Chapter 58: What to do if you see a ghost? File a report
Early the next morning, Haruko brought Tayuya to the Ninja Academy.
"I don't want to go..." Tayuya dragged her feet, looking unwilling.
"Stop talking nonsense. Get in." Haruko pushed her into the administration office.
It was the same Chunin teacher from last time. With money paving the way, his attitude remained amiable. However—
Haruko looked at Tayuya's entrance test scores and felt a headache coming on.
"So what if I'm illiterate! A Ninja just needs to be able to kill!" Tayuya was still stubborn, but her voice clearly lacked confidence.
The Chunin teacher turned to look at Haruko: "Although this child has not undergone Ninja training, her combat ability is very strong. But her academic foundation is too poor. According to the normal procedure, she should start from the first grade."
"First grade?!" Tayuya blew up on the spot, "Doesn't that mean I'll be in class with a bunch of brats?!"
"Considering your combat ability, you can attend Taijutsu and combat classes with the upper-grade students. As for academic classes... you still have to catch up starting from the first grade."
"Then doesn't that mean I have to call Senior Kin... even though we're the same age." Tayuya was completely devastated.
"Can't help it, she's literate."
Haruko shrugged, ignored Tayuya's desperate look, and signed the document directly.
"If you want to catch up quickly, you can go find her and let her teach you how to read. Or finding Feng Ye should also work, though she might not have the time."
"I... I know..."
...
After stuffing the tearful Tayuya into the classroom, Haruko felt refreshed.
This is the joy of getting rid of trouble.
Returning to the Ramen Shop, Haruko was busy until nightfall.
"Are you still open?"
Haruko looked up and saw Uchiha Itachi standing at the door.
"Open. The usual?"
"Yes."
Itachi walked in and sat at the counter.
Haruko quickly served a steaming bowl of ramen.
"Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you."
Itachi picked up his chopsticks but didn't eat immediately.
'Here we go again... Something is bothering him again.'
Haruko wasn't in a hurry and just sat there with him as usual.
"Haruko... do you think it's possible for the dead to be resurrected?"
If someone else asked this question, they might be lamenting the impermanence of life. But Itachi asking this...
It seems he has seen that masked man who claims to be Uchiha Madara.
Haruko propped up his head and teased: "What? Did you see a ghost?"
"Sort of," Itachi nodded, "A person who should have been dead for a long time suddenly appeared in front of me. Not only is he alive, but he also possesses the power that only that person has. But..."
"But you suspect he's not real?" Haruko took over the conversation.
"Yes."
"When it comes down to it, there are only two possibilities—it's him, or it's not him. If it's not him, it's simple: he's just a rat masquerading as a tiger, an impostor."
"And what if it is him?"
"If it's him, then it must be a fake death. Pretending to be dead to fool everyone, while actually living well. I've never heard of any technique that can resurrect the dead, and even if there were, it would certainly be much harder than faking death."
Seeing Itachi lost in thought, Haruko walked over and tapped on the table.
"So why don't you report this? Write down exactly what you saw and heard. Even if that ghost claims to be the Six Paths Sage, write it down just the same. Then slap the report onto the Hokage's desk, and your mission is complete."
Itachi stared blankly at Haruko.
All this time, he had been thinking alone and carrying everything on his own. He was used to hiding everything in his heart, used to walking alone in the darkness.
No one had ever told him: Don't worry about this, let your boss deal with the headache.
"But..."
"But what? Don't tell me you want to have any connection with such a person? Then I advise you not to. A masquerading rat is not worth trusting. And if it's someone who faked their death, the fact that they could fool everyone shows how cunning they are, and appearing suddenly after hiding for many years must mean they have huge schemes. Do you think you can handle that?"
The confusion in Itachi's eyes gradually dissipated: "I understand."
Itachi lowered his head and began to eat the ramen in big mouthfuls.
He ate this bowl of clear broth ramen with extra relish.
After finishing the last bite, Itachi put down his chopsticks and stood up.
"Thank you for the meal."
He left the money on the table and turned to walk out of the Ramen Shop. This time, his steps seemed a bit lighter.
Haruko watched his back and pursed his lips.
"Tsk tsk tsk, this arrogance carved into his bones gets worse the more he activates his eyes. I don't know if he actually listened."
After cleaning up the dishes, he turned around and found a masked figure in the shop.
"What did Itachi tell you just now?"
This arrogant attitude made it obvious at a glance that it was someone from Root.
"Welcome, what would you like to eat?"
The person ignored Haruko's greeting, his voice becoming lower: "Don't make me ask again."
"Guest, there is a menu on the wall. If there isn't anything you want to buy on it, then I suggest you try another shop."
The Root Ninja's aura instantly became cold, and his killing intent pressed towards Haruko without reservation.
"Heh, anxious? Little brother, which department are you from? You're a bit too unprofessional."
Haruko felt no ripples in his heart; he even wanted to laugh.
If Danzo himself came, he might be a little wary, but although this guy counts as a Jonin, he's not much to look at.
Just as the Root Ninja reached for his weapon—
Swish!
An Anbu wearing a cat mask appeared behind him and gripped his wrist tightly.
"Even the Root has no right to lay a hand on a comrade in the Village."
The Root Ninja stared at the Anbu in front of him, the eyes behind the mask flickering uncertainly.
"This is the intention of Elder Danzo; I must know what he said to Uchiha Itachi."
Haruko chimed in: "Oh my, my memory isn't good, I forgot what we talked about as soon as he left. I suggest you go ask Uchiha Itachi directly."
The Root Ninja wished he could immediately hack Haruko to pieces, but being blocked by the Anbu, he couldn't do it at all.
After a stalemate for a moment, the Root Ninja slowly withdrew his hand, his killing intent receding.
"Hmph."
The Root Ninja snorted coldly and turned to walk toward the door.
When he reached the door, he paused, turned his head, and said in a tone with undisguised threat:
"Kid, let me give you a piece of advice—stay away from Uchiha Itachi. He's not someone you can get involved with."
Haruko shrugged innocently: "His legs are on him; he's the one who wants to come to the shop to eat ramen. If you don't want him to come, you should go tell him."
"Assuming you guys dare to."
The Root Ninja's fists clenched until they cracked, but in the end, he said nothing, his figure flashed, and he disappeared into the night.
Watching the direction the man left in, Haruko turned to the cat-faced Anbu who was preparing to silently fade away.
"Thanks, Uncle Cat, how about a bowl of ramen? My treat."
"...You can call me, Bing."
"Okay Uncle Cat, how about a bowl of ramen, Uncle Cat."
"...Another day. I still have to report this to Hokage-sama."
After the Anbu finished speaking, he also disappeared into the night with a body flicker.
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