Chapter 21 - P

Chapter 380: A New Prank

JIRAIYA

From atop the hip-gabled, shingled roof of a tall hotel, the long-haired

legendary sannin watched his distant target like a hawk. Jiraiya was

dressed in black, dark gray & blue, and his normally white hair is ebony

and tied back. His ears were perked and perceptive to all sounds

carried by the mercy of the conveying wind. Reprogramming his brain

so his already sharp eyes enhance color, and light, Jiraiya waits

patiently, silently, until he's certain his target will never notice him

before he moves again. This mission was that critical.

His blond-haired Godson thought he shook him after leaving the

construction site, his teammate's compound, and even Temari's

underground cell but Jiraiya was a master of infiltration and

surveillance and he will not let go of this juicy morsel of research. He

can feel his fingertips itching to write his magnum opus, Icha Icha

Palace.

Giggling to himself, he thought, 'you did well, Naruto; checking your

surroundings in intervals, using reflections, blending with the crowd,

but you underestimate the importance of this for men everywhere!

OOHHH!'

From a distance, Naruto didn't seem dejected to the old sage, which

may or may not indicate the direction of his conversation with Temari.

Jiraiya assumed if Temari and Naruto rejected the Omiai, then Naruto

would go home to Iruka's. Instead, he slowly but surely followed Naruto

from Temari's cell to Kurenai's home in the residential area for many

clerical shinobi. He can assume Naruto wanted to update one of his

sensei, since she's on the way to Iruka's. If it was a short stay, Jiraiya

could reason the Omiai was dead in the water. If it was longer—likely

to discuss the institution of marriage—then his research, and thus, his

novel was still viable.

Naruto entered without announcing himself, making Jiraiya wonder

how many times he's been to Kurenai's home. Moving as close as he

dared, he was surprised to note through the window near the living

room that Asuma was also in the two-story house. Crouched on a roof

three houses away, Jiraiya can see the three in the living room,

standing close to one another. After seven minutes, Asuma abruptly

leaves and to Jiraiya's surprise, he angrily slams the door behind him.

Keeping his sense of sound focused on the house, Jiraiya navigates

around Kurenai's property to the front, landing on the top of a power-

pole and is confused at the sight of a frustrated Asuma, standing in the

middle of the street with his shoulders tight and hunched, staring at the

house he just left.

Jiraiya recognizes the look of a man who's just heard hard information

he doesn't agree with and is nearly sure it has to do with Naruto, but he

wonders if Asuma disagrees with the Omiai. Jiraiya knows that Asuma

considers Naruto to be something akin to a little brother. Perhaps he

doesn't agree with the political marriage, which is confirmation enough

that the Omiai is still on. Smiling broadly, Jiraiya leaves a toad to watch

the house for Naruto's departure and follows after Asuma. Landing

beside the large man, Jiraiya is calmly aware of his heightened

agitation.

"Fancy running into you 'round these parts," Jiraiya starts, and is taken

at the gruff man's countenance. He looked angry and sad, a stark

difference to his usual aloof nature. Even from when he was young,

Jiraiya rarely ever saw Asuma show much sadness or anger; not that

he came around much. Changing tactics, Jiraiya asks, "glad I did, tho.

Could use a drinking partner?"

Asuma turned to him and for a split second and Jiraiya thought the

younger Sarutobi was going to attack him. Instead, he turns his ire

toward the ground and Jiraiya's mind wonders what could be going on

as he follows the silent Jōnin-sensei to the Jōnin only bar in the

market.

KURENAI

The couple laid comfortably together on her soft couch.

Snug against his hot chest, the side of Kurenai's enchanting face

pressed to the side of Naruto's, her frazzled brain can barely think, let

alone wonder how long it's been since they've been together. Inhaling

the scent of pine, leather, and his uniquely sweet musk, all that matters

is that the wait is over. She couldn't press her pliable body close

enough to satisfy her growing need of him, rubbing her nose against

his neck before kissing the long hot muscle of his nape. Feeling his

hands dive underneath her red and white tunic, Kurenai suddenly

recalled the danger of being too aroused with a man as sexually

dominating as Naruto.

Pulling back for fear of succumbing too quickly, an aroused Kurenai

weakly pushes back as she struggles to voice, "wait… Naruto… we still

have to talk."

Without removing his hot hands from her sensitive back, he leans back

to softly say, "I know." His eyes were black pools of arousal and his

thick meat tower pressed against her strong thigh is a few twitches

away from ripping out of his pants. It's no surprise when he adds, "I

want to tell you everything; I mean everything… but it's been way, way

too long and I need to be deep inside you before we do anything else!"

With desperate energy, Naruto leaps off the couch and lifts her entire

body over his shoulder in one smooth motion, making her yelp,

"Naruto!" One hand gripping her butt cheek, he hastens to her bed

upstairs. Tossing her on her cushy mattress, making her heart beat

incredibly fast. She hears him undress and it's nothing they haven't

done before, but to know it's going to happen again, and possibly for

the rest of her life, Kurenai feels nervous, shy, yet incredibly aroused.

To distract herself, she voices into the darkness of the room, "I, uh…

mnn going to talk… with Ho-Hokage-sama tomorrow. Mnn," she moans

when she feels Naruto grip her fevered hips and pull her to the edge of

the bed and perfectly leveled with his erect steel rod. Her red silk

panties are soaked, her inner thighs grow unbearably humid, and her

beautiful pink nipples are stiff and sensitive. "Let mmme… talk to him

fir-first," she tries to communicate as he expertly removes the white

bindings at her thighs.

Lifting her tone legs and resting them against his bare chest, Naruto

slowly plucked the edges of her silk panties, gently shuffling them down

just like she taught him. Embarrassed by how drenched they were,

Kurenai blushes down to her chest as she hides her red face behind

her forearms. Feeling his sizzling skin press directly against her leaking

center, Naruto lowers her legs and wraps them around his waist before

he lifts her by her arms. He pulls her tunic over her head, causing her

lustrous raven locks to fall around her shoulders, and soon after,

Naruto's kissing her deeply.

Through their suckled lips, she felt his desire for her and her hunger for

him to match. His starving lips and tongue are the sustenance she's

craved and delighted in the overwhelming emotion until he pumped the

under-length of his love muscle into the moist entrance of her juicy

womanhood. She could feel her cockpit eagerly softening for him and

thrust back. The pair of lovers didn't even think about foreplay as

Naruto lifting her feverish body high enough to align their sexes without

even breaking their kiss. Kurenai wrapped her arms around his neck,

holding on tightly as she felt his thick, dribbling gland at the entrance of

her twitching pinkness. She managed the shortest gasp of breath

before he thrust into her full-weight drop, stuffing her full and wide of

his towering hot-rod.

"AAAMMMMMHHHH," they both blissfully moan, her slippery heat

squeezing him to the base of his rock hard cock. Kurenai took him to

his balls and she swore she could feel him in her throat.

Chapter 381:

Hold him with weak arms for dear life, Kurenai's wanton body took

over. Rolling her head forward, she takes his lips aggressively,

conquering him like enemy territory. Feeling her blissful love canal

begin to boil in ecstasy, Kurenai felt doomed to a great orgasm, but

when his soulful eyes unexpectedly look deeply into her crimson irises,

and wholeheartedly expresses, "until my last breath, I will always love

you." Kurenai lost all strength to hold herself up. Her mind, body, heart,

and chakra told her she wasn't going to last the night.

Because she loved him just as much, she realized, making her nose

stuffy and eyes water.

Naruto fondled her round ass-cheeks before laying her on the edge of

the bed and shoving himself back home over and over again,

provoking a constant song of moaning, panting, and humming. He was

only building a steady rhythm, but the moaning Kurenai's heavily

aroused quim wasn't going to last another minute. His deep thrusts

were so hungry—so hard and hot—he nearly sends her tightening love

muscle over the edge with every filling. She couldn't stop moaning,

losing her drowning to the rapidly building pleasure. When Naruto

grabs lifts her left knee to turn her orientation, penetrating her gushing

g-spot perfectly, Kurenai doesn't last another dozen seconds before

she screaming her moan through clenched teeth and clamping down

on his thick dick as her whole body quivers in gushing ecstasy.

"Ugh… Kami… I missed you," Naruto moans as she squeezes his thick

cock, her sweaty thigh quivering against his chest and her toes flex

and tense in surging pleasure. Still hard inside her, Naruto gives her a

few seconds to recover a bit of her awareness before he begins

pumping into her sensitive love lane again. Kurenai quickly comes to

the conclusion that she wouldn't mind sharing this part of Naruto with a

sister-wife because she doesn't think she could survive this on her

own.

JIRAIYA

Walking in Elite Spirits, Jiraiya has the sense that whatever this anger

in Asuma is, has more to do with Kurenai than Naruto. Asuma simply

grabs a bottle from behind the bar-top and takes a seat in the empty

booth in the back of the black steel and hardwood bar. After Jiraiya

settles with the bartender, he takes a seat in front of the troubled man.

Asuma chugged the brown liquor from the bottle, and Jiraiya's

experience is telling him, 'no doubt about it… girl troubles.' Though he

wants to continue surveilling his Godson in hopes of learning who this

love of his is, Asuma is his sensei's son, and absent the Jōnin's

friends, it falls on to his shoulders to make sure he's alright.

