As Mitaraishi Anko grew increasingly confused and her voice gradually trailed off, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew quieter with every word. The deep wrinkles on his weathered face, already etched like ravines, seemed more pronounced now, as though each crease were a mark left by the passage of time.
He slowly lowered his head, pulling the brim of the hat that symbolized the highest authority in Konoha even lower, until his entire face was hidden in shadow.
After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally raised his head again and spoke softly to Mitaraishi Anko. "This has nothing to do with you. It was all my fault.
"If I hadn't let my guard down and allowed Orochimaru to escape, you wouldn't have had to suffer like this.
"Get some rest." His voice held a trace of guilt and remorse, as though he were expressing his deepest apologies to Mitaraishi Anko.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at Uchiha Chen, who stood nearby, and continued, "The ninja beside you is named Uchiha Chen. He saved you when you lost too much blood.
"You two can get to know each other. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going."
With that, he slowly turned and walked away, his steps heavy and forlorn. He gradually receded into the distance, eventually disappearing from sight.
Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure, Uchiha Chen felt nothing but disdain and contempt for him.
He knew full well that Hiruzen Sarutobi had deliberately let Orochimaru escape, yet here he was, pretending to be innocent and trying to deceive this young girl, who knew nothing of the truth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hypocrisy disgusted Uchiha Chen.
Still, Uchiha Chen didn't dwell on it for long.
He quickly put the matter out of his mind. After all, this was the perfect opportunity to build a good relationship with Mitaraishi Anko and make things easier for his future plans.
After all, if he wanted to experience what it was like to get along with the beautiful women of the Naruto world and see their different personalities, Kotoamatsukami wouldn't directly alter their thoughts. It would merely provide an assurance.
He turned to Mitaraishi Anko, who was lying in the hospital bed, and noticed she was still lost in her emotions. He took the initiative and broke the silence.
Uchiha Chen called softly, "Hey, your name is Mitaraishi Anko, right?
"Can I call you Anko?"
He kept his tone gentle, hoping it would bring them closer.
At the sound of his gentle voice, Mitaraishi Anko's heart stirred, and her already subdued mood was thrown into disarray.
Remembering what Uchiha Chen had asked her earlier, her cheeks instantly flushed as red as the evening clouds. She felt terribly shy, but quickly forced herself to calm down and put on a carefree front. "Of course!
"You saved my life, after all. Just call me Anko from now on! Oh, and can I call you Chen, too?"
But as she continued, her voice grew softer and softer, until the final words were almost inaudible, as if she had forced them down her throat.
Hearing Mitaraishi Anko's reply, the smile on Uchiha Chen's lips grew wider.
He knew he had already made a good impression on her.
Then Uchiha Chen decided to press his advantage and draw even closer to Mitaraishi Anko.
He slowly reached out and gently stroked her hair. Then he spoke earnestly. "I heard what you said just now, and I want you to know that you don't have to shoulder responsibilities that were never yours to bear.
"Orochimaru's crimes have nothing to do with you. You're your own person—whole, independent, and free to make your own choices."
His voice was firm and resolute, as though he wanted to burn those words deep into her heart.
At that moment, the turmoil in Mitaraishi Anko's heart seemed to scatter like leaves in a gentle breeze.
Her thoughts settled, leaving her mind clear. She quietly felt her heart pounding in her chest beneath the warmth of his hand on her head.
The sensation was so lovely that she couldn't help but shift her head slightly, hoping to enjoy the warmth a little longer.
Uchiha Chen noticed her small movement and thought she didn't like having her head patted, so he carefully withdrew his hand.
He didn't notice the faint disappointment deep in Mitaraishi Anko's heart.
As the hand on her head gradually moved away, a flicker of disappointment passed through Mitaraishi Anko's eyes.
She lowered her head in silence, overcome by a vague sense of melancholy.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Chen took some warm food from his clothes: Three-Color Dango and Red Bean Soup.
He casually asked Mitaraishi Anko, "Are you hungry?
"I have some Three-Color Dango and Red Bean Soup here. Would you like some?"
Uchiha Chen knew that people who had lost too much blood needed to replenish their energy, so he had brought the food out now.
Besides, he wanted to show her how thoughtful and caring he could be, and further deepen their bond.
He knew Mitaraishi Anko couldn't use her hands, and he was the only one with her. In the end, she could only accept his kindness and let him feed her himself, bringing them closer.
Mitaraishi Anko's eyes widened as she stared at the appetizing Three-Color Dango. It was her favorite!
She couldn't help wondering whether Uchiha Chen had simply bought it at random or had known what she liked and chosen it especially for her.
Just as she was hesitating over whether to reach out for it, she noticed her hands, tightly wrapped like a mummy's.
Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she said awkwardly, "Chen, my hands aren't working very well. Could you... feed me?"
The moment the words left her mouth, shame washed over her. How could she make him go to so much trouble?
So she quickly added, "If you can't, could you find a nurse to look after me?"
But Uchiha Chen didn't give her the chance to refuse.
Before Mitaraishi Anko could finish, he had already opened the package and taken out a skewer of Three-Color Dango. He carefully brought it to Anko's lips and coaxed her softly, "Come on, open wide. Ahh~"
Hearing those words, as if he were coaxing a child, Mitaraishi Anko felt utterly embarrassed and wondered how she could politely refuse.
But at that moment, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl, as if desperately calling out for food.
Faced with this awkward situation, Mitaraishi Anko's cheeks instantly turned bright red. She closed her eyes and resigned herself to enjoying this special kind of care.
As time passed, Uchiha Chen fed her all the food. Watching her tired face, he said softly, "I have some things to take care of, so make sure you get plenty of rest.
"Don't worry, I'll come visit you again tomorrow." With that, he turned and left, while Mitaraishi Anko watched him go with reluctance.
The instant he turned around, Uchiha Chen felt her gaze on his back and knew he had left a deep impression on Mitaraishi Anko.
As she watched Uchiha Chen walk farther and farther away, Mitaraishi Anko fell into thought.
They had known each other for less than a day, yet in that brief time, she had been deeply moved by his warm embrace in the forest, his encouraging words at her bedside, and the way he had just carefully fed her.
Those beautiful memories flowed through her heart like a clear spring. In an instant, they swept away the painful memories Orochimaru had left behind.
Suddenly, a thought surfaced: How wonderful it would be if she could marry Chen when she grew up!
The moment the thought appeared, Mitaraishi Anko's face turned crimson with embarrassment.
She hurriedly pushed it from her mind, trying to forget it.
As wave after wave of weakness washed over her, she gradually drifted off to sleep, as if she might meet Uchiha Chen in her dreams.
No one knew that the thought she had just cast aside had, at some point, become a seed planted in a hidden corner of Mitaraishi Anko's heart, quietly waiting for the day it would take root and bloom.