Sakikawa quickly added, "But you can't do that next time."
It was too dangerous!
Haruki nodded, "I understand."
Suzaku's figure appeared at the iron gate.
Wasn't he with Hanzo dealing with post-war matters?
A hint of confusion flashed in Haruki's eyes.
Suzaku's gaze fell on Haruki. "Come with me, Hanzo-sama is looking for you."
Hanzo was looking for him?
Haruki nodded, walked towards Suzaku, and his downcast pupils hid his thoughts.
Is it for the curse?
Haruki glanced at Suzaku beside him, who had returned to his expressionless state.
"Brother Suzaku, why is Hanzo-sama looking for me?" Haruki asked curiously.
Suzaku replied, "You'll know when we get there."
Haruki: "..."
Topic Terminator—Suzaku.
Hanzo's office was on the second floor of a pagoda-like building, which was also the top floor.
Haruki stood at the office door, and Hanzo inside said to him, "Come in."
Haruki glanced at Suzaku and walked into the office, the door behind him closed by Suzaku.
Only Haruki and Hanzo were in the spacious office. Hanzo stood up and walked to the window, motioning to Haruki.
Haruki saw Hanzo's posture, and thought he should be reminiscing about the glorious past.
He walked to Hanzo's side. Hanzo's gaze fell on the empty streets of Amegakure.
"Since I can remember, Amegakure has often been embroiled in war."
Haruki: "..."
It really was reminiscing about the past.
Haruki nodded, he leaned against the window, looking out. "Mom and dad often left home, but after a while, they would always come back. They told me they went to protect the village, and when the war ended, we could be together forever..."
He choked up, "But later, after they left home, they never came back..."
Hanzo's heart trembled. He looked down at Haruki's reddened eyes. His hand landed on Haruki's head.
"When I was very young, I decided to drive out these ninjas fighting in Amegakure."
"For this, I worked hard to learn and get stronger."
"Even if I was ostracized by the villagers and suffered from poisoning, I never gave up."
Hanzo saw admiration in Haruki's eyes. Haruki stared at Hanzo without blinking, his eyes burning, full of reverence for Hanzo.
"I also want to be as strong as Hanzo-sama!"
"I also want to protect the village and the villagers!"
"Let Amegakure no longer have wars!"
"Let Amegakure become strong!"
Looking at Haruki's determined eyes, Hanzo seemed to see himself making a vow years ago.
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzo's Nostalgia Value +5000]
[Ding!]
[Your Cursed Spirit Choso's rank has risen to 33%]
Haruki had already found the pattern for earning Hanzo's Nostalgia Value.
"Good!" Hanzo patted Haruki's shoulder.
He looked at Haruki's eyes, which seemed to be burning with fire amd said, "To achieve all this, you must possess great power. Are you willing to become my student?"
A huge surprise came crashing down. Haruki looked at Hanzo excitedly, his breathing rapid, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
"Really?"
"Can I really become your student?"
Haruki looked at Hanzo excitedly.
Hanzo looked at Haruki's excited expression, a smile appeared in his eyes, and he nodded affirmatively. "Of course."
With Haruki's talent, only he could guide him in the entire Amegakure. Most importantly, only he could empathize with Haruki's fear of his own abilities.
"Sensei!" Haruki rushed up and hugged Hanzo.
Hanzo's body stiffened. After the salamander's venom sac was implanted in his body, he had never engaged in such intimate contact with anyone else. No one dared to approach him either.
The ninjas of Amegakure revered him, but also feared his poison.
Only Haruki, this simple-minded child, would express his admiration and love for him so unreservedly.
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzo's Affection Value +1000]
[Ding!]
[Your Companion Cursed Spirit Rika's rank has risen to 58.95%]
Haruki's lips twitched.
Little rascal!
Winning over Hanzo was a piece of cake, wasn't it?
"That's great."
Haruki let go of Hanzo, and he promised earnestly, "Sensei, I will definitely train well from now on. When I become strong, I will be able to protect you."
Hanzo: "..."
It was the first time he had heard someone say they wanted to protect him and it came from his only student.
Although he didn't take Haruki's words seriously, Hanzo's mood inexplicably improved.
"Haruki, to become strong, the first thing is to accept your power." Hanzo's words had a deeper meaning.
He guessed right, it was indeed related to the curse.
Haruki quickly changed his expression, he nervously lowered his head, his fingers fiddling with his shirt. "I... I..."
Hanzo's hands rested on Haruki's shoulders as he said, "The curse is your talent, don't resist it, try to control it."
As long as it's power, it must be used by people. Hanzo believed that a firm will could conquer everything.
"Haruki, have you forgotten what I told you?"
"I couldn't control the salamander's venom sac at first, but I didn't give up and eventually successfully mastered the power of the venom sac."
"Since you are my student, you can also control your power."
Haruki looked up at Hanzo.
Hanzo's willpower at this time was astonishingly firm. Just by looking into Hanzo's eyes, he could feel the firm belief emanating from Hanzo.
It was as if even if the sky fell, Hanzo would not abandon his beliefs, still standing unyielding like steel.
How did such a Hanzo become so cowardly later on? Does one's mentality change with old age?
Haruki couldn't understand. He still had to keep acting.
"Yes, I am sensei's student."
"I am the student of the Ninja World's Demigod!"
"I cannot be so weak!"
"I cannot embarrass sensei!"
Haruki's voice became more and more firm. He stared at Hanzo, sparks shooting from his eyes.
"I want to become a powerful ninja like sensei!"
He had praised Hanzo so much, it would be unreasonable if Hanzo didn't contribute some emotional value.
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzo's Affection Value +500]
[Ding!]
[Your Companion Cursed Spirit Rika's rank has risen to 59%]
Haruki estimated that the half of Hanzo's face under his respirator must have been split with laughter.
"Good!" Hanzo's eyes showed relief. He looked at Haruki and finally experienced the joy of raising a student.
No wonder Konoha's Hokage Hiruzen took three students.