[Hokage] Thank you for loving me

Arriving at the agreed izakaya, under the guidance of the clerk, Kakashi and Sasuke walked to the innermost room and opened the paper door. Naruto was already sitting inside, as if he had been waiting for a while.

"Too slow! Sensei Kakashi, you're late again!" Naruto pointed at Kakashi and complained loudly, while moving in, making room for Sasuke beside him.

Kakashi rubbed his ears that were slightly numbed by the loud voice, and sat cross-legged on the cloth ball opposite the two disciples, "I was at Konoha Hospital just now, and I was delayed by some things."

"What's the matter?" Sasuke, who had just sat down beside Naruto, asked unexpectedly.

Kakashi originally just explained the reason for being late, but he didn't expect to be asked further details, and the person who asked the question was actually Sasuke! ?

"Xiaochun-sama's old illness relapsed, and when Xiaoying helped her treat, there was a little dispute." Since Sasuke threw away Xiaoying's gift in front of him last time, in order to avoid unpleasantness, the teacher and the student There was no talk about this matter between them, nor did the name of "Haruno Sakura" be mentioned again.

However, this time Sasuke took the initiative to ask. He just brought out the name when he told the truth. If Sasuke changed his face, it was none of his business.

While answering, Kakashi looked at the questioner, wanting to see how he would react.

The stern voice sounded again, and Sasuke continued to ask, "What dispute?"

Hey - what kind of wind is blowing, suddenly you are concerned about Sakura?Kakashi secretly "tsk" and spread his hands, "The specific content of the conversation involves some high-level affairs, so I can't disclose it." After a short pause, he looked at Sasuke across the way meaningfully, "In short, Sakura is the one who contradicts you in order to protect you. In terms of things and comments about you, she has always refused to give in and defended you everywhere, which made Master Xiaochun very unhappy."

The five fingers holding the teacup tightened, Sasuke lowered his head slightly, and did not reply.

Naruto at the side took a sip of tea and joked, "Needless to say, I know, it's probably because Mr. Xiaochun raised some old and stubborn opinions."

The paper door was opened, and the clerk brought two bottles of shochu, a plate of assorted grilled skewers and three servings of soba noodles. Naruto reached out to take them, helped them put them on the table, and then nodded to the clerk who exited the door , after closing the paper door, he continued to chat with a smile: "However, Sakura is really serious. Once she protects Sasuke, she doesn't care about anything. When I first met Sai, that guy didn't know that Sakura In front of her, I said some unpleasant things about you Sasuke, and in the end, Sakura punched him in the face and greeted him, and it hurts to see me beside you." After finishing speaking, Touching his cheek, Naruto seemed to recall the strength of Sakura's fist, grinning and let out a "hiss".

"Haha, this sounds like Sakura." Kakashi saw that Sasuke's attitude was different from before, and he had been quietly listening to them talking about Sakura, so he winked at Naruto.

Naruto understood the meaning of the teacher, and immediately sighed deeply: "Yes, Sakura is like this. She can't tolerate others saying something bad about Sasuke, and always trusts Sasuke unconditionally. Whenever she encounters Sasuke, she is very serious. " Turning his head and approaching Sasuke, he added eagerly: "During the days when you were not in Konoha, she missed you all the time; as long as you chat with me, no matter what you are talking about, she will definitely mention it. You. Seeing that she has devoted all her heart to you for so many years, and has devoted so much to you, why don't you keep hiding her return to the village?"

Sasuke took off the mask on his face and placed it next to the cushion under the table. The warm yellow light projected from top to bottom on his handsome and fair face, reflecting a large faint shadow, blurring his present moment. expression.

"Her heart...is no longer with me."

"Huh?" Naruto moved closer to Sasuke, his eyes widened in confusion, "What did you say?"

Kakashi added more than half a glass of shochu to the glass in front of him, took a sip, and asked Sasuke, "You don't care about Mimon, do you?"

