Chapter 216 The Value of Immortality
"Of course, my favorite is Haruko-neechan." Kushina refused to admit her little secret. "Haruko-neechan is the same. I didn't expect that after turning into a child, she would be so weak and lazy. When it comes to the ones who make me worry, Obito is number one, and she is definitely number two."
Minato Namikaze smiled at her, "But isn't it precisely because of her that everyone is connected and bound together?"
Mentioning this, Kushina's eyes softened. "Yes, Haruko-neechan has always been like this, unconsciously attracting everyone to her."
Minato Namikaze turned his gaze away, stroking the photo album in his hand, carefully examining the photos he had taken after taking charge of the unit—
The four kids flash a peace sign at the camera; Kakashi Hatake's deadpan expression forced into the role; Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake catching fish in the water, with Haruko and Rin Nohara cheering them on; a lazy Haruko and a tired Obito Uchiha snuggling together and falling asleep; Rin Nohara happily receiving gifts from everyone…
So many little things, so much happiness in life, and all those I cherish.
Until you flip back to the very beginning, to the first photo they took when they formed their class—
Haruko and Rin Nohara stood in the middle, striking cute poses. To Haruko's left was Obito Uchiha, who was holding her hand with a bright smile, while to Rin Nohara's right was Kakashi Hatake, who had his arms around her with a blank expression. Minato Namikaze stood behind them with his hands on the shoulders of the two boys.
They were all looking at the camera, their gazes locked on Minato Namikaze in the photos they were now reminiscing about.
“It feels like I only met them recently, but it’s as if we’ve never been strangers,” Minato Namikaze murmured softly.
Kushina smiled knowingly and handed him the sewn clothes, saying, "Here, the clothes are as good as new."
"Yes, thank you."
"By the way, has the destination for the next mission been decided yet?"
Recalling the news brought by Takeuchi Mirei, Namikaze Minato's expression turned serious. "I think there will be a final decision in a few days, but it should be Kannabi Bridge."
Upon hearing this name, Kushina's expression turned solemn. "Kannabihashi... I wish the war could end sooner."
*
"Orochimaru, you're not going to sell me out, are you?"
As Haruko walked into the increasingly remote forest, she thought to herself that if she had known they would have to go this far, she would not have agreed in the first place.
"Haruko is so interesting, why would I sell her?" Orochimaru teased in a casual tone, then mischievously added as she breathed a sigh of relief, "Of course I'll hide her away myself."
"Then I really thank you." Haruko pouted.
Being hidden away by this cunning fellow is no better than being sold.
Orochimaru suddenly stopped. "We're here."
Haruko walked around him, took a few steps forward, and looked around but couldn't find anything different from an ordinary forest.
"You're not really going to abandon me to the wilderness, are you?" Haruko felt that Orochimaru's long-standing hatred for her was a more acceptable reason than being told that she had been tricked.
"Don't rush, wait a little longer."
They left the village a day early for this trip. Haruko didn't expect that he would take her to such a far place. When she got tired, Orochimaru carried her forward. However, Orochimaru wouldn't let her sleep and insisted that she remember the way.
This made Haruko wonder again if he had left her in this remote and impoverished place and then secretly left on his own.
Throughout the journey, he was filled with doubts about Orochimaru's character and lamentations about his own tragic fate.
They arrived here in the early hours of the morning, when it was pitch black all around.
After a long wait, the morning sun broke through the clouds and shone its rays into the lush greenery.
Under Haruko's stunned expression, the patch of lawn that had appeared bare in the woods was now bathed in the soft warmth of dawn, which pushed aside the darkness and claimed the spotlight.
“So…beautiful,” Haruko murmured.
Orochimaru walked to her side and couldn't help but lower his voice, "Do you like it here?"
Haruko's eyes sparkled, and she nodded at him, unable to hide her excitement. "How did you find this place? It's so beautiful!"
Seeing that she liked it, Orochimaru lowered his eyes and looked at her, his usual coldness disappearing without a trace, leaving only complex emotions. "I found it by chance when I was out looking for experimental materials."
