章 27: D
Chapter 430:
NARUTO
Rather than search every alley, room, and business in the sizable gambling town for his
Godfather, Naruto takes a few minutes to sit perfectly still before entering sage mode on the
roof of the inn they're staying in. With his heightened senses, he locates his Godfather easily
enough. Stride-leaping eighty steps in a single bound, Naruto rushes past buildings and
streets toward the familiar chakra to a popular park.
Walking under several tall, bright red torii gates to enter Mikane Shrine, known for its
connection to prosperity and wealth, Naruto feels Kurama continuing his silent treatment. As
he walks through the site that attracts a lot of tourists from all over the country hoping to
become rich, Naruto wonders what it's going to take to make up with him. Naruto walks past
wishing wells and shrines surrounded by people eagerly and desperately lighting incense,
offering food, clanging bells, and making their prayers.
Moving past the shrines and two dozen white lanterns meant to light the path, there is a
wooden bridge that crosses a small lake, and on the middle of the empty bridge is the
familiar chakra signature he was searching for. Naruto allows his sage mode to dissipate as
he walks the creaking wood planks to his pacing Godfather. On the railing in front of the
hunched over elder, Naruto notes several toads lined like an audience. Even though his
Godfather's wooden sandals clack loudly against the hardwood of the bridge, Naruto can still
hear the man mumbling to himself as the uninterested line of toads wait impassively.
When it feels as though Jiraiya is having a serious conversation with the bored toads, Naruto
approaches cautiously, as if the old man were a beast he didn't want to spook. The old
legend takes a swig of ale from the drinking gourd in his right hand before he explains in
slurred speech, "legacy… it affects us all." With pink cheeks, nose, and ears, Jiraiya's
heavily-lidded eyes turn to the seven colorful toads on the railing and professes, "did'ya
know, in our culture, toads represent the lunar yin… aaaaand is associated with healing and
good fortune? Did ya? Did ya? I bet you didn't."
A toad croaks dismally and Jiraiya seemed surprised by the amphibian's reply, gibbering,
"you did, huh? Well…. that's your legacy! Of course you'd know that! I thought I understood
my legacy… to beeee the senseiiii of the child of prophecyyyy… who'll bring about a great
revolution to the world of ninjas! My actions will determine… if that uprising will be for the
world's salvation… or its destruction… but that… but that… never made sense, did it Yoggi?"
The yellow and brown toad named Yoggi seems to have had enough and rolls over, belly up,
as if dead before popping in a cloud of smoke, prompting a drunk Jiraiya to shake his head
and garble, "and then there were six." Naruto wonders how long Jiraiya's been speaking and
how many toads were there at the beginning of the speech.
"I used to think my legacy was teaching a single student," Jiraiya groaned on in winded and
slurred speech. "But maybe… maybe… it's many students… through the power of words! If
I, the destined one, can unlock the secrets of Naruto's impossible love life, Ichi Ichi Palace
can be that Child of Prophecy! And help reshaped the world!"
Naruto rolls his blue eyes then snatches the gourd from the elder's hand. The six remaining
toads take the miracle opportunity to return to their home and vanish with a puff of smoke as
Jiraiya childishly reaches for his drink with both hands. "That's enough," Naruto voiced,
leaping out of the taller man's reach. Test-sniffing the open gourd, the blond shirks away
from the stench as he asks, "please tell me you weren't drinking all night?"
"Hmmph," Jiraiya sounded, crossing his large arms and turning his head away. "Why should
I tell you that when you can't even be bothered to share your life with your own Godfather! I
may not have been around for most of your life or sent you any gifts, but we're still family!"
"Alright, alright," Naruto returns, raising a palm in peace. "Listen, I'm sorry I kept pushing this
back, but seriously, the mission came first."
"And what's changed, hmm? I ask you, with the heavens as my witness, what's changed,"
Jiraiya dramatically requests of the heavens. "We still have a twenty-six-hour sprint ahead of
us. With minimal breaks, that's another day and a half of more waiting."
"Jeez," Naruto growled whilst rubbing the bridge of his nose. Stepping closer, the blond
clearly explains, "I've got a clone in KCM Sage rushing back to Konoha with an extension of
Katsuyu. When it gets to Konoha, Tsunade-baachan's going to reverse-"
Quicker than Naruto expected, Jiraiya is instantly beside him and grabs him around the
waist, yelling, "done! I got it! Save your breath for words that matter!" Looking around,
there's a secluded treeline past the pond. "Let's go!" he yells with gusto before rushing to the
shaded area.
When they reach the cool grass under the tree with a wide crown, providing optimum shade,
Jiraiya sits Indian-style on the soft grass with open palms on his bent knees. It appears as if
he's about to meditate and Naruto can't help but ask, "what are you doing?"
Without opening his eyes, a serious Ero-sennin responds, "just give me five-no three
minutes to burn the alcohol in my system. Then we can talk!"
Snorting, Naruto simply sits back-to-back with his eccentric and funny Godfather and leans
comfortably into his long white hair. Leaning against the warm back of his Godfather, Naruto
shakes his head while he flexes his healing hand. Eying his hand with thoughts of his fight
against Orochimaru the day before, Naruto thoughtfully contends, "you know, I thought I was
getting stronger… but after that fight—hell, even during that fight—there was still so much I
couldn't do against him. I mean, I don't know any other offensive techniques besides
Rasengan and Wind release is the only nature manipulation I can do. Speed and power are
great… but he had technique and strategy. I would've lost if he knew everything I can do."
Stopping his concentration with a sigh, Jiraiya grumbles, "lost? What hot garbage are you on
about? Do you know how many years it would've taken you to learn Rasengan like other
shinobi? Or Wind release like other shinobi? Or sage training? Or the Flying Thunder God
technique? Kami, those four things alone would've taken over a decade of constant training,
easily, and you're still in your rookie year!"
"…Maybe," Naruto was willing to concede that much. "But I'm not worried about the average
or even above-average enemy shinobi. We both know it's only going to get a lot harder from
here on out and I need to be ready. I think it's time I spare some clones to learn other
techniques."
"We all need to be ready," Jiraiya corrected the boy leaning against his back. "So if you want
me to be in my right mind to put up a halfway decent fight, you'll stop talking and let me
sober up!" At Jiraiya's giggling excitement for the story ahead, Naruto snickers and shifts
comfortably into the white hair and enjoys the serenity of being still and at peace.
Chapter 431:
INO
"Welcome to my humble abode," Anko told Ino. Ino was happy to escape the smell and
ickiness of the unpleasant hallway. Anko's apartment building is a few blocks away from
Naruto's newly constructed building and it reminds Ino of how downtrodden this sector of
Konoha is. Walking into Anko's small studio apartment, Ino was relieved to see the buxom
Jōnin was cleaner than her appearance would've suggested. The was a sweet mintiness in
the air and very little room to move around in.
Opening her wardrobe, Anko pointed inside with a few tilts of her head before saying, "now
hide in the closet."
Looking from the small space filled with coats, dresses, and what looks to be leather
bondage gear, to a content Anko, Ino hesitates to argue, "I don't feel comfortable
eavesdropping on Kurenai-sensei."