Before Sasuke could answer, Naruto interjected impatiently and asked, "Yumen? Is that Jōnin who is good at performing S-rank guard missions, Yumen Shingo?" Glancing at Kakashi, he turned to Sasuke again, "He Does it have anything to do with Sakura?" Just as he asked, he waved his hand again, asked himself carelessly, and replied: "Impossible, impossible, Sakura will never have anything to do with men other than you. "

Sasuke's face darkened, he looked at Naruto coldly, and asked, "Why, do you know her well?"

This question, under the current atmosphere, it seems that answering "yes" or "no" will make Sasuke unhappy... right?Naruto's heart tightened, and he changed the topic: "Speaking of which, there have been rumors about Sakura among her peers in the village recently, saying that she has admitted that she has neither dated nor liked anyone, and is currently recruiting Where's the boyfriend?"

"And then?" The voice was as cold as coming from a cold cave, and Sasuke looked at Naruto even more fiercely.

"This means that she doesn't like Yumen, and she doesn't like anyone except you!" Naruto took a bite of the yakitori in his hand, waved a bamboo stick and explained: "If Sakura says she doesn't like anyone , that must be the truth; but if Sakura said that she doesn't like you, it must be a lie! Because she has always lied about you." Thinking of her childhood, in order to make a breakup with Sasuke alone, Sakura With that helpless hug and that false confession, Naruto had a wry smile on his lips.

"Sakura definitely has no special feelings for Yumen; but for you, it must be because you warned her to keep a distance from each other in the Rainbow Kingdom before, so she obeyed your words and stopped publicly saying that she likes you It's gone." Unexpectedly, he would have a day to discuss emotional issues with Sasuke and Naruto, and Kakashi couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

"That's right, that's what I mean." Naruto pointed at Kakashi and waved the bamboo stick in his hand in approval, "So, Sasuke, don't keep hiding things from Sakura, and tell her your whereabouts quickly, and then Apologize for what happened to the Rainbow Kingdom, so that the two of you can return to your previous relationship smoothly."

Sasuke stared at the cup in his hand, was silent for a while, and slowly said: "Let's just keep the status quo. She can like anyone freely, and I don't have to be entangled by her anymore."

"Why are these rhetoric again! Is this your truth?" Naruto patted the table anxiously, and asked unwillingly: "Didn't you realize that you really care about Sakura?"

There was a flash of wavering in his eyes, and Sasuke took a sip of wine, and raised his hand to half cover his face.

"Hinata said, if you really decided to avoid her because you were afraid that you would hurt her if you couldn't respond to Sakura's feelings, it just means that you really care about her in your heart!"

Sasuke took a big sip of the shochu in the glass calmly, and he became more sure of his state of mind at the moment.In fact, without Naruto's reminder and analysis, he also understands that Haruno Sakura has been a special existence in his heart since he was a child; as time goes by, the more she pays for him, the more he understands her. The position that Sakura occupies in his heart is becoming more and more important.Recently, after deeply understanding everything she has done for him, and using her hidden identity to get in touch with her normal side, I am even more concerned about it. Occasionally when I close my eyes, her mind will appear uncontrollably. The figure of her is clearer and warmer than ever before... But now, Xiao Sakura's attitude towards him is no longer eager, even if he found out that he cared about her, it seemed too late...

Putting down his wine glass, Sasuke glared at Naruto coldly, only to hear him continue to shout: "There are so many people in the village who are after her, if you continue to avoid her like this, maybe one day she will really be snatched away! Before she falls in love with someone else, you should act quickly to save something."

redeem?Let him take the initiative to restore it?Want to bring back that Haruno Sakura who had been chasing after him in the past?If Sakura really still likes him, then how should he face this relationship after redeeming it?Even though he cares about her now, it doesn't mean he knows how to get along with her and how to respond to her love...

He raised his head and drank the rest of the wine in the glass in one gulp, Sasuke felt nothing but nothing as far as he could see.