"Believe it or not, I've been there," Jiraiya slowly starts. "You know that

gaping wound you're feeling right now can't be fixed with sake, right?"

Ignoring the old sage, Asuma swallows another mouth-full. "If you want

my personal recommendation," Jiraiya continues. "You need sake and

ladies! How about we get out of here and find a proper distraction?"

Angered, as if upset the alcohol is taking too long, Asuma demands to

know with a razor edge to his voice, "did you know?"

Unsure if he means Naruto's Omiai or more than likely something else,

Jiraiya casually replies, "you're going to have to be specific there,

Asuma-kun."

"I looked up to you, as a child," Asuma admits to him. "In some ways, I

was jealous of the attention otou-sama preferred to give you."

Wondering if this is somehow about Hiruzen, Jiraiya asks, "hey, now,

what's all this about?"

"It's about your fucking Godson!" He yelled so loudly, everyone in the

low-lit bar turned to them. Jiraiya can't figure out the intel he's clearly

missing, but the possibility of this getting physical is much higher as

Asuma continues yelling, "you owe me the truth! Did you know!?"

Taking a sip of his sake, Jiraiya patiently waits out the flare of anger

before finally voicing, "how about we have another drink? Come on,

drinks are on me tonight."

The pair kept on drinking for dozens of minutes in silence and just

when Jiraiya wondered about the toad scout he left at Kurenai's,

Kakashi mercifully walks into the bar along with a few other Jōnin from

the Torture & Interrogation department. With Asuma midway through

his third bottle of sake, Jiraiya stands and rushes over to Kakashi.

Wrapping his large arm around the elite, one-eyed Jōnin, Jiraiya's

alcohol breath made Kakashi heavily tilt his nose away from the

stench.

Jiraiya holds firm as he bids to know, "did Naruto prank Asuma

recently?"

Orochimaru's former protégé stops to listen as Kakashi groans, "mah,

not that I'm aware of. Why?"

Letting Kakashi go, Jiraiya points to the heavily drinking man in the

corner before asserting, "he's aiming to drown himself in sake and the

only thing he's mentioned was Naruto."

"H-How do you mean," Anko quickly asks.

"Ah, Anko-chan," Jiraiya starts suddenly noticing her fishnet stalkings,

tight skirt, and mesh armor over her large breasts under her brown

overcoat. Smoothing back his currently stealth-black hair, Jiraiya

suavely asks, "may I have the honor of buying a lovely lady a drink?"

"When one comes in, I don't see why not," Anko effortlessly retorts

before asking, "now what about Asuma and Naruto?"

"Bah," Jiraiya huffs waving her concern and turning to the white-haired

Copy-Ninja. "Kakashi?"

Kakashi answers, "as far as I know, he's stopped pulling pranks on

people… nothing intentional, anyway. He does play some things close

to the vest."

Standing straighter as if to leave, he replies, "I'll just have to ask him

myself then-"

"I'll ask him," Anko quickly announces.

"It's fine," Jiraiya assures her, moving to leave. "I already know where

he is… though I'm surprised he hasn't left yet. Can't imagine why he'd

still-"

Asuma jumps on Jiraiya's broad back, yelling, "thiz izz al'your fault! For

not teachin' tha brat!" Asuma then takes one uncoordinated look at

Kakashi and tries miserably to punch the veteran as he yells, "this iz

al'your fault! For not teachin tha thievin' brat!" Kakashi effortlessly

sidesteps around the wide-swinging punch, but Asuma doesn't stop

lethargically attacking either Kakashi or Jiraiya, and as the pair do all

they can to calm the intoxicated man down, a dark-violet haired

kunoichi slips out of the bar.

ANKO

With the cold air whipping loudly past her, Anko sprints from rooftop-to-

rooftop toward the residential area at max speed. She runs so fast she

barely has time to wonder how Asuma might've learned about Naruto

and Kurenai, assuming that's indeed why Asuma is drinking his

sorrows to oblivion. Part of Anko always knew her best friend's

relationship with Naruto would get out, however, she also hoped it

didn't blow up in her babe's face. She cared too much about Kurenai to

see her ridiculed and shamed by the village for daring to love outside

the social norm. After all, she knows all too well how it feels to be

treated as substandard by Konoha's 'upstanding' citizens.

Landing by Kurenai's front door, Anko looks around the quiet

neighborhood as she applies her chakra to the Fūinjutsu security on

the wood frame before stepping in. Detecting familiar noises upstairs, it

took everything in her not to rush upstairs and sneak a peek at this

'mind-blowing' sex her best friend had described. Alternatively, she

yells, "babe! I'ma need you to get off that bucking stallion and get down

here! We have a situation."

Pacing at the foot of the stairs, Anko anticipated Kurenai's

responsibility to kick in and rush downstairs. Instead, thirty seconds of

rustling pass by before she hears the bedroom door open a crack

before her friend's winded and amorous voice calls out from the

second floor, "wha-what is it-t?"

Anko's face deadpans as her sharp ears easily pick up the moist

suction of faint thrusting through the door upstairs as well as Kurenai's,

'N-Naruto, w-wait- mmmnn, she- she'll hear-' Nearly four months

without fucking anyone, Anko has no patience for this and yells, "are

you seriously still fuckin' right now!"

Anko hears back a muffled, "j-huust a minnnute," before the click of the

door closing.

Chapter 382:

Anko takes a deep calming breath around the faint rustling, panting,

and smacking noises in the master bedroom upstairs. Three restless

minutes and a muffled scream later, a flustered and peeved Anko

sights Kurenai—flush red, ebony hair a mess, and alive from vigorous

sex—walking down the steps in her short red robe. Tapping her right

foot in grand annoyance, Anko rolls her pupil-less brown eyes at the

small smile Kurenai can't seem to remove from her deeply blushing

face. Anko's nose picks up the scent of secretions, semen, and sweat

from her best friend, stirring up a bit of jealously within her. She didn't

regret her decision to stop her philandering ways, however, she is

unnerved by the large void within her created by the lack of male

distractions.

Kurenai has the decency to at least look remorseful as her hoarse

voices, "what's up?"

Ignoring how hot Kurenai's voice sounds, Anko irately replies,

"probably the bottle of sake Asuma is downing right now."

Looking up at the ceiling to the man in her bed before turning to Anko

and confessing, "yeah, he uh, found out about me and Naruto."

With alert eyes, Anko deadpans, "found out that you're 'going steady,'

or that you're locking legs and swapping gravy?"

Slumping her shoulders, Kurenai huffs, "I wasn't exactly specific. He

just knows."

"Either way, he's wasted right now and trying to fight Kakashi and

Jiraiya as we speak," Anko reports.

Understandably, Kurenai reasons, "I'm the last person he wants to

see."

"That's not why I rushed over," Anko replies. "If Asuma hasn't already

spilled the beans, it's only a matter of time before the entire bar knows,

and by tomorrow, most of Konoha. Hell, Jiraiya's probably on his way

here to talk with Naruto."

When they both hear the window in Kurenai's bedroom faintly open

and close, Kurenai voices what they're both thinking, "this isn't going to

end well."

Sensing Naruto speed away, Anko asks, "should we go after him?"

Kurenai doesn't immediately answer, giving Anko the impression she's

mentally strategizing. "…No," Kurenai eventually replies. "There's

something more important I need to do… and I'm going to need help."

"What is it?"

"It'll involve a little trespassing," Kurenai voices, making Anko smile.

"My favorite," the busty kunoichi replies. Looking at the door and

imagining Naruto running to deal with Asuma, Anko chuckles, "thank

Kami I never said which bar."

Snorting, Kurenai simply voices as she rushes upstairs, "it's Naruto."

NARUTO

"Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," Naruto calls. Nearly a hundred clones

emerge to help him search the streets for whatever bar Asuma might

be in. Knowing Konoha as expertly as he does, all the Narutos spread

out to the civilian and non-civilian bars, restaurants, and pubs in hopes

of talking with the heartbroken man.

HINATA

Sitting up in her bed, Hinata is surprised by her visitor, especially as it's

getting close to bedtime. It's been a few days since she was

transferred from the hospital to her home to finish recuperating, but

other than her reserved cousins attending her, she hasn't seen her

teammates or family. So it's a welcome surprise when her dear cousin

Neji slides the door closed before making his way to her side. She

bows from her up-right position in bed and greets him with a smile.

As he takes a seat beside her, she can tell he's troubled. Hinata was

told of the invasion and how clones of Naruto protected Neji and

herself. She's nearly certain he wouldn't like being protected and

wonders if he blames her for closing a few of his more vital tenketsus

and hindering his ability to fight. Though she couldn't know of the

invasion, Hinata empathizes with his feelings of being unhelpful and

blames herself for doing that to him.

The silence lasts so long, she's ready to apologize when Neji asks,

"how are you feeling?"

"Oh, um, much better," Hinata assuredly answers. "Thank you for

asking. How are you?"