"Aww, that's nice," Anko remarked with little interest. "In you go."
Smelling the disinfectant and leather coming from the small space, Ino needed to ask,
"why?"
"Cuz I'm rooting for ya, kid," Anko happily replied, adding jovially, "you got guts."
Ino didn't know what she meant, but solemnly admitted, "that's not the word I'd use."
Tilting her head, Anko asks, "what would you call it?"
Even if Anko wouldn't know the details, Ino confesses, "…Remorse."
However, Anko only slaps the notion away, proclaiming, "nah, I like guts better." Watching
the voluptuous Jōnin making room in the closet as she states, "whatever you did or however
wrong it was, you wouldn't be the first. What matters is you're not running away from it, are
ya? That alone takes guts."
'Running would only make this feel worse,' Ino thought before asking to know, "you haven't
told me why you want me to hide in the closet while you talk with Kurenai-sensei."
"You'll see," is all Anko answered before nodding her head toward the cleared space. With a
small sigh, Ino sits inside and brings her knees to her chest. Anko moves some clothes to
hide her a bit better as she advises, "remember your training; feel the surrounding and mimic
the oscillation. And don't come out until she's gone."
With a sigh, Ino gets comfortable as she grumbles, "alright, alright-"
"Actually," Anko interrupts. "Now that I think about it, I might be underestimating the shock
value." Grabbing the red ball gag, she takes a confused Ino's right hand and is about to
hand it to her when the blond pulls away in fear. "Wait," Anko touted. "Anko-san-" Ino tries as
the sexy Jōnin orders, "put this on!"
"Why," Ino called back.
Anko pauses, sighing before realizing, "what am I thinking… how would you even know how
to put this on-" she sucks her teeth and tries to put the ball gag on for her as she utters,
"here, let me."
"Do- Do I ha-have to," Ino argues, fighting off the much stronger woman.
Anko pauses a moment to assure the blond, "trust me, kid, when you hear this, there's no
way you won't squeal. So, what's it going to be?"
Ino quickly reasoned, if it involved Kurenai-sensei, she wanted to know what this all was
about, but to preserve some measure of control, Ino snatches the ball gag from Anko, and
confidently lies, "I know how to put one on, thank you."
Anko smirks proudly as the blond fumbles to put on the red gag before asserting, "I knew I
liked you."
With the closet doors closed, Ino hears moving around and rustling as she acclimates
herself to the ambiance inside the closet. She slows her heartbeat and sits as still as
possible, attuning herself to the particles habituating around her. Within minutes, Ino's
presence was masked relatively well, and not long after, there's a knock on the door. Even in
the dark space of the closet, without her sight, Ino can tell Anko is pretending to be horribly
sick in bed when Kurenai walks in.
"Anko," Kurenai cries in worry. The beautiful sensei sets a bag of content on the floor and
sits beside her coughing friend. "I can't believe you're so sick; I've never seen you sick
before."
"Ugghh, I know," Anko whined with a clogged nose. "I think my dry spell weakened my
immunity."
"Kami, Anko," Kurenai snorts. "I'm sure that's not it. I brought Congee. Since you've never
had to take it before, it's great for colds. How are you feeling? Do you think you can eat?"
"Mnn…" Anko pines, playing her sickness and amusing Ino. "I… I don't know… maybe."
"Here, let me," Ino hears Kurenai say, then rustling as if Anko was sitting up to eat.
With a pop of a lid removed, Kurenai is feeding her sick friend who asks with a husky voice,
"how's it going… with the girls? Have you told them… about you and Naruto yet?"
Ino blinked into wide eyes. Her jaw bit down into the ball gag at the implication. 'No,' her
thought gasped and she lost synchronicity with the frequency of the inside of the closet.
Even though the rubber of the ball creaked a bit and Ino's lungs inhaled sharply, it didn't
appear as if Kurenai noticed her. Ino became like stone and could only listen with bated
breath.
"I'm telling Hinata tonight," Kurenai replied before feeding Anko another spoon.
"And Ino-chan," Anko asked. "She seems pretty all-in to me."
"…That girl," Kurenai sighed, as if she were the wild card no one knew what to do with. "If
Hinata decides not to do this, then I'll tell Ino."
"Be honest," Anko's croaky voice piqued, sounding to Ino like the beginning of girl-talk.
"You're hoping they both say no, aren't ya? After everything you and Naruto have been
through, you want him all to yourself, don't ya?"
With a bit of a snicker, Kurenai answers, "first, I'll never have him all to myself if this political
marriage to Temari happens."
'Why,' Ino's mind raced to think as she bites down on the gag. 'How can she answer as if
that question with that boy wasn't preposterous?'
Ino's heart was hammering in her chest as Kurenai continues, "and second, don't make me
sound so possessive. I love him and I know in every part of my being that he loves me." To
hear the sensei she admires so much admit and confirm in her own voice her love for the
very boy she loves, Ino's organs seized so hard she thought something ruptured.
Chapter 432:
Something felt broken inside her especially when Anko alluded to, "especially your physical
part, huh?"
"Aren't you too ill to be shameless?"
"The flesh is weak… but the depravity is strong," Anko proclaims in a dying voice. "If one or
even both of them decide to go through with it, what are you guys going to do?"
"In that incredibly unlikely scenario, we'll just have to talk it out, won't we?"
"All five of you?"
"Five? Oh, Temari," Kurenai recalls, reminding Ino of the Suna princess as well. "She
seemed pretty determined to marry Naruto, but, there's a possibility she may change her
mind if three Konoha women decide to marry him. I can't imagine she wouldn't feel
intimidated being outnumbered like that for the rest of her life-" Anko snorted at the absurdity
and Kurenai nodded, adding, "I know, this is all so bizarre. Whether it's me and Naruto; me,
Naruto, and Temari; me, Naruto, Temari, and Hinata; or all five of us, we have to be on the
same page. If we can't agree on anything, then every day is going to be like a battle and I
don't want that for Naruto."
The last comment made Ino feel less strangled and more confused. 'Because of course, this
isn't about just me,' Ino thought, making her recall her selfishness, her mistakes, and the will
to redeem herself. Ino truly felt torn.
"That conversation will have to wait until Naruto returns," Anko said, bringing Ino back to the
present. The sexy Jōnin summarized, "for now, the girls have to decide for themselves. If
they do agree, they have to be okay with you and Naruto, which is still pretty bonkers."
'Bonkers doesn't even cover it!' Ino screamed powerfully from the top of a mountain in the
imagination of her mind.
"A lot can happen in a hundred days," Kurenai simply expressed with a sweetness to her
voice that made Ino curious about how it all started. Her encounter with Naruto also started
over a hundred days ago. The blond kunoichi had so many confliction and emotion-
provoking questions, she absolutely needed clarity for. She couldn't wait and needed to talk
with Kurenai in private.
"This is a porno waiting to happen," Anko mused hopefully.
"Ugh, please don't speak that into existence," Kurenai begged.
GODFATHER AND SON
"Wait! Wait! Wait! Start Again!" Jiraiya begged of Naruto.
