Chapter 259 The Necklace That Can't Be Squeezed In
The enemy attack targeting Haruko happened right under Tsunade's nose.
She couldn't imagine how her frail body would withstand the assassination attempt by Kirigakure if Haruko hadn't regained her memories.
If Haruko hadn't sought out him and Kushina to learn the sealing technique, how would Rin Nohara have endured the torment of having a monster raging within her?
All sorts of terrifying scenarios kept playing out in Tsunade's mind.
Ultimately, it all came down to his own mistakes.
if……
If she had paid more attention, if she had been more vigilant, if she had been more cautious...
Haruko wouldn't have encountered any danger, let alone faced death!
Haruko lies in a pool of blood, recounting her memories word by word, and the news that Haruko has been taken away by Kirigakure is interspersed frame by frame.
Tsunade felt the light in front of her suddenly go out, and even the terrified cries of the others around her faded away.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself lying in a hospital bed.
Before she could hear her brother's explanation, Tsunade threw off the covers and ran out, only to bump into Haruko, who had come to see her.
Haruko steadied herself and asked, "Tsunade, are you alright?"
Seeing that she was unharmed, Tsunade was stunned for a few seconds, then her eyes reddened almost instantly. She stepped forward, hugged her tightly, and burst into tears.
After that, Tsunade was inseparable from Haruko.
After training, I had to take her home. The next day, I waited at the door early until she appeared in my sight before I could relax.
Haruko could vaguely guess what had caused her to be in this state, but she didn't bring it up and silently tolerated her emotions.
However, Tsunade's condition did not improve.
Especially when Haruko tentatively suggested that she wanted to cultivate alone, she felt as if she was about to suffocate and drown, and clung tightly to Haruko like a piece of driftwood.
Because of these worries, I feel uneasy no matter what I do.
It felt as if a sharp sword was hanging over her head. When Haruko disappeared from her sight, fear and anxiety quickly overwhelmed her.
Noticing that Tsunade's emotions were not quite right, Haruko dragged her to the hospital.
A doctor cannot heal himself, not even Tsunade, who is hailed as a medical genius.
Upon learning that she had been diagnosed with a mental illness, Tsunade waved her hand with a laugh and said, "How could that be? I was just too worried about Haruko."
But when she turned her head and met Haruko's tearful, sorrowful eyes, Tsunade's smile gradually faded.
She unconsciously raised her hands and gripped the necklace around her neck, tightening it little by little, as if this action could give her a great sense of security.
No matter how tightly you grip the necklace, it can never fit snugly against your palm; it always comes loose.
Haruko said she needs psychological treatment.
Haruko said it would be a very long process.
Haruko said that they would go catch fish together to eat after she recovered.
Tsunade knew that Haruko had many things to do, and she also knew that Haruko's deteriorating health might not allow her to live to see the day when they could go fishing together again.
Every time the two of them met, it started with smiles facing each other and ended with sorrow as they turned their backs to each other.
Haruko visited her less and less, sometimes not even once a week. They both knew that Haruko's departure was not far off.
Tsunade hadn't expected that the time would be so incredibly short.
"Tsunade, I'm going to carry out the final step of my plan."
Haruko smiled at her easily, "If we're lucky, we might have some time to catch fish with you, but I can pretty much guess how it will end."
Tsunade gripped the sheets tightly, wrinkling the clean fabric. She silently lowered her head, her light yellow bangs obscuring her expression with the movement.
Even with good luck, you might only have some time left...
"Tsunade, you are the only one who knows I'm leaving."
My clenched fist was covered by a warm palm.
Tsunade stared blankly at the hand that the other woman was reaching out to, feeling her fingers completely gripping her. Tsunade loosened the sheets beneath her and instead tightened her grip on her hand.
"I don't want you to be consumed by regret in your life, so I wanted to tell you in advance."
A voice, trembling with suppressed sobs, escaped from Tsunade's lips, "But isn't this... even more cruel..."
A gentle breeze stirred the white curtains by the window, causing them to flutter and fall, while the brilliant sunlight streaming in cast a soft, hazy glow over Haruko, who sat upright on the edge of the bed.
Her long, black, glossy hair danced in the wind, and her pursed smile made her seem almost otherworldly.
"Call me cruel... We'll meet again, we definitely will, Tsunade."