Side-stepping her concern, Neji slowly admits to her, "…I came to tell

you I still believe in destiny, and that I wasn't wrong… but I've had a

wealth of time for self-reflection and I've also come to believe I wasn't

truly right. I felt so strongly destiny would always remain unchanged,

no matter the person—set from the day of your birth—however, I now

know we do have the potential to change it, if we truly desire it. I had

ignored the strength within the individual because I thought destiny

was stronger, and that was the error in my logic. We are in charge of

our own destiny, we simply have to be strong enough to earn it, or it will

be as others decide for us." Bowing his head to the tatami mat, Neji

conveys, "I'm sorry for the way I've treated you, Hinata-sama. If you

can find it in your heart to forgive me, I will be forever in your debt-"

Helping him up, Hinata professes, "please, you don't have to

apologize. I know how much you were hurting, so I never took offense."

Sitting back, she adds, "and you're right. I also realized I had to

harness my strengh and conviction if I ever wanted to be useful to my

team, my village, and my family. I should be thanking you."

"Please don't thank me for being that way," Neji asks but at her serious

eyes, he simply nods. With a small smile, he remarks, "it seems we

have more in common than I originally thought."

"As talented as you are, I can only be honored by that," Hinata

humorously bids.

Smirking, Neji informs her, "Hiashi-sama has begun training me. Our

first session was earlier today."

"That's amazing," Hinata beams. "I'm so happy for you."

"He's a very strict instructor," Neji good-naturedly comments. "But I

appreciate his dedication."

"I'm glad," she expresses before offering, "um, if there's any way I can

help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Tilting his head in thought, he admits, "actually, I'd appreciate sparring

with you when you're able."

"I'd be happy to," she answers with a regal smile.

With concern he asks, "how are you feeling? Is there good news?"

"I'm getting better every day," she reassures him. "Another week or two

and I'll once again return to full strength."

"I'm truly ashamed-"

"Please, Neji-niisama," she interjects, shaking her head and forcing her

silky hair to follow. "Because you're here and we can have a better

relationship, I take pride in these injuries. I regret nothing and neither

should you."

"Even still, as the hand that wanted to… destroy you," he hates to

admit, furrowing his brow. "I will forever carry that shame and ask if

there's anything I can do to assist you, please let me know."

There is a knock on the door before it's slid open. One of their cousin-

servants reveals to Hinata, "if you're well, Hinata-sama, your sensei

wishes to see. She says it's urgent."

"I'll leave you," Neji instantly speaks, standing. When Hinata moves to

speak, he assuages, "it's fine, Hinata-sama. We can speak again

tomorrow, if you would like."

Hinata nods happily as Kurenai enters the room. Neji bows to her

before confessing, "thank you for watching over and instructing Hinata-

sama."

Kurenai is taken aback by the usually cold genius before bowing and

thanking him as well. Hinata can tell she was surprised but is grateful

her sensei is respectful to everyone. It's one of the things she

thoroughly loves about her sensei, to be strong and respectful

regardless of station or wealth. It's admirable.

Sitting beside her bed, Kurenai asks about her prognosis and when

she might start training again. Hinata secretly enjoyed it when her

beautiful sensei would fret over her well-being and life, just like a

mother would. They spend five easy minutes briefly catching up on

what's been going on and then Kurenai hesitated when she brought up

Naruto. The hesitation made her ask, "sensei?"

"Just out of curiosity," Kurenai begins to reply. "Did you have any idea

Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage?"

Shaking her head and loose silk strands, Hinata replies, "I didn't but I'm

certain he must be very proud. Even father looked up to the Yondaime

Hokage." When Kurenai still appeared distracted, as if something

weighed heavily on her mind, Hinata asks again, "sensei?"

Smiling to her student, Kurenai voices, "I have something very

important to tell you… and you should know, it has the potential to be

very upsetting."

"…Okay," Hinata slowly acknowledges. "I'll try to keep an open mind."

"I know how much you love Naruto," Kurenai begins. Instantly, Hinata's

entire face grows beet red, her eyes widen like saucers, and though

she opens her mouth to deny it, no sound comes out. Raising a

calming palm, Kurenai reassures her, "remember your training. You

have a right to express yourself and there's nothing to be nervous

about."

Chapter 383:

Taking a deep breath, Hinata is comforted by her memories with

Genjutsu Naruto and Kurenai's counsel, and repeats to herself, 'there's

nothing wrong with expressing your feelings.' Though she talks to

Kurenai about nearly everything in her life, it's still incredibly

embarrassing to the point of crippling to voice her feelings for Naruto.

When Hinata eventually finds her center and calms down some,

Kurenai continues, "I've known for some time and it only makes me

that much more proud of you."

Unsure what she means, Hinata asks, "why?"

"The village is only now starting to see how amazing Naruto is," her

beautiful sensei begins to explain. "But you've known him and loved

him long before that information came out. When everyone saw an

annoying prankster, you saw an honest and hard-working future

shinobi. To my everlasting shame, even I thought nothing of him in the

beginning, but because of you, I got to know him for the truly beautiful

person he is." Hinata felt even hotter with under such praise, as

Kurenai adds, "I never thanked you for that."

"You don't have to," Hinata quickly assures her. First Neji, and now

Kurenai, Hinata didn't have experience being appreciated to this

degree.

"I think I do," Kurenai tells her. Noting her change in demeanor, Hinata

pays close attention as her sensei articulates, "you see, I… don't want

you to wake up in five, ten, or twenty years and imagine you missed

out on having that love. I would've missed this if it wasn't for you and I

want you to have the same."

Confused and also apprehensive, Hinata asks, "what do you mean?"

"I believe Naruto can love you just as much as you love him," Kurenai

admits, and smiles at the feverish blush to overtake a swooning Hinata.

"Breathe," Kurenai commands, and Hinata follows. "Even if I know it'll

be difficult for you—not unlike standing up to your genius cousin—I

know you will stand and protect your love for him and his potential love

for you."

Swallowing what may as well have been a brick, Hinata deflects by

asking, "w-why are we talking about t-this?"

"Because of what's happened," Kurenai softly answers, making Hinata

forget her embarrassment for just a moment to wonder what's

happened. "There are certain politics you don't know about and sadly I

can't quite explain it here without upsetting your father or the Hokage. I

just wanted you to know that if you're presented with the opportunity of

being with Naruto, I know you'll be honest with yourself and others. You

may have the Byakugan but as a woman who knows love, I have faith

in your bravery because I can see your love for Naruto is just that

strong."

INO

At a soft, 'tap tap tap,' against the window behind her, Ino turns from

her dresser to the sight of Anko outside her window. Setting her brush

down, she opens her window to allow the woman in, voicing in

curiosity, "Anko-chan?"

"Hey kiddo," Anko greets, looking merrily around Ino's white and purple

room. Suddenly it felt too girly for a mature woman like Anko. "Sweet

room," the Jōnin adds.

"Thanks," Ino tentatively answers, pausing a moment before she asks,

"what are you doing here?"

Analyzing the photos of a royal-purple Sterling, of Sakura, of her family,

and teammates around the mirror of her desk, Anko asks without

turning to her, "got a question for ya?"

"…Okay."

Eying Ino through the mirror, Anko asks, "how much do you love

Naruto?" Ino is taken aback by the woman's stunning bluntness and

barely has a few moments before the dark-violet haired kunoichi

continues to ask, "think you'd be happy with him if you had to share

him?"

Donning on her mask to think without being studied, Ino hesitates to

answer. She can't be sure what Anko knows or who she's talked with

and resigns to ask, "…I… Did Naruto talk to you?"

Placidly, Anko asks, "about what?"

Ino can't be sure what's known and what isn't, however she isn't so

simple and asks, "why are you telling me this?"

Smiling, Anko explains, "I'm being legit, here; no tricks." Ino watches

her as she walks around the room and claims, "I really do want to know

how much you love him. After that little verbal smackdown you gave

Genma, I came to help you. Honest."

Ino examines Anko but can't derive anything from her exterior, not that

was expecting to, and honestly answers, "…I love him."

Unsurprised a smiling Anko asks, "would you be willing to share him?

Maybe with a little ol' girl like me? Maybe another girl?"

Training her mask to show no sign of surprise or worry, Ino calmly

asks, "you? Do you… Are you in love wit-"

"Nah," Anko quickly affirms, leaning on the edge of her desk and

crossing her arms. "I like him more than most, sure, but that's mostly

because I get where he came from. At the moment, I'm more into that

self-love; just don't have the room for men." With a shrug she admits,

"bit cheesy, I know, but such is the way when you feel the winds of

change."

Believing her, Ino shares, "I don't think it's cheesy at all. If not for

yourself… I don't see how this helps me."

"You haven't answered my question," Anko notes before adding, "which

is fine. You don't need to, but I think you ought to know, if you can't

imagine a guy like him being with any girl other than you, you should

give up on him now-"

"He's not a cheater," Ino quickly asserts. Ino may not know what

information Anko has, but if she believes Naruto is just using her or

Sakura, Ino will happily correct her mistake.

"Never said he was," Anko assures her. "But my warning still stands. If

you think it's just going to be you and him in a big house with a litter of

blond little Uzumakis running around, you should give up on him; go

love someone else. Harsh, I know, but, it'll hurt less in the long run."

Walking back to the wind, Anko braces the window frame to leap from

as she says with finality, "think about it."

However, Anko doesn't know what Ino's gone through with Naruto and

Sakura, her road to redemption, the way her love for them has grown,

and the beautiful Yamanaka stands proudly as she states, "don't need

to," halting Anko halfway through the window. "The love I have for

Naruto will happily share him with another girl… as long as she's right

for him… for us."