"But I just started!" Naruto yelled back, already regretting this despite his comfortable nap
against his Godfather's back. Seated on the soft grass under the large green crown of the
tree, shade, breeze, and privacy made for the perfect setting to talk.
Dropping his journal on the grass, a blushing Jiraiya grips his chest with both hands as he
bemoans, "my poor heart's not prepared."
"Kami help me," Naruto groaned. "Stop making this weird! And what are you writing? I'm not
telling if you're going to write it down!"
"Alright, alright," Jiraiya spouted moving his writing supplies to the side, but doesn't put them
away. Massaging Naruto's shoulders, he sweetly urges, "don't make any hasty decisions. Go
on, go on."
Above them, Tsunade, Shizune, and Sakura are perfectly hidden from the distracted boys
and listening to the story with all the hard-earned ninja skills they possess. Considering his
perverted audience, Naruto leaves out the more erotic aspects of the story and enjoys
reminiscing about his time together with Kurenai.
KURENAI
Walking down the neighborhood street her two-story house resides on, Kurenai's mind
grows anxious with every step, distracted with thoughts of the various ways Hinata may
react to their talk later. So distracted was the beautiful sensei that she didn't notice Ino
waiting by her door until she reached the white picket fence. Gripping her groceries tighter in
hand, Kurenai knew instantly that something was off with the blond by the stern and nearly
angry expression on her pretty face.
"Ino," Kurenai curiously voiced in surprise as she walks to the entrance of her home.
Looking around, she asked, "what are you doing here?"
Ino stared with restrained anger before eventually replying, "I heard," with hard finality.
The raven-haired sensei was about to ask what she heard, however, the intensity behind
Ino's pupil-less blue eyes spoke volumes of how serious she was and whatever the subject
of her ire was seemed better spoken of inside. "Come in," she said before the pair enter her
house. Ino looks around and senses no one. Lifting her groceries a bit, Kurenai regretfully
admits, "I'd invite you to dinner but I have to talk with Hinata-"
Sharp-eyed, Ino hotly contested, "and tell her about you and Naruto?" Kurenai nearly
dropped her bags of ingredients, stunned by the statement but remains poise. An angered
and betrayed Ino didn't let up as she yells, "I can't even- How could you! What are you
doing?! What are you doing?!"
Kurenai observes the emotions overwhelming Ino; her anger, her embarrassment, her
confusion, and possibly her disgust, all expressed vividly on her beautifully pained face. It's
all driving Ino's outburst and she can tell the young blond is desperate for answers, however,
rather than being embarrassed and answer any of her questions, Kurenai turns away and
walks directly to her kitchen.
Momentarily confused, Ino has no choice but to follow, yelling, "aren't you going to answer
me!" Kurenai sets down the groceries on the counter when Ino slams her palms on the
kitchen island and asks, "or are you too ashamed to say anything!?"
"I'm waiting for you to calm down," a composed Kurenai replied as the beautiful sensei
begins separating the ingredients to prepare them for dinner. "You should know I have no
problem answering your questions, but Hinata won't be long, so if you can't control yourself
until she arrives, I will ask you to leave without the answers you came here for."
Shoulders and traps hunched, Ino nearly glared at the audacity of the adult but Kurenai
didn't flinch. Ino knew the woman to be of her word and if it wasn't for the answers she's
desperate for, Ino didn't think she had the willpower to calm down. Turning away from the
attractive sensei, Ino takes a few moments to settle the raging storm of her emotions.
Chapter 433:
Returning her glaring eyes on the woman she trusted, Ino practically growls, "Kurenai…
sensei… how could you, an adult, involve yourself with a sixteen-year-old boy?!"
It's the statement Kurenai had feared the most when her relationship with Naruto first began.
At the time, she was certain it would belittle her standing as a person among her peers and
neighbors as well as undermine her authority as a ranking member of the military. Kurenai
was sure her relationship with a sixteen-year-old would be the only thing people see when
they look at her.
She knows differently now. There's nothing commonplace about Naruto and anyone with
common sense would see that, making Ino's fury understandable. Kurenai can't help but
ask, "are you asking because he's sixteen or because he's Naruto?"
"Both," Ino called out, then clenched her teeth to calm down again.
Understanding the girl's frustration, Kurenai sighs before washing the potatoes under the
running faucet, and calmly explaining, "at first, I was concerned about our age difference and
the public perception, but eventually, I learned that didn't matter. Naruto is more than what
you can see at first and our love is a lot like that. He's the man who captured my heart and
I'm not planning on letting him go."
The silence that lingered told Kurenai that hit the blond hard. Pushing away from the kitchen
island, Ino paces as she quickly asks, "don't you have any shame? Any dignity? What about
Asuma-sensei? Or any man your own age?"
"Ino-chan," Kurenai voiced with a thick layer of authority. Though her eyes were defiant, Ino
got the warning and listens as Kurenai says, "our relationship may be odd and uncommon,
it's not illegal, so I have nothing to be ashamed about. My dignity is in my honesty and I'd
never trade that for popularity, and Asuma-sensei, or any man my age, isn't your business.
What I feel for Naruto is real, and hard-fought. Just like you, I didn't feel this in the
beginning-"
"How!?" Kurenai stopped washing the cabbage and raises her eyebrow at the blond, urging
Ino to take a few deep breaths before she asks in a calmer voice, "how did it begin?"
"Not unlike you, actually," Kurenai admitted, easily contorting the pretty girl's face in
confusion. "You needed something from him, and like gravity, you got too close and were
swept up. I'm sure it's upsetting to learn the man you love is also loved by others-"
"Are you kidding," Ino retorted. "I'm used to girls chasing after the man I love. But adults
stayed well away from Sasuke, so why couldn't you stay away from Naruto?!" Kurenai
looked at the girl and flatly pointed out, "age is an issue of mind over matter. If I don't mind,
then it doesn't matter."
Ino's fervor was still there but her reasoning was faltering. With more vulnerability, Ino
weakly asks, "but… why him?" Unexpected competition felt like the crux of all this as the
blond continues, "you- you're gorgeous, smart, mature, respected, you could have any guy
you want! How could it possibly be Naruto, of all people?"
Kurenai thought Ino was all those things as well, and asks in return, "why not him?"
Kurenai can practically hear the thunderstruck Ino think one word; 'bitch.' Still, Kurenai can
sympathize and calmly, yet pointedly, recounts for the blond, "when you rejected him after
your time together, I happen to need his help with a training regiment for Hinata." Judging by
her woeful expression, Ino didn't seem to enjoy recalling that version of herself. It made her
more docile as Kurenai continues, "in exchange for helping me, I agreed to teach him about
girls and dating-"
Stunned, Ino interjected, "so you had sex with him?!"
"Don't jump to conclusions," Kurenai replied as she diced the onions.
