Chapter 127: The Flower-Selling Girl, Ino

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Konoha Shinobi Hospital

"Sasuke, I heard..." Sakura Haruno trailed off, hesitating to continue. She stared at Sasuke Uchiha's bruised face before exclaiming angrily, "This is just too much!"

"I'm fine."

Though still emotionally drained, Sasuke had gained some clarity after Naruto Uzumaki's beating. He now had a goal: to train harder, defeat Itachi Uchiha, and demand answers—why had he killed their father?

Thanks to Sasame's intervention, Mikoto Uchiha and the others were missing, not dead. This gave Sasuke another reason to live—to find the remaining Uchiha who had escaped the night before.

"As for these injuries... Naruto did this."

Sasuke wasn't one to lie, even if it was embarrassing.

"???"

Sakura and Ino Yamanaka simultaneously turned their heads toward Naruto.

"Uh... well..."

Naruto hadn't expected this. He fumbled for words.

"Hey, Naruto! Explain yourself!" Sakura shot up, veins bulging on her forehead like a protective mother tiger. "After what Sasuke just went through, how could you hit him?!"

Sasuke almost laughed but winced as the movement tugged at his bruised face.

"Sasuke!" Sakura rushed to his side, fussing over him. "Does it hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine," Sasuke replied flatly. "Don't blame Naruto. I agreed to it."

"???"

Sakura's mind raced.

Don't blame Naruto? He agreed? What the hell happened while I was gone?!

Damn it!

Can Naruto even have kids? No!

In her mind, Sakura viciously pummeled Naruto.

Meanwhile, Ino couldn't help but smirk.

Knowing Naruto, he wouldn't attack Sasuke without reason. And Sasuke's calm demeanor after such a tragedy? That fight must have meant something.

Naruto… seems like an idiot, but he's actually pretty thoughtful.

"Hey, looks lively in here."

The door opened, and Sasame stepped in, smiling at the four of them.

Ino's eyes lit up instantly. She stood, wanting to say something but holding back—now wasn't the time.

"Sasuke, I brought you apples."

Sasame placed a fruit basket on the bedside table.

"I'll peel them!" Sakura seized the opportunity, grabbing an apple and a knife.

"Why hasn't a medic-nin come yet?" Sasame glanced at Sasuke.

"The nurse said they're busy and will come later," Naruto quickly explained. "Plus, we came too early—some aren't even on duty yet."

Yeah, way too early.

Sasuke had woken up, they'd fought, and now here they were.

Just as Sasame was about to pull some strings to call Shizune, the door opened again.

"Director?"

He stood to greet her. "Why are you here?"

Yakushi Nonō was now the deputy director of Konoha Hospital.

For minor injuries like Sasuke's, any ordinary medic-nin could handle it. Even with just medicine, he'd recover in a few days.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." Nonō smiled warmly, glancing at Sakura and the others. "You always get along so well with kids."

"Big bro, who's she?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Yakushi Nonō, deputy director of Konoha Hospital and head of the orphanage," Sasame introduced. "I grew up there, so we're close."

Orphanage?

The four in the room reacted differently.

Naruto was hearing this for the first time.

Sasame had always seemed warm and bright—nothing about him screamed "orphan." And with his wealth, Naruto had assumed he was some rich heir.

Now, he felt a kinship. We're both orphans.

Ino's heart clenched.

Her natural empathy made her ache for him.

So sad…

I want to hug him and comfort him.

Cough.

Her face flushed, and she quickly looked away.

"Anyway, let's treat Sasuke first."

Nonō approached, placing her hands on Sasuke's battered face. Green chakra flowed, healing the bruises swiftly.

Sakura watched, wishing she could be the one doing that.

Wait… Why don't I learn medical ninjutsu? Then I can heal Sasuke every day… hehe…

"You should prepare yourselves," Nonō said, withdrawing her hands. "The Hokage will be here soon."

Sasuke remained impassive, unfazed by the mention of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But Naruto's expression shifted slightly.

That morning, he'd heard rumors—the Uchiha massacre was retaliation for the Uchiha killing Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Seinosuke.

True or false?

Naruto couldn't tell.

He'd actually liked Seinosuke. The man had taught him earnestly, holding nothing back.

But now he was gone.

Naruto fell silent.

He'd planned to visit Sasuke first, then Seinosuke. But the fight had delayed him.

Not wanting to endure Hiruzen's fake sympathy, Sasame left with Nonō.

"Director, how have you been?"

"Quite well."

Nonō sighed softly.

She hadn't told Sasame she was a Root spy—always trapped, never free.

But after Sasame became Tsunade's student and arranged her transfer to Konoha Hospital, Hiruzen had released her from her spy duties.

Danzō Shimura was furious, but he wouldn't clash with Hiruzen over one Yakushi Nonō—especially with Tsunade involved.

The orphanage had also been rebuilt thanks to Yakushi Kabuto.

All thanks to Sasame. Now, I'm truly free.

"A little girl is looking for you."

Nonō spotted Ino rushing out of the room and chuckled. "I'll head back to my office. But let me give you some advice—pick one, or you'll have problems."

She remembered the last girl Sasame had brought—Hinata Hyūga, the heiress of the Hyūga main family.

Not someone just anyone can handle.

And now another girl?

