Chapter 180: Ten Days
In the dead of night, the lights in
Kiba's ward were still on. He was reading Tsunade's medical experience scroll
that Hirohiko had brought from the secret room of his home. Over the past ten
days, he had finished the second scroll and memorized its contents.
Hirohiko sat beside him, cleaning
his shuriken and checking his ninja tools. Neither spoke much, with Kiba
occasionally calling out to Hirohiko to move the scroll for him since he
couldn't move his hands. The scrolls were long, so Hirohiko's assistance was
necessary.
In the past ten days, Hirohiko often
spent the night in Kiba's ward, helping him read.
"Can't you still get close to
Teacher Kushina?" Kiba asked after a while.
"You can't get close. You'll be
attacked if you try," Hirohiko replied, touching the scar on his face.
Yesterday, he had approached Kushina's house and was attacked by the ninja
secretly protecting her. If he hadn't dodged quickly, he might not have been
able to return to help Kiba.
Hearing this, Kiba narrowed his eyes
slightly.
Has
Hirohiko been suspected? The attack must be a warning to stop investigating.
Following Kiba's instructions,
Hirohiko had first brought Tsunade's medical scrolls and then investigated
Kushina's house arrest. He discovered that Kushina was under "house
arrest" by an unknown group of Konoha ninjas dressed like Anbu, not the
direct unit of the Third Hokage.
This was the first time Hirohiko had
seen this. Having worked with Jiraiya, he knew many Konoha Jonin and Chunin.
During missions, he had rescued some teammates and, despite his stoic demeanor,
had formed friendships with some.
Learning from friendly ninjas,
Hirohiko discovered that Kushina was under house arrest at home, not protected
by Anbu but by a different group. The ninjas didn't use the term "house
arrest," instead mentioning the Third Hokage's special protection due to
Kushina's serious injuries.
As Kushina's disciple, Hirohiko
faced no obstacles when inquiring about her. The villagers knew him, and no one
concealed anything from him. All information, even bits and pieces, were
shared.
From this information, Chiba
concluded that Kushina was under house arrest and monitored, likely by Danzo's
Root operatives, not Anbu.
"Hirohiko, have you figured out
the protection of those unknown Konoha ninjas?" Kiba asked with a smile.
"Of course," Hirohiko
replied.
"Yeah." Kiba nodded.
"When will we act?"
Hirohiko asked.
"It's not yet time. The people
we're dealing with can't be handled like those Kumo ninjas," Kiba said.
"I must be fully prepared."
"En." Hirohiko nodded,
silently helping Kiba move the scroll. Kiba had finished that section and
needed the next part.
"Starting tomorrow, don't
investigate anymore," Kiba added.
"Well, pretending to accept the
warning?" Hirohiko asked.
Kiba nodded. "Yes."
Sure
enough, cooperation with Hirohiko is the most comfortable!
Kiba felt emotional, appreciating
Hirohiko's intuitive understanding and perfect execution without needing
explanations. This trust was comforting.
In Naruto's world, Kiba trusted
Hirohiko and Yukina the most, and they treated him sincerely.
Hirohiko didn't need to stay in the
hospital, but he did, knowing Kiba's hands and feet were inconvenient and he
needed help with the scrolls.
Over the past few days, Kiba also
realized Hirohiko's genius and patience. Despite knowing about Kushina's house
arrest and needing to solve it, Hirohiko showed no impatience. Though anxious,
he remained patient, focused, and clear-headed, which was extraordinary for a
seven-year-old.
"Are you reading this part
again?" Hirohiko asked, noticing Kiba reading the medical experience
scroll.
Kiba nodded. "Hmm! These things
require memory. It's troublesome."
Hirohiko nodded, returning to his
shuriken.
"Still reading! Kiba, you're
seriously wounded and not sleeping at this hour?" a dissatisfied voice
came from the door.
Both turned their heads, slightly
stiff, seeing Guizi standing with her hands on her hips, her face angry.
They checked the time.
9:30.
Patient rest time had passed.
"I said, little Hirohiko, if
you're helping him, don't indulge him! Sleep when it's time to sleep!"
Guizi pointed at Hirohiko.
"I'm sorry, Miss Guizi! I
understand." Hirohiko apologized quickly.
"You always say that and
indulge him. Kiba, it's good to study hard, but timing matters." Guizi
scolded Hirohiko and then Kiba.
"Ahem!" Kiba hurriedly
said, "Hirohiko, put it away. Let's go to bed right away!"
It wasn't the first time they were
caught by Guizi, and they packed the scrolls skillfully. Hirohiko helped Kiba
lie down, then lay on the simple bunk next to him.
"We're sleeping, sister Guizi.
Please turn off the lights!" Kiba closed his eyes and said.
Seeing their compliance, Guizi shook
her head and sighed. "This is not an example!"
As she turned off the lights, the
room went pitch black.
"Yes, sister Guizi." Both
responded simultaneously.
Afterward, the door closed, and
Guizi complained outside: "These two children, really..."
Then, her footsteps faded away.
"Kiba, should we turn on the
light and continue?" Hirohiko's voice sounded after Guizi's footsteps
disappeared.
"Forget it today. The cast will
be removed tomorrow, so let's rest early."
Obviously, covering the doors and
windows with black cloth and turning on the lights was not a first-time
occurrence.
"Hmm," Hirohiko replied.
Tomorrow,
I'll be discharged! The plan should also be implemented!
Thinking about it, Kiba closed his
eyes.