"Whether you decide to bring Sakura back or not, I hope you can cherish the love she has given you for so long..." Seeing that Sasuke drank so much alcohol, Kakashi knew more or less what was in his heart. Some shaken.There were countless faces of Sakura crying for him, Kakashi seized the opportunity and persuaded:

"As your common teacher, I just want to remind you one thing - if you leave you, there will definitely be someone else who can make Sakura happy; but if you leave Xiao Sakura, maybe in this life, you will never meet someone better than her." There is someone who is more suitable for you and can bring you happiness." He raised the jug and filled Sasuke's glass again, and he said earnestly, "So, Naruto and I advise you to bring back Sakura. , In fact, it is more for your sake."

Every word in the words sank into Sasuke's restless heart like falling rocks, and the turbulent waves then lifted up a dazzling light cluster, illuminating the chaotic darkness in his heart.Complicated and entangled emotions converged into a tide, sinking the ball of light all at once, and surging it up again all at once, but it was always shining in his heart, which could not be ignored by others.Staring at the light, Sasuke gradually realized that he was about to clarify his feelings for Sakura: Yes, as long as he gave up Haruno Sakura, he would never consider other people in his life.Now, he has noticed and started to face up to his feelings for her, and if he hesitates to keep a distance from her, maybe, just like what Naruto and Kakashi said, he will lose her forever... …

After smoothing his mind, Sasuke felt that the boredom accumulated in his heart so far had subsided a lot, but the expression on his face did not change much, he just simply said "um", which was regarded as a response to Kakashi's words.

"Great! You finally reacted a bit!" Naruto embraced his shoulder happily, "So, you promised to save Sakura and reconcile with her?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at him, and replied in a cold voice as usual: "You can think what you want."

"You didn't deny it, so I'll take it as you agreed!" Naruto patted his shoulder excitedly, and couldn't wait to propose: "How about we confess to her now?"

I don't know what kind of attitude Sakura will show when he sees him returning to the village. When he thinks of that scene, Sasuke feels a little uneasy.He brushed Naruto's left hand off his shoulder, and refused in a cold voice, "No".

"Do you think it's too soon? How about next Wednesday? That day is the summer night festival in the village. I'll help you ask Sakura out. You can take advantage of the lively atmosphere and seize the opportunity to reveal your identity to her." Bar?"

"...Don't you think you're taking too much control?"

"Then how long do you want to delay?" Naruto scratched his hair irritably, he didn't want to lie to Sakura anymore, he just wished he could drag Sasuke in front of Sakura now.

"Okay, okay, Naruto, please don't be in such a hurry." Kakashi gave him a look of "be safe and don't be impatient", and said calmly: "Sasuke always has his own plans in doing things, you can't rush if you urge him like this." It's useless. This is a problem that needs to be resolved between him and Sakura in private, and it's not good for us to manage too much from the sidelines."

Naruto was taken aback, and heaved a long sigh, "Okay, since even Kakashi-sensei said so, then I won't force you." He lay back on the tatami mat and sat upright facing Sasuke The back of the man muttered: "However, you'd better hurry up and confess to Sakura. Anyway, next time I meet her, I won't lie to you again."

This time, Sasuke didn't answer his words anymore, just took a sip of the wine in the glass, the warm light cast on his treacherous eyes, reflecting a calm...

The next morning, as soon as Sakura went to work, she went straight to the exclusive nursing ward of Konoha Hospital.When the two Anbu guards guarding the door saw her, they opened the door of the ward for her tacitly.

Quietly passing through the reception room and coming to the hospital bed, Xiaochun, who turned to bed, was reclining on the cushion, looking at the scenery outside the window thoughtfully, it seemed that he had woken up for a while.

"Master Xiaochun, excuse me." Sakura respectfully bowed to the old man's back, "I'm here to review your physical condition."

