[My friend before me, I only believe you. Naraku and Kakashi will definitely have a happy ending!]
After dawn, the perspective shifted to Kana.
A slender hand reached out from under the covers to turn off the piercing alarm clock. Then, the red-haired girl pushed aside the quilt, sat up, and stretched with a big yawn.
Kana yawned as she walked into the bathroom, quickly washed up, changed into her everyday clothes, and left for school with her small bag, greeting Kushina, who lived next door and was just coming out to throw away trash.
Uzumaki Mito had arranged for her to stay with Kushina precisely so they could look after each other.
Although Kushina's cooking still needed improvement, Kana always happily finished her meals. After all, the other person was one of her few relatives, warm and kind-hearted, always caring for her like a true Sister.
[It's good to see Kana relax a bit. I can't take it anymore.]
[I've been gutting fish for ten years in DRF, my heart is as cold as my knife.]
[You can't hurt me, hahahaha! This Daoist Master has already achieved enlightenment!]
[You two, if you have the guts, take off your sunglasses.]
After diligently attending a full day of classes, Kana bought fresh fruit at the fruit store after school, then headed straight to the Hospital.
Actually, she had learned early yesterday morning that Naraku had already woken up, but when she visited the Hospital, she was told that he couldn't stay awake for long periods. So, she waited until this afternoon—the time recommended by the medical staff.
Kana finally saw Naraku awake at the Hospital. She didn't cry loudly like last time, only wiped her eyes twice and placed the items on his bedside table.
Seeing that the other person was still sad for him, Naraku's eyes were filled with guilt.
--If I didn't always make her worry, Sister Kana would be very happy in Konoha, wouldn't she?
--Why do I always cause those around me to get hurt?
He clenched the pristine white bedsheet, the black in his eyes deepening.
But when Kana spoke to him, he reverted to his gentle and cheerful demeanor, even perfectly mimicking his old smile.
[With a zero-frame start, how can I dodge? I can't dodge at all.]
[My favorite character always stabs me in the heart when I least expect it.]
[Naraku, wake up, don't take all the blame on yourself!]
[Naraku is completely broken. He subconsciously believes that all the suffering of those around him is related to him.]
[Baby, you don't have to smile when you're sad.]
[Masking emotions is actually the most painful thing.]
After a brief chat, Kana, worried that too much time would affect Naraku's recovery, urged him to rest well and then left.
By the time she returned home, it was just in time for dinner.
Kana held her bowl distractedly, still recalling that Naraku had seemed strange today, perhaps still uncomfortable somewhere and just enduring it.
--Maybe Kakashi knows some inside information. I'll ask him tomorrow.
Kana inwardly praised her own cleverness.
But when she went to find Kakashi the next day, what she saw was not the spirited young genius, but a cold and sullen "Ninja."
Hearing that Naraku's condition seemed poor, he tightened his grip on the doorframe, but in the end, he still refused to go to the Hospital and was unwilling to explain why.
[Kakashi! You are heartless, you are cruel, you are unreasonable!]
[This isn't the "cool guy" I wanted! You rotten Old Thief!]
[Kakashi's current appearance is the Ninja Konoha wants, hehe.]
[It must be Danzo who did it!]
[Danzo Shimura, you've done too many evil deeds!]
— —
Naraku watched this segment carefully.
Even Kana couldn't detect that faint trace of abnormal Chakra from Kakashi. Perhaps only someone with sensory abilities strong enough to detect Black Zetsu's presence could notice it.
That's good. As long as Black Zetsu's Jutsu isn't broken, Kakashi is safe.
— —
Kana, filled with questions, went to the Hospital alone to visit Naraku, wanting to ask what was wrong with the two of them, but the words died in her throat.
If Kakashi didn't come, and Sakumo remained in his current state, Naraku would be all alone.
So, she came to the Hospital almost every afternoon after school, even temporarily setting aside her training.
When Kushina learned the reason Kana had asked for leave from training, she often prepared things for her to take along.
It wasn't until the day before he was discharged that Kana finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering her.
Naraku only said that they were fine.
But even if his smile was perfectly faked, the sluggish and inactive Chakra, influenced by his true emotions, was hard to deceive Kana.
She knew he wasn't doing well at all.
[Thankfully, there's the understanding Sister Kana. Otherwise, I don't know how Naraku would have managed.]
[Uzumaki Kana, a reliable lie detector.]
[The embodiment of a forced smile. I finally know what it looks like.]
[If Kakashi is a big idiot, then Naraku is a big fool. Both of them will silently torment themselves.]
[Exactly! Both are emotionally clueless!]
The final episode ended just as Kana left the Hospital.
The animator didn't show any scenes of Naraku searching for the necklace; it seemed he wanted to deliver another blow to the audience later...
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