Sunagakure,
Glug~ Glug~ Glug~
Gently stroking the incubation chamber filled with an unknown pale green liquid, Hatake Sakumo watched bubble after bubble drift across Hotaru's delicate sleeping face. Even this cold-blooded ninja, always decisive in battle and slaughter, could not help but show a few traces of tenderness in his eyes.
"Hotaru, hold on a little longer. We'll save you soon."
Behind Hatake Sakumo, who was gazing lovingly at his wife, Uchiha Gin curiously examined the sophisticated equipment that occupied the entire room. He had not expected Sunagakure to be this rich. This stuff was not cheap to make.
"You've got a medical life-support system with this much power sitting in your home. Are you paying the electric bill yourself, or getting it reimbursed?"
A moment later, Uchiha Gin pulled his gaze away from the four words "Wave Country Product" engraved on the nameplate and asked in all seriousness.
"Well... since Aqi's wife is still affiliated with Yorha, all the costs can be reimbursed."
Shu glanced at Hatake Sakumo, who was busy murmuring to his wife, then stepped forward to answer Uchiha Gin's question.
"So this kid's using public property for private purposes?"
Quite the wild player, dating a village asset.
"Uh..."
Shu awkwardly scratched his head. Uchiha Gin's words were crude but reasonable, yet wasn't that phrasing a little too crude?
Seeing that this kid had not a single humorous bone in his body and could not even play the most basic straight man, Uchiha Gin shook his head in disappointment.
"Alright, jokes over. Move aside and let me take a look at your wife."
He stepped forward and shoved Hatake Sakumo, still maintaining his devoted-husband persona, to the side. His eyes settled on the sleeping Hotaru, and his gaze instantly sharpened.
"This puppet..."
"Gin-grandpa... Master, what about Hotaru?"