Chapter 89 The Indestructible Porcelain Doll
After that, Haruko buried herself in researching ninja tool making. As soon as she finished training, she would go home and study behind closed doors, even refusing her good friend Tsunade's invitation to play.
She kept learning relevant knowledge and skills, and then started trying to draw design drafts. After she finished drawing, she would show them to the frogs for their comments, but every time she received a clear rejection. However, none of this defeated her. Instead, it spurred her to devote herself more to the next design, making her seem like a mad scientist who had gone mad.
"This time! This time it will definitely work!" Haruko Hayama confidently handed the blueprints to the Toads.
“She always says that.”
When Haruko heard a toad slandering her, she retorted defiantly, "This time is different! This is a groundbreaking research and design that is unique in the entire ninja world!"
Before the other toads could undermine her confidence, Fukasaku coughed to signal everyone to be quiet.
"This is quite innovative, but I'm curious where you got this idea from."
The toad next to it, overhearing this, leaned closer to look at the name, "High Chakra...Concentration Aggregated Critical Strike Super Cannon?"
"What a strange name."
"What bubbles?"
"let me see!"
While the toads rushed to examine the bizarre design drawings, Haruko was led away by Fukasaku.
On the way, Fukasaku was still marveling, "This is truly an unprecedented design idea."
"No, it just popped into my head one night. I think I have quite a talent for research!" Haruko's pride was evident.
In fact, Haruko Hayama felt both familiar and unfamiliar with this super cannon. After spending more time researching it than with her previous designs, she discovered that it was actually quite feasible.
Fukasaku remained silent for a moment. "I was just praising your design idea, not saying it was good. To put it simply, it's just a pretty but useless piece of junk."
“…I’m going to tell your wife!” Haruko Hayama threatened.
“...But it’s also a very extraordinary idea.” Fukasaku put on a mysterious expression.
After the design was approved, Haruko followed Fukasaku's advice and went to the Land of Wind to seek the help of a puppeteer, since her ideas were generally inseparable from complex mechanisms and intricate designs.
After making some inquiries, Haruko Hayama decided to visit Chiyo, who was known as a puppet master.
but……
Is that middle-aged woman who loves fishing and always pretends to be mentally challenged really a puppet master?
Despite having a negative impression of her in her mind, Haruko Hayama still needed her help, and through her tireless efforts (and superb fishing skills), she successfully attracted her attention.
Unexpectedly, the Toad Food Guide was actually quite useful. Haruko Hayama co-authored it with Fukasaku's wife, but she often fished in the river.
After a year of study, when Haruko Hayama returned to Konoha, she found that Hiruko had also undergone a huge change.
"Hiru... Huh?!"
Haruko stared intently at Hiruko, who had turned around in front of her. His upper body was wrapped in bandages, and he wore a long white haori with a long sword tucked into his waistband—he resembled a beautified version of Gamabunta.
"I must be dreaming... Wait, how did that giant toad turn into Hiruko's appearance?!"
Haruko Hayama felt she needed a medical ninja to help her in an emergency.
The giant toad Gamabunta, who jumped down from the mountain in the distance, looked completely bewildered. "Did he go crazy from how handsome I am?"
Hiruko ran to her side with concern and helped her up. "What's wrong, Haruko?"
After catching her breath, Haruko was furious. "Ugly toad Gamabunta! How dare you teach Hiruko? Look what you've turned him into!"
Gamabunta slapped the ground indignantly, "So what if you look like me, the boss toad? Human brats really don't understand aesthetics!"
Haruko couldn't bear to watch its roar, so she turned around and cupped Hiruko's face in her hands, her eyes filled with tears.
"It's your mother's fault for not taking good care of you. You've let that ugly toad dictate your current aesthetic sense!"
Hiruko chuckled and rubbed her hand. "It's what I wanted to wear. My previous toad master had already taught me everything. The boss who's teaching me now is really amazing."
Meeting his bright, energetic eyes, Haruko decided to hide the ugly toad's pipe when she got back. Otherwise, if Hiruko really learned it, she would kill the toad!
