Haruhi huffed triumphantly as she held the Konoha Gazette aloft. It proclaimed in bold letters the arrival of the Daimyo to Konoha and Tsunade's upcoming installment. Later pages detailed Konoha's full recovery, largely thanks to the groups Haruhi was actively involved in.
Speaking of groups, Fumi sat next to her. Haruhi and Fumi had become good friends recently, at first coming together to talk about Naruto, Karin, and Haku, and they then moved on to other topics. Haruhi had, from talking with Tsubaki-sensei, Fumi, and Nohara Kiki, Rin's grandmother about the abysmal state of sex education in Konoha. No knowledge of birth control, consent, condoms, STD's, safe sex, or even basic knowledge on about the reproductive systems. That lack of education was a large reason why Konoha's orphanages were so overcrowded. Which was intentional, of course, by the government. Orphans are more desperate to prove themselves, easier to manipulate, and no one would miss them when they were forced to become child soldiers and cannon fodder for the state.
While talking about that, Haruhi brought up the previous issue of the Konoha gazette, where it described the opening of The Commons, and described all the events taking place inside it. It also mentioned the currently empty swimming pool room, that if Haruhi was able to get the funding, would become Konoha's first public pool, as all the others were for show, private, or cost absurd amounts to get in.
The thing was, Haruhi was rich. She was also something of a celebrity, thanks to her being small once upon a time. She levied this to its full potential, and used her influence to help the community. However, she was not rich enough to fund an entire pool by herself, but in these past few months, she had earned a pretty penny. She had also returned this through the community. Haruhi knew that Kasumi made enough money off their Haruhi inspired dolls to expand her business, and her group. Sakura, Haku, and Kasumi were able to use the income from their part in making the pepper spray as well. Tsubaki saw a significant increase in business to her store from people wanting to buy the pepper spray. Kiki used the commons to start her own group on how to make a garden. Tenten's mentor, Emi, opened a little workshop in one of the Commons rooms, now teaching a class basic wood and metal working. Iruka and Tsubaki moved the adult education classes there. Rikki, the owner of the Gazette, now funding the classes. Inari ran a group for immigrants to Konoha, and last week, they paired up with Kizashi's cooking group to make many traditional dishes. They had a cookout bakesale that brought in a lot of money, new people, and even ninja. This made Haurhi wonder, Fumi was passionate about the topic of Sex education, and had experience, could she get Fumi to start her own group in The Commons?
She pitched this idea to Fumi.
Fumi had been one of the many adults, over the course of a few months, had greatly benefited from the literacy classes. Fumi went from being partly illiterate, to fully literate. Being a sex worker, Fumi also had experience with these topics, and would treat them with the respect they deserved. Haruhi was unfortunately a bit to goofy to tackle this topic with the seriousness this warranted. Plus she also had to find a way to get her pool off the ground, or else she blew a bunch of money for nothing.
Haruhi then offered to pay Fumi a monthly salary. Sasuke was the official owner of The Commons, with a small committee that consisted of Akira, Kizashi, Kasumi, Kiki, and Emi, helping to regulate the large building. Here was the thing. All those groups paid a manageable fee for being allowed to host groups there. If Haruhi could appeal to them for funds, Fumi would then accept.
Luckily, Haruhi was friends with them all. They agreed, and so did Fumi.
They had just finished putting together the syllabus, when Fumi chuckled. She was holding the edited Icha Icha books. Fumi had declared them as trash, and while Haruhi, through gritted teeth, reluctantly admitted some of Jiriay's plot lines were decent, the books as a whole were horrible written, with bad characterization and numerous inaccuracies. Fumi had taken it upon herself to re-write the book, and honestly? Even if Haruhi wasn't flaming at the mere mention of the Toad Sage, she would have said Fumi's version was better.
"Haruhi, you printed pamphlets with Kasumi's sister some time back, right?'
She had.
"Could you see about hooking me up with her? I want to see if I can get my version of Icha Icha printed."
"Yes! That's a great idea!" And it could supplement Fumi's income. It would also be a giant F U to Jiriaya, and who was Haruhi to deny that?
"I would read it." Ayame says, bringing the check over to them. Haruhi pays for it.