Without turning around, Xiaochun said slowly, "I thought that after you ran away crying yesterday, you would never appear in front of me again."

Xiao Ying's face became hot with embarrassment, and she quickly lowered her head, "I made you laugh yesterday, but as a doctor who detoxifies you, please allow me to examine you for a while."

The old man turned his face, looked at the ceiling, and agreed lukewarmly: "Come here."

Hearing this, Xiao Ying quickly took a step forward, leaned closer to the hospital bed, picked up the chakra with both hands, and lightly placed it on the forehead of the sleeping Xiaochun, to check her up.

The warm air flow spread from the head to the whole body from top to bottom, and Xiaochun's limbs and bones instantly relaxed, he closed his eyes lightly, and his expression softened a bit.

"Master Xiaochun, I'm really sorry for contradicting you yesterday..." Seeing that the attitude on the old man's face had improved, Xiao Ying quickly took the opportunity to apologize for her recklessness yesterday.

Glancing at the young and beautiful face beside the bed with a sneer, Koharu asked unequivocally, "...do you like that kid from Uchiha's family that much?" Tsunade has always been proud of The humble and polite disciple, in order to protect a traitor who doesn't know where he is, dares to speak rudely to Konoha's senior management.

"Eh?" Xiao Ying was stunned, and hurriedly explained for herself, "No, I just... as his companion for many years, relying on my understanding of him, I chose to trust him." Emphasized: "Forgive me for offending, on the matter of Sasuke-kun, I still insist on the points I said yesterday. Time will prove that Sasuke-kun will protect the village with all his heart, no matter whether it is now or in the future, no matter where he is. "

"No matter where you are, will you guard the village..." The old man murmured and repeated Sakura's last words, opened his eyes suddenly, looked at her burningly, and asked, "What about you? Will you always guard the village?"

The re-examination has been completed, Xiao Sakura withdrew her hands covering Zhuan Nan Xiaochun's body, and replied firmly, "Of course".

"Very good." The old man raised the corners of his mouth leisurely, "Since you can have such awareness, then the task of aiding the construction of Ninja Village in the Rainbow Country will be entrusted to you."

"What?" Suspecting that she had heard it wrong, Sakura blurted out a rhetorical question.

"I heard that you know the young master of the Rainbow Kingdom, so you must have known the purpose of his visit to Muye Village this time, right?"

Sakura nodded.

"The Kingdom of the Rainbow asked Konoha to send several outstanding Jōnin to help them build the Ninja Village. When discussing the plan with the high-level Konoha, the young master of the Fukuyama clan named you and hoped that you could be listed as one of them."

Sakura's eyes widened, and she didn't know how to reply for a while.No wonder, since Fukuyama Xinliu came to Konoha, she has been very attentive to her, giving gifts and visiting from time to time. It turned out that she hoped that she could go to the Rainbow Country for a permanent residence!However, this is not an unspeakable request. Why didn't he find an opportunity to ask her directly when he was in contact with her?

"Other Jonin candidates, Fukuyama respects Konoha's designation; only you, he personally appointed." His tone was tough, and Xiaochun asked seriously: "For the sake of the Kingdom of Fire and the Kingdom of Rainbow The covenant between the two, I don't think you will refuse the other party's invitation?"

Judging by Master Xiaochun's attitude, it seems that... she can't tolerate her refusal?

As early as the moment she left the ninja school and officially became a ninja, she had already made up her mind to give up her family and friendship for the mission; this determination has never wavered or changed over the years.

The task of Ninja Village in the Rainbow Country is nothing more than saying goodbye to familiar people. As long as parents, friends, and children in the consultation room still live a safe life in Konoha Village, what does it matter if she goes away alone?Anyway, in her heart, there is nothing hard to let go of, and so far, there has never been a person she wants to spend her life with no matter what...

"Of course." Sakura solemnly agreed: "If Konoha agrees that I will stay in Rainbow Country, this trust will be an honor. I will do my best for the alliance between the two countries."

