Before Sasuke Uchiha's Discharge

"Sakura Haruno, don't worry, no one will say anything to you," Hanabi began to comfort Sakura.

She then pulled out her small, white leather wallet from her pocket. Although it was tiny, the money inside consisted of large denominations, plentiful and thick. She carefully counted out a few bills, handing them to Sakura.

"Hanabi, little sister..." Sakura looked at the money before her, tears of gratitude welling up. Life without pocket money was truly unbearable.

However, she still leaned back slightly, waving her hand in a small gesture.

"Um, I can't accept this," she said.

"It's fine, didn't you give me a little ninja sword last time? Sister Yue let me use it." Hanabi forcefully placed the money into Sakura's hand, then shook her clothes, revealing the small ninja sword hidden inside.

Ino, standing closest, took a careful look. The craftsmanship was excellent. Just by looking at the material of the scabbard, she knew this ninja sword must be very valuable. How could this possibly be the one Sakura bought?

Hanabi winked at Ino, as if telling her not to expose the truth.

"Alright, Sakura, just take it," Ino understood Hanabi's intention.

"Just take it. When you graduate and become a ninja yourself, and can earn your own money, buy Hanabi more gifts then," she said.

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to the gifts you'll pick out for me yourself, Sakura. Sister often tells me you have great taste."

"Mhm!" Sakura nodded heavily, tucking the money into her pocket. "Hanabi, little sister, when you become a ninja, I'll definitely give you a super, super amazing gift!"

The three of them laughed happily.

This post-class shopping trip went without any unexpected events. Sakura first took Ino back home to explain the situation before embarking on her treasure hunt again.

"Ah, you've come at the perfect time. The patient can be discharged tomorrow."

Doctors and nurses usually disliked noisy children, but today they were exceptionally happy, because tomorrow Sasuke Uchiha would finally be out of the hospital.

They cleared a path, allowing the children to enter Sasuke Uchiha's hospital room.

It was a large room. Kakashi had already recovered and been discharged before Sasuke woke up. Sasuke Uchiha was the only one left in the room.

He was awake, but it felt like a dream. Many gifts were placed at the foot of his bed. Some had the sender's name written on them, adorned with bright red hearts. Others had no packaging at all, just placed there forlornly.

There were also doctors and nurses moving around him. They examined his body, their faces filled with pity. Some young nurses looked at him as if they were about to cry.

All of this told him he was living in reality, that it wasn't a dream. But even when the Third Hokage stood by his bedside and softly recounted what had happened, he still couldn't believe it.

He sat on the bed, looking at the bothersome gifts. Just as he was about to stand up and clear them from his sight, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps from outside.

Soon, the door to the room was pushed open, led by a small figure. She was much smaller than the others. Her pure white eyes told him she was from the Hyuga Clan, and not the Hyuga Hinata from class who had no presence.

"You guys?" His voice was exceptionally hoarse.

"Everyone in the class heard you woke up from your coma and wanted to come see you," Hanabi replied with a smile. "The previous few times we came, you were still unconscious."

"Oh, right, I'm Hyuga Hanabi, Hinata's sister." She stepped forward, introducing herself to Sasuke Uchiha, then placed her gift down: a small scroll related to taijutsu training. The Hyuga Clan was wealthy, so their gifts were naturally extraordinary.

Hanabi didn't say much more to Sasuke. After placing her gift, she consciously moved to stand outside the door, allowing the other girls in the class to express their feelings to Sasuke Uchiha.

But looking at so many female classmates, Sasuke Uchiha only felt a wave of annoyance. He thought of Hyuga Hanabi's appearance just now, then thought of his own clan, and his heart filled with even more anger.

He couldn't show it. He had to be strong. He was the only remaining member of the Uchiha Clan now. Everything about the clan, and that man.

But for some reason, his stern face as he rejected the female classmates' gifts one by one only made them more excited.

"Four-eyes, I think I'm in love," Ino covered her face, leaning on Sakura's shoulder, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at the handsome boy sitting on the hospital bed.

Sakura's reaction was no less dramatic. She propped her chin on her hand, already imagining a beautiful future with Sasuke.

Then, the two of them suddenly looked up, their eyes meeting with a strange look. The sisters, who had recently reconciled, seemed about to enter a complex situation again.

For Sasuke Uchiha, time passed as slowly as a snail. He didn't utter a word, just quietly watched the young girls from his class say various things to him.

There was admiration and comfort, interspersed with a hint of undetectable pity.

And for these young girls, time passed far too quickly. Before they could say more than a few words, the doctor had quietly appeared at the doorway, loudly ushering them out.

"Alright, alright, you've been here long enough. He's just awake, not cured!" he said loudly. "And he hasn't had dinner yet, and you probably haven't either. Your parents must be waiting at home, hurry home!"

After the fussy doctor called out several times, he finally managed to drive the little girls out of the room. He then brought Sasuke a meal.

After his patient finished eating, he walked in with a notebook and pen, standing by Sasuke's bedside.

"Does your head still hurt..."

After asking about each item, he nodded and gave his conclusion:

"You can be discharged tomorrow, but be careful. No strenuous activity for two weeks. You'll need to come back in two weeks for a follow-up examination."

"Can I be discharged today?" Sasuke Uchiha asked softly after a moment of silence.

His gaze wasn't on the doctor, but on the pile of gifts. Among them, a red photo frame was particularly glaring. It reminded him of his family.

"Hmm, it's getting dark now. Although I can process your discharge papers right away..."

"Then discharge me," Sasuke Uchiha interrupted the doctor, frowning.

"Alright, since you're in such a hurry."

Sasuke Uchiha had no luggage. He didn't even take all the gifts. The only things in his small pocket were the red photo frame and the scroll given to him by the Hyuga girl. He walked alone down a small alley.

"Heh heh, kid, what are you doing wandering around so late at night?"

Suddenly, two figures appeared on the wall of the alley, blocking the solitary Sasuke Uchiha with wicked grins.