Sakura, busy in the kitchen, heard her daughter's question.
She turned around slowly, a gentle smile blooming on her face.
It was like the warmest sunlight in spring, comforting and reassuring.
"Papa is back. Mama won't be going to work for the next few days."
Sakura said with a smile.
Sarada's eyes widened slightly. Her face lit up with surprise, her voice filled with excitement:
"Papa is back?"
But then, Sarada looked around the living room in confusion, as if searching for something.
"But I didn't see him when I came out just now?"
Sarada asked, puzzled.
Watching her daughter's joyful reaction, Sakura's smile widened even further.
She turned back to continue chopping vegetables, speaking as she worked:
"Papa is injured. He's resting in bed right now."
Sarada nodded in understanding.
Just yesterday afternoon, after hearing that Boruto was seriously injured, she had gone to visit him.
She had also asked about her father.
Although Boruto had been evasive and stuttered through his answers.
He had still revealed enough.
So Sarada wasn't too surprised to hear that her father was injured.
Sarada thought for a moment, then asked tentatively:
"Can I go see Papa?"
Sakura paused her chopping for a moment, then nodded.
"Mmh. Go ahead."
After saying that, Sakura added a slightly worried reminder:
"But if Papa is resting, don't disturb him, okay?"
Sarada pushed up her glasses excitedly and turned around.
"Don't worry, Mama! Of course I know that!"
Sarada trotted lightly to the door of the master bedroom.
She stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath, as if psyching herself up.
After several deep breaths, Sarada extended her slender hand and knocked gently.
Knock knock!
"Papa, are you asleep?"
Rasa, who was resting his eyes on the bed.
Suddenly heard a melodious girl's voice that was both unfamiliar and vaguely familiar.
Rasa's eyes shifted slightly as he searched his distant memories to identify the owner of the voice.
He pondered for a moment, then looked at the door. Lowering his voice to make it sound hoarse and flat, he said:
"Sarada? Come in."
Outside the door, Sarada heard the hoarse, flat voice.
A flicker of doubt crossed her heart.
That voice... it doesn't sound quite like Papa.
But then she thought, Maybe Papa's voice changed because he's injured.
So, Sarada suppressed her doubts and whispered:
"Okay, Papa. I'm coming in."
Sarada gently gripped the handle and slowly pushed the door open.
The moment she opened the door and her gaze fell on the man lying on the bed.
Sarada's eyes widened instinctively, filled with shock and horror!
The man on the bed was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, except for his face.
But this bandaged man with delicate features...
No matter how Sarada looked at him, she couldn't connect him with her father!
But why did Mama mistake this stranger for Papa?
In less than a second, countless thoughts flashed through Sarada's mind.
Then, she took a sharp step back, her mouth opening to shout a question.
However, her eyes suddenly glazed over. She stared blankly at Rasa, her raised hands dropping limply to her sides.
Rasa looked at Sarada, who had fallen into his Genjutsu, and shook his head slightly.
As expected of the new generation growing up in times of peace. They haven't been tempered enough.
Her reaction time is terrible.
Rasa stared intently at Sarada.
At the same time, sweat poured from his body, soaking his clothes.
Given his current physical condition.
Hypnotizing both Sakura and Sarada—two relatively strong ninjas—in such a short time was a massive burden on his weakened body.
Seconds later.
The light returned to Sarada's eyes.
She blinked, looking up at Rasa, who was drenched in sweat.
Seeing Rasa covered in sweat.
Sarada's eyes immediately filled with worry and urgency.
She rushed to Rasa's side, grabbed a towel from the table, and began to wipe the sweat from his face gently.
As she wiped, she complained with a hint of reproach:
"Really, Papa! Your body is so weak right now, don't force yourself to sit up!"
Rasa felt Sarada's gentle movements as she carefully wiped his face.
Hearing her slightly complaining tone.
Rasa narrowed his eyes, a "gratified" smile appearing on his face as he chuckled:
"I couldn't help it. Seeing my cute daughter, I just wanted to sit up."
