Chapter 48: Go Out to Hide?
"How about we just run away?"
The Anbu had barely left when Haruko gathered everyone in the living room for a meeting.
Teuchi's brow furrowed into a deep frown: "Run away? Where to? Why do we need to run?"
"To the Land of Hot Springs, or somewhere else. Just leave Konoha for a while."
Haruko slumped in his chair, casually picking up the teapot from the table and taking a swig.
Although that cat-masked Anbu had stepped in to protect them earlier, it didn't mean the matter was settled.
" Danzo, that old dog, is petty. He will definitely find a way to get back at us for this. And..."
Haruko glanced at the pitch-black night outside the window.
Even without the Uchiha Clan Massacre Night, the Uchiha coup was a ticking time bomb. Who knows when it might go off.
'I must get Uncle Teuchi and Ayame out of the center of this whirlpool before things spiral out of control!"
He was a bit reluctant to leave their life in Konoha, but safety had to come first. At worst, they could just come back after everything blew over.
However, after hearing this, Teuchi slowly shook his head.
"No, Haruko. We can't leave."
"Why?" Haruko said, growing anxious. "Those guys already came knocking! Someone helped us today, but what about next time? We can't rely on others for our safety!"
"But we can't just run away because we're scared."
Teuchi's eyes were clear. He looked at Haruko as if he were looking at a child who wanted to skip school out of fear.
"That masked person earlier, he was sent by the Hokage-sama, right?"
Haruko paused, then nodded.
"This means the Hokage-sama is aware of the situation here. Since he sent people to protect us, it means we are safe for now."
Teuchi's logic was simple and plain.
"If we run away without a word now, close the shop, and leave the Village, what would that make us in the eyes of the Hokage-sama? Guilty? Or fleeing from justice?"
Ayame also chimed in softly, "Yeah, Big Brother Haruko, business is so good, people will find it strange if we suddenly close... Besides, if we leave, what will Naruto and the others do if they want ramen?"
Haruko opened his mouth, but a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.
He couldn't explain much more; the source of his information was unclear, and no one would believe him if he told them.
He couldn't exactly say, "Because I know that in a few months, the Uchiha Clan will be wiped out, that old dog Danzo will take the opportunity to cause trouble, and the whole of Konoha will be in chaos!"
From the perspective of an ordinary villager, Teuchi's logic was flawless.
In the world of Ninjas, the greatest backing for a civilian is the Hokage. Since the Hokage has already taken notice, choosing to trust the Hokage and staying put is the most correct choice.
'Is this the wisdom of ordinary people..."
Haruko smiled bitterly. He possessed "intelligence" that transcended this era, yet he couldn't translate it into language that those around him could understand.
Teuchi looked at him, his tone softening: "Unless... you can tell me exactly which day the danger will occur. If there's a specific date, I'll listen to you, we'll close the shop in advance, and go on a vacation for a few days together."
"I..." Haruko was completely stumped.
He didn't even know the specific time of the Uchiha Clan Massacre Night in the original story, let alone whether it would even happen now, given how much he had interfered.
He slumped dejectedly into the sofa, turning back into that salted fish: "Alright, then we won't leave."
"However, stay vigilant these next few days. Everyone, try to go out less, especially avoid going to secluded places. Also, don't have any interactions with customers outside of business, especially the Uchiha people."
This warning sounded more like he was saying it to himself.
...
Over the next few days, life seemed to return to peace.
Ichiraku Ramen remained open as usual, and the steaming white mist rose on time every day. Teuchi continued to happily toss noodles, and Ayame continued to greet customers sweetly.
No one from Root appeared again, though that "uncle" with zero presence would come to the shop for a meal from time to time.
Until this afternoon, when a purple-haired pineapple lifted the curtain and burst in.
"Yo! Kid, slacking off again?"
Anko Mitarashi sat down at the bar counter carelessly, her long legs crossed. Under her khaki trench coat were undeniable, hot curves, causing several male diners in the shop to glance over repeatedly.
"Hm? There are more people here now." Anko spotted Tayuya at a glance. "What a cute little girl. Haruko, you..."
She leaned forward, moved close to Haruko, and lowered her voice: "...You wouldn't happen to be a lolicon, would you!"
"No." Haruko felt a vein twitch on his forehead and reached out to push Anko back.
"Hmph Then what is your relationship" Anko clearly didn't want to let Haruko go, her face full of gossip.
Before Haruko could speak, Tayuya, who was to the side, bristled:
"Hey! You bitch! Don't harass Big Brother! If you're not going to eat, then get out!"
"Bitch... are you talking about me?" Anko was stunned by the contrast of such a foul mouth, unable to react for a moment.
"This has nothing to do with you! Go help Feng!" Haruko grabbed Tayuya and tossed her into the kitchen.
Turning back, he saw Anko raising an eyebrow at him: "She called you 'Big Brother' And who is this 'Feng'? Sounds like a girl"
"Staff, they're just staff." Haruko pretended nothing happened and casually served Anko a bowl of triple-sugar mung bean soup. "This one's on the house. What would you like to eat today, Anko-sensei?"
"I'm not here to eat, I'm here to deliver a mission!" Anko slapped a scroll onto the table with a "smack". "A designated mission from the Hokage-sama, just for the two of us."
Haruko almost rolled his eyes to the heavens.
'Again? Can't a guy just lie flat in peace?"
He wiped his hands slowly and took the scroll to glance at it.
"Mission Objective: Find one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya. Mission Requirements: Confirm his whereabouts, bring back the latest intelligence on him. If possible, invite him to return to the Village."
Haruko closed the scroll and silently pushed it back: "But I refuse."
Are you kidding? Leave the Village at a time like this? What if I get ambushed by Danzo in the wild?
In the Village, he at least has to worry about saving face, and if things get really bad, I can ask the Hyuga Clan for help. But out in the wild, it's a place where heaven doesn't answer and the earth doesn't respond.
"Huh?!" Anko looked at Haruko as if he were an idiot. "This is a designated mission from the Hokage. Not to mention whether you can refuse it or not, normal people would be fighting for the chance to do it!"
She took a deep breath, leaned forward, and moved close to Haruko's ear.
A scent mixed with sweet mung bean soup wafted over, making Haruko instinctively want to pull back.
"Listen, kid. This isn't a normal mission. It's 'protection' given to you by the Hokage-sama."
Anko's breath sprayed against his ear, feeling a bit itchy.
"The Hokage-sama said that Elder Danzo has been keeping a very close eye on you lately. Sending you out is also a way for you to go out and hide for a bit."
Go out and hide?
It seems the Third Hokage and Danzo reached a private agreement regarding the Root matter that day.
Danzo couldn't tolerate Haruko, this unstable factor, remaining in Konoha. If Haruko stayed in the Village, Root would definitely continue to cause trouble, so it was easier to just throw him out.
"Leaving the Village... wouldn't that make it even easier for Danzo to take action? And what about this place?"
Anko grinned: "Danzo is targeting you, which is why he had me bring you along."
" Anko's identity is indeed special; she is a "direct subordinate of the Third Hokage" and also a student of Orochimaru, Danzo's former partner. Having her as a shield is somewhat useful... probably."
Besides, in the end, Haruko really couldn't refuse a designated mission from the Hokage.
Having figured all this out, Haruko picked up the scroll again and put on a professional attitude: "Since it's an order from the Hokage-sama, as a Konoha Ninja, I am duty-bound."
This speed of changing his expression stunned Anko for a moment.
"Then I'll give you time to make arrangements. We leave tomorrow morning."
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