Chapter 36: Konoha Specialty—Quantum Mechanics Apples
Sigh...
After leaving the dimly lit Anbu base, sunlight streamed through the holes in his mask and into his eyes.
Asuka raised a hand to shield himself from the sun, then turned to look at the recruits slowly emerging behind him.
Why are they all avoiding me?
"Hey, how about we grab some barbecue—"
Before he could finish speaking, the newly recruited Anbu members quickened their pace and ran even faster.
When they had heard their platoon leader mention that this guy's summoning beast was a ninja cat, they had guessed he might be from the Uchiha Clan.
What they hadn't expected...
Was for this Uchiha to immediately punch their platoon leader.
Although she had been the one to ask for it...
That punch had been far too heavy.
As expected of an Uchiha.
Absolutely ruthless.
Just from her figure alone, anyone could tell their platoon leader had to be a beautiful woman.
Truly ruthless.
From that alone, they concluded that someone who didn't cherish beauty probably wouldn't cherish his teammates either.
Whoosh...
A gentle breeze drifted past.
Asuka's raised hand froze awkwardly in midair.
Scratching his head, he looked at the budding branches overhead and couldn't help murmuring inwardly,
Although he'd heard that communication between Anbu members was minimal...
It shouldn't be this minimal.
What's wrong with having some barbecue together to build team spirit?
"Hey."
"You're not avoiding me too, are you?"
At that moment, Asuka saw Yūhi Kurenai walking out behind the others.
He immediately caught up to her and walked beside her shoulder to shoulder.
"Long time no see."
"Long time no see."
Kurenai replied calmly.
There was a three-year age gap between them.
They weren't particularly close, but they weren't strangers either.
Back at the Ninja Academy, she had often run into him.
Whenever they crossed paths, he would stare at her eyes for quite a while.
Many people had complimented her beautiful eyes.
But being praised by an Uchiha—whose clan took pride in the Sharingan—
That had only happened once in her life.
"Yūhi."
"Who's today's platoon leader from the Sarutobi Clan?"
"I don't think I've ever seen her before."
Hearing the question, Kurenai's crimson eyes shifted slightly toward him.
Seeing that Asuka's gaze was perfectly clear, without the slightest trace of impropriety despite their captain's striking figure, she answered softly,
"Our platoon leader is Lord Third's daughter-in-law."
"She joined the Anbu while we were still in the Ninja Academy."
"I've met her before when Lord Third invited me to his house."
"I see..."
Asuka blinked.
He mentally reviewed all the weddings that had taken place in Konoha since he had transmigrated here.
Sure enough...
He really hadn't attended any Sarutobi family weddings.
Even the Third Hokage had only invited him to his office a handful of times.
The difference in treatment is pretty obvious.
---
Land of Fire.
Konoha Village.
Konoha Hospital.
Top floor.
Holding a basket of fruit in one hand and flowers in the other, Asuka leisurely walked down the hallway from east to west.
Earlier, while chatting with several Sunagakure shinobi, he had unexpectedly learned something.
Pakura...
Still hadn't been discharged.
Counting on his fingers, it had already been seven days since their battle.
Although the skill levels of Konoha's medical staff varied...
With Pakura's recovery ability, injuries limited to muscle damage should have mostly healed within three days.
Is she trying to extort me?
Just then, a shinobi wearing brown clothing stepped in front of him and asked,
"Are you here to visit Pakura of the Hidden Sand as well?"
"Hmm."
Asuka nodded.
Looking at the Konoha forehead protector on the man's forehead, he asked curiously,
"How did you know?"
"Many shinobi in the village lost relatives and comrades to the Hidden Sand during the war."
"When they heard Pakura was bedridden, they all grabbed their kunai and rushed over to 'visit' her."
Scratching his head awkwardly, he added,
"Let me offer you some friendly advice."
"The Hidden Sand and Konoha are about to become allies."
"The higher-ups have issued strict orders."
"No Sunagakure shinobi is allowed to come to harm while staying here."
"And besides..."
"Even if you met Pakura..."
"You'd just be throwing your life away."
"She's incredibly strong."
"Oh..."
Asuka stretched his neck to look toward the distant hospital room.
Standing outside were two Hidden Sand shinobi with cold expressions, glaring in every direction like guardian statues.
He suddenly had a much clearer picture of what life in Sunagakure would probably be like.
Getting beaten up really does seem possible.
"..."
Asuka patted the man on the shoulder before pulling out an official document from his pocket.
Handing it over, he said,
"I've been assigned by the village to participate in the exchange program with Sunagakure."
"I'm here to check on Pakura's condition."
"Ah?"
"I see."
After quickly examining the document, the shinobi stepped aside, clearing a path wide enough for Asuka.
He really was Konoha's designated exchange representative.
Watching Asuka walk away, the shinobi couldn't help sighing inwardly.
Far more Hidden Sand shinobi had died at Konoha's hands than the other way around.
His time in Sunagakure probably wouldn't be easy.
---
Pakura lay sideways on her hospital bed, reading the latest intelligence reports from across the shinobi world.
"Konoha versus the Hidden Mist..."
"Konoha has the advantage."
"Konoha versus the Hidden Cloud..."
"The situation is evenly matched."
"But because Iwagakure has withdrawn all its forces..."
"The Hidden Cloud has also pulled back many shinobi to guard against surprise attacks."
"Iwagakure has shifted to defense and begun negotiating a ceasefire with Konoha."
"Konoha has stabilized the situation once again."
Pakura's quiet voice echoed through the room.
"Konoha won again this time..."
"I wonder what the Daimyō will do to the village next."
She tossed the irritating report aside.
