12dz Chapter 682 Eat up, don't be shy.
Chapter 682 Eat up, don't be shy.
He picked up his chopsticks, placed a piece of sushi in the silent bowl, and said, "Eat up, don't be shy."
Shizune hesitated for a moment, but finally picked up her chopsticks and began to eat in small bites. The moment she took her first bite of sushi, a look of satisfaction spread across her face. The taste of these dishes was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
Watching Jingyin wolf down her food, Zhang Hai felt a sense of relief. He picked up his chopsticks and ate with her, chatting as they ate. He asked her about her studies at school, what she liked to eat, and what she didn't. Jingyin gradually lowered her guard and began sharing interesting stories from her school days with Zhang Hai.
As they ate and chatted, the atmosphere in the restaurant became warm and inviting. A long-lost smile finally appeared on Shizune's face. She felt that the man before her, though somewhat mysterious, brought her an unprecedented sense of warmth and security. Zhang Hai, too, sensed a sense of responsibility in Shizune's smile, a trust placed in him by Kato Dan.
……
As night fell and the city lights began to twinkle, the streets of Konoha Village remained bustling with activity. Zhang Hai and Jingyin enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at the restaurant. Jingyin's tummy was round and full, and a satisfied smile graced her face. The leftovers were carefully packed up and carried heavily in their hands.
"Uncle Zhang Hai, thank you," Jingyin said softly, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Zhang Hai patted her head and said gently, "You're welcome, Jingyin. From now on, follow your uncle, and I'll make sure you have enough to eat every day."
However, after they had eaten and drunk their fill, Zhang Hai didn't take Jingyin home directly. Instead, he brought her back to Konoha Hospital. Jingyin looked at him with some confusion but didn't ask any questions. She simply followed closely behind him.
When they arrived at the secret door to Tsunade's laboratory again, Shizune's body visibly stiffened. Although the warm atmosphere in the restaurant had somewhat lessened her fear, the eerie laboratory had left a very deep impression on her.
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Hai raised his foot and kicked the heavy iron door with a loud "bang." The enormous sound echoed through the silent corridor, sounding particularly jarring.
"Who is it?!"
Tsunade's furious roar immediately came from inside the door, followed by the iron door being yanked open again. Tsunade, wearing her white coat stained with unidentified dirt, appeared angrily in the doorway. Her long blonde hair was somewhat disheveled, and veins bulged on her forehead, clearly provoked by Zhang Hai's rude behavior.
When Tsunade saw Zhang Hai standing at the door, her eyes turned even more dangerous. "It's you again?! Wasn't it enough that you brought that sickly child here? Now you've brought another brat to cause trouble?! Do you think I haven't done enough research?!" Her voice carried the suppressed tension of a volcano about to erupt.
Zhang Hai was not intimidated by Tsunade's anger at all. He simply pushed Shizune forward from behind him, making her stand in front of Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, please calm down," Zhang Hai said calmly, pointing to Shizune. "I've come to introduce you. This is Shizune, Lord Kato Dan's niece."
Upon hearing the name "Kato Dan," Tsunade's previously volatile emotions instantly froze. She abruptly turned to Shizune, the anger in her eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by a complex mix of emotions. Her gaze fell upon Shizune's innocent face, her eyes filled with a hint of pity, a trace of reminiscence, and an unspeakable sadness.
She reached out and gently stroked Shizune's hair. Shizune was taken aback by Tsunade's sudden action, but she could feel the warmth contained in that gentle touch.
"So you're Duan's niece..." Tsunade's voice became low and hoarse, tinged with a hint of emotion. She slowly knelt down, meeting Shizune's gaze at her, her eyes filled with tenderness. "How have you been these past years?"
Jingyin shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears again.
Seeing Tsunade's change in attitude, Zhang Hai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his plan was half successful. He seized the opportunity to step forward and said sincerely, "Lady Tsunade, Shizune is living alone now, and it's not convenient for me to take care of her all the time. You are Konoha's top medical ninja. If Shizune could learn from you, it would not only give her a place to live, but also give her the opportunity to become an excellent medical ninja in the future, carrying on Lord Kato Dan's legacy."
Tsunade frowned again upon hearing Zhang Hai's words. Although she felt some pity for Kato Dan's niece, having her take in a child was clearly not part of her plan. Her laboratory was fraught with danger; the various medicines, poisons, and experimental equipment were not things a child could handle.
"What? You want me to take her in?" Tsunade said somewhat reluctantly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. "Do you think my lab is a kindergarten? It's full of dangers, and accidents could happen at any moment. Besides, I don't have time to take care of a child."
Zhang Hai had anticipated Tsunade's reaction, and he continued to persuade her, "Lady Tsunade, Shizune is a very intelligent child, and she also has a certain talent for medical ninjutsu. You just need to let her stay by your side and learn from her, occasionally giving her some pointers. Of course, if it's really inconvenient for you, you can also let her help you with some tasks within her capabilities. This way, you'll have one more helper."
Tsunade hesitated for a moment. Looking into Shizune's longing eyes and thinking of Dan Kato's sacrifice back then, she finally softened.
"Alright, since you've brought her here, I'll let her learn from me for a couple of days and see." Tsunade finally agreed, but her tone carried a hint of reluctance. "If she doesn't adapt, or causes me trouble, then you can take her away!"
Upon hearing Tsunade's words, Shizune's previously dim eyes instantly lit up. She looked at Tsunade with delight, her little face filled with excitement and admiration. "Really?! Lady Tsunade! Can I learn from you?!" she exclaimed, almost jumping for joy. "I've heard from the villagers since I was little that you are Konoha's greatest medical ninja! It would be such an honor to learn from you!"
Looking into Shizune's adoring eyes, Tsunade's lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile. Although she appeared unwilling, she was still somewhat pleased by Shizune's sincere praise.
Seeing Shizune's reaction, Zhang Hai breathed a long sigh of relief. His plan had finally succeeded. Shizune learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade would not only ensure her safety but also give her a bright future.