Rika's Entrustment

Nearly three years had passed since Hyuuga Nen developed the Cell Activation Forbidden Technique.

During these three years, Hyuuga Nen had inscribed the Four Symbols Seal and the Seal of Resilience within the primary organs of his respiratory system, allowing this forbidden technique to execute automatically within his body.

Now that Hyuuga Nen had completed the reinforcement of his respiratory system, he immediately felt the differences compared to before.

The most significant improvement was in his cardiopulmonary endurance and stamina; he could now hold his breath for a long time after taking a full inhalation, or slow his breathing frequency to a minimum, entering a state similar to suspended animation.

It took three years to complete the reinforcement of the respiratory system; this progress is a bit slow. However, according to my calculations, as the reinforcement of other systems is completed, the cultivation speed of this forbidden technique will become faster and faster. The time to finally complete this technique should not exceed ten years.

Next is the reinforcement of the circulatory system. Once I'm ready, I'll inscribe the sealing technique onto my heart.

As he thought this, Hyuuga Nen walked toward the Samurai Garrison; he had just completed a mission and was preparing to go back and rest.

Just as he reached the entrance of the garrison, Hyuuga Nen saw Miyaichi running over with an anxious expression.

"Nen, it's bad! Your mother is very ill; it seems, it seems she's about to pass!" Miyaichi handed a letter to Hyuuga Nen, speaking to him with a slight stutter at the end.

Hearing this, Hyuuga Nen's originally relaxed face immediately became tense. He opened the letter and read it quickly.

It turned out to be a letter sent by Rika's neighbor, mentioning that Rika was very ill and wanted to see Hyuuga Nen one last time.

"Thank you, Miyaichi. I need to go home immediately. Please trouble yourself to tell Master Yuichiro for me."

After saying this, without waiting for Miyaichi's reply, Hyuuga Nen ran quickly toward his home.

The Samurai Garrison was not far from Hyuuga Nen's home, and running at full speed, Hyuuga Nen arrived home in less than half an hour.

Upon entering Rika's room, Hyuuga Nen saw the neighbor auntie taking care of Rika. Seeing Hyuuga Nen, the auntie trotted over, grabbed Hyuuga Nen's hand, and said nervously:

"Nen, your mother is very ill this time and might not make it. Go see her for the last time!"

Hyuuga Nen thanked the neighbor auntie and let her leave first, then walked to Rika's bedside alone.

Rika had already fallen into a coma, her face devoid of any color, and there were several blood-stained handkerchiefs by the bedside.

Hyuuga Nen held Rika's hand while examining her, and the more he examined her, the deeper his brows furrowed.

Damn it, Mother's condition this time is more serious than ever, and it's deteriorating extremely fast!

Hyuuga Nen looked at Rika with a sorrowful gaze while quickly performing treatment on her. He first used the Extraction of Malady Technique to draw out the pathogens from Rika's body, then used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat the areas injured by her illness.

After the treatment, Rika regained consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Hyuuga Nen watching her.

"Nen, you're back. I've made you worry," Rika said weakly. After speaking, she slowly reached out her hand, as if wanting to stroke Hyuuga Nen's face.

Hyuuga Nen grabbed Rika's hand and said softly to her, "Mother, don't talk for now. Get some rest."

"I know my situation very well. After all, I am a doctor. I am about to die, and there are some things that if I don't say now, I won't have the chance to say later."

Hyuuga Nen lowered his head, not refuting Rika's words, as if he had already accepted her meaning.

"From childhood to adulthood, I have rarely seen you smile. You always seem to be thinking about other things. Perhaps it is your nature, or perhaps it is the pressure brought upon you by your status."

"I don't know what to do about this situation, and I have no way to help you."

"Although you have a father, he is not by your side, and I couldn't give you a complete family. But I have fulfilled a mother's greatest responsibility to take care of you; I hope you won't blame me."

Rika spoke very slowly, and every few sentences, she had to stop to rest, but Hyuuga Nen listened carefully to every word she said.

"Mother, you have taken very good care of me. You taught me to read and write, and taught me about herbs, so I never had to worry about life. I have never blamed you."

Hyuuga Nen squeezed Rika's hand tightly and said to her earnestly.

Hearing Hyuuga Nen's words, tears of joy flowed from the corners of Rika's eyes. She struggled to sit up and gently hugged Hyuuga Nen.

Rika whispered in Hyuuga Nen's ear, "Nen, how do you view your father? Do you hate him?"

Hearing Rika's words, Hyuuga Nen was silent for a while, but decided to tell the truth.

"I have never hated him. To me, he is just a stranger. Although he gave me life and provided the resources for my cultivation, allowing me to become a ninja, his irresponsible behavior brought danger to you and me, so I will not be grateful to him either."

Rika was silent for a while, as if she hadn't expected Hyuuga Nen to answer this way. She sighed, "As long as you don't hate him, that's enough. I never dared to ask you before what you thought of your father because I was afraid of hearing your answer. But since you can answer me like this, I am relieved."

"What about you? Do you hate him?" Hyuuga Nen asked.

"During this time of my illness, I have thought about many things—the few times I met your father, and the process of giving birth to you. Perhaps your father never liked me; he only used me."

Hyuuga Nen turned his head to look at Rika's profile, seemingly surprised that she would answer this way.

"Although I am no longer deceiving myself, I still don't hate your father."

"I still remember when I encountered bandits in my hometown, your father saved me and the villagers like a hero. I still like your father."

"But if he could say one 'I'm sorry' to me, that would be even better."

Hearing Rika's answer, Hyuuga Nen did not speak, but gently patted Rika's back.

After a while, Rika continued, "Nen, over these years, I have also heard some things about the Hyuga Clan. I don't know what your future path will be like, but I think it must be very difficult."

"I have no way to help you, and I might even become a burden to you. If I die now, it might even be a good thing for you. Promise me you will live well, okay?"

Hearing Rika's words, Hyuuga Nen's body stiffened for a moment. After a while, he replied, "I promise you, I will definitely live well!"

After waiting for a while, Hyuuga Nen heard no more from Rika. He helped her lie back down and found that she had fallen asleep. Hyuuga Nen let her rest on the bed and watched her quietly.

Mother's life is coming to an end. Even if I were confident enough to perform thoracic surgery on her now, I could not save her life.

The long-term illness had exhausted Rika's vitality, Hyuuga Nen thought with a touch of sorrow.

Even if the surgery were successful, Hyuuga Nen using medical ninjutsu to stimulate her cells to divide would only accelerate the depletion of her lifespan.

"I'm sorry!"

Hyuuga Nen looked at Rika and said softly.

At this moment, Hyuuga Nen thought of the fate mentioned by some of the characters in the original story. Is this fate? Hyuuga Nen muttered to himself, "No, I do not believe in so-called fate!"

Hyuuga Nen stayed in the room for the entire night, watching as Rika's life reached its end. He handled Rika's body, placed it into a Storage Scroll, and then prepared a fake corpse to inform Rika's neighbors and friends of her passing.

Hyuuga Nen spent half a day settling Rika's funeral arrangements and dealing with the belongings she left behind. He left the home where he had lived for over a decade and walked alone toward the Samurai Garrison.