Originally, Rasa had been worried that his Genjutsu might not work on Sarada.
After all, Sarada had resisted Eida's "Omnipotence" memory rewrite.
In a Konoha where everyone's memories had been altered, Sarada had retained her original memories.
But it seemed his Genjutsu still worked.
Hearing Rasa's words, Sarada's hands paused for a moment before she continued wiping his sweat gently.
While wiping, she tilted her head slightly, a shy blush coloring her cheeks.
"Papa... why are you suddenly saying things like that?"
"You never used to say stuff like this..."
Rasa extended an arm toward Sarada, speaking casually:
"Maybe after experiencing a life-or-death situation, people change?"
Just after using the Genjutsu, Rasa noticed that his wounds had started bleeding again.
Seeing Rasa extend a bandaged arm that was clearly seeping blood.
Sarada immediately understood. She skillfully opened the drawer nearby and took out fresh bandages.
Then, she sat on the edge of the bed and placed Rasa's arm gently on her soft thighs.
She began to carefully unwrap the blood-soaked bandages.
While unwrapping, Sarada murmured softly:
"Is that so? That's actually pretty nice. At least it's better than your usual flat tone."
Now under the influence of the Genjutsu, Sarada would no longer doubt anything about Rasa.
Even if Rasa did things that contradicted her impression of Sasuke.
She would automatically rationalize them.
Sarada's movements were as light as a feather, as if afraid of causing Rasa even the slightest pain.
Her slender fingers undid the knot and slowly peeled the wet, bloody fabric from his skin.
Throughout the process, Sarada's gaze was focused and tender, every movement filled with concern and love for her father.
As the bandages came off, Sarada saw the deep wounds on Rasa's arm.
Although the deepest parts had begun to heal.
The shocking scars were still clearly visible, enough to imagine how severe the injury had been.
Moreover, the skin around Rasa's arm was red and swollen, with blood still oozing out.
This sight stung Sarada's heart. She frowned slightly, pain flashing in her eyes.
Then, she began to blow gently on Rasa's wounds, trying to soothe the pain.
Rasa closed his eyes, doing his best to suppress the intense pain from his arm.
Although Sarada's breath was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze.
This method didn't actually reduce the pain; in fact, it might even irritate the wounds.
However, Rasa could endure it.
After all, he was enjoying the filial piety of a daughter he had never experienced before.
Even if this daughter wasn't related to him by blood.
Thinking of this, Rasa involuntarily thought of his own newborn daughter.
And the unborn child in Karin's mother's belly.
He wondered how they were doing now.
After blowing for a while, Sarada realized her actions weren't helping much.
Her face flushed slightly. She quickly picked up a clean towel and began to wipe away the blood seeping from Rasa's arm.
Her movements were gentle and meticulous, each wipe careful not to hurt him.
Her eyes were filled with concern and anxiety, as if hoping her efforts would help Rasa heal faster.
After cleaning and disinfecting the wound.
Sarada picked up the fresh bandages and wrapped Rasa's arm carefully, ensuring the wound was properly covered.
Throughout the process, Sarada never took her eyes off Rasa.
Looking at her father's tired and weak face, her heart was filled with worry.
Sarada silently vowed to take good care of him and help him recover as soon as possible.
Then, Sarada repeated the process for Rasa's other arm.
Looking at Rasa's upper body, her cheeks flushed as she asked softly:
"Papa, do the bandages on your chest need changing too?"
Rasa nodded and turned slightly, presenting his back to Sarada. He spoke casually:
" naturally. If you feel embarrassed, you can ask Mama to come help."
Sarada hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
"Mama is cooking right now."
After saying this, Sarada looked up, determination in her eyes:
"Besides, I'm not a child anymore. I can handle this!"
Although her voice wasn't loud, it was filled with confidence and courage.
It was as if she were proving to Rasa that she had grown up and could be independent.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself.
Sarada began to carefully unwrap the bandages on Rasa's torso.
Rasa nodded, glancing at the door before saying:
"It seems Sarada really has grown up."
