Chapter 141: I Have an Idea
"Your physical condition has stabilized. For the rest, just follow the routine treatment in the hospital."
Haruko performed one last check on Kagero's condition and gave his diagnosis.
"Next, you need to slowly recuperate to make up for the depletion of your body, and then gradually repair the damaged Chakra Pathways."
"...Thank you." Her flat voice had a hint of warmth for the first time. "I've caused you trouble."
Haruko waved his hand. "It's nothing to do with you. The ones who caused me trouble were Shiranami and that old geezer."
He pushed open the ward door, and the cool air from the corridor drifted in, slightly dissipating the stuffiness in the room.
"Get some rest. I need to report to the Third Hokage. Someone might come to question you later; I suggest you don't resist too hard. Having your memories read by the Intelligence Division is very taxing on the body."
Leaving the hospital, Haruko went straight to the Hokage Office.
"...That's the gist of the conversation."
After listening to Haruko's report, the Third Hokage thoughtfully blew out a smoke ring. "Do you have any suggestions regarding that girl?"
"I think a normal interrogation would suffice. However, her injuries have stabilized, so forcibly reading her memories shouldn't be a problem either. It's just..."
Haruko recalled Kagero's state and frowned slightly.
"She gives me the feeling that she's indifferent to everything; she might even take her own life. If there's more you want to ask, you'll need to keep a close eye on her."
"...Hm, I'll inform the Medical Corps. Thank you for your hard work."
...
"Haruko, there's something I need to tell you."
As soon as he returned to the Ramen Shop, Kaguya Kaede pulled Haruko into the basement with a serious expression.
"A letter came from the clan."
Haruko took the envelope Kaguya Kaede pulled from her bosom; it still carried her body heat and fragrance.
The contents were outrageously brief, summarized in one sentence—Patriarch Sanuki intends to come and watch the third round of the Chunin Exams.
"Heh, that's it?" Haruko chuckled. "Let him come then. I'm not afraid of him watching."
"Hmph, take this seriously." Kaguya Kaede huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "How could he possibly just be here to watch the matches?"
Haruko found it a bit amusing. "Oh... then what do you think he's here for?"
"I guess he's mostly here this time to personally check on our 'progress'."
As Kaguya Kaede spoke, she touched her abdomen.
"It's been so long, and my stomach still shows no signs. If he finds out, who knows what kind of trouble he'll stir up."
She leaned close to Haruko, her warm breath brushing against his ear. "Maybe he'll even send a couple more girls from the clan to 'assist' me. Are you happy?"
"Happy, very happy." Haruko looked at her with a half-smile. "What, are you jealous? Afraid your position as the main wife is in danger?"
Kaguya Kaede was somewhat surprised by Haruko's response. "You really want them? Let me remind you, they'll likely be like I was when I first arrived, prioritizing the clan's 'mission' above all else."
"I'm joking." Haruko dropped his playful grin. "And I don't think he's just here to check on progress. He's also here to 'assert sovereignty'."
"You mean... he'll intentionally reveal your identity as a member of the Kaguya Clan?" Kaguya Kaede frowned and thought for a moment before nodding. "Knowing him, he might. Do you need me to stop him?"
"It doesn't matter; it'll have to be revealed sooner or later anyway." Haruko didn't care at all.
When his strength was insufficient, it was called finding a backer. Now that he had strength, it was called cooperation or accepting an olive branch.
"If you think it's fine, then so be it. I'll write the reply then..."
Kaguya Kaede suddenly revealed a mischievous grin.
"Are you sure you don't want me to call over a few'sisters' for you? If you want them, I'll keep an eye on them for you..."
Haruko rolled his eyes. "You're really becoming more and more like a madam."
...
A few evenings later, the door to the Ramen Shop was pushed open, and someone who shouldn't have appeared came into the shop.
"You're out of the hospital already?" Haruko looked Kagero up and down.
Although her face was still pale, that fragile sense of being about to shatter had vanished, replaced by a calmness akin to stagnant water.
"Your Chakra Pathways haven't recovered yet, right? Leaving in such a hurry, did the Old Man kick you out?"
"Something like that. Although they didn't charge me for the emergency treatment, recuperation isn't free." Kagero spoke bluntly, her tone devoid of embarrassment or resentment.
She walked up to the counter but didn't sit down.
"I've come to say goodbye."
"Back to the Land of Rice Fields?" Haruko raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. I came to the Land of Fire on a mission. I at least have to report the mission's status. And..."
Kagero paused before continuing, "I want to try and persuade the Clan Members staying there one last time. Consider it seeing things through to the end."
There wasn't a hint of lingering attachment; it was clear this woman no longer considered herself a part of the Fuma Clan.
This time, rather than persuading her clansmen, it was more like saying goodbye to her past self.
"Persuade them to come to Konoha?" Haruko confirmed.
"Yes. Come to Konoha first to ensure the clan's survival."
'The Fuma Clan... I remember... maybe it's possible..."
A spark of inspiration flashed through his mind, and Haruko pressed further, "...What's the specific plan? How will you establish a foothold?"
"? By being Ninjas, of course." Kagero gave the expected answer.
"That's as good as saying nothing. Although you Fuma have some Hidden Ninjutsu, that's not much of an advantage in Konoha. Besides, being a Ninja and taking missions only suits individuals; it's not enough to run a clan."
Haruko leaned against the counter, moved slightly closer to her, and whispered, "I have an idea, one I just thought of."
"The Fuma Clan's giant ninja tools are famous, like those giant shuriken that bear the 'Fuma' name."
Haruko gestured with his arms open. "If your clansmen are willing to come to Konoha, you could consider starting a business in that field."
"Konoha is large, but there's almost no one doing business in giant ninja tools. Because the sales volume is limited but it's very technically demanding, the large clans look down on it, and the small clans can't do it."
Listening to Haruko's analysis, Kagero fell into thought. "And the remaining members of the Fuma Clan aren't many, and we just happen to have the skills... But won't the clans in the weapons business have objections?"
"giant ninja tools aren't common; many even require custom orders that no one wants to take. As long as you avoid conventional weapons, you won't be taking away anyone's livelihood, and the resistance will be much smaller."
"I think it's feasible." Kagero was silent for a moment before nodding.
She took a step back and bowed to Haruko.
"Thank you. I've been in your care all this time."
When she straightened up, her gaze lingered on Haruko's face for a moment. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she just pursed her lips slightly and turned toward the door.
Haruko watched her back and joked, "Next time you come to the shop, remember to order something. I'll give you extra meat."
Kagero's footsteps paused.
"I will."
She didn't look back, just gave a simple reply.
The door closed.
"Speaking of which, did I just set a flag for her? But not saying anything seems like a flag too, doesn't it?"
Silence returned to the shop, leaving only Haruko talking to himself.
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