Chapter 9 Visiting Moonlight Gale
Time flew by, and it had been over ten days since the transaction with Orochimaru. Now, it was the day before the official matches.
Besides continuing to learn Revolving Heaven these past few days, Hyuga Gen had been troubled by one problem.
That was, he suddenly realized he didn't have enough money. More precisely, he lacked sufficient funds for his upcoming experiments.
The treatment and research of the kekkei genkai disease were destined to be a lengthy process, which would require a large amount of capital.
Hyuga Gen had saved up some money from missions over the years, but those small sums would likely be a drop in the bucket.
"Forget it, I'll finish tomorrow's plan first. For now, I'll get some good rest today."
Hyuga Gen stretched, deciding to go out for a stroll to relax his mind.
Before leaving, he glanced at Gu Gu, who was steadfastly executing its home-wrecking plan on the sofa, and abandoned the idea of taking the Little Orange Cat out.
Gu Gu clearly had a special fondness for the sofa, and Hyuga Gen had no good way to deal with it, so he simply chose to ignore it.
Walking on the main street, Hyuga Gen often heard people discussing tomorrow's matches.
He even heard discussions about his match with Neji, though it was clear that not many people favored him.
Just as he was thinking of Neji, Hyuga Gen suddenly noticed Hyuga Neji, who had been out early and back late every day recently, standing by the roadside.
And next to him stood a girl with a bun hairstyle.
"Oh, isn't that Neji and Tenten?"
Hyuga Gen quickly walked up to the two, his gaze sweeping over them as he said teasingly:
"Is this a date? Looks like a certain blockhead has finally wised up."
Hyuga Neji had originally wanted to greet his good friend when he saw him.
But upon hearing Hyuga Gen's teasing, he suddenly felt his blood rush.
Tenten, standing beside him, blushed.
"Gen, don't talk nonsense!"
Hyuga Neji pointed fiercely at the Ninja tool pouch on his body and explained: "Tenten and I are going to Cultivate, Cultivate, do you understand?!"
Hyuga Gen chuckled, "I understand, how could I not? Two people 'Cultivating,' as long as you two are happy."
"You, you..." Hyuga Neji was flustered.
"Big Brother Gen, there's really nothing going on between us. If you don't believe me, you can ask Lee."
Seeing Neji being bullied to the point of being unable to retort, Tenten stepped forward and quickly said.
However, her voice suddenly became softer when she mentioned Lee, and she looked a little downcast.
Hyuga Neji, beside her, also frowned, clearly feeling sad.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Go Cultivate quickly." Hyuga Gen shook his head and comforted them: "Don't worry, Lee will definitely get better!"
Lee had been defeated by Gaara in the preliminary rounds, and his leg was severely injured. He was still in the hospital.
There were even rumors that he might never be able to be a Ninja again.
So, as their teammate, Neji and Tenten must have been feeling quite bad.
Watching the two gradually leave, Hyuga Gen suddenly thought of something: Gekkō Hayate, whom he had saved.
"That guy seems to be in the hospital too, I wonder if he's woken up yet?"
"Should I go see him? After all, he's a potential hire, so I should show him some care."
Thinking this, Hyuga Gen walked directly towards a flower shop on the street.
After all, it wouldn't do to visit someone empty-handed.
But halfway there, he suddenly realized a problem.
He had rushed out earlier and forgotten his wallet.
This was troublesome. Did he have to go back?
Hyuga Gen looked at the flower shop, which was right in front of him, feeling a bit stuck.
However, at this moment, he suddenly noticed a patch of green outside the flower shop's door.
It turned out that for decorative effect, some weeds had been planted beside the flower shop to adorn the flowerbeds.
"You're the one!"
Hyuga Gen's eyes lit up. Taking advantage of the crowd's inattention, he pulled out a weed and put it in his pocket.
Then he walked towards the hospital and soon arrived at Gekkō Hayate's ward.
Gekkō Hayate was lying on the hospital bed, his eyes staring at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought.
"Cough, cough, cough... You're Gen?!"
Seeing someone enter, Gekkō Hayate was slightly startled at first, then quickly showed an excited expression:
"I was planning to go thank you once I felt better."
Gekkō Hayate struggled to get up, but as soon as he exerted a little force, he felt intense pain all over his body, and sweat broke out on his forehead.
Good heavens, this is a truly sickly person!
Hyuga Gen quickly stopped Gekkō Hayate's movements, then asked, "Senior Hayate, did the doctor say when you'll recover?"
"Cough, cough... Just call me Hayate. I'm afraid my illness won't get better."
Gekkō Hayate's face was ashen, and his eyes held a hint of confusion. "The doctor said my body was already weak, and this time my bones were completely injured. I'm afraid I'm crippled."
"What? How can this be?!"
Hyuga Gen's gaze was somewhat complex, and his face was full of distress.
Gekkō Hayate looked at Hyuga Gen's anxious expression before him and was deeply moved.
What a kind-hearted person he was! Not only did he save his life, but he was also so concerned about his condition!
"Gen, you don't have to worry. If I'm crippled, then I'm crippled. Anyway, my body has never been good."
"Ah, this, this is too much of a loss... too much of a pity!"
Hyuga Gen looked regretful. After calming down, he asked, "By the way, Hayate, why did Baki try to kill you? Have you reported this to Hokage-sama?"
Hyuga Gen naturally wasn't really asking for the reason Baki attacked.
He wanted to gauge the Third Hokage's reaction after Gekkō Hayate informed him of the incident.
Gekkō Hayate showed a hint of apology: "Sorry, Hokage-sama told me not to spread this."
Not to spread it, huh? Was the Third Hokage planning to turn the tables, or did he have some other plan?
However, the 'Kazekage' at that time would probably surprise everyone.
Hyuga Gen sneered inwardly, his expression unchanged as he said, "It's alright, Hokage-sama must have his deeper reasons."
"Mm." Gekkō Hayate responded, then solemnly said, "By the way, Gen, be careful during your match tomorrow."
At this point, Gekkō Hayate paused slightly and whispered:
"Yūgao said she has to stay with the Hokage tomorrow and won't be free to accompany me, so I think something might happen."
"Understood. Thank you for the reminder. I'll be careful then."
Hyuga Gen nodded, his expression unchanged, and he vaguely had some guesses in his heart.
As an Anbu member, Yūgao Uzuki could not openly reveal her identity.
However, Gekkō Hayate should have known her identity, which is why he hinted at it in such a way.
It seemed that the Third Hokage had figured something out based on Hayate's information, and had specifically made some arrangements.
It was very likely that he had some Anbu members hidden around him as a precaution.
This was getting interesting. With this change, then the Third Hokage...
Without thinking further, Hyuga Gen looked at the gradually darkening sky and prepared to leave.
"Oh, by the way, I rushed over to see you and didn't buy any gifts. Here, this is for you."
Hyuga Gen pulled out the weed he had plucked and directly placed it in the vase by the window.
And surprisingly, the vase, which originally only had flowers, now looked perfect with the addition of a small blade of grass.
"Cough, cough... Gen, you're too kind. What is this?" Gekkō Hayate looked puzzled.
"Hm-hm, this is an unbloomed carnation."
Hyuga Gen smiled, "Perhaps the flower shop's business has been too good recently, so only these unbloomed flowers were left to buy."
After speaking, Hyuga Gen quickened his pace and left the ward, not giving Gekkō Hayate time to react.
"Hmm, do carnations look like weeds before they bloom?"
Gekkō Hayate looked at the 'carnation' by the window, utterly bewildered.
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