"Director, you've got it wrong. I've only met Ino twice," Sasame quickly defended.

I'm not a lolicon! Seriously!

Nonō smiled knowingly and walked away.

Sasame grimaced.

Great. My image is ruined in her eyes.

"Hi, I'm Ino Yamanaka."

Once Nonō was gone, Ino hurried over, cheeks tinged pink from excitement and shyness.

"Why the sudden introduction?" Sasame blinked, then laughed. "We've met before. Did you forget?"

"No, no!"

Flustered, Ino waved her hands. "Last time was rushed, so I didn't properly introduce myself!"

"Don't worry about it."

Sasame studied her cute face, reminded of Hinata—though their personalities were worlds apart.

"My mom says manners are important when meeting people."

Ino scrambled for an excuse.

If Sakura were here, she'd have choked.

Since when does Ino care about manners?!

"Expected from a major clan."

Sasame played along. "Honestly, I already knew your name."

"Really?" Ino's eyes widened.

Wow, he's so handsome.

The thought slipped in unbidden.

"Yeah."

Sasame nodded. "You, Chōji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara are the new Ino-Shika-Chō. Soon, you'll be as famous as your fathers."

Ino beamed.

He knows about me! Happy!

If this were the past, two words would sum it up: fangirling.

Not that she cared about being demure.

Appreciating beauty was human nature—whether guy or girl.

Facing a handsome guy was the same as facing a pretty girl.

"I'm about to leave. Want to come?"

Sasame casually invited her.

"Yes!"

Ino didn't hesitate.

Delaying even a second would be an insult to his looks.

"Weren't you here to see Sasuke?"

Sasame chuckled. "Isn't leaving straight away a bit rude?"

"I came with Sakura. She's the one who likes Sasuke."

Ino threw her best friend under the bus without remorse.

"Then let's head to your place."

Ino's eyes nearly popped out. Her face turned scarlet.

Isn't this too fast?!

"Sorry, I meant to buy some flowers from your shop."

Noticing her reaction, Sasame quickly clarified.

"Oh."

Ino exhaled, then perked up.

Flowers? Her specialty! Time to show off.

The Ino-Shika-Chō trio each had their own businesses:

Yamanaka: Flowers.

Nara: Medicine.

Akimichi: Lots (because, let's face it, they ate a lot).

Most major clans had their own trades, handled by non-shinobi members.

But Ino was rare—she ran her own flower shop.

Her mother was a civilian, after all.

Soon, they arrived at Yamanaka Flowers.

"Mom!"

Ino called out as they entered.

"Ino, back so soon?"

Misa Yamanaka stood up, spotting Sasame. "Brought a friend?"

"No, he's Naruto's brother. Here to buy flowers."

Naruto has a brother?

Misa studied her daughter's expression. "What kind of flowers?"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it!"

Ino waved her off, not wanting her mother to interfere.

"Ah."

Misa smirked knowingly.

"Different flowers suit different occasions. Who are they for?"

Ino asked, leading Sasame through the shop.

"For a funeral."

Sasame shrugged. "I'm buying them for my teacher."

Whether for Fugaku Uchiha's funeral or Seinosuke's, flowers were needed.

Even if he didn't attend, Tsunade would.

This purchase was a spur-of-the-moment decision after meeting Ino.

"Funerals usually use white flowers—white chrysanthemums, lilies, or carnations."

Ino expertly listed options.

"White chrysanthemums, then."

Sasame scanned the shop. "I'll take all you have."

"Huh?"

Ino looked up. "For Sasuke?"

This many flowers weren't for one person—they were for a group.

Only the Uchiha fit that right now.

"Yeah."

Sasame nodded. "Have them delivered to my teacher's place."

"Address, please."

Ino whipped out paper and pen, as if she'd been ready.

"You don't know who my teacher is?"

Sasame found it odd—he was fairly well-known.

Hiruzen had even promoted him years ago.

But maybe she'd been too young to remember.

"Um… sorry."

Ino panicked—she really didn't know.

"No need to apologize for something like this."

Sasame wrote down the address. "Just remember next time. Feel free to visit me sometime."

"Okay!"

Ino's mood lifted instantly.

He invited me over!

She checked the address and froze—it was Lady Tsunade's home.

In Konoha, Tsunade was legendary.

And for many kunoichi, she was an idol—Ino included.

Now, she was ecstatic.

Two happy things at once—double the joy!

"See you next time."

Sasame smiled and turned to leave.

His shadow clone had already dispersed, returning with intel—Orochimaru's secret hideout.

Thanks to Sasame's manipulations, Orochimaru hadn't defected yet.

But housing bloodline heirs and conducting experiments required space—space outside Konoha.

Sasame teleported to the border of Fire and Rice Country.

Entering Sage Mode, he sensed a massive underground chamber—Orochimaru's base.

Orochimaru wasn't there, but several shinobi were.

Sasame's target? Shin Uchiha.

After planning to lure Orochimaru out, he'd pondered what would bait him best.

With the Curse Mark, Reanimation, and Wood Release already researched, Jugo and Yamato were irrelevant now.

Only one thing remained: the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Seeing Danzō's new arm had reminded Sasame of Shin—a disposable pawn with a usable Mangekyō.

Perfect for Kabuto.

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