"Experimental materials? Is it that immortality thing of yours again?" Haruko asked, puzzled, as she jogged to greet the light.
"The departed physical body is too fleeting, too empty," Orochimaru replied in a dark, low voice. "Only immortality can amplify the value of existence infinitely."
"What is the value of existence?"
“That’s right.” Orochimaru smiled, but his eyes were deep and dark as he calmly told her, “This is the choice I made regarding the value of my life.”
Suddenly a gust of wind blew by, and amidst the rustling of leaves, the two women's long hair fluttered in the wind. Haruko, who was frolicking in the sunlight, paused, causing Orochimaru to reveal his hidden affection.
Even the sunlight seems to be drawn to her, favoring and making an exception for her.
Haruko suddenly smiled, "Orochimaru is amazing!"
All doubts and explanations cease to matter in their trust; it is a cold, astringent wait leading to a passionate closeness, a hidden affection meeting a bright and sincere heart.
In that instant, Orochimaru seemed to see again Haruko Hayama, who smiled gently at him and always supported him.
As their eyes met, Orochimaru slowly walked towards her, his gaze fixed on her, as if giving her time to leave, or as if not allowing her to escape.
Clearly, he could never guess her reaction, or even he dared not be certain of her choice.
Haruko ran towards him and blocked his path.
To Orochimaru's astonishment, Haruko took his hand and said with concern, "Studying science is a good thing, but don't do any inhumane experiments, okay?"
Seeing her serious expression, Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh out loud. "I know."
In this clandestine chase, he caught her, but coincidentally, she caught him too.
His good fortune, her rebirth.
"It's almost time, let's hurry back. Jiraiya is treating us to dinner." Haruko tried to pull him back, but found she couldn't budge him.
Under her questioning gaze, Orochimaru formed a hand seal, and the surrounding scenery instantly changed, with the two of them appearing directly in the laboratory.
"You can teleport over long distances?!" Haruko exclaimed in disbelief.
"It's just a little trick." Orochimaru waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing to worry about.
Haruko's devastating cries suddenly echoed through the laboratory.
"Then why did you make me walk for so long?!"
...
Since Jiraiya learned from Haruko that she was about to go on a mission to Kannabi Bridge, he insisted on having one last meal with her before heading to the battlefield. Haruko thought this was a good suggestion and immediately invited Orochimaru and the other two.
Jiraiya, who had originally planned to enjoy some alone time with his partner: ...
"Haruko is going to...the battlefield?" Tsunade asked blankly, unconsciously tightening her grip on her chopsticks.
Knowing what she was worried about, Haruko comforted her, "Don't worry, Tsunade, I'm still very strong!"
Orochimaru chuckled, "He's clearly someone who loves to slack off during training."
Even if it's true, she can't be exposed in public and lose face, she still has some dignity!
Haruko retorted angrily, "Can't I have talent?"
"That's right!" Hiruko, the brainless protector of his own, chimed in from the side.
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of April 5, 2024:
grateful--
K, the one who sent the update reminder charm
Whoever gets stabbed by the spear, Huai Xi will never forget, I don't know what to name it (ㄒ▽, flowers given by Lin Laoji)
Purple sweet potato porridge, Sprite-flavored pork, spear sticking to whoever, green mountains and burning flowers, Rou Guifei who loves fried sesame balls, Lin Bai, Jin Xiula from Nanning, Night Owl Patita from Shidu, Xiao Di who knows art, Qian Huiyue, Healer, Banxia ss, Red-clothed Xiangyi Saigao, Early Summer Starry Sky, the smoky Gu Xiong, fried sesame balls in the oil pot, Huan (ω), It's Xiao Yu, not Xiao Yu, Uchiha Xueyi, Yue...., Anxi, Yuan Sheng starts, Xuan Chun, Huang Zhenxing who likes oak trees sends love to generate electricity.
Thank you for the gifts! The author is so touched! Kushina took some cute photos of you and put them in the album ヾ(≧∪≦*)ノ〃
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