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Chapter 254: Ino's Decision
"Join Akatsuki..." Sakura's eyes were bewildered.
The war was lost, and the entire ninja world was to be ruled by Akatsuki.
They had to leave Konoha, where they had lived for over a decade, and go to Amegakure.
The future... how it would turn out, good or bad, left her very lost and anxious.
"Sakura..." Ino kicked a stone on the ground as she walked, her voice not as lively as before.
"If we go to Amegakure, the old power and interest structures of Konoha will be torn down and rebuilt."
"Those original businesses of our Yamanaka Clan will definitely be lost. The livelihood the clansmen rely on will be gone..."
"I don't know how Amegakure will arrange things..."
She used to think that when she grew up, she would open a flower shop of her own in Konoha.
Consider it a family business.
But now... let alone opening a shop, the wealth and property accumulated by the clan over decades would vanish.
"So..." Ino exhaled lightly. "Whether for myself or for the clan, I have to think of a way to join Akatsuki."
"Only by grasping a certain status and power can I look after the Yamanaka Clan."
"Ino... you..." Sakura opened her mouth, looking at her best friend with complexity.
She didn't expect that in such a short time, Ino would think so far ahead and have such a sense of responsibility.
For the clan, for a better life in the future, she wanted to join Akatsuki.
And what about herself...
Although she didn't have a clan, her parents were still alive.
She really should think more about her parents' and her own future livelihood, instead of filling her head with that figure who had already passed away.
Sakura suddenly pressed her hand to her chest.
The thought of Sasuke dying brought a twisting pain to her chest.
Clearly, she shouldn't think about it anymore. Clearly, she should think more about her parents and herself. But why was it still so painful...
"Sakura..." Ino looked at her worriedly. "Are you thinking of Sasuke again?"
As a best friend, she clearly knew Sakura's feelings for Sasuke.
From the Ninja Academy to the three years of apprenticeship under Lady Tsunade, her arduous training was all to chase Sasuke back.
She had even entertained the thought of directly defecting from the village to find Sasuke and be a missing-nin together.
"I... I'm fine." Sakura released her chest. "Don't worry..."
Ino saw through Sakura's forced smile but didn't know how to console her.
That affection had turned into a powerful obsession; it couldn't be let go of just like that.
She grabbed Sakura's hand. "Sakura, don't force yourself right now."
"Let nature take its course. Time will let you move on..."
She believed that as time passed and Sakura experienced more people and things, those feelings for Sasuke would eventually become a small interlude in life.
It hurt terribly now, but time would eventually soothe the pain...
Sakura was silent for a moment, lowering her head. "Perhaps..."
The two walked to a fork in the road.
"Ino, I'll go home first..."
"See you later."
Without waiting for Ino to reply, Sakura ran into the right path, not letting her see the expression on her face.
"Sakura..."
Ino stood in place, watching Sakura leave.
Only until she disappeared from view did she turn and walk towards the left path.
After returning home, she found her father, Inoichi Yamanaka, had returned one step ahead.
He was kneeling in the living room, his expression very serious.
"Father."
Ino changed her shoes in the entryway and walked into the living room.
She looked around. "Where's Mother?"
"Your mother is arranging for the clansmen to pack their belongings."
"Is that so..." Ino knelt in front of Inoichi. "Does Mother know what happened? Is she okay..."
"Rest assured." Inoichi sighed lightly. "Your mother has a strong will and won't be knocked down by the sudden reality."
Ino breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that Mother wasn't frightened by this.
Immediately, her face turned serious. "Father, is there something you need me to do?"
It was the first time she had seen her father reveal such a serious and solemn expression in front of her.
As a doting father, he had always been all smiles...
"Sigh..." Inoichi sighed heavily, his serious face turning into unbearable weakness.
"Just now, I held a brief meeting with the clan elders."
Ino lowered her head slightly, listening silently.
"With this relocation, the properties and territories my Yamanaka Clan originally had in Konoha will turn to nothing."
"The livelihoods the clansmen relied on are gone. Going to Amegakure... we don't know how to survive..."
"So..." Inoichi clenched his fists, looking at his daughter in front of him with complexity.
His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn't bring himself to voice the clan's thoughts.
The future honor and disgrace of the entire clan were to be pressed onto his daughter. What a heavy burden and pressure...
"Father." Ino raised her head and smiled brightly. "No need to say it, I know what to do."
"Hinata and I are companions, and our relationship is quite good. I will continue to maintain a good relationship with Hinata and strive to join Akatsuki one day too."
She had thought of this layer on the way back.
For the continuation and livelihood of the clan, someone had to step up and build a relationship with Akatsuki.
And no one was more suitable than herself, who had gone to school with Hinata and was her companion.
"I'm sorry..." Inoichi's straight back suddenly bent as he said dejectedly.
"It's Father who is useless, letting you alone bear the future honor and disgrace of the entire clan..."
"No..." Ino shook her head. "Father, you don't need to say that."
"I am also a Yamanaka. I should fulfill my responsibility for the clan's continuation. Moreover..." She joked, "I was also very envious of Hinata being the center of attention just now. I want that kind of status and identity too."
"So, whether for myself or for the clan, I am happy to do it."
Not just Ino Yamanaka and the Yamanaka Clan.
The families and relatives of the other Konoha Rookies, or anyone who knew Hinata, were under their families' requests to think of every way to build a good relationship with Hinata.
This concerned their future development in Amegakure and, even more, their safety.
With this relationship, perhaps it could save their lives, and even the whole clan's lives, at a critical moment.
When it concerned their very lives, they had no choice but to take it seriously.
Ino pointed to the gift box beside Inoichi. "Father, this is the gift for Hinata, right?"
The packaging was exquisite. The item inside was definitely the clan's most precious and cherished Star Flower.
A flower like a star, and there was only one branch.
Inoichi picked up the gift box and nodded silently.
Ino smiled, took the gift box, and stood up. "Then, Father, I'll go find Hinata."
"Please don't worry too much, Father. I believe Hinata will still recognize me as a companion. There won't be any danger."
She turned around, her eyes determined.
"Our Yamanaka Clan... won't be in danger in the future either..."
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