One minute later.
Sarada had completely removed the bandages from Rasa's upper body.
Once they were gone, Sarada stared blankly at Rasa's robust back and the dense network of wounds covering it.
Gulp!
Never having seen a grown man's naked upper body before—especially one so muscular and exuding such potent masculinity—Sarada swallowed subconsciously.
Then, she took a deep breath. With slightly trembling hands, she picked up a fresh towel and began to wipe the sweat and blood from Rasa's back.
Her movements were soft and slow, afraid of causing pain.
With every wipe, Sarada's fingers inadvertently brushed against Rasa's skin.
The warm touch made her heart race, and a blush spread across her face.
Sarada's breathing became slightly hurried.
Her eyes revealed a complex mix of emotions: heartache, and a trace of shyness.
Sarada involuntarily extended a finger, tracing lightly down Rasa's spine.
Feeling the powerful muscle lines, a strange impulse rose in her heart.
But she suppressed it immediately, continuing to focus on cleaning Rasa's back.
As time passed.
The sweat and blood on Rasa's back disappeared under the towel, revealing his bronzed skin and solid muscles.
Suddenly, a pleasant female voice drifted in from the door:
"I was wondering why I smelled a faint scent of blood. So that's what it was."
Hearing the voice, Sarada's hands jerked violently. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable panic.
She turned her head quickly to see Sakura standing in the doorway.
"Mama, I'm sorry, I..."
Sakura raised an eyebrow in surprise, hearing her daughter's apology.
She walked lightly toward the bed, speaking as she approached:
"Sarada, what are you apologizing for?"
"Honestly, seeing you do this... Mama doesn't think it's inappropriate at all. In fact, I'm very happy."
Sakura looked at Sarada with a gentle smile.
Sarada looked in surprise at her mother, who walked to her side and gently stroked her hair.
After patting Sarada's head a few times, Sakura smiled:
"Alright. Leave the rest to Mama."
"Take the dirty bandages and towels outside and dispose of them properly."
Watching Sarada leave the room with the bundle of bloody bandages and close the door gently.
Sakura turned slowly, her gaze landing tenderly on Rasa sitting on the bed. Her eyes were filled with concern and love.
Sakura extended her soft hands, palms facing Rasa's back, and began to channel Medical Ninjutsu.
Her movements were gentle and slow, as if afraid of hurting him.
At the same time, her voice became incredibly soft:
"Our daughter has really grown up, hasn't she?"
A smile of relief and pride filled Sakura's face.
Rasa nodded. He felt a pang of regret that he didn't have a daughter this age.
Although Sarada was obedient and well-behaved.
She wasn't his real daughter, which was a pity.
After all, once he found a way back, he would leave.
Meanwhile.
In a distant Ninja World.
It was February of Konoha Year 47. The weather had turned bitterly cold.
In a room in the Hidden Grass Village.
A red-haired woman radiating maternal warmth sat quietly, holding an infant tightly in her arms.
Beside her.
A blue-haired girl of about nine years old stared curiously at the sleeping baby in the woman's arms.
Karin's mother stroked Guren's hair gently. Then she looked out the window, worry and longing in her eyes as she murmured:
"I wonder where he is now... It's been two months without any news..."
In the Hidden Stone Village.
In a room within the newly built Uchiha compound.
Amidst the anxious and excited shouts of the crowd, the crisp cry of a newborn baby finally rang out.
Lying on the bed, Mikoto Uchiha looked pale and drenched in sweat, appearing very weak despite her delicate beauty.
Her eyes were fixed on the baby held by her clansman, lifted high for her to see.
Mikoto asked weakly:
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
The clansman checked the baby, a look of joy on their face as they exclaimed:
"Madam, it's a boy!"
Hearing she had given birth to a son.
Mikoto let out a long sigh of relief. Her Two-Tomoe Sharingan activated involuntarily as tears slid down the corners of her eyes. Her voice trembled:
"That is wonderful!"
"Brother Fugaku's lineage has not been broken!"