"How can I not? Nothing about this is rational," Ino hotly insists. "I'm just trying to make
sense of-"
"Then listen," Kurenai called with some frustration. The beautiful sensei stopped cutting as
she repeated in a more pointed tone, "just… listen." Ino nodded and a more collected
Kurenai continued. "I had no intention of being anything more than a source of academic
information for him; as you said, I could get any guy. I learned later the only reason he asked
me to teach him was so he can impress you." Ino bit her lip dejectedly as Kurenai explains,
"the more he helped me with Hinata… the more I learned about him; you remember our
fieldwork into his life. Little by little, something grew where there was once nothing. He went
from a name on a page to a prankster, to a fresh genin, a student, an assistant… then a
source of comfort, someone I can trust with my life, someone I can confide in… someone I
can love unconditionally." The silence between them stretched for several moments until
Kurenai asks, "is that what you wanted to hear?"
NARUTO
"I need more," Jiraiya called out fervently, making an X out of his large arms. Unbeknownst
to Naruto, the three kunoichi above readily agreed as well. They need more too.
"Uuughhh!" Naruto growled before asking, "what now?"
"All you explained was helping Kurenai-chan with training, being in her house a lot, talking a
bit, and then 'it' just happened! As if that tells me anything!" Naruto is rubbing the bridge of
his nose for patience as Jiraiya added, "how do you expect me to sell anything with that!?"
Returning just as much fervor, Naruto yells back, "I don't expect you to sell any of this! You
said you wouldn't write it down!"
"Wouldn't write it down now," Jiraiya quickly said under his breath before clearing his throat
and loudly demanded to know, "just think about the romantic parts and go from there, hmm?
When did she first start liking you? How did she start liking you? Was it physical, emotional?
When did you start liking her? As a boy, I'm going to assume it was a very physical thing for
you. Who made the first move? What was the first move? What was your first hurdle? Have
you argued? How…h-how far have you two g-gone? Have you- have you… k-kissed? If you
have, when, where, and how'd it feel? Don't skimp on any of the details!"
A tired Naruto fell back into the soft grass surrounding the tree they're under. He tilts his
head and focuses his eyes when he thought he saw a hint of pink. Dismissing it as a play of
the light, he whines, "Kami, help me."
Chapter 434:
INO
Kurenai covers the salmon and lets it simmer before turning around and exhaustively asking
the blond genin, "do you really need to know if we've had sex?"
Ino yells, "yes!"
The blond kunoichi couldn't get Anko's, 'especially your physical part,' out of her mind. She
needed to know how far they went. Surely an adult would wait until he was older before
sharing that level of intimacy. Somehow, Ino was holding out hope that if she's gone farther
and done more than the beautiful sensei, then she still had a chance to compete… she
wouldn't feel like she's lost as a woman, a kunoichi, and a person.
Ino watches Kurenai's cheeks and ears blush before she reluctantly admits, "…we've been
intimate."
Ino inhaled so quick, she nearly coughed, but instead, she held it in before asking with a
winded voice, "how far?"
"Kami, Ino," Kurenai bemoaned.
Holding in the pain and humiliation of losing, Ino could barely control herself to ask, "just…
why? Even if I believe you lov- even if I believe what you're saying, why even bother asking
me or Hinata to marry him if you- …if you're both… if you say love him? That doesn't make
any sense."
"That's a matter of perspective," Kurenai answered. "For lasting peace between us and
Suna to flow more smoothly, Naruto, the son of the Yondaime Hokage, has to marry Temari,
the daughter of the Yondaime Kazekage. That is the course charted by the brass, and
whether we like it or not, I find it fortuitous he's not limited to a single wife. Any other boy, any
other political marriage, and that's it; you and I would be out of luck. And trust me, that
situation can be incredibly heart-wrenching."
Ino's impressive memory effortlessly tracks down that meaning and asks, "you mean Asuma-
sensei and Tomoko-hime?"
Kurenai slowly nodded with a hint of past pain, then continues, "I recommended you and
Hinata because after years upon years of Naruto living without love and affection, I felt the
kunoichi being considered to be his first wife should at least love him deeply. That's not a
long list."
"That doesn't answer my question," Ino slowly underscored. Though it speaks to the worst
pain of the issue, Ino bravely asks, "why even bother with us when you… when you're
supposedly with him?"
The silence lingers a moment and Ino can tell Kurenai understands. Taking plates from the
cupboard, the raven-haired beauty sets them on the table as she answers, "I have my
reasons for proposing this to Hinata. As for you… to be perfectly honest, I'll have to share
him regardless. Any girl who wants to be with him will have to accept that, Ino. If it's you or
Hinata, I can accept that."
"You can accept that," Ino repeats, offended by her genuine approach. "As if you're the final
say or something?"
"That's what this is Ino," Kurenai remarks as she reads the analog clock on the wall. "That's
how a relationship like this works. We all have a say and any accommodations that can be
made, is made. Any that can't, that's it. The relationship has run its course. Naruto hasn't
had a chance to speak his piece but I know my place in his heart and he knows his place in
mine. If you still want this, you're going to have to make your peace with that." Ino stands in
silence, processing everything she's just learned with everything that's happened in the last
nine months and everything she wants to happen in the next nine months. Kurenai then
voices, "where is that girl?"
With nothing else to ask at the moment, Ino abruptly turns and leaves the kitchen without
saying farewell. It's at the front door she sees Hinata, her Byakugan obviously activated yet
freely shedding a stream of tears down her cheeks and chin to droplets on the floor. Without
the wailing to match, the pretty girl's face was in shock as her eyes wept. Feeling sympathy
for the girl, Ino takes her hand and drags her out of the house, forcing her bag to drop on the
floor.
Ino drags her out of Kurenai's property and down the street until they were far enough away
that she could turn around on the dark indigo-haired girl and bluntly ask, "well, did you hear
her?" Regarding the capability of the veins around Hinata's eyes, she corrects, "or did you
read our lips?" The sweet girl is in shock, Ino realizes, and voices in sympathy, "I guess you
didn't know either." Turning her sights in the direction of Kurenai's house, Ino realizes she
has a lot to reflect on and tells Hinata, "look, there's no point in hiding it now. I've been with
Naruto too… physically, and apparently so has Kurenai-sensei. You haven't, and if I'm being
honest, I don't think you should. You're too… gentle for all this. And I don't mean that in a
bad way. If any of this is too much for you, you may as well bow out now."
Ino feels anxious leaving Hinata alone, but she can't think of comforting anyone when she's
so distraught herself.
SAKURA
"I can't believe it," Sakura gasps as the three stunned ladies walk side-by-side through the
market. Within their own heads, they can barely focus on where they're going, though that's
enough for a ninja. Sakura couldn't believe so much was going on around her, recalling how
close she's been with Naruto for months, and still didn't see it.
Tsunade whirls the lost girl beside her and emphasizes, "you really didn't know?"
Eying her idol as if she were guilty of a felony, a shamed Sakura blurts out, "how could I?
He's Naruto!" Flicking her pupils between the skeptical women, she continues to plead,
"everyone back home either tolerated, disliked, or outright hated him! No one could've
possibly seen someone like him ending up with someone as popular as Kurenai-sensei!
You'd be labeled crazy to suggest it, for sure!"
Tsunade and Shizune eye each other for a spell after hearing her case. They seem to have
a silent conversation with their eyes before Shizune nods and they continue walking. Sakura
follows them into the nearest tea shop where they sit in the furthest booth for some privacy.