Ino hadn't expected the widest grin on Anko's faces before she starts

chuckling to herself, communicating, "hahaha, oh Kami, I always knew

I liked you. You got spunk." Before Anko leaves, she departs with, "if

that's how you really feel, then tomorrow should be really interesting for

ya."

Though Ino calls, "wait," Anko doesn't. Dashing to the window sill as

she asks, "what do you mean, tomorrow?"

Though it didn't seem as if Anko was trying to extort anything more

than a bit of honesty, Ino was left to wonder if the busty kunoichi knew

about her polyamorous intent with Naruto and Sakura. Though it didn't

seem likely, in a ninja village, anything is possible. Certain Anko

could've learned the information without Naruto or Sakura confessing

as much, Ino makes plans to talk to Naruto and Sakura the first chance

she gets.

Chapter 384:

NARUTO

With his hundred clones scouring Konoha's nightlife, Naruto searches

the most popular sections of bars, stands, and restaurants from both

shinobi and civilian sections. Other than being chased by a few city

patrols, the Narutos don't pick up Asuma's trail for an hour. When a

clone alerts him to a brawl in the civilian sector, Naruto rushes over to

find his clone helping a tall broad-shouldered blond man he recalls was

with Mabui and Samui. The blond man is drunk and yelling for a clone

to let him fight but there's no one around to fight.

Watching the man struggle with a clone, Naruto calls, "Atsui-san?"

Turning to the approaching Naruto, Atsui slurs, "An- noother one! Hoow

many o' you are therre?"

Taking the man's arm and wrapping it around his neck, his clone

disperses as Naruto answers, "it's just me. Come on, let's get you

home."

"Uwhhhhy? Youuu already took my sister! And my girrl!"

Thinking of Asuma, Naruto mumbles exasperatedly, "not again," before

asking, "who's your girl?"

"Mma- Maabui-chan," he hiccups.

Tilting his eyes up to the taller man, a surprised Naruto asks, "wait,

really?"

"Weee belonggg together," Atsui proclaims loudly to the entire village.

"We werre happy in Kumo! And thennn you! You! Cammee… defiled

heer… confused hhher… corrupted herr…"

Atsui could only keep mumbling and occasionally, vomiting. After an

hour of slowly trekking through the lively streets and then the dark

paths of the agricultural section, Naruto finally manages to get Atsui to

the shack at the edge of Nagano's farm. Setting the large heavy man

down in the futon, Naruto covered him comfortably so that he could, at

last, divert all his attention on the one thing that Atsui said.

"…They're from Kumogakure?"

Come morning, Naruto is sitting on the tatami mat, leaning against the

weathered wooden wall as still as can be. Every half-hour he delves

into Sage mode to sense where anyone he cares about is in the

village. Because he knows the chakra signature of his friends and

teammates, he can tell Iruka is already at the hospital, Karin is at the

construction site with Haku, Sasuke is in his home, Ero-sennin and

Kakashi are somewhere Naruto's never been before, Kurenai, Hinata,

and Ino are with Ji-chan in what seems to be Hokage Tower. Naruto

can also sense Samui and Mabui are two hundred yards away from the

shack, likely scouting for any traps. It isn't until noon when he finally

hears a familiar voice.

'Yo,' his future counter-part calls.

Still in sage mode, Naruto returns, 'hey, Naru-nii.'

'So what happened yesterday?'

Feeling Samui and Mabui move in unison another twenty yards closer,

Naruto answers, 'a lot actually.' The most pressing of which has Naruto

ask, 'can I ask… do you ever think about what it really means to be a

leader?'

Snorting, Naru-nii naturally answers, 'of course-'

'No,' Naruto interjects, ignoring Atsui's loud snoring and Mabui and

Samui's synchronized movements. 'I don't mean it like, just protecting

everyone, wearing the hat, sitting behind the desk, complaining about

paperwork… I mean really think about leadership. There's just so

much more to it I hadn't considered before.'

The concerned voice in his head asks, 'like what?'

Slowly, he answers, 'like whether I have to be a different person in

order to be a good leader.'

'…Seems serious,' Naru-nii eventually sympathetically voices.

'Everything alright?'

As Mabui and Samui move closer still, Naruto briefly explains what

happened with Ji-chan and Jiraiya and how it's made him wonder

about the things he doesn't know about being a good leader. 'Honestly,

it's made me feel pretty dumb,' Naruto finishes.

'Maybe you don't have all the pieces yet,' Naru-nii points out. 'I've

always struggled with trying to understand why people do the bad

things they do; why they scheme, cheat, and try to control others. I

mean, why can't we all just be friends, right?'

'Kami, that'd be so much easier,' Naruto enthusiastically agrees.

'But,' Naru-nii sorely continues. 'I figured a lot of people see something

wrong and they try to find an answer. They can be so sure the answer

they figured out is the right one, they do everything they can to prove

that to everyone.'

'You mean like Sasuke,' Naruto remarks.

'Or us if you think about it,' Naru-nii responds. 'There are loads of lost

people out there trying to find their way. It's why I think you need to

know the whole story before you can make a decision.'

'No offense, but I think we have to do that a lot faster,' Naruto

wishingly commiserates.

'Maybe it'll help to think of it like a prank,' Naru-nii brainstorms out loud.

'Yeah… like you know they're trying to pull one over on you and you

have to figure it out before you fall for it.'

'Hmm, that makes sense,' Naruto wholly feels. 'So what am I missing

from this leadership prank Ero-sennin's talking about?'

'You tell me?'

Naruto senses the two beautiful women approaching the front of the

shabby shack as he answers, 'I'm sure it has to do with Ji-chan, and if

it's a ''prank,'' then there's something I'm not seeing that'll trip me up if I

don't…' Samui and Mabui cautiously open the rickety door to the old

shack, letting a plethora of noon sunlight into the single-window room

as Naruto finishes, 'something… that I think I'm certain about… is

actually wrong this entire time…'

The alert girls scan the entire room, note a slumbering, and snoring

Atsui in his futon before eying a seated and very stern Naruto still in

sage mode. When it appears Mabui is about to speak, Naruto puts his

finger to his lips, telling her not to speak as Naru-nii voices, 'well, I can

tell you Ji-chan wasn't without regrets. I heard him say as much when

he was reanimated; which was pretty sad to hear. I think you're on the

right track. I'd suggest learning more about the past; most of the time,

it's always about the past.'

'Thanks, Naru-nii,' Naruto voices as the girls slowly close the door,

suffocating much of the sunlight. Examining Samui's blank face, sage

Naruto still wonders if she'll attack as he can't tell what she's thinking;

even her chakra is harmonious. Sensing the end of their conversation,

Naruto mentally voices, 'real quick, before you go. Do you know any

other ninja from Kumo besides Ay, Bee, and that rubber guy?'

'Mnn… there's this funny kid Omoi,' Naru-nii responds. 'I love getting

him going on his world-ending disaster predictions. He can go from

someone randomly sneezing to global famine! It's hilarious!'

Though curious about Omoi's predictions, Naruto remains sober of

levity and as he stares at the silver and blond-haired kunoichi, he asks,

'anyone else? Any females?'

'There's Omoi's teammate, a redhead named Karui,' Naru-nii answers.

'Their team leader… I forget her name—she didn't say much—but

she's blond and stacked; can't forget a girl like that.'

'Samui?'

'Yeah, that's-' Naru-nii stops himself to ask, 'how'd you know?'

Rather than answer, Naruto asks, 'do you remember a Mabui?'

'Oooohhh, yeah, silver-haired girl, caramel-skinned, super pretty, was

Ay's secretary,' Naru-nii reports. 'Why? Have you met 'em?'

'Yeah,' Naruto sadly voices as Samui checks on Atsui.

'Another change,' Naur-nii notes. 'You'll have to tell me about that one

next time, but from what I can remember, they're all pretty cool. I still

wish I could've met the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tail in person but maybe

you can.'

'Maybe,' Naruto voices back.

'Alright, mini-me,' Naru-nii hails. 'I gotta get. I think I'm close to figuring

out a way to use tou-chan's Hiraishin here.'

'Sweet,' Naruto exclaims. 'Let me know. Later.' Once Samui's certain

Atsui is fine, Naruto mentions, "he's sleeping off last night. I found him

out on the street, pretty wasted."

"Thank you for taking care of him," Samui voices as she stands next to

Mabui.

"I'm only going to ask this once," Naruto starts, eying both girls in front

of him. Feeling his time in sage mode beginning to shorten, he adds,

"and I'm really hoping you tell me the truth here because I don't want to

feel sad for having ever met you."

Mabui tries to explain, "whatever Atsui might've said-"

Interrupting, sage Naruto stands and asks, "tell me who you really are

and why you're here?"

Mabui's green eyes flicker to Samui and after several silent and tense

seconds, the blond beauty asks, "may I ask you something first?" At

Naruto's nod, Samui asks, "if we had asked you to come with us, would

you have left Konoha and Fire country?"

"No," he quickly answers. Naruto couldn't tell if the silence coming from

Samui was a good thing or not but in sage mode, he can feel their

chakra fluctuate and elaborated. "That doesn't mean I won't visit. I

have something important to do and I have to visit the other nations to

do it."

Samui asks, "what do you have to do?"