Tsunade looked at her, her brown eyes welling up with tears, which uncontrollably slid down her cheeks and dripped onto their clasped hands.
At the moment of parting, anything said seems inadequate.
It seemed no different from any other meeting before; once the door was closed, Haruko's presence vanished.
It feels so light and airy, I always get the feeling they'll do it again.
How many years will it be before the next time...?
To the others, Tsunade told them that she was resting in the hospital due to health reasons and casually told them not to worry about it.
Just as Tsunade was gazing out the window in a daze, a white-haired, spiky-haired figure suddenly appeared in her field of vision, followed by Jiraiya's grinning face.
"Hey Tsunade! Are you feeling better?"
"Jiraiya? How did you get in through the window?"
Tsunade's eyes widened, somewhat taken aback by his unusual entrance, and she sat up a little straighter on the bed.
Jiraiya jumped stylishly out of the window and landed, showing off his eight teeth in a narcissistic manner, which made Tsunade's expression droop, and she really wanted to kick him out.
Having grown up with her disdain, Jiraiya strode over and sat down on the chair next to her.
"I'm going on a trip, and I'm stopping by to see you before I leave."
"Travel? Is it that 'Chosen One' trip again?" Tsunade still didn't think much of him. "You've been searching for so long and you still haven't given up."
"No one should give up so easily!"
Jiraiya stood up, hands on his hips, trying to boost his morale.
Tsunade's lips twitched, and she waved her hand helplessly, "Then I wish you find it soon."
Seeing her weak and listless appearance, Jiraiya stroked his chin and carefully examined her. "I've never seen you sick for so long before. Could it be some incurable disease?"
"You seem to be hoping I'll get an incurable disease?"
Receiving a sharp look from her, Jiraiya immediately straightened his expression. "No, take care of yourself. I'm leaving!"
Seeing that he was about to step out the window, Tsunade's heart tightened, and she called out to him loudly, "Jiraiya!"
Jiraiya paused, turned around, and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
A breeze blew in through the wide-open window, and the curtains rose and fell, occasionally obscuring their gazes as they met.
"Did you... say goodbye to Haruko?" Tsunade's voice was slightly strained.
"I already knew that!"
Jiraiya laughed and waved at her, then disappeared by the window the next second as the white gauze curtains billowed open.
The room returned to silence.
And then, faint sobs could be heard.
Not long after, Tsunade was discharged from the hospital. When Kato Dan came to pick her up, he was so worried that he kept asking her if she was really better.
"Don't worry! I just felt more comfortable in the hospital, so I stayed a few more days!"
"How could someone be hospitalized just because they were comfortable in their room..."
Rope Tree, who was carrying things behind, looked speechless, but since she was his own sister who had just recovered from a serious illness, he stopped her from complaining any further.
Tsunade's smile faded.
In her moment of confusion, she unconsciously clutched the necklace hanging around her neck.
Why did she need to be hospitalized?
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of July 7, 2024:
grateful--
Crane Tree (a gift to urge more updates)
Give a thumbs up to the flowers sent by Park Gye-gye!
The following are the names of the authors: Passerby A (a teacher), Healing Unicorn (in the flash of light), Momo Zi m, Crane Tree (, Spiral Scroll), Struggle A Juan, Sakurai Yuki, Yi Gu You Tai Du Wei, Yan Yi Yue, Yuan Wei ^, Yang Rubing (True or False), Sanhao Squirrel, Jin Xiula (from Nanning), Mu Xue Yu Ji, Yan Yang Yu Wo Wu Guan, 13 Xi 14, Cyan, tsuki Jia, A Yu Zhen Di c (gifted with love x3).
User 34476817, gifted 2 "Powered by Love" items from Fox Spirit Matchmaker
Single Tower, Misty Purple Cloud, One Bite of Su Nuo, Mu Wangfu who loves black rice fried rice, Piano Master Lacquerer, Silver_w, Ampera Alien of Yancheng Mountain Island, You Win If You Don't Use Your Brain When Reading Novels, Time to Eat, Lychee on the Branch, Xiao Xingxing who loves ginger-fried duck, Jiang Nuanqing, ★★● (gifted with love)
Thank you all for the gifts! The author is so touched! Here's a picture of Tsunade and Haruko catching fish together for everyone ˉ\_()_/ˉ
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