Returning Home
Back at home, Uchiha Tunan immediately started preparing dinner.
Normally, he would cook only two or three dishes, but tonight was different—he prepared eight dishes in one go.
At the dinner table, Sanhe Yuanliang glanced at the spread, a sense of unease creeping over him.
"Why so many dishes today? The two of us can't possibly finish all this."
Uchiha Tunan, while serving a bowl of rice to his grandfather, explained with a calm expression:
"The doctor advised me to make sure you're eating well and getting proper nutrition. If there's anything specific you'd like, just tell me, and I'll cook it for you tomorrow."
Sanhe Yuanliang shook his head.
"I'm not picky. As long as it's warm, it's delicious."
Despite his words, as he picked up his chopsticks, he found himself strangely lacking in appetite. No matter how flavorful the food was, it all tasted like chewing wax.
---
A Strange Night
After dinner, unlike his usual routine of training with Kakashi, Uchiha Tunan stayed home, spending the entire evening chatting with his grandfather while admiring the flowers in the courtyard.
It was a reversal of their usual roles—normally, Sanhe Yuanliang was the one reminiscing about his past as a shinobi, but tonight, Tunan spoke nonstop, filling the air with stories.
As night fell, Uchiha Tunan prepared a foot bath for his grandfather.
Yet, what should have been a quick task stretched on for over two hours.
Sanhe Yuanliang finally sighed, his tone tinged with amusement and exasperation:
"Alright, enough, boy. If you keep rubbing, you'll wash my skin off."
Uchiha Tunan only nodded, his face unreadable, as he carefully drained the water and helped his grandfather to bed.
---
The Midnight Gaze
Late at night.
"Coo… Coo…"
The faint cries of night birds echoed outside the window.
Sanhe Yuanliang, unable to shake a growing feeling of unease, tossed and turned in bed.
Why was Tunan acting so strangely?
Could it be that his health was far worse than he had assumed?
If there was still hope for recovery, Tunan would have insisted he stay in the hospital for treatment. But since he hadn't…
Did that mean his condition was beyond saving?
He frowned. Of course, it made sense. He was an old, crippled shinobi. Decades of battles, a poor diet, and a hard life—his body had taken its toll.
Sanhe Yuanliang let out a quiet sigh and tried to sleep.
Then he heard it.
A faint, slow breathing.
Coming from right next to him.
Years of shinobi training kicked in, and he snapped his eyes open—
And saw a dark silhouette sitting at the head of his bed.
His heart pounded for a split second before he recognized the figure: Uchiha Tunan.
Still, his confusion only deepened.
"Tunan… What are you doing here? Why aren't you asleep?"
In the darkness, Tunan's voice sounded almost distant.
"I just… couldn't sleep. I wanted to look at you a little longer."
Sanhe Yuanliang exhaled slowly.
He felt an ache in his chest, but not from illness—from realization.
"Tell me the truth, boy. Is something wrong with my body?"
Uchiha Tunan immediately shook his head, his tone firm.
"No, Grandpa. Everything's fine. Don't overthink it. Just go back to sleep. I'll sleep in a bit."
Sanhe Yuanliang stared at his grandson's shadowed face for a long moment before nodding.
"Alright…"
In the dim light, Tunan continued watching him in silence.
Sanhe Yuanliang tried to close his eyes again, but sleep never came.
---
A Tour of Konoha
The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Uchiha Tunan pushed Sanhe Yuanliang through Konoha in his wheelchair.
"Grandpa, look! That's where I go to school."
Sanhe Yuanliang chuckled.
"The Academy still looks as grand as ever."
"And over there! That's the Hokage Building—Lord Hokage works inside."
Sanhe Yuanliang's gaze softened.
"Looks like they've renovated it again."
Tunan kept pointing things out, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, but Sanhe Yuanliang simply smiled faintly, responding only with short nods.
---
A Final Lesson
At lunchtime, Uchiha Tunan once again prepared a table full of dishes.
Sanhe Yuanliang took only a few bites before setting his chopsticks down.
His voice, now laced with exhaustion, carried an air of acceptance.
"Tunan… aren't you going to train with Kakashi this afternoon?"
Uchiha Tunan hesitated before shaking his head.
"No, Grandpa. I'd rather spend more time with you."
Sanhe Yuanliang reached out, patting his grandson's hand.
"I don't need you to stay with me all the time. Go train. I can manage."
Tunan bit his lip for a moment before finally nodding.
"Alright."
Before leaving, he slipped a red envelope into his grandfather's jacket pocket, his expression filled with concern.
"Grandpa, if you ever feel unwell, ask a neighbor for help immediately. And when you do… give them this envelope. That way, they'll take extra care of you."
Sanhe Yuanliang smiled gently.
"Alright, alright. Now go. Don't worry about me."
Tunan nodded reluctantly and finally left.
For nearly ten minutes, Sanhe Yuanliang remained seated in silence, staring at the red envelope in his pocket.
Then, with newfound determination, he wheeled himself out of the house and toward Konoha Hospital.
---
The Truth at Konoha Hospital
Half an hour later, Sanhe Yuanliang found himself in the doctor's office.
The doctor looked up in mild surprise.
"Oh? You're here alone today?"
Sanhe Yuanliang nodded.
"I came to ask about my condition."
The doctor's expression faltered for just a moment.
Then, with a forced smile, he said:
"Your health is fine. Nothing to worry about."
Sanhe Yuanliang narrowed his eyes.
"How long do I have to live?"
The doctor stiffened. His eyes flickered to the side for just a second—a clear hesitation.
"Ah… well… based on my medical experience, you could live to be one hundred years old."
Sanhe Yuanliang observed him carefully.
His voice grew quiet.
"This isn't a white lie, is it?"
The doctor laughed nervously.
"Of course not! You're in great shape."
Sanhe Yuanliang sighed.
In that moment, he understood everything.
"...I see. Thank you, doctor."
He turned his wheelchair and slowly left the office.
Behind him, the doctor called out:
"Make sure to eat well and rest! Keeping a good mood is key!"
Sanhe Yuanliang didn't respond.
As he returned home, he quietly retrieved a chakra dagger from its place on the wall.
His fingers ran across the blade's edge, deep in thought.
"So, my time is almost up. No wonder Tunan has been acting so strangely…"
His grip tightened.
"I need to pass down the Three Combination Sword Technique before it's too late. That way, I'll have no regrets."