Chapter 110 Her name is Haruko
Compared to the terrifying Tsunade, Uncle Jiraiya was much more normal. Although he initially looked at her with strange eyes, he later became the same as usual, which reassured Haruko Hayama quite a bit.
I really can't imagine Jiraiya getting close to me with that face on his face!
“Mount Myoboku?” Haruko Hayama repeated his words.
Jiraiya nodded. "That's right, that's the place where my contract was passed down, and it's inhabited by many toads who possess Sage Arts."
"Wow, that's amazing! I want to go!" Naruto Uzumaki exclaimed excitedly.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto Uzumaki, who was standing next to Haruko Hayashi, with a disgruntled expression. "What are you doing here, you brat?"
"Can't Naruto go?"
Seeing Haruko Hayama's expression that said, "If he doesn't go, I won't go either," Jiraiya swallowed his refusal and forced a smile, saying, "Of course you can."
"Yay!" Naruto jumped up excitedly.
Mount Myoboku is like a tropical rainforest, except that the mushrooms and plants around it are enormous, even larger than buildings, and you can see several toads lying on it, resting comfortably.
"Wow—so many frogs!" Haruko exclaimed.
Jiraiya's lips twitched. "That's a clam... never mind."
Several toads heard the commotion and looked over.
It's Jiraiya, and there's a blond kid with that, and behind him is... Haruko?!
The first toad to spot Haruko Hayama was so startled that it fell off the leaf.
Haruko whispered in Naruto's ear, "These frogs don't seem very smart."
"Maybe all the nutrients are used for growing," Naruto Uzumaki explained, thinking he was being clever.
Jiraiya: ...You nine-tailed brat, you heard everything perfectly!
As for Haruko Hayama? If Haruko says it's a frog, then it's a frog. What's the problem?
The toad that had fallen quickly got up and then cautiously walked up to Haruko. "You...you're Haruko?"
Haruko nodded in surprise. The toad then looked at Jiraiya, and after receiving Jiraiya's confirmation, it hurriedly ran away.
Haruko Hayama: ?
Jiraiya coughed awkwardly, "Let me show you around."
"Oh, so Mount Myoboku is a tourist paradise." Haruko Hayama thought that this place truly deserved its reputation.
Jiraiya: ...Why does that sound so familiar?
After enjoying the beautiful scenery of Mount Myoboku, the toad that had been there before returned, followed by a large group of toads.
Naruto Uzumaki was terrified. "Is this some kind of frog migration?!"
Haruko was trying to find a place to hide, but she didn't expect the group of toads to be so fast. They rushed in front of them without giving them a chance to react, stopping them in their tracks right in front of Haruko.
Jiraiya sighed, "These guys are way too excited..."
The toads stared at Haruko for a few seconds, and then, seeing her slightly flustered expression, they finally started talking all at once.
"It really is Haruko! She's alive!"
"I was wondering who Haruko was, but I only just remembered! Is it really that the toad's brain capacity is insufficient?"
"Haruko has become so small, so cute!"
"Haruko, Haruko! You promised to go fishing with me!"
"Bullshit! Haruko wants to come with me to pick flowers first!"
"Shut up, all of you! Haruko clearly agreed to me first!"
Watching them argue fiercely, Naruto Uzumaki leaned closer and asked her, "Haruko, were you actually quite familiar with these frogs before?"
Haruko immediately distanced herself, saying, "This is my first time here!"
A toad with excellent hearing glared at Naruto Uzumaki, "You blond brat, who are you calling a frog!"
His words stirred up a huge uproar, and all the toads began to denounce Naruto. In the end, Jiraiya had no choice but to step in and calm their anger down.
Haruko Hayama: (wiping sweat) Thank goodness I didn't yell out.
After dealing with the group of toads, Jiraiya led them to a giant toad statue, where a green toad could be vaguely seen sitting on the statue.
Jiraiya raised his voice and said, "Old man Fukasaku, Haruko is back!"
"Haruko?"
An aged voice came from above. Haruko watched as the green toad slowly opened its eyes, its golden pupils ignoring everything around it and looking only at her.
“It’s Haruko…” Fukasaku’s tone was as if he had met a long-lost friend, full of nostalgia and sadness.
"Do you know me?" Haruko Hayama asked, puzzled.
“This should be our first meeting for you.” Fukasaku stood up, a smile breaking through the rain. “Welcome back to Mount Myōboku, child of humanity.”
＊
"Hiruko, how much longer are you going to lock yourself in your room?"
Hiruko stopped what she was doing and turned to look at the woman backlit by the door.
"Tsunade, why are you back?"
"Come back and become Hokage."
Tsunade walked in without ceremony, pushing aside the messy pile of mechanical parts on the floor with her shoes as she went. The entire room was pitch black, with the only light coming from the dim blue glow of the machines.
Hiruko did not respond to her, continuing to focus on the action she had just stopped.
Tsunade sat down next to him and glanced at his fair and delicate face and deep eyes. She couldn't help but feel jealous that this guy looked like he was twenty years old despite his advanced age.
Is this what a youthful face looks like? Ugh! I'm so envious!
Seeing his stubborn refusal to eat or drink, Tsunade mischievously wondered what exaggerated expression he would have when he saw Haruko.
"Hey, did you know Haruko's back?"
Upon hearing the name Tsunade mentioned, Hiruko paused for a moment, then coldly replied, "What does it have to do with me?"
Tsunade was startled, her expression gradually turning serious as she fell into deep thought.
Is it possible that everyone's memories only return after they see Haruko Hayama again?
Sealed memories, the appearance of a miniature version of Haruko Hayama, and the forgotten us... This is simply a mystery of the century.
"No matter what you say, go out and see the world when you have time. Don't stay cooped up in your room all day, or you'll become stale."
"Is your gambling and drinking habit so well-known that everyone knows about it?"
Tsunade choked, "How did you know? Don't you never go out?"
Hiruko silently pointed to the large screen that occupied a third of the room, "Through this system assistant, I can monitor all the information in the village, but further development is needed to expand the scope."
"System assistant?" Tsunade asked curiously.
Hiruko made a gesture, and numerous particles gathered on the bright blue screen, combining to form the image of a cute little girl with long black hair.
“This is…” Tsunade’s eyes widened slightly.
Hiruko quietly watched the little girl on the screen open her eyes, and when their eyes met, she even showed a sweet smile.
"Her name is Haruko."
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