Chapter 435:
Happy for the soothing properties of her mint chamomile tea, Sakura is warming her hand
with the hot cup as Tsunade notes, "seems to me like no one really saw him." Shizune nods
as Tsunade sips her tea before continuing. "They couldn't see how strong he was, how
attractive he can be. They were following the crowd."
Sakura instantly felt the stab in her heart. 'Was that directed at me,' Sakura desperately
asked herself. Sakura hid her distraught face behind the small teacup as her mind whines,
'bad enough she's right, but for it to also come from Tsunade-sama… ugh, this is the worst!'
Shizune piles on as she notes with clinical precision, "he fought off Orochimaru, which is no
small feat, and has a beautiful girlfriend. He suddenly seems cuter, doesn't he? Very manly."
Sakura suddenly realizes the most crucial reality of this entire affair, and it truly sinks in then,
making her cough on a sip of tea… 'Naruto has a beautiful girlfriend.' What that means
delivers a fresh pang of heartache.
"If only I were younger and he didn't remind me of Nawaki or Jiraiya," Tsunade joked,
making Shizune nearly spit out her drink. Turning to the pinkette, Tsunade notes how ghastly
Sakura appears and teases, "I have little doubt they've been intimate as well."
"Tsunade-sama," Shizune giggles, as Sakura's eyes widen to saucers.
"What," the elder retorted in her defense all the while observing Sakura like a hawk. "You
could tell by the way he was cutting the story. No one makes a deal like that with a sixteen-
year-old boy, spend all that time together, meet up at night, and enter in a committed
relationship without a bit of organ grinding."
Sakura claps her cheeks in deadly realization. 'Is that why he's so good?!' The images fall in
line and it all begins making sense. 'Of course! How else could he possibly be that damn
good!? He's had training… he wasn't a virgin!' In her own world, a baffled Sakura shakes her
head in denial with her hands still fixed to her blushing cheeks, oblivious to how unsettled
she appears to the amused women before her.
Smiling, Tsunade asks with clear concern, "are you okay?"
Look into the honey-eyes of her idol, Sakura fumbles to reply, "mmm? I…" Pressing her
hand to her aching chest, she finishes, "…I don't know."
Tsunade and Shizune share another look before the elder of the two orates, "you know, I've
been in love once." Rather proudly, she assures them, "I had a lot of suitors clamoring for
my hand, too. Sure, part of it was due to my family, but the overwhelming reason why was
my beauty. Even the Daimyō wanted to marry me. Plenty of em were funny, respectful,
successful, or some combination, but Dan was the only one who stood out." Shizune sat up
straighter as Tsunade adds with a fond smile, "he was the only one I fell for."
"…Why?" Sakura asked.
"Obviously he was handsome," Tsunade answered. "But we also shared a belief, something
I was completely passionate about, and because we advocated for the same things, we
slowly grew to love each other."
Shizune seems happy to hear that, however, Sakura feels confused and asks, "why are you
telling me this?"
"I don't know Kurenai-sensei," Tsunade began, "However, I wouldn't want you to believe that
a person with a lot of attractive qualities matters more than a person with the right quality."
The pink-haired kunoichi suddenly realizes the women in front of her know more about the
turmoil she's feeling than she knows herself. Sakura was big enough to admit she drooled
over the amazing sex with him… but does that extend to drooling over him as a person. With
the sudden urge to be better in the presence of someone she admires so much, Sakura's
mind dares to ask the worst question. 'Do I have genuine feelings for Naruto?'
"You're teammates, Sakura," Tsunade said. "That's a special bond that even Kurenai can't
ignore."
The one thing Sakura knows about Naruto, is he wants to be strong and acknowledged by
everyone. She's already acknowledged him, now she needs to get stronger. As strong as
Tsunade-sama herself. Maybe even stronger.
Setting the cup down hard enough to whip a splash of tea out, a stern and determined
Sakura honestly pleads, "Tsunade-sama… please accept me as your apprentice."
Even as her idol and God of medicine stares at her intensely, as if searching her mind, heart,
and soul for that special quality necessary for success, the pinkette doesn't blink. As a
kunoichi and a woman, Sakura needed this.
HAKU
Haku is standing beside a nervous Karin underneath the red-orange torii gate of Uzumaki
property. They wait patiently in front of the wood plaque that says Uzumaki Tower beside the
symbol of a swirling circle. In the slums of the neighborhood, Naruto's six-story business and
home appeared strikingly luxurious with its new pillars, elegant street lamps, soft glowing
spotlights, healthy green grass, clean walls, painted black & white with vibrant orange
accents. Like its owner, the aesthetics of the building was loud and made an impression
upon sight.
Messing with the stiff hem of his Uzumaki member overcoat, signifying him as a member of
their clan and family, Haku has never felt happier. The Haori Karin ordered for the clan are
black with orange trim and the Uzumaki crest on the back and the Konoha leaf on the
shoulder. It not only felt lovely to wear but it gave Haku an overwhelming sense of pride,
ownership, and unity; like finally finding a home after years of traveling. It nearly brings him
to tears when he thinks about it too much, and every day he praises Zabuza's name for this
precious gift.
Haku smiled as he thought about how much Zabuza loves him, for he'd be on his way to Kiri
with Zabuza and Mei rather than standing beside Karin if not for him. Haku would've gone to
war alongside Mei if Zabuza ordered it, but he didn't. Zabuza claimed he had a debt to pay,
asserted his skills were more than enough, and left with Mei, leaving Haku to continue
guarding Karin and Naruto's home.
'Our home,' Haku corrected himself.
Just then, Karin takes a deep breath and stood straighter. Haku didn't sense anything for
several moments, thoroughly impressing him by her sensory skill. Minutes later, Temari,
Gaara, and Kankurō followed by their Jōnin-sensei, Baki, and the security detail surrounded
them meet at the red-orange gate. First, Guy-sensei introduced his team—Neji, Tenten, and
Lee—as well as a council-assigned pale boy around his age that smiled awkwardly, as if
artificial. He said his name was Sai before Temari-san introduced her brothers and sensei.
Karin introduces herself and Haku before providing them with an overview of the six-story
building as they walk.
"The first floor is dedicated to businesses," Karin nervously spoke. Haku's fairly certain she
finds talking to future family-members a difficult circumstance to get accustomed to. "There'll
be a strict vetting process, but so far, we'll run our Uzumaki Fūinjutsu office from here and
Naruto insisted on a ramen shop he likes."
"He's very fond of ramen," Haku relayed with a smile to help Karin relax some.
Chapter 436:
Karin takes a deep breath and nods before extending her hand to the middle of the building
and explaining, "floors two through five will be listed for rent; that's thirty units of studios,
LDKs, and 2LDKs. The entire top floor and the roof is where we'll be living- you included, of
course."
"May we take a look," Temari asks.
"Of course," Karin eagerly answered. "Each floor of the entire building was designed for
either four 2LDK or eight LDK apartments, so the top floor will have a lot of room. It'll have a
large kitchen, twelve bedrooms, six bathrooms, a study, a large living room, four empty
rooms we haven't decided what to do with, and the training room and garden will be on the
roof. For now, it's just a lot of empty space with no real furnishings, but, there's a lot of
potential."