"Will I see you at The Commons tomorrow Ayame?"
"Sure thing! Say, I think I would like to learn how to swim. Are you ever going to get that pool off the ground?"
"I'm certainly trying."
She had pitched the idea, and the number of people who were interested in the class was overwhelming. Even if she got the pool up and running, she wouldn't have enough time, money, or space to carry it out.
With that, Haruhi waved goodbye to Fumi, and turned to greet Iruka. Tsubaki is busy with her shop and the classes at The Commons today, so Iruka agreed to meet here at his favorite Ramen shop.
"Hey Iruka-"
He looks haggard. Absolutely horrible. Haruhi's voice cuts off in surprise. She wracks her brain, but cannot think of anything happening recently that would bring this on.
She silently kicks out a chair for him, and waves at Ayame to bring them a drink. She pats his back as he folds his arm on the counter top and cries quietly.
He calms down after a few sips, and croaks something out that stops Haruhi cold.
"Haruhi. Did you know that Naruto had been coming into the literacy classes lately?"
"..."
No. She hadn't.
"Because he has. Been coming in, I mean. All that time, I just thought he was lazy, turns out he just didn't know how to read. And I was so mean to him for it…"
Naruto didn't know how to read? But she would have noticed! Wouldn't she?
"How bad is he?" She asked cautiously.
He calmed down, taking deep shuddering breaths.
"N-not that bad a-actually. He's not illiterate, but someone with his education should be able to read a lot more than that. But I see so many people there, a lot are former ninja from the third war who were rushed through the academy and never learned how to read, and it breaks my damn heart!"
Haruhi was relieved to hear that Naruto was not, in fact, illiterate, but hearing about the veterans was equally disheartening.
"A-and it's not only that. I've been seeing all the people come into The Commons. Many of them are my former S-students. They're all so hurt, and injured, and no one is helping them. They need to come in to learn how to cook, and how to sew, and why don't they know this?! I'm seeing to many familiar faces."
He sighed, finally calming down.
"You know, sometimes I feel like I am raising lambs to the slaughter."
He paused, and looked around after that statement. When it was only Ayame and her father around, he calmed down, glad not to be whisked away into Konoha's T and I.
Haruhi really didn't know what to say and try to comfort Iruka, especially since she agreed with him.
'Well, we're doing something about that now, aren't we? It can only get better."
Iruka nodded, wiping his face and standing up.
"Sorry Haruhi, I know you were looking forward to hearing my reports about the classes, but I just don't feel up to it. They're doing well. Rikka is reporting an increase in newspaper sales, too." Iruka added as an afterthought. Haruhi knew that last part. Rikka had thanked her over tea with Kasumi. Haruhi wondered if she could give these newly literate adults some of Fumi's improved edits of Icha Icha.
She said goodbye, and left. She decided to take the long way, and walk along the lazy river that winded through Konoha's gardens. Konoha's upper class were only allowed here, but Haruhi didn't care that very much. Besides, she could say she had business with Rikka again.
She had just rounded the bend when she heard screaming ahead of her. An older, rounder woman with a struggling cat in her arms was screaming as her grandchild, who obviously couldn't swim, was drowning. And ninja didn't typically frequent these parts, either.
Haruhi debated it for a moment, sighed, walked over towards the woman, put her bookbag down by her feet, stripped to her boy shorts and bra, and dove in after the now lax child.
She broke water, bubbles filling the water around her as she swam with all her might. She scooped the child from under the arms, and kicked off the silty bottom, rocketing to the top and breaching the surface.
The woman was crying now, as Haruhi swam as fast as she could to the shore while keeping the child's head above water. She reached the shore, laid down the child, and started compressions.
She didn't have to keep at it for long before the kid coughed up water, and the woman went between holding her probable grandchild and thanking Haruhi.
"Do you know where the hospital is at?" Haruhi asked.
"Yes! But I can't carry him!"
Haruhi sighed, and put her dry clothes over her wet underthings. Her bra would probably show through, but whatever.
They began walking.
"Oh, thank you! What is your name?"
"Haruhi. What happened that he fell in?"
"Playing too close to the water with my cat, Tora. He so does love to escape and run away, and my grandson chased after him."
