Hinata Haruki once again stepped out of his room and made his way toward the medical station. This time, he didn't alert anyone—he quietly slipped into the ward alone.
Kato Dan-sensei was asleep. Haruki didn't wake him; he simply left a small note by his bedside, something Dan would surely notice upon waking. Activating his Byakugan, Haruki examined Dan's injuries—his recovery was progressing fairly well. There were still some hidden wounds and lingering aftereffects, but Haruki hoped they could be resolved during later rehabilitation training.
Tsunade wasn't by Dan's side. Judging from her condition earlier, she was probably resting in one of the other beds in the medical station after falling ill herself. Haruki activated his Byakugan again, scanning until he found her location.
(BGM: Samidare – Yasuharu Takanashi)
Tsunade sat on a hospital bed, noticeably thinner than before. An oversized ice pack rested on her head, and she still seemed to be running a high fever. She coughed from time to time while flipping through a document in her hands. On the nightstand beside her bed lay a small green flak jacket—it looked similar to Haruki's own modified design, but it clearly wasn't his.
"This flak jacket… did she have it custom-made for me?" Haruki wondered.
He pushed open the door and quietly walked inside, not disturbing her, simply watching in silence. Tsunade read the document for a while, occasionally jotting down notes. At last, she exhaled softly, set the papers aside, and leaned back against the raised head of the bed. When she lifted her head, she caught sight of Haruki standing silently at the doorway.
"Ah…!" Tsunade startled slightly, letting out a soft gasp before regaining her composure. Propping herself up on the table in front of her, she looked carefully at Haruki.
"Haruki? Is that you?" She reached up to touch her own forehead. "I'm not dreaming, am I? I haven't burned myself delirious? Cough, cough!" The ice pack on her head was still perfectly cold—if this was a dream, it was far too realistic.
She rubbed her eyes and looked again. Haruki was still there, standing quietly, saying nothing.
"Haruki… did you come to see me?" she asked softly. Inwardly, she thought, It must be his spirit that's come to find me. Yes… that would make the most sense.
Haruki's face remained expressionless, but he gave a slight nod.
"Haruki, to be able to see you like this… I'm so happy. Truly." She smiled warmly, her eyes narrowing in joy—then her expression dimmed. "But… I wronged you…"
"As your teacher, I drove you away. As your elder, I didn't give you the care and understanding you deserved. As your superior, I failed to protect you…" Tears welled and rolled down her cheeks, dripping softly onto the bed.
Suddenly, Tsunade raised her head, her tear-filled eyes meeting Haruki's. Placing a hand over her heart, she spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
"Thank you, Haruki. I know everything you've done—the things you did for Konoha, the countless times you helped me… You never truly meant to side with Danzō, did you? You were just acting, to show me… You really are a cunning child."
"I'm sorry, Haruki. I thought the student Sarutobi-sensei recommended to me was only taken in because of connections. I didn't know my student was a prodigy who became a chūnin at the age of five—nor that it was you. If I had known more, I would never have refused you."
"I'm sorry. I thought the chūnin flak jacket was one you made yourself, so I treated you like a genin brat. I didn't understand your contributions or your ability, and so I sent you to the logistics division. If I had read the reports more carefully, I wouldn't have treated you that way."
"I'm sorry I underestimated you, not even giving you a single chance. You were young, and I didn't know you—so I assumed you were just a headstrong boy full of pride. I misjudged you, and in doing so, I hurt your pride deeply."
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. If I'd been more alert, you and Mizuki wouldn't have fallen into danger. If I had arrived just a minute earlier, maybe I could have saved you… But I couldn't even find your body… I'm sorry… Haruki…"
"Haruki… even though I know you wouldn't want to hear it, I've already come to see myself as your teacher. You don't mind, do you?"
"I'm an unqualified teacher, but I truly wish I could have taken you as my student from the start. Please forgive my selfishness… In my heart, you are my one and only student."
"Haruki… can you forgive me?"
With those words, Tsunade bowed deeply toward him.
Haruki listened quietly as she spoke between sobs, his gaze fixed on her tear-streaked face and the unwavering sincerity in her eyes.
