Chapter 279 This Meeting
Unlike the other two groups, Kiba and his group had just finished their mission outside the village, so they didn't need much time to prepare and went directly to the village gate to wait for the others.
"I didn't expect that guy to be so popular."
Kiba Inuzuka walked forward slowly with his hands behind his head.
Akamaru, who was resting on his head, let out a howl, as if echoing his master's words.
Hinata Hyuga said softly, "Actually, back in school, many people liked Haruko, not just boys, but many girls too..."
"Really? How come I've never noticed this before?"
Inuzuka's fangs widened slightly, adding a touch of rounded, blankness to his unruly wolf-like eyes.
"Your school life has been spent under Iruka-sensei's scolding, so it's hard to remember a face more vividly than his."
Shino Aburame, wearing small, round black glasses, raised his head slightly and recounted his history of mischief in a calm tone.
"Hmph, who said that?"
Kiba Inuzuka snorted, then muttered under his breath, "I remember everything, but that guy has a worse memory than me."
Seeing the irritation in his tone, Hinata Hyuga hesitated and guessed.
"Ya... seems to care a lot about Haruko?"
"Huh? How could that be?" Kiba Inuzuka raised his voice to defend himself, "I just felt it was unfair that only I remembered it."
Shino Aburame shrank back into her wide collar, remaining silent, but her posture seemed to have relaxed somewhat.
...
Haruko rushed to Tsunade's research room in the morning, knocked twice, and then pushed open the door and quickly went inside.
"Master, I heard Gaara has been captured?"
Her voice echoed in the slightly messy room. Haruko looked around in the morning, but there was no one in sight.
However, judging from the half-empty glass of wine on the table that hasn't been drunk yet, Tsunade should be back soon.
Haruko couldn't hide her eagerness as she paced back and forth in her room in the morning.
After a while, a sound came from the doorway.
Tsunade was in a bad mood after being handed a stack of documents. She held the heavy documents in one arm and pushed open the door with the other.
"Master! You're back!"
A gentle breeze and sunlight filled the room, but they were overshadowed by the bright, joyful face of the black-haired girl.
Splash—
Countless sheets of paper scattered in the air, swirling and drifting far away before finally settling on the ground.
Tsunade stood frozen in place, her bewildered brown eyes reflecting the image of the black-haired girl rushing towards her.
Time seemed to stretch this moment to an infinite distance, frame by frame spanning the years of her sorrowful waiting, making every corner of her memory shine with brilliance.
"Master? Master!"
Haruko raised her hand and waved it from side to side in front of her eyes.
"Now is not the time to daydream! I heard from Shizune-nee that Gaara has been captured, is that right?"
"Yes... the Hokage just gave me a mission." After answering subconsciously, Tsunade called out in a daze, "Haruko?"
She couldn't quite hear what Haruko said later in the morning.
I could only vaguely hear those words, spoken in the bright sunshine of a sunny afternoon, yet tinged with bitterness.
"Tsunade, you are the only one who knows I'm leaving."
"I don't want you to be consumed by regret in your life, so I wanted to tell you in advance."
"Call me cruel... We'll meet again, we definitely will, Tsunade."
Sure enough, we didn't meet again until many years later...
Even a promise tinged with bitterness will sprout buds of hope when it sees the light of day again.
After all, in the ninja world of life and death, only Haruko's "goodbye" is a promise that can be absolutely trusted and that one can rely on forever.
Even if it comes with an uncertain waiting period.
This time, Tsunade's eyes no longer held fear and unease, but instead a gentle gaze filled with longing.
A tender word escaped her lips: "I've been waiting for so long..."
After talking for a long time, Haruko Hayama received a strange response: ...
"You didn't get drunk in broad daylight, did you?" Haruko's eyes gradually turned dead.
Stared at by her resentful eyes, Tsunade coughed awkwardly and turned the tables, questioning her about how she could see her that way.
"...So, who did the Hokage assign to carry out this mission?"
"The third, eighth, and tenth squads should be gathering at the village entrance now, ready to depart."
Class 3, Class 8, Class 10...aren't they Shikamaru and his group?
Why is Class 7 the only one missing?
There was no time for Haruko to think further; she pleaded, "Can I go? I'm worried about Gaara!"
