"Ah?"
"Hiruzen, why are you here?"
Tie Kui was deeply conflicted about her memories now. She had no idea which set was real, and seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly made her feel a little awkward.
But she desperately wanted to understand where the memories in her mind had come from.
"I came to check on you after dinner. I didn't expect you to be awake already. That's good."
"You've been unconscious for three days and three nights."
"Are you hungry?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he looked at Tie Kui.
"I'm fine. I don't feel hungry. I feel like my body is in pretty good shape right now."
"I'm fine, really. You should head back first."
Tie Kui shook her head, telling Hiruzen Sarutobi to leave. There was nothing seriously wrong with her.
"Then I'll head back first. Get some rest tonight. If you're feeling okay tomorrow, we'll take the Chunin Exams together."
Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to sense that Tie Kui had changed somehow, but he could not tell how. Something simply felt off.
Still, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not say anything more. A trace of doubt flashed through his eyes, and after nodding, he turned and left without lingering.
"...Sigh."
"I have to figure out what's going on with these two sets of memories."
Tie Kui let out a long sigh. For the moment, she could not sort through the memories in her head at all. Her mind was a complete mess, but determination flashed in her eyes. She desperately wanted to understand what had happened to her.
Tie Kui then got out of bed and prepared to leave Konoha Hospital.
At that moment, Madara Uchiha received the news as well. Upon hearing that Tie Kui had awakened, he vanished from where he stood and appeared in Konoha Hospital.
"First-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi