Chapter 73 Perhaps she will hesitate too.
Shizune packed her luggage, not quite understanding Tsunade's attitude towards Haruko Hayama. "Didn't you say she would come back on her own? And judging from her attitude, she'll definitely leave tomorrow."
She glanced at Haruko's tightly closed door from earlier that morning. Tsunade, having finished her meal, slumped on the sofa and lazily replied, "Because she didn't take her bag. Besides, I'm really hungry."
"Is that really the reason..." Shizune still didn't quite believe her explanation.
Meeting her suspicious gaze, Tsunade said calmly, "That child is quite strong and talented, but I don't know what she wants from me."
Shizune immediately understood from Tsunade's tone that she appreciated Hayama Haruko. She was very satisfied with Hayama Haruko, and it was the kind of satisfaction one has for a disciple.
Unable to contain her joy, Jingyin murmured, "Am I going to have a junior sister?"
Tsunade, who was getting up to go back to her room to sleep, gave her a light tap on the head. "It's not decided yet! Can you leave her here first?"
After saying that, Shizune, who was covering her head, went straight back to her room without even looking at her. The only bystander, Tonton, watched Shizune punching and kicking at the air.
Pig-Pig: Two-legged creatures are so strange.
...
"I really have to go!"
"Haruko, why don't you reconsider?"
Haruko tried to leave the room by hugging her bag, but Shizune, who didn't care about saving face, grabbed her legs and wouldn't let her take a step.
"Sister Jingyin, I'm begging you! I'm really in a hurry!"
"Nothing can be rushed!"
Shizune blinked her big eyes, trying to see the sincerity in them, while Haruko Hayama, who was in a hurry to go back, was on the verge of tears.
It can only be said that after following Tsunade for many years, Shizune has inevitably inherited the skill of being shameless.
"Shizune-nee, why do you insist on keeping me here?" Haruko was really confused, since she hadn't cared whether she left or not just yesterday.
"Uh..." Shizune was speechless. She couldn't very well say that Lady Tsunade was too lazy to do anything, so she had to come and persuade her, could she?
Silent tears streamed down her face.
How will my junior sister view me now?!
At this moment, Tsunade, who was being accused by Shizune, silently walked past them.
"Oh dear, look at how pitiful Shizune is, you should stay."
Haruko & Shizune: ...
Shizune's tears flowed even more fiercely. Lady Tsunade, you'd better not say anything!
Unable to bear seeing Shizune's pitiful state, Haruko stayed. After spending the last few days with them, she was certain that the two were not bad people, but she couldn't understand why they suddenly asked her to stay.
After lunch, Shizune, at Tsunade's prompting, picked up her luggage and checked out of the room. Knowing that they were about to leave, Haruko was no longer in a hurry.
Shizune said she wanted to visit Tanabata Castle before leaving. After calculating the time, Haruko decided that after they left, she would go back to exchange information with Naruto and the others. This accompaniment would be considered a final farewell.
They arrived at this historical site, which is listed as a cultural heritage site, and the sight made Jingyin exclaim, "Thankfully, it's free to enjoy it."
Haruko Hayama: ?
Noticing Tsunade's serious expression, Haruko leaned closer to Shizune and whispered, "She doesn't seem very interested."
Shizune looked at Tsunade, who was deep in thought, and asked, "Miss?"
After carefully observing her surroundings, she noticed nothing unusual, but a strange unease crept over her. Tsunade turned around and decided to trust her instincts. "Once you've looked around, let's get going."
Before they could catch up with Tsunade, Tsunade, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned her head sharply to look at the top of the shrine building in the distance.
BOOM!
To their astonishment, the ancient and intricate building exploded with a loud bang, revealing two male figures standing on the ruins as the thick, choking smoke dissipated.
Upon seeing their faces clearly, Shizune was terrified. "That's...!"
Tsunade frowned and uttered her unfinished words in a low voice: "Orochimaru."
Orochimaru?
Some familiar names startled Haruko Hayama; it was Orochimaru, the enemy who invaded Konoha during the Chunin Exams and caused the death of the Third Hokage.
Orochimaru, who was looking down at them from a distance, stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. His dark golden snake eyes seemed to be excited as if he had spotted prey. He flashed in front of them with the help of his subordinate Kabuto Yakushi.
Having not seen the face of his old friend for a long time, Orochimaru smiled sinisterly, "I've been looking for you for a long time, Tsunade."
"Tsunade?!"
Haruko immediately turned her head to look at the blonde woman next to her, her narrowed eyes revealing just how shocked she was by this fact.
