Sanhe Yuanliang looked at the table full of dishes, took a deep breath, and sighed:
"Tunan, when will you test your chakra nature? Have you checked if you have Wind Release?"
Uchiha Tunan, who was finishing his last bite of rice, chewed thoughtfully before responding:
"I already tested it a while ago. I have Water, Earth, Fire, and Lightning attributes, but no Wind."
Sanhe Yuanliang froze for a moment before asking again, as if unwilling to believe it:
"Are you absolutely sure?"
Uchiha Tunan nodded firmly, picking at the remaining grains of rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.
"Yes. It's already confirmed."
Sanhe Yuanliang suddenly felt an inexplicable emptiness in his heart. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again:
"I went to see the doctor today."
Uchiha Tunan's hand paused for a fraction of a second, but his expression remained unchanged. He lifted his gaze slightly and asked:
"What did the doctor say?"
Sanhe Yuanliang smiled gently, his expression warm and reassuring.
"Everything that needed to be said has been said."
For a moment, Uchiha Tunan's face darkened. The chopsticks in his hand stopped midair before he silently resumed poking at his empty bowl, as if searching for something that wasn't there.
Sanhe Yuanliang sighed softly, then forced a smile.
"There's nothing left in your bowl, let me serve you some more."
But Uchiha Tunan put down his chopsticks, grabbed a napkin, and wiped his mouth. His hand trembled slightly.
Then, without warning—
Crash!
Uchiha Tunan suddenly swept all the dishes off the table, sending plates and bowls shattering to the floor. His face turned red with suppressed emotions, veins bulging slightly on his neck as he struggled to control his breathing.
For a long moment, the room was silent.
Then, Uchiha Tunan inhaled deeply and said in a chillingly calm voice:
"I'll go settle this with him."
Sanhe Yuanliang frowned and shouted sharply:
"Tunan! Calm yourself!"
Uchiha Tunan clenched his jaw, then suddenly squatted down, covering his eyes with one hand as his body trembled.
Sanhe Yuanliang's eyes filled with sorrow. He wheeled himself closer and gently stroked Uchiha Tunan's hair, his voice soothing.
"Ah… everyone dies eventually, my boy."
But Uchiha Tunan shook his head violently, his voice breaking into a whimper:
"No… it's my fault. I bring misfortune. If it weren't for me, you would've lived a long and healthy life…"
Sanhe Yuanliang sighed, shaking his head.
"Tunan, this has nothing to do with you. If you weren't here, I would've just died alone in my home, unnoticed, my body rotting away before anyone found me."
He smiled faintly.
"At least in these final days, I have you by my side."
Uchiha Tunan clenched his fists, then suddenly looked up, eyes determined. He grabbed Sanhe Yuanliang's hand.
"No! You're not dying! I'll find a better doctor—someone truly skilled!"
Sanhe Yuanliang gazed at him with pity and shook his head.
"Tunan, you need to accept reality. Don't waste your money on a lost cause."
"No! It has to be a mistake!"
"Alright, alright…" Sanhe Yuanliang sighed, giving in. "If that's what makes you feel better, then do whatever you must. Just stay with me."
---
The Next Few Days
Uchiha Tunan never left Sanhe Yuanliang's side.
Before dawn, he would push his wheelchair around the village, showing him the sights.
In the afternoon, they would sit in the yard, chatting under the shade.
At night, when Sanhe Yuanliang was asleep, Uchiha Tunan would silently stand by his bedside, watching over him.
Day by day, Sanhe Yuanliang's health visibly declined.
His speech grew weaker. At times, he would hallucinate, mistaking shadows for people long gone.
---
Seeking Help
One day, Uchiha Tunan went to the Hokage's Office and found Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As he stepped inside, he saw Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the Hokage's son, casually perched on his father's desk, sipping tea from Hiruzen's personal cup.
Upon seeing Uchiha Tunan enter, Shinnosuke quickly stood up, smiling like an older brother.
"Tunan, what brings you here?"
Uchiha Tunan knelt respectfully before Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, Grandpa Yuanliang's condition is worsening. I wish to issue a mission to find a medical ninja who can properly examine him."
Hiruzen exhaled a long puff of smoke from his pipe, glancing at Shinnosuke.
Shinnosuke caught the signal immediately. He stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Tunan's shoulder.
"Tunan, there's no need to go through the mission system for something like this. I know an excellent medical ninja—one of the best. Let's go see him now. I promise, he'll do his best for my sake."
Uchiha Tunan stared into Shinnosuke's seemingly sincere eyes, his expression touched.
"Then… I will trouble you, Shinnosuke-senpai."
"Let's go. I'll take you to him personally."
With that, Shinnosuke led Uchiha Tunan out of the office.
As they left, Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling slowly.
"This tobacco is quite good…" he murmured.
---
The Medical Examination
Half an hour later, they arrived at the medical ninja's clinic.
Uchiha Tunan explained Sanhe Yuanliang's symptoms in detail.
The medic frowned as he listened.
"You're saying your grandfather became emotionally unstable after learning he had only five years left to live?"
Uchiha Tunan nodded solemnly.
"Yes. Grandpa always dreamed of living long enough to hold his grandchild… This news devastated him."
He bowed deeply.
"No matter what the results are, please… tell Grandpa that the previous diagnosis was wrong. Tell him he is healthy and has many years left. I beg you!"
The medical ninja sighed and nodded.
"I understand. Leave it to me."
---
Back Home
In the yard, Sanhe Yuanliang was napping in his wheelchair, basking in the sunlight.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The door burst open as Uchiha Tunan hurried inside, followed by the medical ninja.
Sanhe Yuanliang jolted awake.
Standing outside, Shinnosuke casually leaned against the doorframe, uninterested in stepping in.
Uchiha Tunan spoke excitedly.
"Grandpa, this is one of Konoha's best medical ninjas!"
Sanhe Yuanliang glanced at the medic and nodded weakly.
"Thank you for coming."
Without another word, the medical ninja began his examination.
Minutes passed. His brow furrowed slightly.
Sanhe Yuanliang, observing the reaction, weakly asked:
"Doctor… is there still hope for me?"
The medic pulled back his hands and smiled.
"What are you talking about? Your body is in great shape. From what I see, you'll live to be a hundred."
Sanhe Yuanliang's lips trembled. He forced a smile.
"Good… that's good… Thank you."
As the doctor prepared to leave, Uchiha Tunan hurried to escort him out.
---
With the truth concealed, a fragile hope was preserved.