Clasping her hands over her stomach, she closed her eyes and quietly rested.
During this rare period of peace...
She honestly didn't know what to do besides sleep.
Gathering intelligence wasn't her responsibility.
Negotiating with the Daimyō wasn't either.
With the war finally over...
She suddenly found herself with far too much free time.
Creak...
Just as she closed her eyes, the door slowly opened.
She heard light footsteps enter the room, followed by the careful sound of a chair being pulled out.
What are those people doing now?
Didn't we agree not to disturb me?
Even meals can wait.
We've already paid Konoha enough compensation.
The village might end up facing famine.
Who has the appetite to eat?
Listening to the quiet rustling nearby, Pakura opened her eyes unhappily.
Turning her head...
She saw a familiar figure sitting beside her bed with one leg crossed over the other.
Holding a small knife, he was carefully peeling an apple.
Sunlight streamed through the window onto the black-haired young man, outlining him with a faint golden glow.
His already handsome features seemed even more striking.
For a moment...
It was difficult to look away.
The hospital room was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers.
It was so quiet that even a pin dropping could be heard.
Only the soft sound of an apple being peeled echoed gently through the room, creating an inexplicably peaceful atmosphere.
The good-looking members of the Uchiha Clan...
Really are exceptionally good-looking.
Pakura quietly studied Asuka's face for a long time before finally asking,
"What are you doing here?"
"You're awake?"
Asuka looked up in surprise before lowering his eyes back to the half-peeled apple.
Still peeling it, he answered,
"You've been in the hospital for so long."
"So I came to visit."
Hearing that, Pakura turned her head away with a scoff.
"Why should I leave?"
"So I can go outside and endure the ridicule and contempt of your Konoha villagers?"
"That's true."
Taking a bite from the apple, Asuka stood up and casually walked to her bedside.
"A lot of Konoha shinobi died at the hands of you Hidden Sand shinobi back then."
"It's a pity I was assigned to a different battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War."
"I never got the chance to fight you."
"Now's your chance."
Seeing the intense fighting spirit in her eyes...
Asuka suddenly felt that the apple in his mouth wasn't as sweet anymore.
Not sweet enough.
That black-market fruit vendor tricked me again.
"My body's already recovered—"
Before Pakura could finish speaking, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Looking at Asuka's surprised expression, she extended her fair, slender right hand from beneath the blanket toward the ninja pouch sitting on the cabinet beside her.
"So..."
"Now that I'm fully recovered..."
"Are you afraid?"
"Huh?"
The moment her hand reached the middle of the cabinet...
Something suddenly appeared in her palm.
After instinctively squeezing it...
Pakura stared blankly at the peeled apple now resting in her hand.
She remained frozen for quite a while.
"Pakura."
"This may be the last major war among the Five Great Shinobi Villages for quite some time."
"So..."
"Let's enjoy this brief period of peace."
Looking down at the surprised expression on Pakura's face, Asuka's gaze slowly shifted upward to the Hidden Sand forehead protector resting beside her.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He had almost forgotten.
In the future...
The Hidden Sand would still join forces with Orochimaru to eliminate the Third Hokage.
Ah...
Still...
The shinobi world would generally become much more peaceful afterward.
Crunch.
The crisp sound of an apple being bitten pulled Asuka back to reality.
Watching Pakura take small bites from the apple, he casually shared the news he had received that morning.
"In the future..."
"I'll be serving as Konoha's medical exchange representative."
"I'll stay in your Hidden Sand Village for a while."
"Officially, it'll be to exchange medical ninjutsu knowledge."
"And while I'm there..."
"I'll also learn a few things from Lady Chiyo."
"Heh..."
Pakura looked at him with a faint smile.
"Do you know?"
"Konoha has sent exchange representatives before."
"But..."
"They often met with unfortunate 'accidents.'"
"For example..."
"A Tailed Beast suddenly goes berserk."
"A ninjutsu accidentally misses its target."
"An explosive tag somehow lands in your house."
"Or..."
"Even drinking from a well might poison you."
Hearing that, Asuka rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"So according to you..."
"My life in the Hidden Sand won't be easy at all."
"Not necessarily."
Taking another bite of her apple, Pakura answered casually,
"If you become my slave..."
"You won't have to worry about anyone in the village threatening you."
The moment she finished speaking...
Her chewing stopped.
Her eyes shifted downward.
Looking at the hand that had suddenly pinched her cheek, she glared at Asuka unhappily.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm checking how thick your skin is."
"How else could you say something like that with a straight face?"
Seeing the dangerous look in her eyes, Asuka calmly placed the flowers he had brought into the nearby vase before speaking earnestly,
"The last time you came to Konoha..."
"I sent you straight to the hospital."
"Even though I carried you around for quite a while afterward..."
"I doubt you were in the mood to appreciate Konoha's scenery."
"Since you're here anyway..."
"It'd be a shame to stay stuck in this hospital room."
"This afternoon..."
"I'll show you around Konoha."
"And later..."
"You can show me around Sunagakure."
At that moment, a gentle breeze drifted in through the open window, making the white curtains sway softly.
Pakura looked at Asuka's serious expression.
She remembered how he had carried her for such a long distance...
Shielding her from civilians throwing objects...
And from Konoha shinobi trying to attack her.
Suddenly...
She no longer felt like arguing.
After quietly finishing the apple in her hand, Asuka took the core and tossed it into the trash bin.
Pakura wiped her hands with a damp towel before turning to look out the window.
Listening to the cheerful laughter coming from the streets outside...
Her thoughts slowly drifted back to her own village.
My apprentice, Maki...
She'd probably like Konoha's apples.
They're quite sweet.