"Why's he walk around looking homeless if he obviously comes from money," Kankurō
remarked, hearing what he heard as he gazes at the tall shiny building in disbelief.
"The saying, 'you should never judge a book by its cover,' was invented for Naruto," Karin
replied. "This building used to be just as rundown as the rest of the dilapidated buildings
around here. This renovation, the restoration of our clan, all happened within the last two
months. Before that, he's never had money or recognition and had to struggle like a lot of
the people in this neighborhood."
Temari wonders out loud, "are you planning to redevelop the area?"
"Eventually," Karin confirmed with a smirk.
Neji turns around and draws everyone's attention when he voices, "Hinata-sama?"
Haku, along with the others turn and note the somber girl's presence as she softly replied,
"…Neji-niisan."
Neji walks to his cousin and Haku follows a few paces away. "We're currently on a mission.
Is there anything you need?
"…No," Hinata answered her cousin. Haku noticed how long her dejected eyes lingered on
Temari before pulling away and mumbling, "excuse me…"
"Our mission won't take long if you can wait," Neji informed her. "I can walk you home after."
"Why don't you all go on ahead," Haku tells Karin and the group. "I'll wait with her."
Though Haku may be staying, he knows Karin isn't in more danger. Not only would it be
disastrous if anyone from Suna did anything to Karin, Naruto already told Haku and Karin
why he trusts in Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō. Haku isn't expecting anything treacherous
from Suna or Guy-sensei and his team. The only person he doesn't know is the boy called
Sai. One look to Tenten, and the girl knows this is a test and she needs to keep everyone
safe. Neji nods before the group walk into the lobby of the apartment access.
Hinata deactivates her Byakugan when Haku asks, "is everything alright?" Hinata lowers her
head, deep in thought, and doesn't respond. "You seem sad," Haku slowly adds. Again, no
response, and after a long pause, Haku alters his approach. "You don't have to say anything,
Hinata. Would you mind if I spoke instead?" Hinata nods once and Haku leads her to the
nearby bench. Once seated, they stare up into the evening sky for several quiet moments
before Haku voices, "I was thinking about something earlier… something unexpected. I feel
stronger than ever before."
"Why?" Hinata weakly asked.
"Because we're always stronger when we have someone to protect," Haku answered her
with a small smile. "I was too late to protect my mother from my father, even though I
remember loving her very much." Hinata pays more attention to the unexpected revelation;
with reason. Haku rarely talks about his past, however, he feels a special friendship,
connection, with Hinata.
"I lost everything when I was very young," Haku continued. "I killed everyone who tried to kill
me, starting with my father, but eventually my friend's parent and our neighbors. I became an
orphan wandering frozen streets trying my best not to starve or freeze to death, and every
day I thought, 'how could life be this? How could I be so unnecessary?' I could die and not a
soul would know or care."
Haku could sense Hinata pay attention and it added to his gratitude for the life he has now.
"Then I met Zabuza-sama," Haku continued. "And he asked me to become his weapon.
Suddenly, I was blessed with purpose, but despite giving him my everything, I avoided killing
whenever possible. I expected him to discard me like any other useless tool. Instead, he
kept me by his side and that's when I first thought, 'I'll protect this man with my very life.' I
became truly strong that day."
Touching his Uzumaki Haori fondly, Haku happily recounted, "then I met Naruto-sama and
he asked me to be his friend, treats me like a brother, gave me a home and a clan… I have
so much more now, I've never been more determined to protect him and Karin-chan, you
and this village."
Tilting her head in some confusion, she asks, "me?"
Haku nods with a gentle smile before adding, "of all the people I've met coming here, I feel
like I've found a true friendship with you."
"Why?"
"Because of our love for Naruto-sama," he easily answered, however, due to her lack of
reaction, Haku asks, "or has that changed?"
Hinata looks pained for several moments before answering, "no…"
He didn't sense any deception, but wonders about her emotional state, and asks, "does that
make you sad now?"
Hinata tends to have perfect posture in any situation, however, she leans back on the bench
and rests her head on the edge of the backrest. She tells Haku as she stares up at the night
sky, "you said, 'how could life be this? How could I be so unnecessary?' That's how I feel
right now; like I've lost and I had no right to expect… anything more."
Haku slowly asks, "would you like to tell me what happened?" However, Hinata remains
silent. "Hmm, well, I don't think you're unnecessary, and I doubt that feeling will last; too
many people love you for that to be the case. And you always have me, Hinata-chan, if you
ever want someone happy to share your troubles with."
Sitting up, Hinata wipes the moisture building in her eyes, then turns to the androgynous boy
to express, "I came here because I also feel like I can be open with you. I need to ask you…
did you know… a-about Naruto… and Ku-Kurenai-sensei?"
Chapter 437:
Instantly Haku understands her sorrow and nevertheless answers, "I did."
Hinata closes her eyes, like she's waiting for a pang of heartache to subside. With a deep
inhale and a wipe of her reddening eyes, she then asks, "and Ino?"
Slowly, almost grievously, Haku nods before conveying, "I'm sorry that you're hurting right
now and for playing a part in that pain. You're not wrong to feel the way you do so don't deny
your feelings, whatever they may be, because those who truly love you will also accept
them."
Hinata stands and begins walking away and Haku voices as she does, "ask yourself what
have you lost- no, what have you lost that you can't get back? When you discover a true
answer, you will know what to do." Hinata walks under the red-orange torii gate and out of
sight, making Haku worry for her.
MABUI
There's a knock on the door and immediately, Samui is out of bed, low to the ground, with a
dagger in hand. Considering they're in her one-bedroom quarters, Mabui didn't have the
same urgency and struggled out of bed and as she lived in the mountain with Raikage
Tower, she had little reason to suspect some form of assault; especially one that knocked
first. Still, a sleepy Mabui wonders who would be visiting her at such a late hour.
Dressed in her navy satin shorts and crop top, Mabui tells Samui she'll see who it is and be
back. Though they should be sleeping in their assigned quarters, it didn't feel right given the
number of times they slept comfortably together. For nearly two months they shared a bed
and body heat, and for three straight weeks, they slept naked either holding each other or
with Naruto between them. They shared something comforting that made their nights more
perturbed without the other.
'I suppose I can't deny Samui presence also makes Naruto feel more present,' Mabui's
analytical mind reasoned.
Wearing a sexy off-white spaghetti strap nightgown, Samui nods and stands beside the
door's frame with her kunai in hand. Opening the door, Mabui is and isn't confused by
Darui's presence at her door, however, she is surprised when he casually attempts to enter
without an invitation. Given their relationship before, she should've expected this. Mabui
blocks his entrance by placing her hand on the door frame, wondering how she could be so
stupid as to miss the obvious; he only cared for one thing.
Looking up and down the empty hallway, Mabui drowsily notes, "Darui… it's late."
"I was busy," he casually replied. When he notes she's yet to remove her hand to allow him
in, he looks confused before elaborating, "I would've come earlier but we were deliberating."