Again, Naruto asks them, "who are you? And where are you from?"

"We didn't lie about who we are," Samui begins to voice. Looking from

a snoring Atsui to a stern Naruto, she calmly voices, "however, we

didn't disclose everything. We're from Kumogakure and we came with

Ōyashiro-san to purchase Kubikiribōchō from you."

"That was weeks ago," Naruto retorts. "What are you still doing here-

…were you planning on stealing it?" Turning to Mabui, he questions, "is

that why you got close to me?"

"NO," Mabui vehemently refutes. "No, no, meeting you in the library

was a complete coincidence. I didn't even know you were the owner of

Kubikiribōchō until after I met you."

Chapter 385:

Paying close attention to the flow of their chakra, Sage-Naruto asks,

"how do I know you're telling me the truth?"

"There's no advantage in lying to you now," Mabui asserts, and as

Naruto senses no change in her chakra, he can only assume she's

being honest. "We… had planned on stealing it, however, that was

amended to persuading you to join us in Kumo or kidnapping you. I

don't know why the order changed, but in either event, it became

imperative we get close to you."

A familiar fear flooded his chest as he dared to asks, "…so neither of

you actually cared about me?"

"In the beginning… no," Mabui slowly voiced. She takes a step forward,

flattening her right palm over her heart as she pleads, "but then I

learned more about you and my feelings for you grew to be genuine."

"I've never been in love," Samui casually voices. "But I can say I'm very

much in favor of keeping you in my life."

"I'm so sorry we lied, Naruto," Mabui genuinely apologizes. "Truly, I am.

I know nothing we say can ever erase the hurt and betrayal you must

be feeling right now, but I promise you, the second I started loving you

for who you are, I hated lying to you."

Even if her chakra feels stable, Naruto can't help but wonder about her

supposed love for him and nods at Atsui as he asks, "and him?"

Eying Atsui with a quirked brow and confused, squinted eyes, Mabui

hesitates to ask, "…what about him?"

"He really is my brother," Samui interjects.

Shaking his head, Naruto reveals, "he said you're a couple and that the

two of you were going to get married."

Immediately bug-eyed and upright, sage-mode Naruto is taken aback

when Mabui struggles to yell, "that! He! Ooohh, Kami… Kami, give me

patience!" After calming down a bit, Mabui hotly explains, "that's a

complete fabrication of his infatuation!" Naruto looks at Samui who

nods with closed eyes whilst Mabui continues. "Atsui-kun has an

unhealthy crush on me that I've consistently rejected throughout this

entire mission! He just doesn't seem to get that I don't share his

feelings no matter how many times I reject his advances."

Striking a little close to home, Naruto nearly chuckles pitifully when he

recalls how he used to be with Sakura. "So you aren't getting married?"

"No," Mabui assures him and repeats, "no," a few more times before

summarizing, "he's a teammate and nothing more."

Sensing the relief within himself, Naruto curiously asks, "and you don't

have a boyfriend back home?" After lamenting in the part he played in

unintentionally hurting Asuma, he didn't want to inadvertently do the

same to another guy.

Mabui shrinks a bit and clears her throat before admitting, "I, uh,

thought I did, but I learned recently that I was just kidding myself. I

admit there was a guy but it wasn't as serious as I thought it was and

it's over."

With a deep, accepting exhale, Naruto turns to Samui and asks, "and

you?"

"I only have time for missions and training," Samui casually answers,

nearly making Naruto smile. "Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy our sexual

sessions over all my previous partners. To my surprise, I'm

apprehensive at the thought I might never enjoy our time together after

this or ever again."

Naruto couldn't be sure of which emotion within him was more

dominant, betrayal, forgiveness, disappointment, or appreciation,

Naruto felt like he could easily focus on the hurt of being lied to and

used. It's happened to him enough that he can see the pattern—like

with Kurenai, Ino, and Temari—and like those past experiences, he

could choose to look past their mission and focus on who they are as

people. Thanks to Naru-nii, he at least knew they were being honest

about hailing from Kumogakure. Additionally, now that he's getting

engaged, this will make it easier for him to end things with them.

"On the one hand," he starts to say. "I feel like I don't know either of

you. I was just your target and you tried to trick me, which makes it all

worse. On the other hand, I get you were on a mission. And I do think it

would be better for the future if I did get to know you… as friends… but

you can't ever lie to me again; even if you're not allowed to tell me

something, at the very least say that."

"I promise," Mabui quickly assures him. When Naruto turns to Samui,

she simply nods.

Accepting that it's still possible to be friends with them, Naruto allows

the rest of sage mode to dissipate as he moves on to inform them, "I

can't give you the sword since I promised Zabuza-jiji he could work for

it when he recovered. Are you sure you don't know why Kumo wants

me?"

"I assumed it had to do with your clan," Mabui offers. "Your ancestor's

entire village was decimated for a reason. On top of that, you're

practically God-like when it comes to Fūinjutsu. It would make sense

why Kumo's interested."

"You and your cousin rate as high-value targets," Samui supplies.

"Acquiring you both would be logical."

Shocked, Naruto retorts, "Karin too!"

"No need to be concerned," Samui reassures him with an even shake

of her head. "She was only a target if we couldn't acquire you.

Adittionally, Atsui already failed in seducing her."

Shaking his head in disbelief, he's happy they told him the truth but

equally as upset by how far they're willing to go. 'And I nearly fell for

this prank,' his mind thinks. Leaning heavily on the fact that nothing

happened to Karin, Naruto gruffly asks, "what was your plan for me?"

Mabui happily answers, "invite you to a luxury hot springs to thoroughly

and repeatedly congratulate you on your promotion for two straight

days before, eventually, dosing you with a strong sedative."

Naruto's cheeks blush at the thought of the three of them organ

grinding for two days straight before he shakes his head of the

temptation. Returning to the task at hand, he voices, "alright, if we're

going to be friends, this is a problem we need to fix."

Mabui looks from Samui to Naruto and asks, "what do you propose?"

Naruto wasn't sure how to work all of this until he remembered Naru-

nii's words. Smiling, Naruto answers her, "a prank." At the thought of

pranking people, his doubts vanished, his mind cleared, and suddenly,

all sorts of possibilities and outside the box reasoning became

apparent to him. Naruto understood what he needed to do. Turning to

both of them, still smiling, he starts with the obvious, "your team's

mission is to bring me to Kumo, but I'd already planned on going there

anyway."

Puzzled by his statement, the two girls look at each other before Mabui

asks, "why?"

"So we can be allies, if not friends," Naruto nonchalantly answers,

tapping his chin with his finger as he fine-tunes his plan. "Which isn't

going to happen if you're caught in Konoha illegally." Turning to them,

he proclaims, "okay, you guys go back home and talk to Ay-jiichan.

You're going to tell him about a contract between Fire and Wind nation

that Lightning should also sign."

Curious, Mabui quirks her whitish eyebrow as she asks, "what sort of

contract?"

"It's an Omiai," Naruto answers and Samui appears as accepting as

everything else while Mabui looks shocked. He then answers their

unasked question. "You guys weren't the only ones trying to trick me.

Suna went so far as to create an Omiai between me and Temari-chan."

Mabui begins to ask, "why would-" However, Samui's strategic mind

candidly answers, "to get close and neutralize him before the invasion.

Impressive strategy."

"Except they lost," Mabui adds in real-time realization. Then her brows

scrunch in confusion as she thinks out loud, "I can understand why

Sand has no choice but to accept the Omiai, but I don't understand

how we would be included in a marriage contract meant for two

people."

"It's not like I wanted to take advantage of Temari," Naruto begins to

clarify. "She's smart and nice, and I wanted to be friends with her and

her brothers, so I told her I couldn't do anything with her because I'm a

polyamorist."

Chapter 386:

Mabui snorts when she instantly realizes, "they changed the contract to

include multiple spouses!"

Samui then asks, "are you saying you want us to marry you?"

"No, no," Naruto tells her. "First, it doesn't have to be both of you. But

using the Omiai as a way for our nations to meet peacefully could

work."

"There's a long history of blood between our nations," Samui voices.

"That will be difficult to overlook."

"There is also a long history of marriages being used to bridge the

mistrust between rivals," Mabui remarks toward Samui.

"We won't actually get married," Naruto further details. "We can use the

time to get to know each other and I can meet Bee and the jinchūriki of

the Two-Tails. I forget her name." Both women turn to the sleeping

Atsui and Naruto can only assume they're wondering how much he

revealed. To help a kindred romantic, Naruto explains, "he didn't tell me

all that much. I know about Bee because of other sources."

Samui asks, "does your source have something to do with being a

jinchūriki yourself?" Naruto hadn't expected such a close guess, raising

his blond brows. Samui answers, "Bee-sama and Nii-sama have

mentioned speaking with their Tailed Beasts."

"Ah, well, yeah," Naruto easily answers. "But I can't say more than that

until I get permission. If you guys can convince Ay to sign the Omiai,

you'll have to come back here to talk to Ji-chan. I'll convince him to go

with it and then I can go to Kumo."

"I don't think that's how the Raikage wants us to bring you to Kumo,"

Mabui reasonably voices.

"I'm certain Ay-sama wants you to defect to Cloud," Samui asserts.

"Without a promise of that, I'm not certain he'll go for this."

