Haruma quickly returned home to pack. Slinging a backpack stuffed with storage scrolls, he made a stop at the Yamanaka flower shop to bid farewell to Ino.
"Eh?" Ino blinked in surprise as she helped her mother tend the counter, her eyes widening when she saw Haruma ready for travel. "Haruma, did you get a personal mission?"
"Yeah," Haruma nodded with a smile. "I'm going to pick someone up from Tanzaku Town. Nothing too difficult. I'll be back in a few days and I'll bring you gifts. Tell Hinata, Shino, Shikamaru, and Choji for me please."
"Mm… be careful on the road." Ino's said softly. Seeing that he came just to say goodbye to her, she waved him off warmly.
Back at the village gates, Kurenai let the guards know that he was to be levaing soon, and that she had allowed it as she was his Sensei. For once, he left the village the "proper" way.
Once outside the gates, Haruma wasted no time racing towards Tanzaku. He even overtook Jiraiya and Naruto along the way, who were sightseeing and gathering information on Tsunade.
By the end of the day, Haruma had reached his destination.
"Welcome back, Haruma-kun!"
As before, Karin was already waiting at the door of the house he had purchased for her. Her mind eye had been sweeping the town constantly searching for his chakra.
Though his strength had skyrocketed recently from elite jonin to kage, Karin recognized him instantly.
Her eyes were rim with excitement, though she didn't dare throw herself into his arms. Haruma raised a hand and stroked her head gently. "I've been away for a while, sorry I couldn't see you sooner."
"It's... fine" Karin said, more so whispered as she enjoyed his affection.
Haruma laughed slightly at the sight, finally drawing her into a small embrace before she led him inside. At the entrance, she swapped his shoes as usual, then hurried to bring out some fruit and juice.
Seated in the living room, Haruma spoke. "I've already talked to my sensei. Once the Fifth Hokage is inaugurated by the Daimyo, she'll recommend you to join Konoha. If you pass the checks, you'll be able to stay there permanently and even become a kunoichi."
"Really?! That's wonderful!" Karin cheered, though what made her happiest wasn't the thought of joining Konoha. Rather, Haruma's company was what truly excited her.
"It might take some time before the Fifth is chosen," Haruma continued, biting into an apple. "So we'll return after that. Until then, let's stay here a while. When we go back, I'll introduce you to my friends."
Karin's eyes lit up. Being introduced to his friends meant he really did like her as he said he did. She didn't care if those friends liked her or not, as long as he was there with them, she would be satisfied.
After unpacking his things, Haruma discreetly planted a seed that sprouted into a Wood Clone. The clone stayed behind to guard their belongings, byakugan and mind eye scanning all of Tanzaku.
Meanwhile, Haruma took Karin into town to pick out gifts for Team 8 and 10. As they walked, he told her about his own relationships.
Karin had known he was an orphan like her, but she hadn't expected his circle to be so small, three close male friends, two childhood girl friends, and his jonin sensei.
"In life," Haruma said quietly, "you don't need many friends. Just a few true ones are enough."
Karin nodded firmly. "If you trust them then I know I can too. I look forward to meeting them Haruma-kun."
"You can just call me Haruma," he chuckled, "That's what my friends do."
"I see… Haruma..." Karin drifted into a daze, giggling to herself.
"Careful," Haruma scolded lightly, knocking her head. "We're in the street."
"Ow, okay okay…" she whined.
Back at the house, the Wood Clone maintained its position. With the byakugan and mind eye activated, it searched for the chakra of Tsunade and Shizune, but the sannin had yet to arrive, same with Orochimaru and kabuto.
For now, Haruma had no choice but to wait and to continue digesting the vast harvest of abilities and memories from the last few days.
He had already sorted through the memories of Gekko, the Hyuga elder and some of the Yamanaka and Nara memebers but the memories of Kushina, Mito remained only partially absorbed.
Their sealing techniques were fragments. Powerful, but incomplete.
Mito had been the First Hokage's wife, Kushina the Fourth's. Both were living archives of the Uzumaki clan's fūinjutsu. To truly obtain it all, Haruma would need to bring them back with Edo Tensei.
For the first time, Haruma truly felt the drag of waiting.
"Orochimaru, hurry up already!"