Chapter 106 Continue to be happy
The hotel's soundproofing was barely adequate, especially for Jiraiya, whose five senses were highly acute.
When he discovered the situation, Jiraiya had been eavesdropping on their conversation, so he heard Haruko's words of comfort clearly.
Should we continue to be happy...?
Having remembered all of this, how could I possibly forgive myself so easily?
Jiraiya rested his head on his hands, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The guilt that was long overdue erupted silently tonight.
If only he had called for more people when she warned him of the danger... If only he had been stronger against the enemy... If only he had been the one to die...
These words, which should have been regretted for a lifetime, could only be buried deep in the heart after the memories faded. Now, though they are hard to recall, they are relieved in her few words.
Jiraiya hadn't shed a tear in a long time, since her death.
Now, he can only be thankful that no one can see his vulnerable side.
When he saw Haruko Hayama again, just like Tsunade, it was as if he had returned to the time when they were both young through Haruko Hayama in her prime.
Full of vigor and high spirits, he could always see her gentle smile.
"They've even shut down our only reason for feeling guilty..."
Jiraiya's murmurs echoed in the empty room.
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Haruko Hayama underestimated the severity of Tsunade's illness. After a night of psychological counseling, Tsunade not only did not give up on using Haruko Hayama as a substitute, but she also intensified her actions.
"Haruko~ Can you help me tie my hair?"
"Haruko~ Do I look better in this or that?"
"Haruko~ Where are you? Why didn't you take me with you!"
"Haruko~ Haruko~"
Haruko Hayama: ...Don't go too far!
After Haruko's subtle outburst of anger in the morning, Tsunade finally calmed down a bit, but not by much.
Haruko and the others came looking for Tsunade because of Jiraiya's sudden idea for an interview trip. Little did they know that his real purpose was to find Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage.
Since Tsunade had agreed, they hurried back to Konoha.
Haruko first diligently led Tsunade to the hospital. Before that, she and Naruto Uzumaki were staying at the inn when they were approached by an S-rank rogue ninja named Kisame Hoshigaki. Fortunately, Sasuke Uchiha arrived in time to buy them some time.
However, Sasuke Uchiha was also seriously injured and bedridden. One of the reasons for searching for Tsunade was to heal him as soon as possible, as well as for Thick Eyebrows and Kakashi-sensei.
After Tsunade finished performing the healing surgery, Haruko smiled and reminded her that it was time to go to the next patient, acting like a useless woman who would be used and then discarded.
But Tsunade, with her love-struck (scratch that) and friendship-obsessed mind, says: Haruko needs me! Haruko smiled at me! Haruko even encouraged me to go to work!
Tsunade: I'm happy. Please don't disturb me.
Jiraiya: ...
During the Chunin Selection Exams, the Sand Village ninja rebelled, bewitching everyone and joining forces with numerous unidentified ninjas to attack the Third Hokage, and also helping Gaara release Shukaku. Although they were quickly subdued, the Third Hokage was severely injured.
Later investigations revealed that the Sand Village likely conspired with other countries to rebel, aiming to completely destroy Konoha.
The Konoha leadership couldn't figure out why so many countries were united in hostility. Meanwhile, the culprit, Orochimaru, who had deceived all the nations, was still furiously writing down his thoughts on "101 Ways to Win Back Haruko Hayama," "36 Strategies to Maintain Beauty and Captivate Haruko Hayama," and "How a Conman Can Reverse His Image in Haruko Hayama's Mind"...
Orochimaru: No! I can't let Haruko see my ugly side!
The Third Hokage is ill and currently in a coma, so Jiraiya was ordered to actively seek out Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage.
After all, she is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the lover of elite Jonin Dan Kato, the sister of top-secret intelligence agent Nawaki, and the legendary "Sannin" medical master—Tsunade truly deserves her title.
Because of his exceptional intelligence gathering abilities, the higher-ups completely overlooked this top-secret intelligence agent, leading to Nawaki's loss of the Hokage position.
"Sasuke? Sasuke?"
Haruko waved in front of him. After Tsunade performed the healing spell, Sasuke Uchiha woke up quickly, but he was in a daze and had no reaction to the outside world.
Could he have been knocked senseless?
Just as Haruko was contemplating whether to urge him to buy insurance, Sasuke Uchiha suddenly reached out and hugged her tightly.
"Sasuke, what's wrong?" Haruko Hayama asked with difficulty.
Sasuke Uchiha didn't react. Scenes from his past flashed through his mind, interspersed with horrifying images of the Uchiha clan's massacre.
What exactly are these...?
He wanted to see more clearly, but his eyes suddenly throbbed with pain, causing him to cry out. Haruko hurriedly tried to go out to find a nurse, but was stopped by Sasuke Uchiha.
"It's...nothing." Uchiha Sasuke said slowly.
He clearly didn't want anyone to know, so Haruko turned around and walked back to his side, anxiously cupping his face to examine him.
“This is…!” Haruko Hayama exclaimed in surprise.
Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan had somehow awakened its third tomoe, the three tomoe swirling in his blood-red pupils as he locked onto Haruko Hayama, who was staring at him.
Haruko Hayama had also heard of the Sharingan, which is said to require certain stimuli to activate.
But why is Sasuke Uchiha now awakening his third tomoe? Could it be that he was traumatized by Kisame Hoshigaki?
Under Haruko's increasingly strange gaze, Sasuke Uchiha seemed to understand something and silently removed her hand.
"I'm fine, you can go back now." Uchiha Sasuke made a move to get up.
"Where are you going? The nurses haven't come to see you yet!"
Sasuke Uchiha stood opposite Haruko Hayama, speechless. He didn't know why he was witnessing the annihilation of the peaceful and beautiful Uchiha clan, and he found it even more unbelievable that the culprit was his own brother.
He must go back and witness it with his own eyes to be at ease.
"I'll go back first."
After saying that, Sasuke Uchiha leaped out of the window and left.
Haruko Hayama: Why jump out the window when there's a door? Is this a characteristic of the ninja world?
Uchiha Sasuke rushed back to Uchiha territory, where everything was as peaceful and quiet as usual. When he came running back, panting, the neighbor lady greeted him with a smile.
Back home, all was quiet. Sasuke Uchiha panicked and searched the entire house, but couldn't find a single person.
"Mom! Father! Brother!"
Uchiha Sasuke ran and shouted, his face pale, as if the nightmare he had experienced while unconscious had suddenly become a reality.
"Sasuke?"
A gentle voice came from behind him. Sasuke Uchiha turned around in a daze and saw his mother, who had just returned home and whose face still showed concern.
Uchiha's mother was a little surprised. "Sasuke, what are you doing here? I was just about to put down my things and go to the hospital to see you..."
Sasuke Uchiha rushed forward and hugged her. Amidst his mother's surprised exclamation, Sasuke Uchiha couldn't help but feel relieved that the nightmare was just a nightmare.
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