It's not hard to imagine that their interest in Naruto was all they could talk about after Team
Samui was dismissed and Mabui asks, "on how to best capitalize on this opportunity?"
His bored gaze lingers on her body before nodding as he answers, "you're going to be
promoted, by the way. After reading your detailed report… you took a lot of initiative to set
this option up for us. Tomorrow you'll be reassigned to managing secretary for the Raikage.
You'll know nearly everything he knows. Congratulations."
"Thank you," she replied with a flat grin. Stepping back, she makes to close the door as she
states, "good night."
"Wait," Darui blurted, placing his large hand on the face of the metal door. His normally
bored expression now has one of wonderment before he finally asks, "what's changed?"
Looking from his hand to his face, Mabui bluntly explains, "I don't want to do this anymore.
You should've known that was a possibility considering the mission I just did."
With his vast experience as a shinobi, she can understand why he'd ask, "are you saying
you've been compromised?" What the mission lacked in a physical challenge, it makes up in
a psychological one. In order for Kumo to retain as many active shinobi as possible, they
consider the mental health of its soldiers.
"That's not the word I'd use," Mabui corrected.
"If that's so, then let me in," he claims. "Post mission protocol dictates you return to your
everyday routine."
"It does," Mabui agrees, recalling the book verbatim. "However, you misunderstand me."
Clapping the door frame to emphasize her decision, she elaborates, "this has nothing to do
with the mission or protocols. I'm not inviting you in because I don't want to continue that
relationship anymore. It was a mistake before I left and it's not one I'll continue now that I'm
back."
Leaning back at the news, his eyes look to the room behind her and Mabui resists the urge
to close it like she's hiding something. Darui eventually returns his focus on her and asserts,
"…I'm ordering a psych eval. If the results are unfavorable, expect to remain a Chūnin."
"It'll be a short session," Mabui cheerfully assured him. "I can picture it now, sitting on that
couch and explaining to a sympathetic ear, 'before the mission, I was sleeping with Darui-
san in the vain hope we might become something meaningful. After the mission, I realized
he only cared about one thing; himself.' I'll get a pat in the back, and a 'good day.'" Mabui
knew he couldn't deny her expertise in that area and assures him, "what we were doing
wasn't a relationship, Darui."
"The lives we lead," he stated. "It's best if we don't get attached-"
"No, you're just lazy when it comes to caring about others," she quickly interjected. "It takes
more effort than you're willing to put in and I'm actually surprised you're arguing this long
about something that's obviously over. Good night, Darui-senpai."
She tries to close the door and again, Darui places his palm on the flat of the door. "I'm a
shinobi first, Mabui," he sincerely told her. "I won't apologize for that. I just don't see the point
of getting so invested only for one of us to die. It's a waste of time."
Mabui snickers at how he truly feels but is content he's finally being honest. She looks to his
hand and he removes it, however, noting, "I hope for your sake this has nothing to do with
that boy."
That stops Mabui from closing the door. Her heart begins to beat fast and she can feel
herself heat up, however, she forces herself to remain calm, if only on the outside, to
casually ask, "what do you mean?"
"Plans have already been drawn up," he assures her. "And he won't survive."
Mabui was afraid he could hear her heart hammering in her chest as she carefully asks,
"what plans?"
Darui simply turns around and leaves.
Chapter 438: Worlds Collide
HINATA
From her high perch atop the Yondaime's stone head, Hinata overlooked all of Konoha but
her thoughts didn't reflect the night-time beauty of her home nor the talking-to she'd receive
for staying out so late. The midnight-haired kunoichi could only focus on what is and what
isn't. For a long time, Hinata felt lacking, insufficient, as a daughter, a ninja, and even a
friend. She hoped she was wrong and worked hard to prove that feeling of doubt wrong, but
after what she heard hours ago, it was the biggest blow to her progress. Hinata felt as if she
lost her sensei and the man she's loved all her life in one night and it was demoralizing.
Looking out to the peace of her village and the hope of a better future, she mindlessly asks
the view as much as her aching heart, "don't I deserve… something more?"
"Hell yeah!"
The loud familiar voice shocked her into twisting about to look at the railing directly behind
her. At the sight of her beloved Naruto, wearing a red and black cloak over his orange and
black uniform, Hinata panicked as he gushes, "I made it in twelve hours!" Focusing on her
ahead, Naruto leaps over the rail to the bust of his father on the Hokage monument and
beside the Hyūga. "Hey, Hinata!"
"…Naruto-kun," she says absentmindedly. Seeing him up close, Hinata immediately focuses
on his toad-like pupils in the middle of yellow irides and the orange pigmentation around his
eyes. He smiles when he catches her staring and she looks away in blushing
embarrassment.
"It's fine," Naruto told her. "I like your eyes when you use your Byakugan. They're super
cool." His compliment used to be a source of uplifting energy. Now that she knows the truth
about him and her sensei, she doubts he even means it. When it appears as if she won't
respond, Naruto asks, "what are you doing up here so late?" Before she responds, however,
her blond crush puts his hands together, voicing, "actually… Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
Hinata is confused when another Naruto—minus the pigmentation around his eyes—pops
into existence, to which he answers, "sorry, since I'm still on mission, I have to get to Ji-chan
right away, but you can talk with my clone. You won't believe how badass I got the last few
days!"
With a salute, the sage Naruto leaps away into the serenity of the village below them.
Naruto's clone only grimaces, "tch, just leaving without letting you say a word," he judged.
"Not that I don't get it," he said to Hinata. He then takes a seat and pats the stone flooring as
he asks, "so, what's going on? How come you're here this late all by yourself?"
Hesitantly, Hinata politely takes a seat, however, she couldn't express the turmoil in her
heart and turned her gaze to the village down below as she slowly answered, "thinking."
"Hmm, about what?" Again, silence, as she couldn't voice what was disappointing her so
much. Instead, Naruto shared, "you don't have to say if you don't want. You wouldn't believe
the mission the Boss has been on. He actually had to fight off Orochimaru! I don't know if
you remember him. He's the one who tried to kill Ji-chan. The boss fought him off practically
by himself! It was pretty awesome. That's the mission we're completing now." Normally,
Hinata is always thrilled when Naruto spoke with her, only now, she can't help but wonder if
he would prefer to talk to anyone but her.
"Are you okay? You seem down," he observed.
Feeling like she needed to stop holding him back, Hinata weakly explains, "I… heard about
you… and Kurenai-sensei."
His eyes widen a moment as he asks, "really? Hmm, I guess she finally told you. Isn't it
great?" His levity only confirmed what she knew; he was better without her. It was a bitter pill
to swallow as he added, "I never thought I'd find someone who not only cares about me, but
wants to take on life together, like family."
"…Y-you already think of her as family?"
"Hmm, definitely," he hummed with a bright smile, oblivious to her dead expression. "Having
dinners with you and Kurenai were some of my most happiest times."
Certain of the answer, she only continued proving her theory right by asserting, "B-but you
would still feel happy if I weren't there-"
"Definitely not," he flatly told her, looking at her as if she were crazy. His genuine expression
as he assures her, "of course I want you there," perplexed her. "I like how kind and badass
you are. I may not know what's bugging you—don't think I can't tell either—but if it's
something you can fight, then you definitely should!"
