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After crying for a while, Teuchi lifted his hand to wipe the tears from his eyes, his eyes reddened, and said in a heavy tone,
"No matter what, I will not believe that you, Sōsuke, could really become a defector of Konoha!"
"I will strive to make a ramen that brings even more happiness to everyone, temporarily making up for the sorrow you brought, until... the day you come back..."
With determined eyes, Teuchi bent down and continued to diligently clear the rubble from the ground, at the site that used to be Sōsuke's home...
Meanwhile, in a hastily established makeshift hospital in Konoha,
In a simple room, a slender woman lay on the hospital bed, pale-faced,
Her long purple hair scattered on the white sheets. She frowned slightly, her long eyelashes trembling as if she was having a fearful nightmare.
Just as a tear slowly slid down her cheek, she suddenly opened her black eyes.
Looking at the white ceiling, for some reason, Shizune felt a deep sorrow and desolation in her heart.
At that moment,
The door creaked open, and Tsunade, with her golden ponytail hair, walked in slowly.
She looked weary, obviously, Sōsuke's departure had dealt her a huge blow.
Seeing Tsunade, Shizune's expression briefly showed surprise, puzzled by her visit.
Tsunade, noticing Shizune waking up, paused for a moment, then said softly,
"You're awake, Captain Shizune..."
Shizune slowly sat up and nodded silently, then both fell into a long silence.
After a while, Shizune looked somewhat downcast, her voice cold,
"Has... has he left?"
Tsunade nodded gently, her voice a bit somber,
"It's been three days, his... his defection... has been... spread throughout the ninja world..."
To this, Shizune showed indifference, murmuring,
"So what? To him, choosing this path, such things... probably are just trivial matters to him..."
Tsunade was taken aback for a moment, then said softly,
"Perhaps you're right..."
She glanced at Shizune's injuries and mentioned gently,
"Captain Shizune, your injuries are not serious and should heal in a few days."
After saying this, Tsunade stood up to leave. Just before stepping out, she hesitated but then turned her head slightly, saying softly,
"He... he didn't aim to kill you. The blade avoided the heart and narrowly pierced the pericardium, leaving no lasting damage..."
"I've atoned for his sins as well, so I wish you a speedy recovery."
With that, she left the room.
The soft closing of the door left Shizune staring out the window at the bright outside, murmuring to herself,
"How could I not know..."
"If he really wanted to kill me... how could I possibly have woken up..."
She smirked bitterly and whispered,
"Such a soft-hearted fool... Even against me... he couldn't bring himself to kill, could he..."
Then, she whispered even softer,
"Don't be like that outside... Don't get hurt because of your soft-heartedness..."
The news of Sōsuke, the appointed Fourth Hokage becoming a defector of Konoha, shook everyone, especially the villagers of Konoha. The aftermath of the Rock Ninja's attack left the village in ruins, but the villagers were more heartbroken by the betrayal of one they held dear. In the midst of reconstruction and healing, the villagers, including Teuchi, the young ramen chef, clung to hope and the memories of Sōsuke's kindness, refusing to believe the grim news. As the reality of Sōsuke's actions sinks in, Konoha must face its loss and look forward, while those like Shizune and Tsunade grapple with personal betrayal and the task of mending their broken village.
With a sigh, a woman's faint sigh was heard, carrying a hint of wistful grievance and helplessness. As the sigh faded,
A shadow appeared outside the partition, kneeling on the ground, his voice hoarse, "Miss Yuko, the news has been verified; Sōsuke has indeed become a defector of Konoha."
Hearing this, the figure inside the partition remained silent for a while before speaking, "Understood."
"Ghost, remember, keep an eye on his price in the underground black market for me, then set a price. Anyone daring to take on this task will face the same fate of being hunted by underground ninjas!"
Ghost replied solemnly upon hearing Yuko's words, "Yes!"
"If there's nothing else, you may leave," Yuko said coldly.
Ghost hesitated for a moment before asking, "Miss Yuko, why do you place such importance on this defector of Konoha? As the lord of the Land of Fire, if people discover any connection between you and him, it might be detrimental to your position."
Inside the partition, Yuko, wearing red armor and with her black hair cascading over her shoulders, appeared slightly dazed as if reminiscing. Her slender hand caressed the hilt of the long sword beside her, and suddenly, her lips curved into a warm smile, softly saying, "That guy... though annoying and arrogant, is very trustworthy..."
"And to me, his existence is very special."
"If he heard what you just said, he would surely laugh because to him, even the lord of the Land of Fire doesn't deserve a second glance."
"Indeed... not even worthy of a second glance..."
Yuko laughed mockingly at her own words.
Hearing this, Ghost seemed a bit irritated, "But... such an arrogant person doesn't deserve your treatment..."
"Even if his strength is great, he's just a defector of Konoha... he..."
"Silence!!"
Before Ghost could finish, Yuko interrupted him coldly.
In an instant, Ghost could feel a strong murderous intent locking onto him.
"Remember, Ghost, I don't want to hear any more unfavorable remarks about him, or... I'll kill you myself," Yuko said coldly from behind the partition.
Ghost remained silent, nodding lightly, "I understand, Miss Yuko."
"Leave now," she said coldly.
As Ghost was about to leave, a magnetic, slightly amused voice slowly rose, "Yuko, long time no see. You seem as willful as ever."
The voice appeared without warning, shocking both Ghost and Yuko like thunder out of the blue!
Ghost looked tense, his forehead covered in cold sweat, feeling a chill on his back.
Who could it be?
Someone had entered Lord Yuko's residence without detection!!
Sitting behind the partition, Yuko's pale face froze upon hearing this magnetic voice. She bit her lip hard, trying to hold back tears, her pale hand gripping the hilt of the long sword, her whole body trembling.