Chapter 61: Family Discipline (Not Really)
Haruko lay on a rocking chair, half-squinting his eyes as he enjoyed the afternoon sun.
As the number of people in the shop increased, his free time also grew.
'But I always feel more tired than before..."
The rocking chair swayed slightly, making a "creak, creak" sound.
Another new monitor has arrived.
Lately, more and more people were watching him—the Anbu, the Root, and that Third Elder.
'I wonder which side this one belongs to. Whatever, let them watch if they want."
He had gradually grown accustomed to being watched like a monkey; it didn't hurt him, and besides, there wasn't much he could do about it anyway.
Haruko closed his eyes, letting the Natural Energy flow slowly through his body.
"What do you mean the noodles are too hard? This is called 'chewy'! You don't know shit!"
"Tayuya, you have to be polite to the customers. Otherwise, I'm going to call Brother Haruko."
"No, no, no, it's fine. Actually, it's better this way..."
The sounds of bickering drifted over from the front hall.
The daily bustle relaxed Haruko further, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
"...Did something strange just get mixed in there?"
...
When he woke up, Haruko found a blanket over him.
Sniff—"Hmm, it should be Kaede."
Just as he thought that, a sweet voice drifted over along with the same faint fragrance.
"Darling~ do you want some water?"
Kaguya Kaede approached gracefully, carrying a tray.
Haruko threw off the blanket and sat up. "Thanks, just put it on the side."
Kaede set down the water glass but didn't take the opportunity to get touchy-feely or say any suggestive, heart-pounding things as she usually did.
She just stood quietly by the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on Haruko as if she were sizing him up.
?
'What's going on?"
It was like a cat that usually tries every way to rub against your leg for a hug suddenly sitting upright in front of you, staring at you intently.
Noticing Haruko's gaze, Kaede sat down beside him and rested her chin on her hand, looking at him. "Has something big been happening in the Village lately? The atmosphere feels a bit tense."
"It is a bit tense. Why, are you feeling uneasy?"
"It's just... I feel like there are more people monitoring us lately," Kaede frowned, appearing troubled. "Does it have something to do with the Uchiha Clan?"
"Probably. Don't worry about it, let them watch. As long as we don't do anything, they won't make a move."
"Do you think there will be a war? Between the Village and the Uchiha."
'Hmm?"
Haruko's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kaede was always very tactful; she never normally brought up the Uchiha on her own, knowing it was a sensitive topic.
"I don't know. We just need to make sure we don't get involved." Haruko sat up straight, staring intently into Kaede's eyes.
"Kaede, did you forget what I told you? Be honest—did you get dragged into something, or did you actively participate?"
"I... I didn't..." Kaede's eyes darted around, not daring to meet Haruko's gaze. "I just feel like you've been getting too close to Uchiha Itachi, and I'm afraid you'll get caught up in it..."
As soon as those words came out, Haruko was ninety percent sure this "Kaede" wasn't herself.
"Ha... Kaede, I know you're worried about me—"
Haruko stood up and opened his arms as if to give Kaede a hug.
Kaede cooperatively leaned in.
Then she was struck by Haruko's fist, which slammed into her stomach.
"—But that's only if you're actually Kaede!"
"Cough... cough cough..."
The sudden attack left "Kaede" with no time to react, and she knelt on the ground, coughing.
Haruko raised his hand and forcefully tugged at "Kaede's" cheeks and hair. They were real, and there was no sense of incongruity.
'It's not Transformation Jutsu or a disguise..."
He then injected a burst of Chakra into "Kaede's" body.
'It's not Genjutsu either..."
"Who sent you? Where did you hide Kaede?"
Kaede clutched her stomach, her voice trembling. "What are you talking about? I am Kaede!"
Haruko didn't waste any breath and immediately began forming hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
The ground split open, and the earth lunged at "Kaede" like a giant beast opening its bloody maw.
The kneeling "Kaede" leaped up, her movements so agile she didn't seem like someone who had just taken a hit.
"Is this okay? This is that woman's body, you know."
"Kaede" stopped pretending and flashed a mocking smile.
'The Yamanaka Clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu..."
Haruko understood Kaede's situation and even guessed who was inside—Fu Yamanaka, Danzo's dog.
A figure flashed from behind the house, and an Anbu Ninja wearing a cat mask landed beside Haruko.
"What happened?" Uncle Cat looked at "Kaede" warily.
"She's being controlled," Haruko explained succinctly. "Leave her body immediately."
"And if I say no? Would you really want her to get hurt?"
Before the words had even finished, Fu stepped forward and launched an attack.
Since the soft approach failed, he went for the hard one; after all, it was "Kaede" who was fighting.
"Water Release: Mizuame-no-Hara."
Haruko immediately started with a control move. Seeing this, Fu was certain that Haruko was hesitant to act for fear of damaging Kaede's body.
Infusing Chakra into his feet, Fu stepped directly across the starch syrup and went straight for Haruko, his movements blunt and completely disregarding defense.
The Anbu attacked from the side, but his moves clearly had some restraint, fearing he would harm Kaede's body.
But Haruko had other ideas.
"Lightning Release: Ground Run."
Haruko didn't hesitate at all and immediately released the next Ninjutsu.
"What?!"
Lightning surged forth. "Kaede" jumped at the last moment to avoid being directly electrocuted, her temporary body breaking into a cold sweat.
"You bastard, don't you care about this woman?"
Haruko didn't answer and continued preparing the next Ninjutsu.
The Anbu watched from the side, his heart racing. Although they weren't lethal blows, this kid was truly ruthless.
Seeing that Haruko had no intention of holding back, Fu had to take it seriously—
With his own skills as a Root elite combined with Kaede's Jonin-level physical capabilities, he still had a chance.
—Only to then discover that even with all his strength, he was no match for Haruko at all.
Haruko's rapid-fire Ninjutsu complemented each other, and with the Anbu assisting by blocking off escape routes, Fu was pinned down.
Just as he managed to shake off Haruko's attack, he was forced back by the Anbu's projectiles. By the time he wanted to counterattack, Haruko's next wave of attacks had already arrived.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands."
In the end, Fu couldn't dodge in time and was ensnared by the giant snakes transformed from Haruko's arms, unable to move.
"Who on earth are you?" Fu demanded unwillingly.
Haruko gave a cold laugh. "I should be the one asking you that. But since you won't talk anyway, I won't bother asking. Now get lost and give Kaede's body back."
The pythons gradually tightened, and Kaede's body made a creaking sound.
"Guh... you win this time."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kaede's body suddenly went limp, as if it had lost its support.
After a moment, Kaede blinked her eyes in confusion as she woke up. "What... happened to me? Why am I tied up?"
However, instead of loosening the restraints, Haruko narrowed his eyes.
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