"Are you here to repay the money? Just give it to me directly."
Uchiha Yoichi looked at Temari, who had come of her own accord, with a slight smile in his heart. He thought she'd persist for a few days, but she couldn't even hold out for one.
"Let's talk inside..."
Temari said softly, now lacking the confidence and strength she had yesterday, looking like a frostbitten daisy; her tone carried a hint of pleading as she spoke to Uchiha Yoichi.
"Alright, come in first."
Uchiha Yoichi stepped aside, letting Temari into the pharmacy, but didn't lead her upstairs or offer her tea.
"Speak, what's the matter? If it's about helping you with the issue of vanishing existence, then forget it. I've already given up."
These words made Temari raise her head in shock, hurriedly asking, "Why? My... my problem isn't solved yet..."
"Why should I solve your problem?" You can neither provide the rare medicinal materials I desire nor fulfill my needs... Would you exhaust yourself and pay a hefty price to help someone unrelated to you?"
Before Temari could speak, Uchiha Yoichi continued, "I can't do it. If you say someone else can, then go find them. I have other matters to attend to. If you don't intend to repay, then please leave!"
Upon hearing this, Temari fell silent. Uchiha Yoichi's stance was clear: benefits must be given before he helps... But the benefits he wanted, none of which Temari could fulfill.
Those rare medicinal materials, she might traverse the entire Ninja World to find a hint, perhaps only returning years later. Who knows if Nara Shikamaru would have formed a new family by then.
The other matter required her to betray Nara Shikamaru, using her body... Temari clenched her clothes tightly, internally resisting the idea fiercely. If betrayal was the price for a chance to revert to the past, could she still love Shikamaru the same?
"I ask you, what did you come here for? I don't have time to play house with you. If there's nothing important, please go back; I'm quite busy here."
Seeing Temari silently hanging her head, Uchiha Yoichi intensified his tone and spoke.
"Must it be that requirement? I can repay you in other ways, please, as long as my problem can be resolved..."
"Hold on."
Before Temari could finish her pleading, Uchiha Yoichi interrupted, proceeding to ask, "This lady... how old are you this year?"
"...29 years old."
"Approaching thirty, then? At this age, in certain establishments, you might fetch five to six thousand ryo, with the other party happily serving me."
Uchiha Yoichi stroked his chin, feigning deep thought before smiling at Temari and continuing, "However, the more unwilling you are, the more interest you pique in me, my lady.
But I won't force you. If you're unwilling, just leave. Pretend I never mentioned this!"
Upon hearing this, Temari's anger surged immensely; to be compared to women in such places was infuriating. Her hand reached for her fan...
Yet as soon as she touched the weapon, Temari gradually calmed down, realizing she couldn't resort to violence now.
After a moment of silence, Temari raised her head to Uchiha Yoichi and said, "If another way is possible, once I regain my existence, the Nara Family and Hidden Sand Village will surely thank you...."
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Temari closed her eyes, summoning the resolve to shout out the words she least wanted to say, then lifted her head, her stubborn gaze fixed on Uchiha Yoichi, asking, "I agree to this matter, but what if you don't help me regain my existence?"
"I'm only performing research based on your judgment and deriving results... To be precise, the White Whale does have related abilities, and I can develop Secret Medicine to resolve this condition, but whether it works, I'm unsure."
Uchiha Yoichi didn't make an overconfident statement, though he knew once Temari consumed the Annihilation Fog-derived Secret Medicine, she could certainly regain her existence.
"Perhaps your identity belongs to someone else, and you've only inherited the memories of Nara Shikamaru's wife; or perhaps you truly are Nara Shikamaru's wife, and all will be revealed once the condition is resolved."
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, a trace of reluctance crossed Temari's face, though she realized there was no other choice.
"....Understood, let's proceed as agreed."
After speaking, Temari felt intense heartache, silently apologizing to Nara Shikamaru in her heart repeatedly; she had no other option, to return to her family, this was the only way!
Uchiha Yoichi laughed, "Alright then, let's do it here."
"What? Here?"
Startled by his words, Temari quickly shook her head, "No, why... not upstairs? This is the first floor, and the door is still open..."
Before she could finish, Uchiha Yoichi produced a chain lock to seal the pharmacy's front door.
Temari found herself speechless; although the door was locked, it couldn't be fully opened — only ajar, but impassable for entry.
"We'll do it this way. As you've seen from outside, this glass door is special, making the inside invisible from outside."
Indignant, Temari retorted loudly, "I won't record; I'm not a fickle person...."
"If you won't record, then leave."
Uchiha Yoichi smirked coldly before stating, "Afterward, if you plan to silence me, whom do I complain to? Best not to seek me out anymore...."
Facing such desperation, how many have the luxury of pride?
Temari took several deep breaths, rage evident on her face, but after a moment her chest settled, stifling her fury. Begrudgingly, she said, ".....I understand."
"Quite the temper, isn't it? You're called... Temari, right? From now on, I'll address you as Lady Temari."
Two hours later, Uchiha Yoichi breathed a sigh, glancing at Temari collapsed on the floor, feeling a sense of fulfillment.
Strong liquor can also quench thirst, and it's quite tasty!
"Consider it a reward for you."
Uchiha Yoichi produced the Secret Medicine developed from Annihilation Fog and directly fed it to Temari, who now, fatigued from their ordeal, relied on him to take the medicine.
Once Temari consumed the Secret Medicine derived from Annihilation Fog, transformations began to occur; barely visible fog began to drift from her body.
As the mist dissipated, Temari's existence gradually reappeared within the Ninja World.
At the Hokage Building, Nara Shikamaru, in the midst of handling matters, suddenly recollected Temari, also recalling his attitudes and actions towards her over these past days. With a sudden realization, he slapped his desk, exclaiming, "I remember, I remember, Temari!"
Without delay, Nara Shikamaru rushed out, leaving Uzumaki Naruto, standing beside, perplexed. Slowly recalling, Naruto too clapped in realization, "Ah, that's what happened; how did Temari get forgotten suddenly, Shikamaru... never mind."
Initially contemplating joining Shikamaru to find Temari, Uzumaki Naruto refrained, recognizing this as a personal matter for the couple; finding people was no challenge for Shikamaru.
"These past days, it seems Shikamaru neglected Temari quite a bit, haha, he might be in for it..."
Uzumaki Naruto chuckled, returning to his paperwork.
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Yoichi Pharmacy.
After feeding Temari the Secret Medicine, Uchiha Yoichi directed the camera toward the prostrate Temari.
Subsequently, Uchiha Yoichi helped the resting Temari, half-supporting her on the ground, and leaned closer to say, "Lady Temari, I'm going to proceed now."
"Hmmm...."