"Fight?"
"Of course," he proclaimed before pointing out to the village below them. "We all fight for the
things we want, right? I want to be Hokage more than anything and I'll fight anyone who
says otherwise." Nudging her shoulder with his own he adds, "whatever's in your heart of
hearts, you should fight for it too. Hell, I'll help you. Whatever you need, you can count on
me."
Looking at the sincerity in his deep blue eyes rocked her certainty that no one needed her to
the core. She looked away and tried to say, "I wish… I w-wish-"
"Don't worry about wishing," he interjected with gusto. "Let's just fix it! Whatever the
problem, whatever's bugging you, let's face it head-on. So, lay it on me. What do you need?"
Hinata stared at a very animated Naruto as she fiercely debating with herself the way she
always does when considering the next step. She wanted him more than anyone she knows
or could think to know, but how could she be so selfish when clearly, she's not enough. Her
chest inflated and deflated painfully and still, her mind debated speaking the words she's
always wanted to say.
Clapping each of her cheeks with cupped palms, Naruto bellows, "HI-NA-TA." Despite being
so close and touched by him, she only focused on his hypnotic eyes and the feeling of
comfort and friendliness he radiated. "Nothing you say is wrong or offensive, so don't worry
about it. Whatever's bothering you, I'm on your side. Share it with me."
Chapter 439:
As he let her cheeks free, the cold quickly took their place and Hinata wanted to cry right
there. The memories of Kurenai and Ino talking, the unfairness of it all, the one wish she's
had since she met Naruto as a little girl, they were all on the very tip of her tongue when an
unsettling sound of a flute raises to a volume they can hear, then louder still.
The moment the pair of ninjas question it, they suddenly can't feel their bodies. The second
panic courses the length of their bodies, Hinata's special eyes are made to witness a very
long golden arrow drilling explosively through Naruto's unprotected neck. She saw every
millisecond of the golden point jutting through his neck and the thick red blood slowly yet
violently ejecting out as the metal pole exits the punctured hole. The violent murder lasted
forever in her eyes, as if she saw the man she loves die a thousand deaths before he
mercifully pops into a white puffy cloud of smoke.
"Are you fucking-" Hinata absentmindedly heard from the shadows of the tree line behind the
monument. "Fantastic, a fucking clone," the same female voice said.
A second voice asks, "language."
"Fuck off," the female returned.
"Now what?" Asked the second voice.
"Orochimaru-sama ordered us to capture or kill him," a third stated with authority.
"Yeah, and Kabuto said if we can't one-shot him with a surprise attack, avoid him at all cost,"
a fourth voice retorted.
"We don't have a lot of time," the first voice reminds everyone. "He's bound to be here in a
few minutes."
"Take the girl," the third voice in the shadows ordered. "If he comes chasing, it means he
cares. We can use that."
The fourth voice asks, "and Sasuke? He's our main objective."
"Orochimaru won't be happy if we return without him," the second voice warned.
"We still have to find him," the third voice, who appears to be the leader replied. "We'll come
up with a plan back at base."
Hinata heard it all but could do nothing as she's kept under genjutsu. Finally, out of the
corner of her eye, she observed a large, heavy-set boy leap out of the tree-line beyond the
railing, right to her side on the stone bust. He easily picks her up and lays her on the
shoulder before leaping away, the sight of Konoha, of her home, quickly disappearing from
her sight, and the words she wanted to share with Naruto along with it.
KURENAI
Leaping from one building to the next, Kurenai has yet to stop searching for Hinata. She
wasn't at the Hyūga compound, at any of the training areas, Iruka's, her teammates' homes,
the Hospital, the parks, or ponds. Kurenai's only clue came from Haku when she checked
the new Uzumaki residence and complex. Though she was upset at Haku for leaving her
alone, Kurenai was more upset with herself for the failure of her plan.
Sensing a familiar chakra land behind her, Kurenai asks Anko, "did you find anything?"
"No sign of her," Anko answered as they both stretch their senses as far as they're capable.
"Kinda regretting your plan, huh?"
Kurenai's gut sinks at the reminder, however, she remains straight-faced as she replies,
"now's not the time, Anko."
Without taking offense, Anko nods before assuring her friend, "don't worry, she'll be fine."
Grateful for the latitude Anko's giving her, Kurenai felt comfortable sharing the unrest in her
chest. "…I only meant for Ino to overhear it like that," Kurenai insisted.
"I know," Anko empathetically confirmed.
"Hinata shouldn't have heard it like that," Kurenai argues as if to herself.
"I know," Anko agrees before expressing, "but this isn't genjutsu. You can't control
everything. And it's not like you could've told one and not that other. That would've been
unfair."
"What's unfair is how Hinata must be feeling right now," Kurenai retorted. "Because of my
stupidity."
"If you ask me, I think it's better this way," Anko thoughtfully alleges. "Sure, overhearing it
like that doesn't fit Hinata's personality type like it does Ino, but if she can get over this, it'll
be easier later."
Shaking her head at the stupidity of her plan, Kurenai longingly expresses, "right now, I just
want to find her."
"We will," Anko assures her dearest friend when they both feel a powerful disturbance in the
serenity of the night. It felt so strong, Anko needed to ask, "you feel that?"
Before Kurenai answers, the pair see off in the distance, a yellow flash streak across the
night sky of the Hokage monument. They look at each other a moment before rushing after
the power source.
NARUTO
In the Hokage's residence, the Naruto clone releases his sage mode as he set Katsuyu
down. He wanted to walk over to his slumbering Ji-chan when he felt his clone being forcibly
dispelled. He quickly alerted Katsuyu that he had to run and to summon Tsunade before
leaping out of the window. Landing on the ground, Naruto was already in his golden-white
chakra cloak, and zeroing in on Hinata. He didn't know if it was Danzō or something worse,
but just like Karin, he wasn't going to let anyone take one of his friends.
The golden flash sprinted and leaped over buildings, mountainside, then trees faster than
sound could travel until he felt four sources of negative energy in the forest behind the
monument. Nothing about them gave him the distinct feeling that he would have difficulty
dealing with them. Even if it was four against one, Naruto landed in front of them, cracking
the ground radially as he cut their escape.
The four were dressed the same as Orochimaru and recalled them all from the invasion.
One was dark-skinned, with a black ponytail, and an oddity Naruto's never seen before; six
arms. He effortlessly recalls the only girl among them, with her slender build, fair skin, and
long red hair, as well as a clone marking her as they escaped with Orochimaru. The one
seemingly leading them was fair-skinned with grayish long hair and what appears to be
another head at his back. The last one was tall, fair-skinned, with three tufts of orange hair
on his otherwise bald head, and he had Hinata on her shoulder.
As Naruto mentally recalls Naru-nii's description of the Sound Four, Tayuya cursed, "shit that
was fast."
"If you don't want to see any harm come to the girl," Sakon began, and Jirōbō immediately
placed a kunai near Hinata's neck. "Come quietly."
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