"Well, I'm going there regardless, so it's either this or something else

that won't make as much sense," Naruto argues. Though he's certain

he could come up with another idea to meet Bee and the jinchūriki of

the Two-Tails, the Omiai is the fastest and makes the most sense. He

feels confident when he adds, "you can tell him I know stuff he wants to

know or that Konoha's jinchūriki needs to talk to the Eight and Two-

tails, but whatever you tell him, I am going to Kumo."

The girls look at one another and communicate with their eyes before

Samui slowly asks him, "what is it that you know?"

"Sorry, Sa-chan," Naruto bids. "I can't say right now, but trust me, it's

important. And if my saying so isn't enough for the Raikage, you can

tell him I'm sure the Hokage will back me up on this."

In the little space of the shack, Samui considers the information for

many silent moments before she ultimately nods with a, "okay."

With a plan in place, Samui and Mabui immediately collect the few

things they have and Naruto seals it in a seal of his for ease of travel.

After waking Atsui up, Naruto escorts them out of the agricultural sector

to the village's main gate. Naruto waves to the Chūnin at the gate

before Samui shows them their papers. Mabui takes Naruto's hand and

moves to kiss him, but he steps back.

Answering her hurt expression, he tells her, "I have a girlfriend now." At

her raised eyebrows, he adds, "since yesterday. It's still pretty new but

I'm happy."

Taking a moment to let that information marinate in her mind, Mabui

then asks, "and she's okay with the Omiai to Suna?"

"Yup," he replies with a nod. "We haven't talked about the details yet,

but unless she backs out, I think we might actually get married."

Naruto could tell her happy expression wasn't genuine as she struggles

to say, "wow… Naruto… that's…"

"Crazy, I know," he helps her out. "Ah, but don't worry. I'm going to

insist on a long engagement to give you and Sa-chan enough time to

convince the Raikage. I'll talk to Nai-chan and Ji-chan in the meantime,

and hopefully, when you guys come back, I can head to Kumo with

you."

Nodding sadly, Mabui asks, "what are you trying to do?"

Though he wants to say, 'unite the nations against Madara's forces,' he

settles with, "something that's never been done before."

Extending her hand, Naruto happily shakes it and the Kumo team

leave immediately after. The blond shinobi watches them leave until

they disappear from sight. He makes a mental note of asking Kakashi

or Kurenai for the travel time to Kumo so he can guess how long it'll be

before he sees them again. He hopes everything goes well with their

superiors. It'll be a toss-up if they go for it or not, but Naruto knows they

shouldn't wait for war in order to join forces.

On his way to the construction site, Naruto is approached by a team of

Anbu.

INO

Early in the morning, Ino is awoken by her father and told to get ready

to meet the Hokage. She was encouraged to be fast and throughout

the entire time it took her to change and sprint beside her father to the

Sandaime's office, Ino is wondering if this has something to do with

Anko's visit last night. She couldn't stop thinking about Naruto and

Anko until she eventually fell asleep, and walking into her commander's

office, she's surprised to see Kurenai standing beside the seated Kage,

as well as Hyūga Hiashi and Hinata.

Ino and her father greet the other father and daughter in the room

before standing beside them ahead of the Hokage's wide desk. The

elder leader was setting aside papers before signing off on an official

scroll, then handing it to a Chūnin aid. Ino was worried about his

bandaged left arm as it was in a sling and wrapped in Fūinjutsu-scribed

gauze. He looked wearier than Ino has ever seen him and it made Ino

wonder if he'll be alright.

After an Anbu agent appears at the Hokage's side and whispers

something in his ear, the Hokage orders, "keep searching," before

turning his attention to them. "Thank you all for coming on such short

notice and so early in the morning. I apologize for the delay. I should

begin by confessing that no one here will escape the awkwardness or

embarrassment of this meeting, however I ask you to treat this highly

sensitive information with as much aplomb as you're capable of."

"Hai, Hokage-sama," the four speak in unison.

"There's no easy way to say this…" Clearing his throat, their leader

eventually voices, "uh… Kurenai-kun."

Even if Kurenai maintained a professional countenance, Ino felt the

woman's amusement as she explains, "before the invasion of our home

by the combined forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure, they attempted

to neutralize a key shinobi they deemed a threat to their plans."

Hiashi asks, "who?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," Kurenai reports.

Confused, Ino isn't so uncomfortable in the room she won't ask, "why?"

"If you recall his match against Uchiha Sasuke, you know he's a very

special shinobi," Kurenai answers her. Ino recalls Naruto's red chakra

transformation—and Sasuke's demonic transformation—as Kurenai

voices, "his strength appeared to be something they hadn't anticipated,

and so, their attempt to disable him needed to appear as legitimate as

possible despite the time constraint."

Ino's father asks, "what was their plan?"

"Emotional instability," Kurenai quickly summarizes before elaborating.

"They plan to seduce and ensnare his heart until moments before the

invasion's launch. The intimate betrayal would severely disable his

confidence and, or, distract him enough for Sabaku no Gaara to over-

power and kill him. In order to get close without drawing suspicion, the

Kazekage approved a plan to have his daughter, Temari, to proposition

Naruto with an Omiai."

Ino noticed both Hiashi and her father stand a little straighter, and

Hinata answers her curiosity by asking, "a marriage contract?"

Standing straighter herself, an uneasy Ino is only slightly relieved when

Kurenai answers, "not quite. It's more of a courting process with the

promise of marriage if both parties are satisfied. Regardless of the

politics presented at the time, Uzumaki Naruto never planned on

getting married, nor did he take the Omiai seriously."

Hiashi asks, "did he suspect the deception?"

"Naruto's a genuine and honest person," Kurenai happily answers. "His

primary goal was to build a friendship with Temari, and specifically, with

Gaara."

"He's been trying to be friends with Gaara since the Chūnin Exam

began," Hinata notes. It felt like decades ago, but Ino recalls as much.

"Naruto sees a kindred spirit in him," Kurenai explains to the room, but

it seemed to Ino the clan heads were more concerned.

"Seems dangerous," Hiashi points out, though Ino isn't sure why.

"He has my trust," Kurenai returns.

"And mine," their leader spoke, and the hard-speaking Hiashi said

nothing more.

"With the goal of friendship in mind," Kurenai continues. "Naruto would

not allow Temari to go far with him—romantically, that is—and in an

effort to dissuade her advances, proclaimed he was polyamorous and

couldn't take advantage of someone who could never accept the

lifestyle."

Chapter 387:

Ino blinked in surprise at the mention of polyamory while her father

beside her chuckled before voicing, "smart. A lie like that would

definitely discourage any girl from getting involved."

Without turning to correct her father, Ino recalls Naruto's confession

and knows her blond love wasn't lying when he said that. For having

the guts to proclaim as much with Temari, Ino couldn't help but think,

'Kurenai-sensei's right. Naruto is an honest guy.'

Snagging the room's attention with his harsh voice, Hiashi gravely

explains, "perhaps it would dissuade her, Inoichi-dono, if she weren't

on a mission."

"Correct," Kurenai states, making Ino uneasy yet again. "To retain

mission-viability, Temari amended the Omiai to include multiple

spouses, which the Kazekage then ratified. Naturally, we thought it

odd, but, it seemed incredibly unlikely the Omiai would produce an

actual marriage and it seemed an easy foreign relations victory for us."

"You signed it," Inocihi asks with surprise.

"Correct," Kurenai confirms. "This was all before the invasion, of

course."

"Now that they've lost," Hiashi voices. "We would naturally support the

Omiai to keep Temari in the village, however, it would not be wise for

Temari to be first wife." Ino didn't like the implication of that, like Temari

will only be a hostage, but understood the cold-hearted politics behind

it.

"As you say, Hiashi-dono," Hiruzen finally voices. The Hokage seems

far too tired to Ino as he continues. "I've already spoken with Naruto

and I've been informed both Naruto and Temari have agreed to the

Omiai."

Hitting Ino like a ton of bricks, it all makes perfect sense. Anko's visit

last night, her declaration that if she can't support Naruto being with

another woman, then she should give up on him. Anko didn't know

anything about her history with Naruto and Sakura. She knew about

the Omiai and truly was trying to warn her. Ino wasn't a hundred

percent sure why Anko cared to that degree, but she was grateful to

not be taken completely by surprise.

"If peace between our nations is truly the goal," Hiashi continues,

interrupting Ino's thoughts. "Marriage aids greatly in that respect. Am I

to assume you wish for my daughter to be his first wife?"

Feeling super slow, Ino suddenly remembers Hinata is in the room as

well, clearly alluding to her as a candidate for the position of first wife.

Though Hinata may have a pretty face and bigger chest, Ino feels

confident she has better sex appeal. Additionally, Ino feels she's more

outgoing to the shy Hinata. Ino feels Hinata would likely beat her in a

one-on-one matchup, she also knows ninja ability isn't the biggest

factor to being a wife.

"We would like to offer you both, Hyūga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, the

opportunity to get to know Naruto," the third Hokage tells them and Ino

resists the urge to look over. "And if all parties are in agreement, there

will be an engagement and marriage at the expense of the villages. I

understand this is a lot to digest. Please take your time-"

Much too tired of being quiet when it comes to Naruto, Ino proudly

voices, "I accept," easily shocking everyone in the room.