A chill ran down my spine: ...It must be that little girl who's back.
"Haruko, what's that on your back?" Hiruko looked at the object that was almost as tall as her and asked curiously.
"It's all that ugly toad's fault, I almost forgot about it."
Haruko carefully laid the bag behind her flat on the ground, unzipped it, and took out a finely crafted handheld cannon that gleamed with a cold, silvery light.
"Let me proudly introduce its name: 'High Chakra Content Convergence Critical Strike Super Cannon'! It's a collaborative creation between Puppet Master Chiyo and me!"
Haruko Hayama handed him the slightly heavy handheld cannon. "It's a gift for you. It's filled with my chakra, so you can attack without using chakra. And after being perfected by Chiyo, it can also have multiple forms."
"If you run out of chakra, come find me. If I'm out of chakra for the time being, I'll help you steal Orochimaru's. Orochimaru has a lot of chakra!"
A swarm of toads had gathered around, all drawn by the news of Haruko Hayama's triumphant return and eager to see her bizarre creation. Haruko Hayama demonstrated various attacks and chakra recovery techniques, earning the toads' amazed applause before proudly raising her head.
Throughout the entire process, Hiruko's gaze remained fixed on Haruko Hayama.
During his training, he heard many toads talk about Haruko Hayama, especially the story of how Haruko Hayama resolutely went to the Land of Wind for him.
Hiruko was depressed for a while. He trained very hard, but his efforts and rewards were not proportional. He repeatedly asked himself: Did he really deserve to have a friend like Haruko?
No matter how much he thought about it, no matter how much he deceived himself, Hiruko had to admit that he was not worth Hayama Haruko's efforts at all.
It was at that time that Fukasaku approached him.
"Kid, are you planning to keep being so颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it implies a state of listlessness, apathy, and apathy) like this?" Fukasaku appeared beside him with his hands behind his back.
“Lord Fukasaku…” Hiruko was dejected again upon hearing his words.
"Although Haruko is stubborn and talkative, she always has a mysterious quality that attracts all living beings to her, including you and those toads."
Hiruko couldn't help but smile as she recalled her past interactions with her. "Haruko truly possesses the magic to make everyone like her."
Do you know what this trait is?
Hiruko paused for a moment, then tried to give a few reasons, but they were all rejected.
Fukasaku looked at the distant horizon and said, “It’s about cherishing, cherishing the bond. She cherishes you as a friend, so she’s willing to do anything for you. She doesn’t ask for anything in return; she just cherishes you simply because you are her friend.”
“How could someone like me be worthy of her cherishing?” Hiruko clenched her fists.
Fukasaku chuckled, "You're being stubborn. You clearly like it to death."
Hiruko blushed instantly. Before he could retort, Fukasaku continued, "She doesn't care whether you're worth it or not. Once she's decided to protect a bond, no one can change it. So, you should think about her more, kid."
After saying that, Fukasaku left, leaving him standing there in a daze, repeatedly pondering Fukasaku's words.
Over the past year, he has trained even harder, never resting until he reaches his limit. Even Gamabunta said that he works even harder than Jiraiya did back then.
Whenever he felt like giving up, when he considered taking shortcuts, or when he began to waver in his goals, he would think of Fukasaku's words that night and the figure of Haruko Hayama.
Now, she's finally back...
Haruko Hayama was a little confused when Hiruko suddenly hugged her. "You don't need to thank me like this, do you?"
Haruko felt his chest tremble with laughter as he held her tightly, and her face inexplicably flushed.
"Haruko, I want to have another goal."
"What?"
"I want to have you."
Haruko looked at Hiruko's raised face in surprise. He had changed a lot in the past year. The timid porcelain doll had now built an impenetrable wall around himself and become a confident and powerful ninja.
Haruko laughed, "Alright, I'll definitely witness the day you become the strongest person in the world!"
******
Thank you so much to the lovely Qingzheng Shufen and Suanla Jusang for the update reminder charm! Your extra chapter has been delivered (▽)ρ
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