Chapter 232 Advocating Her Towards Death
After visiting Orochimaru that day, Haruko did indeed stay in bed for two more days, causing her family great worry. They even added thicker clothes for her, and Itachi Uchiha was glad that his fire attribute could act as a little stove for her.
However, Haruko was really troubled by her frail health.
It's probably a side effect of using her pupil technique to travel through time and space; her body is getting worse and worse. At this rate, she probably won't be able to use it more often, but she hopes she'll never need to use this function again.
Previously, Tsunade had begged her to give her at least three years in order to keep her from the battlefield.
Haruko knew that, let alone three years, it was uncertain whether she could even survive the year of the Nine-Tails War, so she lost her obsession with repairing this body.
After sobering up, Tsunade advised her that the consequences of releasing the Yin Seal and using a large amount of chakra would be very serious for her physical condition, and might even leave her bedridden.
It took her a lot of effort to finally convince Tsunade to reluctantly agree to teach her.
If feeling the loss of life force in her second playthrough made her realize that she was about to return to her own timeline, then all the facts pointing to the predetermined ending now made Haruko realize that perhaps... she wouldn't survive the Nine-Tails battle.
Therefore, her time became even more pressing.
"Haruko, are you busy today too?"
As Itachi Uchiha watched Haruko putting on her shoes in the entryway, he unconsciously gripped the hem of his clothes tightly with both hands.
Haruko stood up and patted his head apologetically. "Yes, I'm sorry, Itachi, I have to postpone what I promised you again."
Uchiha Itachi shook his head knowingly, "Haruko must have something very important to say, I know that."
"Thank you, Itachi."
Watching the door being opened and then closed again, Itachi Uchiha stood quietly without moving.
The simple act of pulling and closing the door was incredibly difficult for him; he had no permission, no valid reason, to keep up with Haruko's busy pace.
"Sorry, Itachi."
"How about next time?"
"I'll definitely spend time with you once I'm done with this."
"I'm so sorry."
Itachi Uchiha tried to convince himself that he should just wait a little longer. Once Haruko finished her work, they could return to the world where it was just the two of them, filled with laughter and joy.
But when will the next time be?
...
Arriving at the training ground she had arranged with Tsunade, Haruko greeted the slender figure she saw in the distance.
"Isn't Shizune here?" Haruko looked around but didn't see anyone nearby.
Tsunade patted the empty bench, gesturing for her to sit down, and explained, "Since Dan is on break these few days, she went to study with him."
Sitting down next to her, Haruko couldn't help but sigh, "How wonderful! Not only does she have a master, but she also gets a mistress as a bonus."
Unexpectedly, she compared Kato Dan to her teacher's wife, and Tsunade burst into laughter without any restraint. "Dan's gentle and kind personality, you know, it really is similar!"
Haruko asked indirectly, "But has Tsunade considered taking on another disciple?"
"Haruko?" Tsunade pretended to think seriously for a moment. "If I can serve tea and water whenever you call, I'll treat Haruko as my most beloved disciple!"
Thank you. So, the enslavement I experienced in the first playthrough was actually out of love for me.
Haruko suppressed her speechlessness. "I was talking about my teammate, Nohara Rin. You've seen us train a few times, right? What do you think of her?"
Tsunade blinked rapidly, seemingly surprised that Tsunade had been serious about asking her to teach Nohara Rin. After a moment's thought, she cautiously offered her opinion.
"That kid has a pretty good personality, gentle and kind, just like you used to be. But his talent seems average, much inferior to that arrogant masked brat and the Uchiha brat who has now awakened his Sharingan."
Haruko wasn't discouraged. "That's true, but haven't you always loved gambling? How about we make a bet?"
"What are we betting on?"
Unaware of the familiarity in her words, Tsunade became interested in the bet.
"I bet she'll stand shoulder to shoulder with Kakashi and Obito in the future, and might even become another miracle in the medical field."
"Really? Such high praise?"
"You'll be amazed by her tenacity and resilience."
Actually, she already had some feelings for Nohara Rin, but when Haruko brought it up, Tsunade childishly pretended not to like it. Even though she got an answer that agreed with her own thoughts, she still acted like she was being irresponsible.
"It's actually a little bit jealous, isn't it? I used to be your best friend."
"Even now, I've always looked up to Lady Tsunade."
Upon hearing this long-unseen nickname, Tsunade's eyes widened, and she turned to look at her in disbelief. When her eyes met her bright smile, tears welled up and streamed down her face almost instantly.
Haruko's smile turned to one of heartache as she leaned closer and hugged her. "Tsunade discovered it too late."
Tsunade hugged her tightly, repeatedly apologizing for her slowness, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
"It's okay, it's not too late for me at all."
Haruko felt that those who lived in ignorance for many years and then had to recall their memories were the most painful, rather than being forgotten.
They will feel guilty for forgetting themselves, grieve for not remembering them, and fearful of their uncertain future.
Bonds are touching, but they can also hurt.
"Wait, you're forcing yourself to learn the Yin Seal, could it be...?" Tsunade suddenly realized, incredulously pulled away from her embrace, and stared intently at her reaction, trying to uncover the truth.
"Tsunade."
Haruko simply called her name calmly, as if to stop her from revealing her guess, or as if to tacitly acknowledge her unfinished words.
"But……"
The shadow of her previous death had not yet dissipated, and this was followed by the helplessness of being able to help her frail body after losing her and then regaining her. At this moment, what was rushing towards Tsunade was layer upon layer of despair.
"I don't want to lose you again... Haruko, please..."
Faced with the predetermined future, Haruko's unwavering determination was unquestionable: "This is the price of changing the present."
"I have the time left to make a difference in many things and strive to guide things toward a better outcome. Even though I will eventually die, I will feel happy."
"Besides, this is not our ending. Trust me, Tsunade, our ending will definitely be a happy one."
Haruko's belief in a better future was conveyed to Tsunade through her sparkling eyes, infusing her originally sorrowful inner world with longing and brilliance.
It is a hope that is both tender and bittersweet.
Tsunade wiped away her tears and forced herself to respond with a smile, "I understand. I will stand firmly by your side, just as you have for me."
Haruko has always trusted her unconditionally and stood by her side. It's time for her to stand on Haruko's side in return.
Even though this decision will lead Haruko to her death, it is what Haruko wanted, so she must grieve and applaud Haruko's contented death.
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