After her father finally understands the bold proclamation came from

his own daughter's mouth, he loudly declares, "no you do not!"

"It's my decision-"

"Enough, Ino," Inoichi strictly voices. "We will talk about this when we

get home." It's very rare for Ino to hear that voice and in the presence

of the Hokage, she knows well not to be so disrespectful.

"The Hyūga clan will only consider this offer if Uzumaki-kun adapts his

family name to Namikaze," Hiashi voices, surprising everyone in the

room. "He is the son and heir to Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime

Hokage, is he not?"

"While he is the son of the Yondaime," Hiruzen replies, finally

confirming the wide-spread belief. "I can assure you Naruto isn't the

type to change his name."

"Then we have nothing further to discuss," Hiashi purports. Turning to

his daughter, he commands her to, "come Hinata." It's then that Ino

understands why Hinata is so meek. Living with a brash and strict

father like Hiashi every day, critiquing or commanding her however he

feels, Ino would've gone mad. It's why she's impressed when Hiashi is

nearly to the door and the Hyūga heiress hasn't moved. Hiashi turns

and sternly calls to his daughter, "Hinata?"

The defiance draws all of their attention, until Kurenai gently voices,

"Hinata, if you're unwilling to speak, we can't be certain you'll be able to

protect Naruto's interests and that of the village's."

With a determination Ino rarely sees in Hinata, the lovely girl swallows

cutely before voicing, "I- I don't know i-if I would be good enough, but i-

if you w-would consider me, I'd also like the opportunity to try."

Ino watches Kurenai lean beside the Hokage's ear and whisper council

no one else could hear. With a nod, Hiruzen tells the room, "I will speak

with Naruto. In the meantime, take as much time as you need to

consider this. Ino-chan, Hinata-chan, I personally want to thank you for

your service and courage. I know such a formal courtship is

unorthodox in this day an age, and I apologize if this takes away from

the romance of it. Please come to Kurenai-sensei with any of your

concerns." Looking to her father and Hiashi, the Hokage adds, "I am

also available if need be."

NARUTO

When Naruto walks into the Hokage's office, Hiruzen is standing by the

window looking out across the village with Jiraiya leaning against the

wide desk full of papers and scrolls. They seemed to be in the middle

of a conversation when Naruto walked in and immediately a tired and

haggard-looking Jiraiya laser-focuses pin-drop eyes on Naruto. The

blond genin checks his red and black cloak and uniform for anything

that could explain Jiraiya's outlandish focus on him. Hiruzen waves

Naruto over to the window all the while Jiraiya locks his gaze, slowly

swiveling his head with his Godson's every sandaled step.

Naruto not only wanted to ask about Asuma but he also wanted to think

about the 'leadership prank' in this scenario, however, he forgot all of

that when he stood next to his Ji-chan. His oldest friend looked worse

than the day before and his left arm's bandages now had Fūinjutsu

characters on them. Naruto immediately tried to read them but as the

gauze was folded over with each roll around his arm, he couldn't. So

while he was worried about Asuma, he remained focused on Hiruzen.

Still gazing out of the very wide window, the Sandaime begins, "just a

few hours ago, I told two leaders of Konoha's honored clans that if they

needed me, I would be here." Naruto looked from the comically freaked

and focused Jiraiya—becoming certain something is wrong with his

Godfather—back to Hiruzen as he adds, "however, that isn't strictly

true. The healers have only been about to slow the unique poison

coursing its way to my heart. They have not been able to stop or even

remove it."

Chapter 388:

Completely forgetting about Jiraiya and everything else, Naruto quickly

asks, "how long do you have?"

"Not long," he slowly answers. Exhaling, he turns to Naruto as he

sternly states, "Genin Uzumaki Naruto, for your exemplary service to

the village amidst great strife, I'm promoting you to the rank of Jōnin."

Naruto's blue eyes blink before they become large as saucers in

dumbfounded surprise. "However," Hiruzen continues. "For omitting

information vital to the security of this village…" Momentarily flicking his

gazes at to Jiraiya, he adds, "…regardless of the understandable

circumstances, I'm demoting you to Chūnin." Though feeling less

enthused overall, Naruto is still happy to be promoted. His friend and

leader then enlightens him by saying, "as unexpected as it is, you

already have the talent to become a Jōnin, but until I see the ability of

leadership to match, a Chūnin you will forever remain. Do you

understand?"

Standing at attention, Naruto responds, "Hai, Hokage-sama."

"For your first mission," Hiruzen tells him. "You're to accompany Jiraiya

on his search and assist him in any way he needs."

"Searching for what- wait!" His yell surprises the old kage but more so

when the blond voices, "Tsunade-no-baachan!" Hiruzen was

speechless a moment before smiling and nodding. Naruto smiles as he

explains, "it makes sense because Ero-sennin would be the one you

send to find her and she could heal your arm!"

"My thoughts precisely," Hiruzen speaks. "If there's anyone who could

do something about this, it would be Tsunade."

"Sweet," Naruto voices eagerly, adding, "we'll find her in no time and

heal ya right up!"

"I feel comforted already," the elder voices as he walks over to his seat.

Passing Jiraiya, Hiruzen wonders what's wrong with his former student

and why he keeps staring at Naruto as if trying to decipher a mystery.

Ignoring Jiraiya, Naruto moves to the front of the Hokage's desk before

asking, "Ji-chan, can I bring Sakura with me? She's been studying Iryō-

ninjutsu and maybe I could get Tsunade-baachan to take her on as a

student."

"Mnn, I think that might be a good idea," Hiruzen sagely admits. "On to

other news, I received word from Kurenai-kun-"

"UHAH," Jiraiya loudly huffs. With his little pupils and raise eyebrows,

the man's loudly repeated, "UH-HAH, UH-HAH, UH-HAH," sounded

inauthentic to Naruto, as if he wasn't laughing out of anything

humorous but because there was no other response. Hiruzen and

Naruto are weirded out by Jiraiya's loud and monotone laughter, and

when the old sage didn't explain, a fed-up Hiruzen simply shook his

head and continued.

"I've signed the Omiai and sent it to our Daimyō," the Hokage tells his

blond Chūnin. "It's potentially too late, but, I could send someone to

catch up to the messenger if you're having any second thoughts."

"Nah, I'm good," Naruto answers before being weirded out by Jiraiya

whispering to himself, 'is he? How good, is good?' Naruto shakes his

head before asking Hiruzen, "can I talk with Temari-chan and Gaara

before I leave? I want to make sure they're okay."

"I'll inform the guardsmen to give you free access to their cell," Hiruzen

offers. "But they will not be released until negotiations between our

villages are concluded. As for Gaara-kun, what can you tell me of his

mental stability?"

"Gaara? He's a puppy," Naruto merrily expresses. "Sure, he was pretty

angry before, but no more than I would've been without you, Iruka-

sensei, Teuchi-jichan, and Ayame-neechan. Now that we're friends, I'm

sure he'll be cool."

"I see," the old man hums. Seemingly satisfied, he then asks, "and the

Nine-Tails?"

"He's been pretty stubborn lately but we're still good," Naruto answers

before thinking about visiting the other Jinchūriki. "I want to talk to you

about the other bijū but it can wait till I get you help first."

"Then I wish you a speedy return," Hiruzen gratefully replies.

Rather than leave through the door, Naruto leaps out of the window

and the second his feet land on the dirt ground, Jiraiya is right beside

him with his arm wrapped around his neck to bring him close. It was so

fast, Naruto didn't even sense the speed and was as incredibly

impressed as he was jealous.

"Ne, Naruto," he slowly begins with a low and suspicious voice. "I

heard a few things last night I'm hoping you would provide some clarity

on."

Getting out from under Jiraiya's broad arm, Naruto asks, "do we have

to do this now? Ji-chan's sick and he needs us to find Baachan."

Humming to himself, Jiraiya looked torn for a moment before

proclaiming, "I'll give you twenty minutes to meet me at the main gate.

Then we talk."

"Twenty minutes! I have to tell people I'm leaving and didn't you hear

Ji-chan when he said Sakura could come? She has to get ready too!"

Swiping a hand at the irrelevance of that, he cries, "bah! Who cares

about all that?! Just tell me… is it… is it true?"

Rolling his eyes, Naruto crosses each hand's straightened index and

middle fingers and voices, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," summoning five

clones of himself. Naruto informs Jiraiya, "I'll meet you at the main gate

in an hour," before all Narutos leap away.

KARIN

"We've made the changes to the first-floor business fronts per

Konoha's regulations," Tazuna conveys to Karin and Haku as they walk

around the empty space of the newly built sixth floor. Normally, the floor

would be divided into six separate apartments, but the entire floor is

being allocated to the Clan Head. "So everything's ready to continue

there. Floors five and six have also been approved so we can keep

working there too."

Gazing around the very spacious sixth floor, Karin can't help but gasp,

"what's Naruto going to do with all this space? His old apartment was a

closet compared to this."

"It's befitting someone of his stature," Haku voices with a smile.

Tazuna grumbles, "last I talked to him about it, all he rambled on about

was making sure you both had your own rooms, there was a training

room, a kitchen with enough space for ramen, and a personal room to

practice his scribbling jutsu."

Karin mentions, "since Fūinjutsu is going to be our main source of

trade, his personal room should include security measures to protect

trade and clan secrets."

