"What's wrong?" The black-haired woman looked at the red-haired young man lying on the hospital bed, who had suddenly furrowed his brows. She spoke anxiously, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
"Should I call a doctor?"
During this time, she had recovered quite a bit and could already be discharged. However, since Chiro had just passed the critical period and was slowly recovering…
She had stayed in the hospital to take care of Chiro.
But even now, she still couldn't believe everything before her eyes.
After all…
She had originally thought she would accompany Chiro to the Pure Land. Yet, in the end, both of them were still alive.
"It's nothing." Hearing his wife's concern, Chiro spoke apologetically, "I'm sorry, Hiroshi. I shouldn't have taken you to the battlefield back then. Otherwise, you wouldn't have…"
"No, I don't blame you." Hiroshi smiled gently and said, "This was all my own decision."
"And now…"
"Aren't we still alive?"
"Yeah!" Hearing Hiroshi's words, Chiro was stunned for a moment before sighing emotionally, "We're still alive!"
"I wonder how Scorpion is doing, and Mom… The village must be very worried."
"They probably wouldn't believe we're still alive."
"But…" Chiro frowned again and murmured, "Why did Uzushiogakure save us?"
What kind of scheme did they have?
As a ninja, he couldn't believe that an ally of Konoha would save enemies who were at war with Konoha.
So…
Uzushiogakure must have wanted something from them.
Though he, Chiro, wasn't afraid, Hiroshi…
He didn't want Hiroshi to die again.
However…
Hearing Chiro's words, Hiroshi fell silent. She opened her mouth but didn't know how to say it. Her face showed both regret and determination. Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke seriously, "Chiro, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Chiro looked at Hiroshi's expression and asked in surprise, "Did something happen?"
"I… I…" Hiroshi met Chiro's gaze, shook her head, and with resolute eyes, said, "I don't want to be a ninja anymore."
"This…" Hearing Hiroshi's words, Chiro was stunned for a moment. Then, he smiled and said, "Then neither of us will be ninjas anymore. When we return to Sunagakure, we'll resign from the Kazekage's service."
"Ever since Scorpion was born, we haven't spent much time with him."
"After resigning, we'll have plenty of time to be with Scorpion. And I promised him I'd teach him…"
But before Chiro could finish…
"Chiro, listen to me." Hiroshi directly interrupted him. Her eyes reddened as tears welled up, and she said, "I'm sorry, Chiro. I… I'm sorry."
"..."
Hearing Hiroshi's words, Chiro fell silent.
Now he understood what Hiroshi meant. But…
He didn't know how Uzushiogakure had threatened her.
Chiro pressed on his wound, propped himself up with a pillow, and gritted his teeth against the pain as he tried to sit up.
Seeing this, Hiroshi quickly supported him, though tears continued to fall from her eyes.
Feeling the tears drip onto his hand…
His heart trembled…
As Hiroshi helped him, Chiro turned and hugged her tightly, whispering, "I'm the one who should apologize."
"Don't cry."
"If Scorpion sees this, he'll think I bullied his mother."
"But I…" Hiroshi said tearfully, her voice choked with sobs, "I promised Uzushiogakure…"
"I already guessed." Chiro patted Hiroshi's back gently and said, "You don't have to tell me. Later, I'll personally ask the Uzushiogakure leader."
"And…"
"I'm the one who failed you."
"So…" Chiro released the embrace and looked at Hiroshi seriously. "No matter what you decide."
"I'll agree to it."
"I…" Seeing Chiro's determined gaze, Hiroshi's heart trembled. Finally, she took a deep breath and said firmly, "I want to stay in Uzushiogakure."
I want you to live.
"..."
Hearing Hiroshi's words,
Chiro was silent for a moment. Then, he smiled and said, "If that's the case, we'll both stay in Uzushiogakure."
"After all, everyone probably thinks we're already dead. And I'm sure Mom will take good care of Scorpion."