Tsunade hesitated for a moment, as most of the information Konoha had about Akatsuki came from Jiraiya.
Akatsuki is a mysterious organization composed of dozens of ninjas, almost all of whom are wanted, vicious S-class criminals.
Most importantly, Akatsuki was founded by the disciples that Jiraiya had taken in Amegakure.
But no one knew how the Akatsuki, which originally advocated peaceful negotiations to resolve national disputes, would become a terrorist organization full of vicious criminals.
Jiraiya's persistent pursuit of information about Akatsuki was also partly due to this factor.
Although Akatsuki hasn't clashed with Jiraiya yet, it's hard to say how they'll treat their former master, let alone Haruko...
Tsunade looked at Haruko Hayama, who was looking anxious, and still couldn't bear to refuse her.
Moreover... with Rin around, she probably wouldn't let Haruko get hurt even if she herself got hurt.
"Alright, but your safety comes first." Tsunade smiled helplessly. "I originally assigned this mission to Rin, but since that's the case, you can go with her."
"Thank you, Master! I'll go find Shikamaru and the others now!"
Having received permission, Haruko Hayama eagerly ran out the door.
Tsunade was left standing there, lingering on the warmth she had left behind.
Not long after Haruko left in the morning, Shizune hurriedly led Nohara Rin, who had returned to the village, into the room.
"Master, I've returned from my cultivation!"
The once delicate and innocent girl has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Her dark brown eyes have gained a touch of sassiness, and her every move exudes a mature gentleness that has been refined by time.
Looking at Nohara Rin, whose demeanor exuded maturity, Tsunade smiled with satisfaction.
"Although I would like to catch up with you, the situation is urgent. Jingyin should have explained the general situation to you on the way here."
"This is all the intelligence about Akatsuki. Who knows how much damage they might cause? Go to the storage room and gather the supplies you need."
"As one of Konoha's top medical ninjas, you will go to Sunagakure in my place this time."
Her short, dark brown hair fluttered in the wind on either side of her face. Nohara Rin's gaze turned serious as she replied, "Yes."
Seeing her turn to leave, Tsunade spoke up immediately.
"By the way, your senior sister is with you this time."
Nohara Rin was stunned. "Senior Sister?"
Jingyin, who was suppressing a laugh, said, "That's right, it's the senior sister who will really surprise you."
It was unclear when a senior sister had appeared, but judging from their expressions, Nohara Rin decided not to have too high expectations.
She smiled helplessly, "Okay, I understand."
"Rin." Tsunade called out to her again.
"What master?"
Nohara Rin turned around and saw that her usually strong-willed master had a faint look of melancholy in his eyes.
Tsunade softened her expression and said softly, "Cheer up, don't let her see you looking like you're about to cry."
"What? I'm not as prone to crying as Obito."
Nohara Rin smiled and waved to them.
"Let's go!"
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of July 17, 2024:
grateful--
Braised Rabbit and a Love Letter from Osamu Dazai (10)
Two flowers given by Manager Liang, who likes king cobras.
The little bunny from the porcelain family, flowers sent by Meow Meow Meow.
The following are names of individuals: Jiu Youyu, Bibi Lurenjia (a teacher), Yanchengshan Island's Empera Alien, Yan Yu, Nuoxi, Shigetake, Sakurai Yuki, Uzumaki Rasengan, Yigu You Tai Du Wei, Muxue Shuyu, Fried Sesame Balls in the Oil Pot, Ayu Zhendi C, Leng Leng Qing Qing's Clay Figurines, Sanhao Squirrel, Cijia's Little Rabbit, Yan Yiyue, Miao Miao Miao, Please Eat Strawberries~, and 3 gifts from user 23336007 (generated with love).
dkdk. , Sliver_w, ★★●, Mingtian's gift of love (generated with love) x2
Piano lacquer craftsman, Mikhail, early summer starry sky, Lin Lingnuo, Xia Youjie in one bite, Wu Ziyun, blueberry who loves mangoes, ZSEO, Wang Yun who loves salted chicken from his hometown, likes big-scaled bream, I don't believe this pen name can still exist, Fusang Qin, just want to remain silent and not get angry, Suhe sent with love to generate electricity.
Thank you so much for the gifts! The author is so touched! Lin makes a dazzling appearance, yay! *(ˊˋ*)*
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