Feeding

As Anko Mitarashi's emotions gradually grew muddled and her voice trailed off, Hiruzen Sarutobi became increasingly silent. The deep, ravine-like wrinkles on his weathered face seemed even more pronounced, as if every line were a deep mark left by the passage of time.

He slowly lowered his head, pulling the brim of the conical hat that symbolized the supreme authority of Konoha lower, hiding his entire face in shadow.

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally lifted his head again and spoke softly to Anko Mitarashi: "This matter has nothing to do with you; it is entirely my fault."

"If not for my momentary negligence in letting Orochimaru escape, you would not have had to suffer such pain."

"Rest well!" His voice carried a trace of guilt and self-reproach, as if he were expressing his deepest apologies to Anko Mitarashi.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out to point at Uchiha Chen, who was standing to the side, and continued: "The ninja beside you is named Uchiha Chen; it was he who saved you when you had lost too much blood."

"You two can get to know each other. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Having said this, he slowly turned around, his footsteps appearing heavy and lonely as he walked further and further away, eventually disappearing from sight.

Watching the retreating back of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Chen's heart was filled with disdain and contempt for him.

He knew full well that Hiruzen Sarutobi had intentionally let Orochimaru go, yet here he was, feigning innocence and attempting to deceive this young girl who knew nothing of the truth.

Such hypocrisy made Uchiha Chen feel utterly disgusted.

However, Uchiha Chen did not dwell on this for too long.

He quickly cast the matter from his mind; after all, this was the perfect opportunity to build a rapport with Anko Mitarashi and reduce the difficulties of future conquests.

After all, to experience the personalities and company of the various beauties of the Hokage world, Kotoamatsukami would not directly alter their thoughts, but merely serve as a guarantee.

He turned his head to look at Anko Mitarashi lying on the hospital bed, noticing that she was still immersed in her previous emotions, and took the initiative to break the stalemate.

Uchiha Chen called out softly: "Hey, your name is Anko Mitarashi, right?"

"Can I call you Anko?"

He kept his tone gentle, hoping to use this to close the distance between them.

Hearing this gentle voice, Anko Mitarashi's heart instantly rippled, her previously low spirits stirred in an instant.

Recalling Uchiha Chen's earlier question, her cheeks flushed red like the evening clouds, and she felt incredibly shy, but she immediately forced herself to calm down, deliberately putting on a carefree front as she shouted in response: "Of course you can!"

"You are my savior, after all; just call me Anko from now on! By the way, can I call you Chen as well?"

However, as she continued to speak, her voice grew lower and lower, until by the end it was almost inaudible, as if those words had been forcibly swallowed back into her stomach.

Hearing Anko Mitarashi's reply, the smile at the corner of Uchiha Chen's mouth grew even richer.

He knew that he had successfully left a good impression in her heart.

Immediately following this, Uchiha Chen decided to press his advantage and further close the distance with Anko Mitarashi.

He slowly reached his hand toward the top of her head, gently stroking her hair, and said in a deep voice: "Having heard what you said just now, I want to tell you that you don't need to shoulder burdens that were never yours to bear."

"The sins committed by Orochimaru have nothing to do with you; you are a complete, independent, and autonomous individual."

His tone was firm and powerful, as if he were carving these words deep into her heart.

At this moment, the turbulent emotions in Anko Mitarashi's heart seemed to be blown away by a gentle breeze.

Her thoughts were no longer chaotic, leaving only a sense of clarity. She quietly felt the heart within her chest pounding violently under the warmth of the hand on her head.

This feeling was so wonderful that she couldn't help but move her head slightly, hoping to enjoy this warmth for a little longer.

Uchiha Chen, standing to the side, noticed her small movement and, assuming she didn't like being petted, carefully withdrew his hand.

However, he failed to notice the trace of loss deep within Anko Mitarashi's heart.

When she felt the palm on her head move away, a flicker of imperceptible disappointment flashed through Anko Mitarashi's eyes.

She silently lowered her head, a wave of inexplicable melancholy rising in her heart.

At the same time, Uchiha Chen took out some warm food from his pocket—Three-Color Dango and Red Bean Soup.

He said casually to Anko Mitarashi: "I wonder if you're hungry?"

"I have some Three-Color Dango and Red Bean Soup here; would you like to eat?"

Uchiha Chen naturally knew that someone who had lost too much blood needed to replenish their energy, which is why he specifically brought out this food at this moment.

Moreover, he also intended to use this opportunity to show his thoughtful care and further deepen the bond between them.

He knew that Anko Mitarashi, whose hands were incapacitated, had only him by her side, and would eventually have to accept his kindness and let him feed her personally, which would bring their relationship even closer.

Anko Mitarashi stared wide-eyed at the Three-Color Dango emitting an alluring fragrance before her—it was her favorite thing to eat!

She couldn't help but wonder to herself: did Uchiha Chen just buy this at random, or did he know something and buy it specifically for her?

Just as she was hesitating whether to reach out and take it, she suddenly saw her own mummy-wrapped hands.

Her face flushed slightly, and she said with some embarrassment: "Chen, my hands are a bit inconvenient; could you... feed me?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, a wave of shame washed over her; how could she be such a burden to him?

So she quickly added: "If you can't, then please help me find a nurse to take care of me."

However, Uchiha Chen did not give her a chance to refuse.

Before Anko Mitarashi could finish her sentence, he had already reached out to tear open the packaging, taken out a skewer of Three-Color Dango, carefully brought it to Anko's lips, and coaxed her softly: "Come on, open your mouth, ah~"

Hearing these words, which were like coaxing a child, Anko Mitarashi felt incredibly ashamed, secretly pondering how she might politely decline.

However, her stomach chose this inopportune moment to protest, seemingly crying out in urgent need of nourishment.

Faced with such an awkward situation, Anko Mitarashi's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She closed her eyes, helplessly resigning herself to enjoying this special care.

Time ticked by, and once all the food had been fed to Anko Mitarashi, Uchiha Chen gazed at her slightly weary face and said softly, "I have some matters to attend to; you must rest well."

"Rest assured, I will come to visit you again tomorrow." With that, he turned and left, leaving behind Anko Mitarashi's lingering, reluctant gaze.

The moment he turned away, feeling the eyes fixed upon his back, Uchiha Chen knew he had already left a profound mark on Anko Mitarashi's heart.

Watching Uchiha Chen walk further and further away, Anko Mitarashi fell into deep contemplation.

Although they had known each other for less than a day, in this brief span of time, the warm embrace in the forest, the words of support by her sickbed, and the attentive feeding just now had all moved her deeply.

These beautiful memories flowed through her heart like a clear spring, instantly shattering the painful recollections brought about by Orochimaru.

Suddenly, a thought welled up in her mind—how wonderful it would be if she could marry Chen when she grew up!

The moment this thought appeared, it made Anko Mitarashi blush with embarrassment.

She hurriedly cast the notion from her mind, trying to forget it.

Accompanied by the waves of weakness washing over her body, she gradually drifted into a slumber, as if she might meet Uchiha Chen in her dreams.

No one knew that the thought she had just discarded had somehow transformed into a seed, planted in an unknown corner of Anko Mitarashi's heart, quietly waiting for the day it would take root and sprout.