After the decisive battle, Chiyo led the remaining Sand shinobi back to the fortress cities deep within the Land of Wind. These cities had been designed as military strongholds from the start, built for a fully defensive posture.
Neither side launched any major offensives after that, and so the front lines temporarily fell quiet. With no large-scale operations, the logistics division's workload eased. Even the shadow clones that Hinata Haruki had stationed there finally had some rare downtime.
The real Hinata Haruki, however, never allowed himself to be idle. He trained diligently every single day, making rapid progress. When he had free time, he also helped out at the medical station. Thus, three calm months passed without incident.
Glancing at the date, Haruki noted that he was just one month away from turning seven. His strength continued to grow steadily.
That day, as usual, he went to visit Dan Katō. Katō-sensei's complexion had improved, and his injuries had healed well. However, although the rescue had been timely, the trauma had caused slight damage to his brain cells, leaving him in a coma.
It had been four months now. On a few occasions, Dan had briefly opened his eyes, but there had been no awareness in them before he slipped back into unconsciousness.
Haruki sat quietly by the bedside for a while, ready to leave—when Dan's fingers twitched. Haruki immediately judged that he was about to wake. He sent a shadow clone to inform everyone, while he himself stayed by the bed.
Upon hearing the news, Tsunade immediately dropped what she was doing and rushed over. Shikaku, Inoichi, Chōza, Shibi, and Mizuki also arrived in short order.
Half an hour later, Dan slowly opened his eyes, gazing hazily up at the ceiling before shifting his gaze to the group gathered around his bed. Finally, his eyes settled on Tsunade, and clarity returned to them.
"Dan…" Tsunade's voice trembled slightly as she softly called his name.
"Tsu… Tsunade?" Dan's voice was hoarse and rough, weak from months of disuse. He tried to move his fingers, only then realizing that Tsunade was holding his hand tightly. The warmth of her soft grasp, the gentleness of her touch—it all felt almost unreal to him. Had he… already passed on?
"Am I… dead? Tsunade, you too…?" Dan's confusion deepened as he struggled to sit up. Was this the Pure Land?
"Sensei, you're not dead," Haruki quickly pressed a hand on Dan's chest to keep him down. "You're in the medical station. Lie still, or your wounds will tear open again!" His voice was firm, but his eyes were filled with joy.
"Haruki… so I really didn't die. I was saved… Back then… I think I saw my sister… but then a voice pulled me back…" Dan's mind cleared further, and he lay still, taking in the situation.
"Everyone… you're all here…" His gaze swept over the group. Their faces were full of emotion, and many of them turned their eyes again toward Tsunade.
Tsunade's hand tightened around Dan's. She bit her lip to hold back her emotions, but a tear escaped, trailing down her cheek.
"Why… are you crying?" Dan tried to raise a hand to wipe her tears, but his strength failed him. Instead, he gave her a faint smile.
"Thank you… Tsunade…"
That smile—so like the one he had given right before his heart had stopped—made Tsunade's heart tremble. She had thought she would never see it again.
"Dan, I'm so glad you're alright… ugh—" She couldn't hold back any longer. She threw herself into his arms, sobbing loudly. All her worry, guilt, and longing poured out with her tears.
The sudden impact made Dan's chest ache sharply, but he endured it. His heart felt warm. Watching Tsunade cry in his embrace, he reached up with effort, gently brushing his hand through her beautiful hair.
"It's… it's so good…" Tsunade's heart, which had been weighed down these many days, finally felt light again. She wept freely, unburdening herself completely.
"I'm right here, aren't I? No more tears…" Dan whispered, holding her gently, trying to comfort the woman he loved.
Gradually, Tsunade's sobs subsided. She lifted her head, joy and tenderness brightening her expression. Being able to hold Dan again filled her heart with happiness.
Looking at her soft, beautiful face, Dan's affection surged beyond his control. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Thank you…"
Tsunade blinked in surprise, her eyes reflecting deep emotion. Their gazes locked, and for a long moment, neither spoke. Time itself seemed to pause.
…
Haruki and the others had discreetly left the room the moment Tsunade embraced Dan, giving them their privacy.
Mizuki dabbed at her eyes, utterly overwhelmed.
Shikaku shook his head helplessly. "Women… always so troublesome." The ever-rational strategist seemed unmoved.
But when he turned his head, he saw that Chōza was crying, small eyes squeezed tight as tears streamed down, sniffling loudly.
Even Inoichi's eyes were red as he stood silently.
Shibi's sunglasses hid his expression, but the stack of tissues he went through gave him away.
Shikaku rubbed his temples. "Troublesome… all of them."
The Akimichi are so kindhearted… and broad-minded, in more ways than one, Haruki thought wryly, wiping the moisture from his own eyes when no one was looking.
After some time, the group returned to the ward, smiles on their faces as they saw Tsunade still holding Dan's hand.
"Sensei, these are for you—just some wildflowers," Inoichi said with a grin.
"Dan-sensei, here! Barbecue-flavored chips. Eat these and you'll recover faster," Chōza added, rubbing his reddened nose.
"This is porridge Haruki made this morning, and soup I cooked!" Mizuki beamed, handing over the lunchbox.
"Thank you, all of you…" Dan could only give a faint smile—he couldn't move much yet.
"Sensei, while you were asleep, we scored a huge victory!" Shikaku reported.
Laughter and chatter filled the room, making it livelier. But Dan had only just woken and needed rest, so they didn't linger. Before leaving, he asked Haruki to stay behind.
Once it was just Tsunade, Haruki, and Dan, Dan spoke softly: "Haruki, thank you… for saving me." Tsunade had already told him the truth.
"If you're going to thank someone, thank Lady Tsunade. She worked just as hard as I did," Haruki said with a small smile.
Tsunade's gaze on Haruki was complicated. "Haruki, I really do want to thank you… I hope—"
Haruki waved a hand, cutting her off. Without looking at her, he turned to Dan and said lightly, "If you really want to thank me, Sensei, just treat me to a couple of meals."
Dan, perceptive as ever, noticed the deliberate distance Haruki was keeping from Tsunade. And Tsunade's expression toward him was equally complex. Clearly, something serious stood between them.
What happened between these two? Does Tsunade know Haruki is her student? Dan wondered.
"Haruki, you're Tsunade's—" Dan began.
"Sensei, let's not talk about that. Focus on getting better," Haruki interrupted.
"I'll get going. Rest well." He gave a casual wave and left the ward.
Tsunade watched him go, a faint sense of loss in her eyes.
"What's going on, Tsunade…?" Dan asked.
"He just… won't listen to my explanation," Tsunade sighed, recounting their misunderstanding. After some thought, she also told him about Haruki's plan to align himself with Danzō.
Dan was silent for a moment before saying, "That boy… he's wise."
He didn't say "clever"—he said "wise," a choice that spoke volumes about the regard he had for Haruki.
"You can't judge him by the standards of an ordinary child. His will is strong—far beyond imagination. He would never betray us."
"You mean… he was acting?" Tsunade asked, startled.
Dan nodded. "You're too stubborn… You should sit down and talk to him properly. Tomorrow, when he visits me, explain it clearly. Haruki seems easygoing and polite… but he's also proud. His self-respect runs deep."
Tsunade met Dan's eyes and nodded firmly.