Chapter 53: Is this woman doing this on purpose?
During this period, under Haruko's guidance, Anko had learned to actively expel Natural Energy from her body. Although she still couldn't control the Cursed Seal, she could suppress its flare-ups.
Haruko, through practice, was also able to control his own absorption of Natural Energy and suppress its overflow.
It could be said that Anko was no longer at risk of the Cursed Seal flaring up because of Haruko, but she still insisted on getting a room with a large bed.
Returning to the inn, Haruko tossed Anko directly onto the bed.
Grumbling with dissatisfaction, Anko rolled over. Her fishnet lining not only failed to provide coverage but instead made her curves look even more pronounced.
'It's over. This woman is drunk, and her gaze is not right..."
Sensing something was wrong, Haruko stood up to leave—
"Haruko Let's have a good chat tonight"
—but was grabbed by the arm by Anko.
"Anko-sensei, you're drunk. Get some rest early."
"I'm not drunk!"
She stood up unsteadily and wrapped herself around Haruko's arm like a snake, her warm breath spraying against the side of his neck: "Tell me, am I pretty?"
"Pretty, but..."
"Then why are you always so cold? Or is it..." Anko interrupted him, "You already have someone?"
"No."
"No? Then what about that beauty living with you... and those two little girls? What's going on with them?"
"That's basically the staff dormitory for the Ramen Shop. Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya were both brought back by me, and I have a responsibility to take care of them; it's not the kind of relationship you're thinking of. The Old Man was afraid it would be inconvenient for me to take care of two little girls, so he let Feng Ye join as well."
Anko blinked: "So you're really single right now?"
"Yes."
"Why? You're handsome and capable; you shouldn't be lacking girls who like you. Why not date when you're in the prime of your youth?"
"It's not that I'm completely uninterested. But compared to hormones, I care more about a peaceful life." Haruko yawned, "Dating is very troublesome. You have to coax, guess thoughts, and do this and that. I'd rather use that energy for something else."
Anko stared at his side profile for a long time, then suddenly suppressed her smile, her voice lowered, and it seemed as if her drunkenness had faded: "Is it because of the Uchiha?"
Haruko raised an eyebrow: "How did that come up?"
"Don't play dumb. The atmosphere in the Village is wrong. The Old Man let me take you out to find Jiraiya-sama, besides letting you avoid trouble, it was also to have you try to get Jiraiya-sama to return to the Village to take charge. And you've been getting so close to Uchiha Itachi..."
"Sigh... that's also a reason." Haruko rubbed his temples, "That guy Itachi treats me like a therapist, coming to chat with me every few days. I'm just thinking about how to get out of this muddy water now, I have no mind to consider other things."
"Then why don't you ask the Third Hokage for help? Or just cut off your relationship with Itachi?"
"Me? Ask the Hokage for help?" Haruko had an expression of 'what are you talking about', "A few days ago, the Hokage-sama came to my house to eat a bowl of ramen; that was the first time I had communicated directly with the Hokage. Before that, the last time I saw him was when he came to the Ninja Academy to give a speech."
"As for Itachi... he's the one pestering me. I basically just treat him as a customer. And the Uchiha Clan is not easy to offend."
'The more the Uchiha awaken their eyes, the easier it is for them to go to extremes. The Four Crazy Kings are no joke."
Anko looked at him blankly for a long time, then finally let out a long sigh, as if she had unloaded some heavy burden, and slumped on the bed.
"That's also true... you're just a kid who's afraid of trouble. However, hearing you say that, I'm relieved."
"Relieved about what?"
"Relieved that you won't... cough, relieved that you won't be like that bastard Orochimaru, who turned himself into something neither human nor ghost in pursuit of some ultimate power."
Anko rolled into the blanket and said vaguely.
"I'll let you off tonight. Turn off the lights, sleep! We have to travel tomorrow."
"Why did you bring up Orochimaru again?" Haruko shook his head and also started to get ready to rest.
In the middle of the night, the familiar warmth pressed against him again.
Haruko opened his eyes and found that Anko, like the past few nights, had wrapped herself around him.
"Hoo... hoo..."
But this time she was sleeping very soundly; she must really be unconscious.
'Habit is truly terrifying."
Anyway, it wasn't him being taken advantage of. As long as she didn't bite, let it be.
...
The next morning, Haruko walked out of the inn looking depressed.
"Ah~ I wanted to stay a few more days, but I have to leave after just one day."
"Isn't it good that the mission is progressing smoothly?" Anko leaned over, resting her arm on Haruko's shoulder, looking refreshed.
"Tsk, you were certainly satisfied with your drinking last night. It took a lot of effort for me to carry you back to the inn."
"Ah..." Anko seemed to recall what happened last night, blushing and looking away, "Then as compensation, I'll treat you to a meal another day."
"Wait—" Kazahana Koyuki chased after them, panting.
"It's Kazahana Koyuki." Anko greeted, "Up so early?"
"I'm here to see you off." Kazahana Koyuki walked up to the two, her gaze landing on Haruko, and she bowed deeply, "The words from yesterday helped me figure out a lot of things."
Haruko waved his hand: "Skip the pleasantries. It's good that you've figured it out."
"No, this is very important to me." Kazahana Koyuki straightened up, took out a crystal-clear object from her bosom, and handed it to Haruko, "This is an amulet I've worn since I was a child. Although it's not worth much, it means a lot to me. I want to give it to you as a testament to saying goodbye to the past."
Haruko looked closely.
It was a hexagonal crystal, refracting charming colors in the sunlight.
'Holy crap! A hexagonal crystal!"
"No need." Haruko took half a step back, refusing cleanly and neatly, his face full of resistance, "This is too valuable, and I don't wear jewelry."
'Are you kidding me? Accepting this thing is equivalent to taking on the Land of Snow plotline. Do I look like I don't have enough trouble?"
"Eh?" Kazahana Koyuki was stunned, her hand frozen in mid-air, "But..."
"There are no 'buts'. I appreciate the sentiment, take it back." Haruko turned and left, oiling his feet, "Anko-sensei, let's go quickly, Jiraiya is still waiting for us."
However, the moment he turned around—
A hand reached out from the side and grabbed the crystal.
"Since it's someone's kind intention, how rude it would be to refuse!"
Anko giggled and held the crystal above her head to look at it.
"Oh my, what a beautiful thing. You don't know the value of it, kid, so big sister will keep it for you! Thanks, little Kazahana Koyuki!"
Haruko turned around stiffly, looking at Anko's bright smiling face, and only felt a darkness before his eyes.
'Is this woman doing this on purpose? Definitely on purpose!"
Seeing the crystal was accepted, Kazahana Koyuki showed a relieved smile on her face: "Thank you both. I hope one day it can help you."
After speaking, she bowed deeply and turned to leave.
Haruko looked at her back, then at the crystal in Anko's hand, only feeling a headache.
"Let's go, to the Land of Rice Fields." He said helplessly.
"Mm!" Anko happily put the crystal into her ninja tool pouch and followed Haruko's footsteps.
...
Land of Rice Fields, Lawless Street.
This is one of the most chaotic places in the entire Ninja World, a gathering place for all kinds of desperadoes and wanted criminals.
Anko frowned: "Why would Jiraiya-sama come to a place like this?"
"Maybe to collect information." Haruko replied casually, his eyes scanning the street.
In front of a tavern with a gaudy sign, the two stopped.
"The shop mentioned by Kazahana Koyuki should be this one."
"It doesn't look like a proper shop... Why would little Kazahana Koyuki come to a shop like this..."
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