Chapter 232: Pushing Her to Death

After finding Orochimaru that day, Haruko stayed in bed for two more days after she returned, which frightened her family so much that they gave her thicker clothes. Uchiha Itachi was even thankful that his fire attribute could serve as a small stove for her.

However, such a weak body really troubled Haruko.

It should be the sequelae of using pupil technique to travel through time and space. Her health is getting worse and worse. According to this trend, she may not be able to use it many times, but she hopes that she will never need to use this function again.

Previously, Tsunade begged him to give her at least three years in order to keep her from the battlefield.

But Haruko knew that she was not sure whether she could survive the year of the Nine-Tails War, let alone three years, so she no longer had the obsession to repair this body.

After sobering up, Tsunade advised her that given her physical condition, the consequences of removing the Yin Seal and using the vast chakra would be very serious and might even leave her bedridden.

It took her a lot of effort to get Tsunade to reluctantly feel comfortable enough to teach her.

If the feeling of her vitality slipping away in the second round made her realize that she had to return to her own time and space, then now all the facts before her pointing to a predetermined ending made Haruko realize that perhaps... she would not survive the battle with the Nine-Tails.

Therefore, her time became even more urgent.

"Haruko, are you busy today too?"

Uchiha Itachi looked at Haruko who was putting on her shoes at the entrance, and his hands on both sides couldn't help but clutch the corners of his clothes.

Haruko stood up and patted his head apologetically, "Yes, I'm sorry Itachi, I have to postpone my promise to you again."

Uchiha Itachi shook his head knowingly, "Haruko must have something important to tell you, I know it."

"Thank you Itachi."

Watching the door being opened and closed, Uchiha Itachi stood quietly without moving.

The action of pulling and closing the door was so simple, but it was extremely difficult for him. He had no permission and no proper reason to keep up with Haruko's busy pace.

"Sorry Itachi."

"Next time, ok?"

"I'll accompany you when I'm done."

"I'm really sorry."

Uchiha Itachi wanted to convince himself that he just had to wait a little longer. When Haruko was done with her work, they could return to the world where there were only the two of them laughing and playing.

But, next time...when is it?

……

Arriving at the training ground agreed upon with Tsunade, Haruko greeted the slender figure she saw from afar.

"Is Shizune not here?" Haruko looked around and didn't see anyone around.

Tsunade patted the empty bench, motioning for her to sit down, and explained, "It just so happened that Duan was taking a break these few days, so she went to study with him."

Sitting down next to her, Haruko couldn't help but sigh, "It's great, not only do I have a master, but I also have a master's wife."

Unexpectedly, she compared Kato Dan to her master's wife. Tsunade laughed without any image, "Dan's amiable personality, you know what, they really are like her!"

Haruko beat around the bush and asked, "But has Tsunade ever considered taking in another apprentice?"

"Haruko?" Tsunade pretended to think seriously, "If you can serve tea and water whenever I call, I will treat Haruko as my most beloved disciple!"

Thank you, it turns out that your enslavement of me in the first round was out of love for me.

Haruko suppressed her speechlessness and said, "I mean my teammate Nohara Lin. You have seen us training several times, right? What do you think of her?"

Tsunade blinked quickly a few times, as if she had not expected that she was serious about teaching Nohara Rin. After careful recollection, she cautiously expressed her opinion.

"That kid has a nice personality, very gentle and kind, just like you in the past, but his talent seems average, much inferior to that arrogant masked brat and the Uchiha brat who has now awakened the Sharingan."

Haruko was not discouraged. "Indeed, but don't you always love gambling? Do you want to make a bet with me?"

"What are you gambling?"

Before she noticed the familiarity in her words, Tsunade became interested in the bet.

"I bet she will stand shoulder to shoulder with Kakashi and Obito in the future, and may even become another miracle in the medical field."

"Is it true? Such a high rating?"

"You'll be amazed at her tenacity and perseverance."

In fact, she already had some feelings for Nohara Rin, but when Haruko brought it up, Tsunade childishly pretended to be pessimistic. Although she got an answer that was consistent with her own idea, she still looked nonsensical.

"It's really a bit jealous. I was your best friend before."

"Even now, I am still looking up to Lady Tsunade."

Hearing this long-unseen nickname, Tsunade's eyes widened, then she turned her head to look at her in disbelief. When she met her bright smile, tears gathered in her eyes and fell almost instantly.

Haruko's smile was tinged with heartache, and she leaned in to hug her, "Tsunade found out too late."

Tsunade hugged her back tightly, apologizing for her slowness, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"It's okay, it's not too late for me."

Compared to being forgotten, Haruko feels that what is most painful for them is living in ignorance for many years and then having to recall their memories again.

They will feel guilty for forgetting themselves, sad for not remembering them, and fearful of their uncertain future.

Bonds are touching, but also hurtful.

"Wait, you are forcing yourself to learn the Yin Seal, could it be that..." Tsunade suddenly reacted, and withdrew from her arms in disbelief, observing her reaction intently, trying to find out the truth.

"Tsunade."

Haruko just called her name calmly, as if to stop her from speaking out her guess, but also as if to tacitly agree with her unfinished words.

"But……"

The shadow of her death had not yet dissipated, and then mixed with the helplessness of her frail body after losing it and then recovering it, what was rushing towards Tsunade was layer upon layer of despair.

"I don't want to lose you again... Haruko, please..."

Facing the predetermined future, Haruko is unquestionably firm, "This is the price of changing the present."

"I have the rest of my time to change many things and try to guide them towards a better outcome. Even if I have to die, I feel happy."

"Besides, this is not our ending. Believe me, Tsunade, our ending will definitely be happy."

The belief in a better future was conveyed to Tsunade through Haruko's flashing eyes, and the yearning and brilliance permeated into her originally sad inner world.

It is a gentle and bitter hope.

Tsunade wiped away her tears and forced herself to respond to her with a smile, "I understand. I will stand firmly by your side, just like you have been to me."

Haruko has always trusted her unconditionally and stood by her. It's time for her to stand by Haruko's side.

Even though this decision will push Haruko to death, this is what Haruko wants, so she must encourage Haruko to die contentedly even if she cries.