Good grief, do these ninjas think they'll get their lives if they reveal their real names?!
They actually pretended to enslave her for so long!
Damn it!!!
She also didn't expect to run into him here, and judging from Orochimaru's determined attitude, it seems he came specifically to find her.
Tsunade carefully observed his condition: his heartbeat was erratic, he had a high fever judging from his complexion, he was constantly exhausted, and his hands...
"What exactly did you do?" Tsunade frowned. It wasn't a simple wound; it looked more like some kind of cursed seal.
Even in his weakened state, Orochimaru still managed to project an air of nonchalant confidence, saying, "It's nothing, I just killed the Third Hokage."
Having long coveted the Chunin Selection Exams held by various nations, Orochimaru meticulously devised the "Konoha Crush Plan," using the Sand Ninja's falling out with Konoha to lead his subordinates in an invasion of the village.
The Third Hokage attempted to seal Orochimaru with his own body, but was instead severely injured by Orochimaru's manipulation of the Kusanagi Sword. Ultimately, he failed to completely seal Orochimaru, only crippling Orochimaru's hands and rendering him unable to use ninjutsu.
Unexpectedly, the Third Hokage had a backup plan with the Shinigami. Orochimaru, whose hands were crippled, could only leave in a sorry state, and his "Konoha Crush Plan" failed. In order to heal his hands, he came to seek treatment from his old friend, Tsunade.
"You bastard!" Tsunade's eyes widened when she learned the truth, her lips clenched, and her eyes flashed with anger.
"After all, all tangible things will eventually perish, you should know that very well, right?" Orochimaru said with a wicked smile, uttering the words that hurt her the most. "After all... you killed the two people you loved most."
Because Tsunade firmly refused them, Orochimaru offered to revive Tsunade's deceased brother and lover as a bargaining chip, and then left with Kabuto Yakushi.
Judging from their expressions, they seemed certain that Tsunade would agree to the deal.
Inside the izakaya.
"Lady Tsunade..." Shizune tried to dissuade Tsunade, who was already completely drunk, but Tsunade slapped her away.
The seats where they were sitting were piled with many bottles of liquor, and Haruko Hayama, sitting opposite them, watched the scene in silence.
Is this... Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin?
He was a gambler, afraid of blood, and even hesitated to make a deal when Orochimaru openly stated that he would destroy Konoha after the deal was done.
"I'm going outside for some fresh air."
Haruko stood up in the morning, pretending not to see the worry in Shizune's eyes, and left the izakaya.
The streets are especially lively at night, with warm lights from each house blending together to dispel the chill of the night.
Looking up at the only bright moon hanging in the sky, Haruko's agitated mood gradually calmed down. In fact, she shouldn't have forced herself to have expectations of heroes, expecting them to be perfect.
She couldn't comprehend the pain of losing her closest loved ones, but if one day Naruto or Sasuke were to die, and the corresponding price was Konoha, perhaps she would hesitate...
"There's no need to specifically choose an izakaya, right? We might as well go to a ramen shop!"
"You idiot, this is where you find intelligence!"
As Haruko walked towards her amidst the commotion of the two figures, she looked closer and exclaimed, "Naruto? Jiraiya-senpai?"
Seeing her standing at the door, Naruto's displeased face immediately broke into a smile, and he ran towards her, saying, "Haruko, I missed you so much these past few days while you were gone!"
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of February 23, 2024:
grateful--
Haruna, a reminder from ☆S House☆
Xiao Qi was not sending a love letter.
Fu Hua (ヾ(ワ)), I want to give a like to the gift from Entangled Fate.
Lin Ning, artifacts are so hard to farm, I only got one S rank artifact, and it was a flower from atsjTSQ.
Yun Cheyun of Gumo Island, Tofu, Sheng Youda Juju, Xiao Qi is not Qi, its Zhu Yan Yi Shi, Long Mao Zhan Chuo Shei, Chun Nai, Feng Qin who loves spicy chicken noodles, Heng Heng Te, Mei Shuo Nei, Jian Bing Bing, Jin Xiula of Nanning, Xuan Bao is not a daylily, Gulu Gulu Cat, Xing Chen is very boring, Sheng Qi who loves colorful dumplings, Aning who likes poplar leaves, Mo Ji is a bit slow, Tuo Tuo La Yi Tuo, Yi Wei Tong Sui, G's Meow, An Xi, Xian Xian - Xian Yu, Yue...., I want to be entangled, @Han Sheng, Lin Lao Ji, Sunny Ling's love for electricity generation
Thank you so much for the gifts! The author is truly touched! Tsunade will drink a thousand cups of wine for you all!
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