"That's good." Ever since entering the ward, Zhuanxiaochun finally showed a satisfied smile, "You are still a bit modest when it comes to important matters related to the village."

Is this a compliment, or a mockery?Chatting with this scheming Konoha consultant, it is really a severe test to get her approval... Before being forced to have nothing to answer, Sakura cautiously asked: "The follow-up consultation results are all normal. , if you have no other orders, Mr. Xiaochun, then I will go back to work first?"

"Go." The old man on the bed nodded slightly, "Since you have agreed to the matter of stationing in the Rainbow Country, you can start preparing for it when you go back." After giving the instructions, she waved her hand to indicate that Sakura could step back, and then turned her face Turning out the window, silence returned again.

Leaving the ward, Xiao Sakura walked slowly to the office downstairs, while thinking about what Xiaochun said just now when she turned to bed.

After the official task is assigned, she will leave Konoha for a long time, the homeland she was born, grew up and worked so hard to protect. It is definitely impossible to say that she is not sad; For the land of fire.

If she refuses, Konoha's senior management will appoint someone else to go to the Rainbow Country instead of her.That person may have a lover, a child, or even a big family to protect; in comparison, a single person like myself may be more suitable to accept this task...

With a lot of thoughts in mind, Sakura walked slowly in the corridor of Konoha Hospital, when suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the "Summer Night Festival" poster on the bulletin board.

Is it time for the summer night festival in the village again?Since last week, some male colleagues and patients have successively invited her to the festival.Considering that the recent rumors about her emotional status are a bit too much, and it is not appropriate to have too many misleading contacts with the opposite sex, Sakura rejected all the invitations she received.

Now, thinking that this might be the last time she will participate in Konoha's festival, Sakura suddenly regretted rejecting all those invitations; because friends who traveled together in previous years have made arrangements this year: Ino will accompany Sai , Hinata wants to accompany Naruto, and Xiao Li and Teacher Kai every day.In this way, I couldn't even find anyone who went to the festival with me.

Looking away from the poster, Sakura sighed, raised her feet and continued walking towards the office.Just after walking a few steps and before entering the house, she heard a rapid ringing of the phone in the corridor; quickly rushed to the desk, she grabbed the phone receiver.

"Hi, hello, this is Haruno Sakura."

"Sakura? I'm Hinata..." On the other end of the phone, Hinata's unique soft voice sounded, "I'm sorry to call you during working hours, did I bother you?"

"No. Is there anything you want from me?"

"That..." Hinata's voice was a little apprehensive, and she asked cautiously: "Do you have an appointment for the Summer Night Festival the day after tomorrow? If not, would you like to go shopping with me?"

"Eh——?" Shocked and lengthened the ending, Sakura confirmed, "Do you really want to be with me? What about Naruto?"

"Naruto-kun... he has an appointment with other friends, so he can't go with me..."

Abandoning his wife and going to the festival with friends?This is really something that only a naruto with a thick nerve can do...

Hinata couldn't get an answer from Sakura, and Hinata on the phone was obviously a little disappointed: "If you already have an appointment, forget it..."

"No, no, I'll go! Of course I'd like to go with you!" Xiao Ying hurriedly shouted: "Actually, I'm worried about going to the festival with no one to accompany me, so I want to go shopping alone. Can you call It's very kind of you to invite me!"

"Then... shall we meet at the entrance of the shopping street at seven o'clock in the evening the day after tomorrow?"

"Okay, see you then."

"Well, see you then."

The sound of hanging up came from the phone, put down the receiver, Haruno Sakura raised her arms and cheered silently, celebrating that she was invited by Hinata and no longer had to worry about placing orders at the festival.

"Speaking of which..." Opening the file folder on the table, before starting a new day's work, Sakura muttered curiously: "The friend who is worthy of Naruto's leaving Hinata to accompany... Who is it? "