"So…"
"I'll stay in Uzushiogakure with you."
"I…" Hiroshi froze, tears streaming down her face again as she sobbed, "Thank you."
"I should be thanking you." Chiro hugged her again and said solemnly, "From now on, the Sunagakure jōnin, Chiro and Hiroshi, no longer exist."
From now on, he would spend more time with Hiroshi.
But…
What exactly did Uzushiogakure want from them?
Chiro's eyes were filled with worry.
If it was something harmful to Sunagakure…
No matter what, he wouldn't agree.
So…
When the time came…
He would beg Uzushiogakure to spare Hiroshi.
He…
Would never let Hiroshi get hurt again.
"Madara-sama, what's wrong?" Tobi looked at Madara, who was lying on a rocking chair with dazed eyes, and asked cautiously, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should I take you to see a doctor?"
Madara snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at Tobi. He shook his head and said indifferently, "No need."
"And…"
"Why aren't you at the daycare today?"
"No matter what, as a teacher, you shouldn't slack off. That's wrong."
"No, Tobi isn't slacking off." Tobi quickly shook his head and said, "Today's just a day off."
"Is that so?" Madara nodded and fell silent again. After a while, he stared at Tobi and said expressionlessly, "Zetsu, he…"
Just then…
"Ding-dong, ding-dong!"
Before Madara could finish speaking, the doorbell rang.
Tobi glanced at the doorbell, then looked back at Madara and asked, "What is it? Do you have any orders, Madara-sama?"
"Nothing." Madara stopped looking at Tobi and lay back in the chair, his face blank as he said, "Go open the door."
"See what those kids want."
"Understood, Madara-sama." Tobi quickly stood up and turned around, his heart trembling. The look in Madara-sama's eyes just now…
Was terrifying!
And Zetsu…
What was going on?
Meanwhile, with his back to Tobi, Uchiha Madara narrowed his eyes, a faint smile curling on his lips as he lay on the rocking chair and murmured softly, "Tobi is a good kid."
No matter what…
Tobi was created from Hashirama's cells. And ever since he appeared after Hashirama's death, he had been by Madara's side, taking care of him. So…
Tobi was definitely a good kid.
"Mom, I'm home." A short-haired man with sharp teeth smiled as he opened the door and said, "Look what I brought you."
"Oh?" An elderly woman, trembling as she leaned on a cane, squinted and walked out. "Jūzō, you're back from work?"
"Yeah." Jūzō quickly supported the old woman carefully and said, "You should've just waited inside. At your age, Mom, you shouldn't be walking around so much."
"Hehe." The old woman chuckled. "How was work today?"
Pakkun Jūzō fell silent for a moment before saying, "It was fine. I worked hard today, and the team leader praised our squad."
"That's good, that's good." The old woman smiled happily. Then, she looked at Pakkun Jūzō seriously and said, "Don't cause any more trouble. Just focus on your rehabilitation."
"Then Lord Jun will forgive you."
"And then…" The old woman said wistfully, still chuckling, "Find a wife and have a chubby grandson."
"So I can be a grandma."
"Listen to me." The old woman raised her cane and pointed it at Pakkun Jūzō. "Don't disappoint me."
"Or else…"
"I won't live anymore."
"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say." Pakkun Jūzō sighed helplessly. "Today, the team rewarded us with a piece of roast pork. I'll cook it later so we can both try it."
Find a wife and have kids…
He didn't even know if someone like him could find a wife.
And…
Pakkun Jūzō's eyes filled with guilt as he muttered, "I wonder how Kirigakure is doing now?"
And Hoshigaki Fuguki…
Brother, I'm sorry…
"What was that?" The old woman suddenly asked. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing." Pakkun Jūzō bared his sharp teeth and smiled. "Just sit in the living room and wait. I'll make dinner."
He…
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen…
A once ruthless assassin.
Somehow, at some point…
Had begun to change.
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