So… this was all a misunderstanding, Haruki thought, his mind calm. It seems she truly didn't know my circumstances. She wasn't insulting my strength on purpose…
I thought she was arrogant and dismissive, but in reality she was just proud by nature. I rejected her outright, refused to listen to her explanations, and even tried to drive her away.
Yet all this time, she wanted to look out for me. When I disappeared, she searched for me desperately. She's mourning my "death" even now… She really has seen me as her own student.
Unconsciously, the ice around Haruki's heart began to melt.
When Tsunade saw that he still hadn't spoken, she lifted her head and looked at him, her expression dim and self-deprecating. Sigh… I really am unqualified…
Haruki made up his mind, straightening his posture and speaking earnestly:
"Sensei, we both misunderstood each other. I was wrong too—I assumed you were too arrogant and refused to hear your explanations. Please forgive my stubbornness and pride."
He bowed deeply to her.
"Cough—Haruki… W-What did you just call me?" Tsunade shook her feverish head, wondering if she'd misheard. Surely she hadn't just heard what she thought she had.
"Sensei! If even you, Lady Tsunade, aren't qualified to be my teacher, then who is? Please accept me—this foolish, stubborn idiot—as your student, Sensei!" Haruki bowed again.
"Haruki… you forgive me… Very well. I accept you as my student," Tsunade said, smiling with genuine relief.
"Thank you, Sensei! Haruki pays his respects to his teacher!" He performed a deep, triple kowtow.
"I'm glad… though it pains me that I couldn't protect you."
"Sensei, that mission was assigned by the Hyūga Clan and approved by the Third Hokage. Even if you suspected the Main House of foul play, you couldn't have refused.
"In that situation, you trusted me without hesitation, led a team to rescue me and Mizuki, and searched tirelessly when I fell into the cavern. You've already done more than enough. Failing to protect me wasn't your fault—the ones who tried to harm me were simply too despicable."
"Cough… cough… Thank you, Haruki… If only you were still alive…" Tsunade's voice softened, her heart finally at ease.
Haruki smiled helplessly, then slowly walked to her bedside and embraced her gently. The warmth of his body and the reality of his touch stunned her.
"Sensei, when I fell into that cavern, I was lucky enough to survive, though I was injured. I've come back."
"You… you're alive?" Tsunade's eyes widened. She touched her forehead—no fever. She quickly gripped Haruki's shoulders, studying him intently as if to confirm it wasn't an illusion.
"Yes, I'm alive. I still need to learn medical ninjutsu from you—how could I die so easily? I'm sorry for worrying you." Haruki smiled apologetically.
"You… you really are too cunning…" Tsunade finally realized—he had been pretending to be a ghost to trick her! Her eyes narrowed dangerously, as if she might erupt like a volcano.
Haruki gulped. Uh-oh… she's not actually mad, is she?
Suddenly, Tsunade threw her arms around him and kissed him lightly on the forehead. Haruki froze in shock.
"Heh… Haruki, I'm so glad you're safe. Welcome back! And I finally managed to fool you for once! Hah!" she laughed brightly, savoring the rare victory—each had tricked the other once, so they were even.
She ruffled his hair, then, seeing him still dazed, pinched his cheeks and playfully scraped his nose.
Haruki was stunned not only by her sudden actions, but because he understood the meaning behind them. In the original timeline, Tsunade had only ever done this for Kato Dan, Nawaki, and later Naruto.
That gentle embrace and soft kiss filled Haruki's heart with warmth—it meant Tsunade now saw him as one of her most cherished people. For a twice-orphaned soul like him, this was the most precious thing in the world.
His chest swelled with emotion, his mind dizzy from the sudden rush of happiness.
To have a teacher like Tsunade who treats me as family… an elder sister figure like Mizuki… an elder like Grandfather Sōrō who has been like a second father… a distant relative like Kushina who feels more like family… Kato Dan-sensei who has guided me with care… elders who look after me… and a circle of friends who worry about me… This world really is a good place.
And there will be even more happiness ahead…
"Hehehe…" Haruki rubbed his nose and cheeks where Tsunade had playfully scraped, grinning like a fool, his eyes curved like crescent moons. Tsunade, too, narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, smiling with pure joy.
In that moment, they were truly family.