"Yeah, I kinda figured that," Tazuna lazily responds. "Your shop on the

first floor'll also have a secure room for these almighty squiggly lines of

yours."

Rolling her eyes at the man's indifference to Fūinjutsu, Karin turns to

the beautiful boy and asks again, "are you sure you don't want your

own store? It really isn't a hassle."

With a short respectful bow, Haku voices, "yes, thank you Karin-dono.

I'm doing quite well operating from Ten Out of Ten. The business is also

boosting Tenten-chan's profits and I wouldn't want to ruin that."

"Well, the offer stands if you ever decide to," Karin promises to which

Haku bows gratefully.

The three turn when they hear a loud, "oi," and see their blond leader,

defender, friend, and family rushing toward them wearing his now

signature red cloak with black flames at the hem over his orange and

black outfit. "I'm glad you're all here," Naruto merrily relays. "I just got a

really important mission and have to leave in less than an hour."

Chapter 389:

Shocked and saddened to hear, Karin immediately argues, "but our

first official meeting is tomorrow. I got out cloaks and everything." Karin

really liked the black cloaks with the Uzumaki swirl on the back and

shoulder and was eager for herself, Naruto, and Haku to wear them.

"I know, I know," Naruto sympathetically voices. "But trust me, this is

really important. It's time-sensitive too, so the faster I finish it, the

better for all of us."

Groaning unladylike, Karin grumbles, "I guess we can postpone until

you get back," to which Naruto hugs her in gratitude. Feeling the

disappointment wash away in his warm embrace, Karin caves under

his affection and hugs her family back.

"I promise I'll be back as quick as I can," he assures her before turning

to Haku. "Keep an eye on her."

"I can take care of myself, you know," Karin voices in protest as Haku

agrees. It's not that she doesn't appreciate Haku guarding her but it

annoys her when her cousin acts as if she's completely helpless. "I

know I'm not the strongest fighter, but I know what their chakra

signatures feel like. I won't let them get close again."

"That's good," Naruto voices. "And I know you can protect yourself.

Think of Haku like your teammate and you guys can fight together."

"Seems pretty dangerous to stay in a place where they're after the little

lady," Tazuna remarks.

"I don't like it either," Naruto replies. "But I'm not ignoring Danzō.

Staying on alert is enough to keep him back until I have the time to

deal with him." Looking around the open, wide, and empty space of the

sixth floor, Naruto tells Tazuna, "so it looks like I'm getting married."

Tazuna's face breaks in stunned surprise and his small glasses fall off

his nose as Naruto asks, "do you think it would be too hard to add

rooms for them?"

Karin shrieks, "so Temari agreed!"

Tazuna gasps, "them!?"

While Haku asks, "has she finally confessed her feelings for you?"

Turning to Haku, Karin desperately wants to know, "who? Who has?

Why don't I know?!"

"My girlfriend," Naruto blushes with the biggest grin on his face.

His body is swooning left and right, clasping his hands together so

sweetly it's nearly sickening to her, but she loves it and demands to

know, "who? Who?"

Tazuna still wants to know, "what do you mean by them?"

"I'll explain everything when I get back," Naruto starts, stabbing the

Dagger of Patience in Karin's impatient romantic heart. "Basically, I'm

marrying the Kazekage's daughter for reasons I can't get into now, but,

I can also marry another girl, and the village would prefer my first wife

be from Konoha."

"I know all of that," Karin whines before demanding to know, "who's this

girlfriend of yours and why didn't you tell me? Is that why you never

made it home last night?" Realizing her cousin's absence wasn't as

innocent as she originally thought, Karin squeals loudly as her face

blushes deep red before demanding to know, "what were you doing

last night?!"

Chuckling, Naruto easily replies, "a lot happened last night, but I was

talking about all this with my girlfriend, who by the way, only agreed to

be my girlfriend… and I guess… fiancé… last night. So it just

happened." Karin squeals happily at the news making Naruto blush

even more.

"We have to figure out how this will affect the clan," Karin voices to no

one in particular. Running against a mental snag, the redhead asks her

cousin, "is there anyone in the village I can talk to about this?"

With a genial smile, Haku suggests, "Kurenai-sensei may be a good

option," to which Naruto's smile practically reaches his ears. At her

cousin's nervous nod, Karin makes a mental note to speak with her.

JIRAIYA

Jiraiya lands swiftly and silently in the shadows of an alley. With his

back flat to the stone wall of the scroll store, he used Henge no Jutsu

to transform into one of his many roles, a short, old, homeless beggar.

Yellowing white hair, very tan and wrinkled skin, layered clothing ripped

and dirty, Jiraiya hobbles out of the alley to rattle his tin cup for any

spare ryō. Jiraiya sensed a male presence exit the scroll store, then

stop behind him to adjust his leg holster.

With stern gravitas, Jiraiya uses subtle genjutsu to mask his voice as

he asks the man behind him, "what've you learned?"

"Nothing yet," Kakashi voices to his holster, also ignoring the larger

man behind him. "She was busy all morning but I'm meeting her in a

few hours."

"Gyehh," Jiraiya grumbles, though happy to earn a coin from a

passerby. "I won't be here," he explains as he wonders if he can make

enough for a shot of sake.

"Mission?"

"Mnn," Jiraiya confirms. "By the way, I'm taking Naruto and Haruno with

me."

"Why Sakura-chan?"

"Naruto asked for her," Jiraiya readily answered.

Kakashi remained as calm as ever, but Jiraiya knows the man is just as

flummoxed by this entire earth-shattering revelation, and wasn't

surprised when he starts to ask, "could she also be involved-"

Heading him off, Jiraiya argues, "I already thought of that. It doesn't

make sense, does it?"

"At this point, nothing is certain," Kakashi reasons, and Jiraiya couldn't

agree more.

"I'll talk to Naruto on the road," Jiraiya informs him, getting another coin

ryō. "Go to the nearby lake with whatever you learn. I'll leave a toad

there for you."

"Understood," Kakashi replies, standing after securing his side-arm's

binding.

This deliciously odd situation is simply too bright to ignore, and like

helpless moths to a flame, Jiraiya and Kakashi need answers. As

another Good Samaritan drops a charitable two coins into his tin cup,

Jiraiya warns his fellow co-conspirator, "be strong, Kakashi-kun.

Kurenai-chan may be unlikely to admit anything."

"Hai," the masked man finished with before disappearing.

SAKURA

Rushing to the meeting place, Sakura spots Naruto in his dashing red

and black cloak with a small, traveling backpack on. Understanding

how prodigious Naruto is with Fūinjutsu, she wouldn't be surprised if he

had most of his travel gear stored in scrolls rather than carrying it all.

The sight of his clone earlier made her excited to finally see him, but at

the sight of the original, she can't help but miss their quality time

together; not simply the amazing sex, but all of it. Her time with Naruto

is always one of the brighter spots in her otherwise Sasuke-less world,

not that would gladly accept that unhealthy obsession again, but it's a

daily struggle she compares to addiction.

Walking up to Naruto, she's grateful for a mission without Sasuke as

she calls out, "hey." It will offer her a reprieve from constantly thinking

about going to visit him.

"Yo," Naruto happily returns with his signature smile.

Considering the bombshell his clone revealed thirty minutes prior,

Sakura immediately begs to know, "please tell me this isn't a prank.

Tsunade-sama's been my hero since I was a little girl!"

"Yeah, I thought you'd get a kick out of it," Naruto replies before asking,

"why didn't my clone pop?"

"He wanted to wait to talk with Ino," she answers him, wondering how

long Naruto's clone will wait. It seemed so obvious to her Naruto and

Ino love each other. She can feel her own heart begin to beat harder at

the memory of what Sakura has done with Naruto in full view of Ino. It

was the most exciting sexual experience she's had yet. Clearing her

throat, Sakura adds, "she's been in the conference room with her

parents all day so I don't know how long he'll be waiting for."

With obvious concern, he asks, "is everything okay?"

"Aaawww," Sakura cutely coos. He rolls his impossibly blue eyes at her

poke, only making her giggle before responding, "I don't know what's

going on, but they told me it was clan business and no one can

interrupt." Happy to tease him more, she asks, "why? You worried

about your girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend," he argues, but she won't be fooled by that.

"But, of course I'm worried. Aren't you?"

After what they did on Ino's bed, it's so obvious Naruto and Ino are

together, however, it's possible they haven't cemented their exclusivity,

so she asks, "what do you mean she's not your girlfriend?"

Shyly, almost remorseful, Naruto explains, "if you're thinking about the

time in Ino's room, she said that to make your, uh, recreation time a

little more exciting for you."

Sakura's fist instantly clenched as she felt completely humiliated,

shouting, "that lying pig!" Crossing her arms, Sakura tries hard to

assert, "how could she- Ohh, I hate her!"

"Sheeuut up, no you don't," Naruto humorously returns. For fear of

losing this righteous anger, Sakura doesn't want to listen to any

arguments, but when he says, "it's not like you were complaining at the

time," Sakura's kinky side couldn't agree louder. It was the biggest thrill

of her young life—to fuck Naruto in front of Ino. The orgasms rocking

her body were monumental. She even passed out afterward, and

somehow, Ino knew that about her. Sometimes it unnerved Sakura just

how well Ino seemed to get her.