NARUTO- CH-124. Bonds and Beginnings

If persuasion could solve the problem, Shisui and Itachi would have succeeded long ago.

But the issue wasn't just the Uchiha clan—it was Konoha's leadership.

"Tsunade," Itachi said, stepping forward.

Sasuke followed suit with a polite greeting.

Though the Uchiha clan often viewed themselves with pride, they still showed respect to one of Konoha's legendary Sannin.

"Hmm," Tsunade responded noncommittally.

Itachi hesitated. He had heard Tsunade was at the Hokage Building yesterday and likely knew the high council's stance.

But the matter of Danzo gave him pause.

In the end, he said nothing. For now, among Konoha's leaders, he trusted only the Third Hokage. He planned to visit Sarutobi Hiruzen after dropping Sasuke at school.

Tsunade rubbed her brow.

What a mess.

"What's wrong, teacher?" Shiki asked, sensing her frustration.

"It's nothing," Tsunade replied with a shake of her head.

Shiki didn't press. He could see Tsunade was at a crossroads—caught between her hemophobia and the shadows of her past on one side, and her love for Konoha on the other. For now, the former held greater weight.

Her recovery would take time.

"We're here. Go on in," Tsunade said, letting go of Shiki's hand.

"Got it," Shiki nodded.

"If you want to read medical books, head to Konoha Hospital and find Shizune," Tsunade advised before turning to leave.

Shiki entered the classroom and immediately locked eyes with Hinata.

"Were you waiting for me?" He asked, walking up to her.

"T-That…" Hinata stammered, lowering her head and nervously poking her fingers together.

She had heard that Tsunade and Shiki had returned yesterday but had been too shy to approach him. After anxiously waiting all night, she finally saw him again.

"Shiki," she said softly, summoning her courage. "How… how have you been this past month?"

"Good," Shiki replied, observing her nervous demeanor. "You haven't changed."

Hinata froze, her toes curling inside her sandals.

What did he mean by unchanged? Was that good or bad?

"Your hair's grown quite a bit," Shiki added, noticing the difference.

"I'll cut it!" Hinata blurted out before quickly lowering her head, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Why would you cut it? Do you like short hair?" Shiki asked, confused. He distinctly remembered Hinata having long hair as an adult.

"N-No… that's not what I meant…" Hinata stammered, flustered and unable to form a coherent response.

Shiki smiled, finding her reaction amusing.

"I like long hair, but short hair is nice too," He said casually.

Hinata nodded silently, making up her mind to grow her hair long.

"Let me tell you something interesting about my journey," Shiki offered.

As he spoke, Hinata gradually relaxed. She glanced at him, wondering if they might go on a trip together someday. The thought was both thrilling and comforting.

Meanwhile, in the hallway, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji approached the classroom.

"I didn't know Shiki was back," Ino said, stopping abruptly.

She noticed Shiki chatting pleasantly with Hinata and narrowed her eyes.

Shikamaru exchanged a glance with Choji, who was munching on a bag of chips, oblivious to the situation.

Shikamaru sighed. Sometimes being too smart made it difficult to avoid trouble. After some thought, he stepped forward to greet Shiki.

"Long time no see," Shikamaru said.

"Good morning," Shiki replied with a nod.

"Want a chip?" Choji asked, holding out the bag.

"Thanks," Shiki said, taking one. "We should go eat fish again sometime."

"Definitely!" Choji grinned, his simple philosophy of mutual food-sharing evident in his excitement.

"There'll be a chance," Shiki assured him.

Ino, however, wasn't satisfied. She rushed to Shiki's side.

"What were you talking about just now?" She asked, glancing at Hinata.

Shikamaru, sensing the brewing storm, motioned to Choji, and the two retreated to their seats.

Not far away, Sasuke scowled.

Shiki had walked into the classroom without even acknowledging him.

'How dare he! I'm your rival!' Sasuke fumed inwardly.

Before he could act on his irritation, a green blur shot into the room.

"I'm here! Shiki!" Naruto yelled, skidding to a halt in front of him.

Ino gritted her teeth, 'Can't he read the room?'

Hinata sighed inwardly, 'Shiki-kun is just too popular.'

'It's hard to get any time alone with him,' She thought wistfully.

"Why are your hands bandaged?" Shiki asked Naruto, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, this?" Naruto flexed his wrists, "Uncle Guy's idea. I think it looks cool!"

Before the conversation could continue, the class bell rang.

Iruka entered with a beaming smile, clearly in high spirits. Ever since the Third Hokage had promised him a say in the next final exam, Iruka had been brimming with energy.

For the past month, Iruka had been training diligently, confident that his teaching skills would improve.

Yet, his thoughts often wandered to Mizuki, who was still in prison.

'Why did it have to end this way?' Iruka sighed. Mizuki's brief lapse into greed had cost him everything, leaving his girlfriend in tears daily.

"Let's begin," Iruka announced, skipping any unnecessary small talk. "The first lesson is on traps."

Time passed, and soon it was afternoon, the end of another school day.

Shiki arrived at Konoha Hospital, where he found Shizune in a ward, tending to a patient's IV drip.

Dressed in a plain white coat, she looked professional, though it lacked the charm of her usual nurse attire.

"Sister Shizune," Shiki called after she finished.

"Shiki?" Shizune turned, surprised, before teasing with a playful smile. "Are you sick? Need a shot from your sister?"

Her mischievous expression was less than appropriate, bordering on indecent.

Shiki gave her a serious look. "I want to read medical books."

Shizune's surprise faded as realization dawned, 'It's because of hemophobia, she thought.'

Still, she doubted how much reading would help.

But she didn't refuse him. Instead, she led Shiki to the hospital library.

"Take your time," Shizune said, handing him a key. "You can come here whenever you like."

"Thank you, Sister Shizune," Shiki said as he glanced at the shelves.

The library was vast, with what seemed like thousands of books.

Shiki didn't feel overwhelmed, though. He focused on finding materials about mental health treatments, intending to come up with a plausible reason for Tsunade to confront her fear of blood.

Hours passed in the quiet library.

At 7 p.m., Shizune appeared again. "Shiki, it's time to go home."

"Okay," Shiki replied, holding a book. "Can I take this with me?"

"Of course," Shizune said after a quick glance at the title.

That evening, after eating, showering, practicing, and resting, Shiki added a new habit to his routine: reading.

Tsunade stood silently at the door, observing him.

"He's working hard," Shizune said softly, watching from behind her.

"It's pointless," Tsunade replied, shaking her head. "The book he's reading won't help with hemophobia."

Shizune didn't argue. Tsunade was right, but something about Shiki's determination made her believe in him.

"I think he can do it," Shizune said with conviction.

"If he were ten years older, I'd say your spring is finally here," Tsunade teased, smirking.

"Lady Tsunade, what are you saying?" Shizune retorted helplessly. "Why not say he's thirty years older?"

Tsunade froze before glaring at Shizune and storming off.

__________


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