12dz Chapter 599 Combat
Chapter 599 Combat
He wouldn't foolishly tie his fate to the survival of the village; his life motto was "enjoy my own happy little life." But at this moment, when the Third Hokage uttered words like "the future of Konoha" and "a towering tree," his heart seemed to waver. The fallen comrades, their last words, the figures who sacrificed everything for the village in the war—all flooded his mind like a tide, challenging his long-held indifference and selfishness.
The Third Hokage seemed to sense Zhang Hai's inner struggle. He smiled slightly and said in a kind voice, "You must be tired. Go home and get some rest."
Zhang Hai did not immediately accept this offer. He shook his head, a resolute glint in his eyes: "No. I want to go to the battlefield of Sunagakure and fight alongside my teacher."
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's eyes flashed with surprise. He asked, somewhat puzzled, "You've just gone through a fierce battle, and you're exhausted both physically and mentally. Are you going to the next battlefield so soon? Aren't you... pushing yourself too hard?"
"Fighting alongside my teacher brings me peace of mind," Zhang Hai answered the Third Hokage truthfully. His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable sincerity. Having experienced life and death separations and witnessed the sacrifice of his teammates, the existence of White Fang seemed to have become an anchor for him, allowing him to find solace and direction amidst confusion and pain.
The Third Hokage looked at Zhang Hai, a hint of relief and emotion flashing in his eyes. He sighed, marveling at the depth of their master-disciple bond. He knew how precious it was to have a comrade or senior on the battlefield whom one could completely trust, someone to whom one could even entrust one's life.
"In that case..." The Third Hokage finally agreed to Zhang Hai's request, but he gave a firm order, "However, you must rest well in Konoha for three days. After three days, you can set off again!" His tone was serious and brooked no argument. He knew what a brutal battle Zhang Hai had just experienced; his body and mind were at their limits, and even the strongest body needed to recover.
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Zhang Hai replied respectfully, inwardly relieved. Three days was enough for him.
Leaving the Hokage's office, Zhang Hai removed his mask. He wandered aimlessly down the street. It was dusk in Konoha Village; smoke curled from every chimney, and the streets were bustling with activity. Children laughed and chased each other, a stark contrast to the brutal battlefield he had just witnessed, making him seem utterly out of place. He looked at the clusters of houses with complicated emotions, sighing inwardly, wondering if Konoha would be his final resting place. He had once thought himself a passerby, but unknowingly he had been drawn into a vortex, touched by those simple, genuine emotions.
Just then, a surprised voice came from behind: "Dark...Zhang Hai?"
Zhang Hai turned around at the sound and saw a little girl standing not far away. She looked so lovely that one wanted to hold her close and cherish her. Her bright red eyes were filled with surprise, her cherry-blossom lips were slightly parted, and her delicate nose was slightly wrinkled, creating an innocent and adorable face. It was Kurenai Yuhi, his brief classmate at the ninja academy and also his former teacher.
That face, a face filled with pure surprise and a hint of worry, brought a long-lost ray of sunshine to Zhang Hai's bitter and empty heart. He habitually gave a warm smile, his voice tinged with affection: "Teacher Hong, it's been a long time."
When Yuhi Hong saw Zhang Hai's back, she could hardly believe it. It wasn't until he turned around and revealed that familiar smile, a smile that perfectly overlapped with the image in her memory, that she dared to approach him. Involuntarily, she reached out, wanting to touch Zhang Hai's face to confirm that he had really returned and was truly unharmed.
Having been through many battles, Zhang Hai's body had developed rapidly, and he was already much taller than Yuhi Kurenai. He wisely squatted down, making it easier for Yuhi Kurenai to touch him and for her to examine his face.
Zhang Hai grinned mischievously and asked with a hint of teasing, "So, Teacher Hong, how does it feel? Is it a real person?"
Kurenai realized what she had done and blushed instantly, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears, making her look even more adorable. She quickly pulled her hand back, as if trying to escape this embarrassing situation.
Before Yuhiko could retract her hand, Zhang Hai, with lightning speed, grabbed her delicate hand and, with a startled cry, easily lifted her up. He then swiftly turned and expertly carried her on his back.
"Teacher Hong, do you still remember my back?" Zhang Hai's voice carried a hint of nostalgia, as well as a touch of relief.
Back on that familiar and warm back, Yuhi Hong's heart skipped a beat. Feeling the warmth and strength emanating from Zhang Hai's back, she was speechless for a moment, but her head unconsciously leaned against him, resting against the crook of his neck, feeling the faint warmth of the sun on his body, as if all her unease and worries had vanished.
And so, back to back, their laughter soon filled the air. Kurenai chattered excitedly, telling him about all the funny things that happened at school, the daily life at the ninja academy, the little squabbles between classmates, and her minor annoyances as class representative. Zhang Hai, in turn, shared his experiences gathering intelligence outside, deliberately avoiding the harsh realities of the battlefield, but the local customs and strange tales still captivated Kurenai. For a moment, it seemed they had endless things to say; the awkwardness of not seeing each other for so long vanished instantly, as if they had returned to the carefree days of their childhood.
The two played until dark, when lights came on in every household in the village. Only then did Zhang Hai reluctantly see Xi Rihong off at her doorstep.
Just then, Kurenai Yuhi's father, Kurenai Yuhi, returned from outside and appeared at the door. Upon seeing Zhang Hai, he smiled kindly and invited, "Since you're here, come in and have a meal with us."
Upon hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi immediately looked at Zhang Hai with anticipation, her red eyes filled with longing, as if saying: Stay, stay!
Faced with Xi Ri Hong's sincere and expectant eyes, Zhang Hai found himself unable to refuse. His previously cold heart seemed to melt at that moment. He finally nodded and said, "Well then, thank you for your attention."
The three of them sat around a small table eating. Although it was just a simple home-cooked meal, the scene looked very warm and cozy. Shinku and Akira chatted casually about things in the village, while Kurenai would occasionally steal glances at Akira.