Samui led Uchiha Hikaru and Shizuka off Turtle Island by boat, preparing to return to the Hidden Cloud Village.
During the few hours on the water, Shizuka—curious and inexperienced with the outside world—kept asking Uchiha Hikaru question after question.
Hikaru patiently answered each one along the way.
All he could think was that with Shizuka's innocence, if she met a real criminal, she might be sold off and still help count the money afterward (￣_￣|||).
By the time the sunset dyed the horizon red, they reached the shore of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Uchiha Hikaru and Shizuka stopped in front of a luxurious hotel. The evening streets on both sides were alive with noise and bright lights, crowded with food stalls, toys, and even several stands run by Konoha merchants.
The hotel in front of them was the most eye-catching building along the street. Above it hung a glowing pink sign that read "Love Flower", the heart shape under the word Love replaced with a bright red heart symbol.
"What a beautiful building~!" Shizuka exclaimed softly.
"Love… Flower? That's what it means, right? What a strange name."
Uchiha Hikaru rubbed his forehead, silently cursing Jiraiya a thousand times.
Of course this was the place Jiraiya picked — it suited his personality perfectly.
Two striking figures, a handsome young man and a beautiful kunoichi, naturally drew the stares of everyone nearby.
Uchiha Hikaru grabbed Shizuka's wrist and headed inside.
"Let's go. The sooner we finish, the better."
As soon as they walked in, two fair-skinned receptionists looked up.
"Sir, miss, please register—"
"I'm not staying here. I'm looking for someone." Hikaru replied briefly and hurried upstairs with Shizuka, leaving the reception workers holding blank forms and pens.
After a moment, the two hurriedly flipped through the guest list and found the reservation under Jiraiya and Nadeshiko Teika. Below it, a handwritten note read:
"Two visitors will arrive sometime between afternoon and evening."
They looked at each other and smirked.
"This Jiraiya from Konoha is truly… something."
"Yeah. Didn't expect he liked group activities~"
"Well, it's normal. You don't know the things the daimyō and nobles do when they come here…"
Meanwhile, Uchiha Hikaru and Shizuka reached Room 20 on the fifth floor.
Of course Jiraiya chose a room number like that. Absolutely typical.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Hikaru knocked hard. After a few seconds, the door swung open.
Jiraiya put on a serious face immediately upon seeing them.
"Hikaru, what took you so long? Come in."
Crack crack crack crack—
Hikaru flexed his knuckles dangerously. Jiraiya instantly dropped the act, stepped back, and opened the door wide.
"Hahaha~ Just kidding! Come in, come in!"
Inside the room sat Fushiko Teika at the table.
As Shizuka's teacher, her clothing style clearly influenced Shizuka's. She wore khaki skin-tight leggings that nearly matched her skin tone, and a red one-sleeved top that clung to her body, exposing her tan right arm. Short black gloves covered her hands. She was not a breathtaking beauty, but distinctly refined. Time had carved wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and half of her once-brown hair had turned gray.
Shizuka stepped quietly to her master's side, bowing her head.
"Master… I lost."
She had held herself together all the way here, but the frustration sat heavy in her chest.
Teika looked at Uchiha Hikaru, then at Jiraiya's apologetic expression, and gently stroked Shizuka's hair.
"It doesn't matter. You did your best."
"And besides, this was a bet between Jiraiya and me. Morally and logically, this burden was mine to carry."
"You should never have felt pressured by it. I'm the one who ignored your feelings."
"Master, no… I was wrong. I should apologize."
Teika's voice was weak but overflowing with tenderness and regret.
Shizuka, expecting harsh reprimand, felt her heart collapse instead.
Tears spilled silently down her cheeks.
Maybe it was because her teacher finally understood her after so many years. Or maybe because failing the battle weighed too heavily. Even she couldn't explain her feelings.
Uchiha Hikaru stepped forward and sat down, Jiraiya following behind.
"Alright, Shizuka. The bet is over. Your master's life is no longer in danger." Hikaru said calmly.
"I'm here to resolve this matter."
Shizuka wiped her eyes quickly and took the seat beside her teacher.
Teika's gaze sharpened, drawn by Hikaru's words.
"You won. My condition is my own problem," Teika said quietly. "I appreciate your kindness, but I won't trouble you."
Hikaru was briefly surprised by the refusal hidden in her politeness. His respect for her grew.
She truly was the kind of kunoichi capable of building a village, defending it, and earning loyalty. Her pride and resolve were admirable.
Even facing death, she refused to rely on others.
Hikaru smiled and tapped his fingers against the table.
"It's not kindness. We're simply pursuing our own goals."
"Konoha would never use resources to save someone unrelated to us out of charity."
"Helping you remove your chakra-damage is simply a side effect of a transaction."
Teika frowned. After Shizuka left to find Hikaru, Jiraiya had told her the truth.
She knew that Naruto, despite being Jiraiya's disciple, was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and the son of the Fourth Hokage — impossible to marry into Nadeshiko Village. And far too young.
Realistically, she could not offend Konoha over her own situation. That would only lead to destruction.
She knew who Uchiha Hikaru was — the Hokage's assistant and rumored future power in Konoha — and his interest in Nadeshiko Village shocked and pleased her.
Even if Nadeshiko became a dependent state of Konoha, the benefits would be far greater than the cost.
If her condition remained untreated, after her death, Nadeshiko would become prey — a fat sheep surrounded by hungry wolves.
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Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 100 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 200 Power Stones
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