Chapter 231 The Inequality of Time and Space
Seeing Haruko choking back tears yet still staring at him with her watery eyes, Orochimaru's arrogance completely dissipated, and he ceased his struggles, becoming utterly defeated and letting her do as she pleased.
Haruko never got angry, not even when she heard his harsh and sarcastic words, not even when she faced his research on immortality that teetered on the edge of right and wrong, not even when she saw him hysterically blaming everything.
But she was angry—angry at her own despicable act of trying to keep her by her side, and angry at her own shamelessness in using her as an excuse to escape reality…
Finally, she cried, her tears a mixture of guilt, self-blame, and sadness, even though it wasn't her fault.
She's always been like this: selfishly kind, gently cruel, forcefully holding him back from the darkness with an ambiguous relationship.
As his name was erased, Orochimaru lost all strength, and his arm swayed like a puppet as she withdrew her hand.
Haruko gently hugged him, hugged the young, sharp-tongued boy, hugged the boy who had stood shoulder to shoulder with her on the battlefield, hugged the boy who had been caught between right and wrong, conflicted and entangled.
"I'm sorry, Orochimaru."
"I don't accept it... all three times."
I cannot accept that she abandoned me with her death, I cannot accept her ambiguous rejection, and I cannot accept that she arbitrarily extinguished my obsession.
Haruko didn't say anything more, but just tightened her grip on his arm.
Their relationship was unequal, stemming from an imbalance in time and space.
Only now does Haruko finally realize that she made a mistake. She shouldn't have made Orochimaru wait for her in the future before she died. This was no less than another kind of cruel confinement, causing him to live day and night in a faint hope and drowning in despair.
I'm sorry, Orochimaru...
Knowing that even if she explained seriously, he wouldn't listen now, Haruko casually wiped away her tears and said goodbye to him in a light tone.
"I've been a bit busy lately, but I'll check in on you from time to time."
Orochimaru watched her push open the door and leave with a blank expression. When he was left alone, he finally tore off his peaceful facade and let his heart, which had long been eroded by hatred, overwhelm him.
I always thought I harbored resentment towards you, but later I realized that I was just suffering too much from loving you...
It's a pity. The place I took you to that day was a base I had carefully selected that you would like. If I could make good use of your soft heart, you would eventually stay.
We can do many things together. In the morning, I can take a walk with you in the early morning light; in the afternoon, while I'm doing my experiments, you can sit next to me and read a book so I can see you when I look up; in the evening, we can cuddle together and enjoy our time together.
As long as I'm around, you can leisurely stroll around my side, you can stay young and energetic forever, and you can always be full of hope for the world.
If you wish, we can work together to create the peaceful world you desire.
Now, his narrow-minded and greedy thoughts have been dismantled by her few words, leaving him bewildered. In the end, he can only hide away in a place where she can't see him, letting his dark side run rampant.
Orochimaru slowly turned to the side, walked to the window and pushed it open. It had been snowing for several days in a row. This time, someone might fall ill again.
He stared blankly at the pure white world covered in snow, until the person he longed for finally stepped out of the building, onto the snow, and merged with the pure white world—a sacred place that he could not touch or be intimate with.
He's so smart, how could he not know this outcome?
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The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, formally convened a meeting to convey his refined "peaceful revolution" ideas, more suited to Konoha's actual circumstances, to the village's leadership, causing a great uproar.
He explained, "This revolution is not about weakening the power of the higher-ups, but about enabling every clan to have a voice in the development of Konoha, and ultimately creating a harmonious and equal new Konoha together."
During the meeting, Minato Namikaze proposed a series of specific reform measures.
Despite opposition from some conservative forces who argued that "Konoha has just emerged from the war and is catching its breath," the peace revolution, at the suggestion of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, will be decided by a vote and expanded to include influential ninja and clan representatives.
Ultimately, the majority prevailed over the minority, officially initiating the peaceful reforms in Konoha.
The reforms faced a variety of problems, especially the proposals specifically targeting the Hyuga clan, which were met with strong opposition from the main family and sparked ideas of dividing the family into separate households.
The Uchiha, who are currently outside the sphere of power at the highest levels, have become the best candidates to persuade them. Not only do they have no conflicts with any faction, but they can also use this to prove their concern for Konoha.
Haruko, dressed formally, arrived at the door with Fugaku Uchiha. While Fugaku Uchiha was talking with Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga clan, she sat outside the door and listened.
What Haruko remembered most was that elder of the main family, whose face was even uglier than Fugaku Uchiha's, and whose thinking was feudal and stubborn, constantly emphasizing the difference between the main family and the branch family.
In his mind, the main family is meant to inherit the white eye for generations, while the branch family must risk their lives to protect the main family.
Haruko couldn't suppress her anger, but she also admired Fugaku Uchiha for being worthy of being the clan leader, remaining completely unaffected and continuing the negotiations.
Hinata went through the motions of inviting them to stay for a meal.
After taking a few bites, Haruko strolled around the courtyard and unknowingly spotted a tall man in the distance who resembled Hyuga Neji in appearance.
Hyuga Hizashi also saw her and took the initiative to go up to her and greet her, "Miss Uchiha."
"You can just call me Haruko."
“Okay, I am Hyuga Hizashi, who has branched out from the Hyuga family.”
As expected, Haruko had heard Neji Hyuga mention his father's name briefly; it was none other than Hizashi Hyuga.
The two men looked at each other, speechless for a moment. After all, one was there to separate the family, and the other was there to fight for equality within the family. If they talked too much, it would be misinterpreted by those with ulterior motives.
Haruko brought up a casual topic, "By the way, does Mr. Hizashi have any children?"
"Yes, my son, Hyuga Neji, will be one year old soon." Hyuga Hizashi's mood brightened when he mentioned his son.
"Can I go see him?" Haruko found an excuse for herself. "Our family is also welcoming a new life, so I've been very interested in children lately."
"sure."
Hyuga Hizashi led her to the courtyard where they lived. As they entered the room, Haruko saw Hyuga Neji, who was still fast asleep in his swaddling clothes.
With her fair and rosy cheeks and exquisite features, one could tell at a glance that this child would surely be beautiful in the future.
Haruko tentatively reached out and touched his face; it was warm and soft, just like the newborn Uchiha Itachi.
Seemingly disturbed by her, Hyuga Neji struggled to open his tightly closed eyes, staring at her blankly. Then, as if realizing she was a stranger, he wrinkled his face and uttered unintelligible syllables.
"Little Neji~" Haruko teased him in a soft voice, "Call me 'big sister' and let me hear it~"
Hyuga Neji stared at her with his bright eyes, waving his arms and legs as if to say, "This person is so annoying."
Haruko hadn't expected him to react so strongly, and instinctively shrank back, reluctantly withdrawing her hand. "He already has the aura of a great demon king at such a young age..."
Hyuga Hizashi suppressed a laugh and tried to smooth things over for her, "Sorry, Neji might just be having morning grumpiness."
"It's okay, health is the most important thing. I hope he can always be carefree."
As Haruko spoke, her eyes were fixed on Hyuga Hizashi, as if she were placing all her blessings and hopes on him.
Hyuga Hizashi only hesitated for a moment before giving a firm reply.
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