a glance. Seeing Jiraiya frowning in deep thought, Orochimaru put down his cup and silently said, "War is nothing more than a struggle between rational and irrational people, an endless conflict, an endless interweaving of darkness and light."

"Some people achieve great success, while others are destined to become victims. We may not be able to make your future brilliant in a short time, but we definitely have the ability to ensure your life is worry-free."

"However... no matter what, you won't change your mind, right?"

Meeting his deep, golden eyes, Haruko sensed their unspoken understanding and smiled in affirmation, "Yes!"

Hiruko was getting anxious. "Haruko, you might get hurt, or worse, you might...!"

Realizing what he was about to say, Hiruko immediately fell silent, and the three people around him also fell silent.

"It's alright." Haruko's gentle words reassured them. "It's precisely because you're by my side that I have the confidence to go to the battlefield, isn't it?"

"I cannot stand by and watch everyone fight on the battlefield while I remain in the peace that you have fought so hard to achieve. So even though it is not easy, I will try my best to fight alongside you."

"Once the war is over, I'm going to make good use of our friendship and have you lead our Watergate Squad to surpass the whole world!"

As soon as she finished speaking, all that could be heard was the sizzling sound of grilled meat. Jiraiya was the first to respond, grinning and trying to liven up the atmosphere.

"Surpassing the whole world? That's a bit difficult, but not a problem either. After all, I am the invincible Toad Sage!" Jiraiya teased her for her love of money. "However, the pricing is hard to say."

"Huh?! We have to charge you for our relationship?" Haruko stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Under their deliberately exaggerated liveliness, Tsunade managed to pull herself out of her unease and try to return to the lively atmosphere.

"That depends on how you plan to learn, Haruko. Teaching four people at the same time is very energy-consuming!"

"No, no, no, of course we'll pursue one-on-one teaching and guidance! Rin wants to be a medical ninja, so she'll definitely learn from Tsunade. Obito is a bit silly, so he's a better match for Jiraiya!" Haruko arranged their apprentices without a second thought.

Jiraiya was indignant, thinking, "Why did you stupidly give it to me?"

"Because Jiraiya is a bit of a fool."

"..."

Tsunade mocked Jiraiya right in front of him, then remembered, "Isn't there still that masked brat?"

"Although Kakashi's cold demeanor is somewhat similar to Orochimaru's, but..." Haruko glanced at Orochimaru beside her.

Recalling the sinister smile on Orochimaru's face when he asked her about giving Kakashi a gift, Haruko decided that for Kakashi's safety, it was best not to. She suggested that he focus on learning from Minato Namikaze.

Hiruko eagerly chimed in, "Then Haruko will learn from me!"

"Not just that." Haruko held up her index finger and declared confidently, "I'm going to take all four of you for free!"

Orochimaru retorted again, "He's clearly someone who loves to slack off during training."

Squinting at him, Haruko threatened inwardly, "Don't cry, Orochimaru, I'm leaving!"

Orochimaru remained unmoved and said calmly, "Snakes don't have tears."

*

The timing of their mission to Kannabi Bridge was uncertain, so Itachi Uchiha helped Haruko pack her backpack.

Finding a wooden box in the drawer, Itachi Uchiha curiously and carefully took it out. "Haruko, what's this?"

Hearing his voice, Haruko, who was squatting in front of the wardrobe, got up and walked to his side. When she saw the square wooden box in his hand, Haruko's eyes lit up.

"I almost forgot about this. I wonder how long it's been sitting here, how many years?"

Under Itachi Uchiha's expectant gaze, Haruko sat down and opened the wooden box, revealing a large purple swallow lying quietly inside. The crystal-clear petals were lifelike, and the intricately carved patterns made it look like a real swallow about to take flight.

Uchiha Itachi raised his hand and gently poked it. After confirming that it wasn't a real flower, he exclaimed in surprise, "What a beautiful hair clip! But I don't think I've ever seen Haruko wear one."

"Because I've kept it hidden away since I was a child. If Itachi hadn't found it, I would have forgotten that I had this family heirloom."

"Why is it a family heirloom?"

"When I was little, I thought it looked expensive and I thought I'd hide it away as a family heirloom, maybe it'd be worth a lot of money." Haruko scratched her face shyly.

Accustomed to his aunt's personality, Itachi Uchiha considerately changed the subject, "What kind of flower is this?"

"It's called the Great Flying Swallow. When it blooms, it looks like a flying swallow, symbolizing freedom and justice." Haruko gently stroked its petals, as if recalling something from a long time ago, or perhaps only feeling a hazy sense of nostalgia.

Itachi Uchiha asked with great interest, "Can I put it on Haruko?"

"all right!"

Haruko lowered her head slightly, making it easier for Itachi Uchiha, who had taken out the Great Swallow hairpin, to put it on her.

With a slightly awkward demeanor, Itachi Uchiha swept Haruko's bangs to one side, his expression focused as if he were undertaking a major task. He slowly clipped the hairpin into her glossy black hair, made some careful adjustments, and then finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Haruko smiled. "Am I pretty?"

At this moment, her eyes curved slightly like two bright pearls, sparkling with gentle light. Her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips were upturned in harmony. A warm and friendly aura mingled with the fragrance of her hair wafted over.

Uchiha Itachi looked at her earnestly and said, "Haruko has always been beautiful!"

Haruko couldn't help but admire her nephew's talent for praising people, and she felt a surge of joy in her heart.

Itachi Uchiha's gaze remained fixed on her, tracing her soft features as if he wanted to freeze this moment in his heart forever.

"How long will it take Haruko to come back?" Itachi Uchiha tugged at her sleeve.

Haruko frowned and pondered for a while, "Hmm... I'm not sure either, but I'll try to come back as soon as possible, then I'll have time to play with Itachi!"

Without being reminded that he should be the one playing with her, Uchiha Itachi nodded understandingly, "I'll wait for Haruko to come back."

Haruko patted his head and said with a smile, "I'll think of Itachi too."