CHAPTER 124: RECONCILING WITH YAHIKO

Jiraiya’s body trembled at the familiar voice. He immediately turned around. He saw a figure running along the coastline towards him. It was Haruki.

Haruki waved at Jiraiya as he ran towards him.

[Ding!]

[System detected Jiraiya’s Nostalgia Value +3000.]

[Ding!]

[System detected Nagato’s Nostalgia Value +3000.]

[Ding!]

[System detected Konan’s Nostalgia Value +3000.]

[Ding!]

[System detected Yahiko’s Nostalgia Value +3000.]

[A total of 12000 Nostalgia Value has been collected. Your Cursed Spirit Choso’s rank has increased to 58.9%.]

Nagato’s eyes, hidden by his red bangs, widened. He stared intently at Haruki, who was running towards them.

"It’s Haruki!" Konan’s cries were mixed with deep surprise.

Her eyes sparkled with joyful tears, and a brilliant smile bloomed on her face.

Jiraiya’s lips also curved slightly as he watched Haruki rushing towards them. He was satisfied to be able to bid a proper farewell to the four of them before leaving.

Only Yahiko had a strange expression, as if he wanted to look but didn’t. He turned his face away, but his pupils involuntarily glanced in Haruki’s direction.

Watching Haruki’s approaching figure, Nagato couldn’t help but take two steps forward.

The next second.

Haruki embraced him tightly. Nagato’s pupils widened as he felt a long-lost warmth.

"Nagato! Long time no see. I missed you very much." Haruki patted Nagato’s back.

[Ding!]

[System detected Nagato’s Affection Value +5000.]

[Your Love Curse growth value has increased to 23.5%.]

Haruki’s smile grew even brighter. He released Nagato and embraced Jiraiya, who was the second closest to him.

"Jiraiya-sensei! I missed you so much." Haruki patted Jiraiya’s back, sharing his affection equally.

Jiraiya grinned, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"I missed you too. I’ve heard a lot about you." Jiraiya winked mischievously at Haruki.

Haruki scratched his head awkwardly, shyly lowering his head. "Jiraiya-sensei, don’t listen to rumors, all rumors are false."

[Ding!]

[System detected Jiraiya’s Nostalgia Value +3000.]

[Your Cursed Spirit Choso’s rank has increased to 59.2%.]

Jiraiya smiled without speaking. The reliability of rumors was indeed not high, but that didn’t mean all rumors were unreliable. Jiraiya believed some of the rumors.

"Konan!"

Haruki extended his hands towards Konan.

Konan sobbed and hugged Haruki tightly.

"This is great. Haruki, you’re back. I was so worried about you."

Konan’s tears soaked Haruki’s clothes.

[Ding!]

[System detected Konan’s Affection Value +5000.]

[Your Love Curse growth value has increased to 24%.]

Haruki’s eyes crinkled in a smile.

Excellent!

They were all big fat sheep!

Haruki gently wiped away Konan’s tears. He never got tired of using the same rhetoric.

"Konan, I missed you too."

Konan smiled at Haruki. As long as Haruki was back in one piece, it was good.

Haruki finally looked at Yahiko.

"Yahiko..."

As soon as he spoke, Yahiko immediately turned his back.

"You... don’t think I missed you!"

Yahiko shouted loudly, trying to cover his true feelings.

Haruki: "..."

He stared at Yahiko’s increasingly red ears. He couldn’t imagine what Yahiko’s front face looked like.

"I know..."

Haruki stared at the back of Yahiko’s head and said, "I just wanted to say, whether you missed me or not, I missed you very much."

Yahiko, witnessed by Jiraiya, Konan, and Nagato, turned purple with embarrassment, like an eggplant.

[Ding!]

[System detected Yahiko’s Affection Value +5000.]

[Your Love Curse growth value has increased to 24.5%.]

"Want a hug?"

Haruki stared at the back of Yahiko’s head.

What a spectacle!

Yahiko’s head started to smoke.

Jiraiya had a kind smile on his face.

"Wuwu..."

Yahiko let out an uncontrollable sob, turned around, and hugged Haruki tightly. Actually, he was also very sad when he argued with Haruki. He didn’t want to argue with Haruki at all.

Haruki was once the person who understood him best. Why did he join Hanzo?

Fortunately, the old Haruki was back. He never wanted to argue with Haruki again. It was too painful.

[Ding!]

[System detected Yahiko’s Nostalgia Value +10000.]

[Your Cursed Spirit Choso’s rank has increased to 60.2%.]

Haruki was almost strangled by Yahiko. What was even more terrifying was that Yahiko had no intention of letting go.

Was this Yahiko’s revenge?

Haruki’s eyes rolled back.

Haruki broke free from Yahiko’s grasp. He took a deep breath, rehydrating his parched lungs.

Yahiko, with a bright red head, gently patted Haruki’s back.

"Are you alright?" He asked stiffly.

Haruki gasped a couple of times and showed Yahiko a mouthful of white teeth. "I’m fine. What could be wrong? I was just overwhelmed by your affection. I can do it again."

He extended his hands towards Yahiko. The awkwardness in Yahiko’s heart instantly vanished without a trace. He couldn’t help but smile, punching Haruki’s shoulder with a slight hint of disdain.

"Who wants to hug you a second time?"

Konan chuckled. She watched Yahiko and Haruki reconcile, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

It was great!

It was really great!

Haruki being able to return, Haruki and Yahiko being able to reconcile...

Everything was just perfect.

"Haruki, you’ve returned at just the right time. I have something to tell you." Jiraiya’s hand rested on Haruki’s head.

Haruki looked at Jiraiya, he pursed his lips. "Jiraiya-sensei, are you leaving?"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow in surprise, he quickly realized Haruki’s growth.

How could Haruki not have grown after being with Hanzo for a year?

Even if he was a former enemy, Jiraiya had to admit that Hanzo was a formidable figure. He deserved the title of Demigod of the Ninja World.

"Yes." Jiraiya nodded.

"It’s great to be able to formally say goodbye to you." Jiraiya said seriously.

"Don’t look so down."

Jiraiya ruffled Haruki’s and Yahiko’s hair and said, "We’ll have a chance to meet again."

"Before I officially leave, let me test the results of your training."

Jiraiya looked at Haruki and said, "I’m very curious about your current strength."

Jiraiya thought for a moment and added, "First, let’s agree, your curses cannot participate."

(End of Chapter)

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