Chapter 132 Surveillance or Protection
"You haven't been practicing every night for the past few days, have you?" Haruko Hayama asked incredulously.
"Yes..." Hinata Hyuga clenched her fists, feeling a sense of shame at being caught red-handed.
Haruko sighed. Even though she had tried to persuade her, it's not so easy to untangle a person's knot in their heart, especially for an introverted and shy child like Hinata Hyuga. She's probably already used to processing things internally.
"My medical skills can't help you restore your strength." Haruko Hayama smiled wryly and reached out her hand.
Hearing her gentle words, Hinata Hyuga felt relieved.
In the past, her father would always show disappointment in her during her training. After all, she was the eldest daughter of the main branch of the Hyuga clan, and compared to the genius Hyuga Neji from the branch family, she had suffered countless criticisms, both openly and behind her back, and even her hard work in training was said to be a waste of effort.
Unconsciously, she began to feel ashamed of her hard work in cultivation in front of others.
Fortunately, it was Haruko Hayama, who never looked at her strangely.
Hinata Hyuga's cheeks were still slightly flushed as she gently jumped from the middle of the river to the bank and grasped Haruko Hayama's outstretched hand.
The river, reflecting the moonlight, flows gently, its depth no more than knee-deep.
The two women took off their shoes and placed them aside, then submerged their calves in the stream, feeling the surging waves beneath the calm surface.
"If you want to cultivate tonight, call me. I don't feel at ease sleeping in this insect paradise anyway," Haruko said softly.
Hinata looked at her in surprise, "No... how could I..."
Haruko gave her a sly smile and interrupted her: "After all, I'm the squad leader, so I have a responsibility to make sure my teammates conserve their energy as much as possible, right?"
"Thank you, Haruko..." Hinata Hyuga lowered her head, her eyelashes fluttering incessantly.
"Why thank me? You should thank yourself for working so hard."
The moon was bright and the stars were few; all was quiet. Hinata Hyuga glanced at Haruko Hayama sitting beside her. Moonlight bathed her, making her look like a goddess under the moon.
Hinata Hyuga was pleased with her own imagination and couldn't help but smile slightly.
Thank you for your encouragement.
And... thank you for being by my side.
*
Because Haruko Hayama was leading a team on missions as a Chunin, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki could only accompany Kakashi Hatake on some trivial tasks.
"Ah—I really envy Haruko for being able to lead a team on missions. I also want to become a Chunin as soon as possible, and then become a squad leader who can take on important responsibilities!"
Naruto Uzumaki slumped on the bench, sighing repeatedly.
It was a break time, and Kakashi Hatake leaned against a tree, flipping through "Make-Out Paradise," and casually replied, "Are you really that unwilling to follow your teacher?"
"This isn't a matter of whether I'm willing or not!" Naruto suddenly stood up and declared emphatically, "This is a matter of why I can't go on missions with Haruko!"
"Oh, really?" Kakashi Hatake remarked dismissively.
Not having to take care of Haruko Hayama is actually a good thing for him now. Being able to become Haruko Hayama's mentor is at the behest of the Third Generation.
The official explanation given to Hayama's mother was that it was to protect Hayama Haruko and to train her eye techniques.
But in fact, he, his mother, and the Third Hokage all knew that Kakashi Hatake's mission had a surveillance element.
There was a reason why Huan Chen was called the "Grim Reaper of Illusions". For Konoha, she was both a hero and a person to be wary of because she possessed powerful eye techniques. After all, it was not impossible for her to fall into an illusion if she had evil intentions.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Genjin's eye technique severely injured her, preventing her from returning to the battlefield. For the Third Hokage, this was both a pity to lose an important combatant and a relief that her threat had lessened.
Now that Huan Chen's daughter has inherited her eye technique and is even more powerful, the Third Hokage's heart is in turmoil once again.
Fortunately, Zashima was a powerless clan, unlike powerful clans like Hyuga or Uchiha. If Zashima harbored rebellious intentions, his secretly monitored subordinates could immediately report it to the higher-ups and take appropriate measures.