Okay.
Wait.
Tora?
Haruhi glaced at the woman again, and realized it was the Damiyo's wife. They were here in town for Tsunade's coronation.
Oh.
"Really, thank you! You were amazing, and so graceful, too! Where did you learn to swim?"
That part of Haruhi, the clever, scheming, part of her, screamed that this was an opportunity.
She seized it.
"I learned how from my mother actually. Many of her cousins drowned because they didn't know how to swim."
"Oh, that's so awful!"
"Yeah, it sure was. She decided to take responsibility and change that, and took me to swimming lessons. I even became, over the summertimes, a lifeguard-someone who patrols the waters in my hometown and makes sure no one drowns."
"Fascinating! No wonder you're so good!" Haruhi saw the glint in her eyes, as the Damiyo's wife-Madam Shijimi-listened to her every word.
"I noticed a lot of the folk in Konoha can't swim, so I tried to start a swimming class at that new building. The Commons, It's called. You hear of it?"
"I have. It's a good idea, what happened?"
"Ah, you know. Not enough funding. Not enough people to help teach, and not enough room either. The commons only has one pool. And so many people want to learn that I would need to rent out at least one other pool."
They walked a few steps in silence. Haruhi could tell Madam Shijimi was in deep thought.
"Haruhi?"
"Yes? Oh, and what's your name?"
"Madam Shijimi, dear. Would you be able to get your class off the ground if you were provided funding?"
"Certainly. I would be able to complete the pool, hire help, and rent out more space."
The make it to the hospital, and to Haruhi's surprise, Sakura runs forward to help. Haku must be busy with Ino and Shizune. Sakura takes the boy from her arms, frowning.
The Madame smiles. She hands Haruhi a card, with a name and location on it.
"Come here tomorrow at noon. We'll discuss more about getting you funding."
Haruhi smiled and nods, winking at Sakura.
She would have that swim class yet.
…
…
…
Sakura took the Damiyo's grandson into her arms, well aware that any wrong move could be disastrous. The boy had almost drowned, and had to be resuscitated, going by what the Madam said.
Drowning sucks
All the nurses said the boy would be okay now that he was out of the water. But now, he was acting irritable, and was drifting off into sleep.
Tsunade herself came to check up on the boy, and Sakura almost squealed in happiness. She was wearing her Hokage's robes, ready for the ceremony in an hour.
She's awesome!
"He doesn't appear to be injured." Tsunade said.
"I thought that as well. He's alright, thanks to that Haruhi woman."
Tsunade did a double take.
"Brown skin, curly black hair, glasses?"
Madam nodded, and Tsunade didn't seem to be surprised.
Something wasn't right here.
It made sense for a boy to be sleepy after almost drowning and expending so much energy, but something about this situation was off. Sakura then remembered something Haku said, about a person they once knew in Wave. They almost drowned but were rescued. Hours later, they died. They had inhaled water in their lungs they had never coughed up.
What was it called?
"Dry Drowning!" She blurted out.
The two women looked at her.
"Um, uh, Dry Drowning. It's when you swallow water into your lungs, and end up drowning on land later."
The two women stared some more. Tsunade took her hands, placed them over the boy's chest.
He coughed, and a ball of water was removed by Tsunade from his mouth.
"...Good catch." Tsunade said.
"What did you say your name was?" Madam Shijimi asked.
Before Sakura could answer, Tsunade cut in.
"Who is she? She is my apprentice, of course."
Shijimi nodded.
"Yes, of course. Only a girl as talented as this could be your apprentice."
Sakura's mouth gaped like a fish. Tsunade winked at her, ruffling Sakura's hair as she walked past, following Madam Shijimi out.
"We'll talk more about your training after my coronation, kiddo. Something tells me you'll be a good student.
"..."
HELL FUCKING YEAH!
It was a beautiful ceremony.
*Obi-wan Kenobi voice* Well hello there!
Yes, I did say last chapter that I wouldn't update again until summer vacation. And then the Coronavirus happened.
Remeber, social distancing. Wash hands. Don't buy all the masks. Vote against donald trump and republicans.
Question of the chapter: What do you think of Haruhi's scheming personality?