The vigilance emanating from the village she was protecting was something Mother Zaojian had silently endured for countless years, but she could not accept the same treatment being applied to her own daughter.
Therefore, after she argued with the Third Hokage before she fell into a coma, only Kakashi Hatake, who was someone she knew, remained as her apparent "protector".
Now that the Third Hokage is in a coma, the limitations of his mission are becoming increasingly blurred.
Surveillance... or protection?
"Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto's disgruntled voice snapped him out of his reverie. Seeing Naruto standing on tiptoe with a curious look, wanting to see the contents of the book in his hand, Kakashi Hatake simply and decisively closed the book.
"Hey—" Naruto Uzumaki pouted angrily, "What's so shameful about Kakashi-sensei? Everyone knows he's a total slut!"
"Which 'big family' are you talking about?" Kakashi Hatake asked with a menacing smile.
"Uh..." Naruto hesitated. He couldn't possibly say that Haruko spread it, could he? He would probably die even worse than if he had been punished by Kakashi-sensei.
"We're all just people..." Naruto Uzumaki nervously poked his hand.
Seeing his reaction, Kakashi Hatake probably knew who was spreading rumors about him, since only the seemingly innocent Haruko Hayama would use such words.
Kakashi Hatake sighed, wondering what kind of students he was teaching!
At that moment, Uchiha Sasuke ran over from the bushes in the distance and landed in front of them.
"We've got the scroll, let's go back."
Naruto Uzumaki was back to his energetic self. "Yoshi! Let's ask Kakashi-sensei to treat us to ramen when we get back!"
"Hey, I didn't say I was going to treat you guys to a meal, did I?"
As the sun set, Kakashi Hatake and their bickering faded into the distance.
...
"Changes in air pressure are a sign of an impending weather change."
Shino Aburame stood atop a towering tree trunk, gazing at the rising dawn in the distance.
Akamaru in his arms let out a worried whimper, and Kiba Inuzuka said in a low voice, "The wind is blowing with moisture in it, it looks like it's going to rain."
“I remember Shino saying that the mitten beetles hatch the morning after it rains.” Haruko Hayama frowned.
"So, if it rains today, they'll turn into adult insects tomorrow?" Kiba Inuzuka narrowed his eyes.
Shino Aburame added, "From a timing perspective, today is the last chance. If we miss this opportunity, we won't be able to use the Mikoshi (a type of insect)."
"Okay, everyone, let's work hard and find the 'micro-fragrant insect' today."
Haruko spoke seriously in the morning, and after giving the order, the four of them dispersed.
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of March 10, 2024:
grateful--
A love letter and a reminder to update sent by Mado Shohei
Take a short nap (2 flowers and a reminder charm)
K, the one who sent the update reminder charm
A dedicated zinc gluconate delivery to urge you to finish writing.
Two love letters and three flowers delivered by Yu Ming'an
Rabbit Sauce. Give it a thumbs up!
Flowers sent by Uchiha Yuki (2)
zimeng, flowers sent by Aiwu for 365 days
Yun Cheyun of Ancient Desert Island, Uchiha Xueyi, Pure Beauty and Truth Do Not Conflict, Xiao Shixin, Lin Laoji, Purple Sweet Potato Porridge, S-Attribute Explosion Shopping, Xuan Chun, Red-Clothed Xiang Yi Sai Gao, Fisherman's Song, Early Summer, Starry Sky, Yan Xun, Moon, Yu Ming Er An, Three Good Squirrels, Invincible Wang Fahui, A Ning Who Likes Poplar Leaves, Wants to Let Alpaca Travel Through Favorite Books, Wow Wow Kaka Kaka Gaga Gaga Haha, Banxia SS, My Wives Are So Hot, Green and Blue Invincible, Open the Skylight and Swear, Wang Dawei Who Likes Grandma Sha, Ai Wu's 365 Days of Sending Love Power Generation
Thank you for the gifts! The author is so touched! Akamaru sprawls out, belly exposed, wagging his tail (:3_ヽ)_
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