Sakura felt her stomach twist in disgust, the notion of being reduced to some sort of trophy or pawn enraging her. "You can't be serious," she spat, her voice shaking with anger.
"Oh, I'm dead serious," he shot back, leaning even closer, his breath hot against her skin. "You want to save Sasuke? To find the truth? Then you'll need to make a real commitment. I'm offering you a chance, but it's one that requires you to bow down and accept your new role."
He had turned the tables, putting her in a position where she had to choose between saving Sasuke and preserving her own dignity.
"You think I would ever do that?" she challenged, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief.
Shoi's smirk widened, clearly enjoying her internal struggle. "You think I'm just some arrogant fool? I'm in a position of power, and I'm offering you a deal that could change everything. You want the truth? You want to protect those you love? Then you'll need to play the part I'm offering you."
Sakura's heart raced, torn between her need for information and the disgust that his proposal ignited within her. But she knew that if she gave in, it would mean a loss of her autonomy—a betrayal of everything she stood for.
"I won't do it," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
Shoi leaned back, a glimmer of admiration mingling with his annoyance. "Ah, but that's the thing, Sakura. This isn't just about you. It's about Sasuke too. The longer you resist, the more at risk he becomes. The choice is yours: sacrifice your pride to save him, or let your stubbornness cost you everything."
The ultimatum hung in the air, and Sakura felt her resolve waver as the weight of her options pressed down on her. She could either play into his game, sacrificing her dignity, or risk losing Sasuke forever.
The silence stretched painfully between them, and Shoi's smirk returned, victorious. "So, what will it be, Sakura? Are you ready to sacrifice yourself for the greater good?"
"By the way, I forgot to mention," Shoi continued, his voice dripping with mock concern, "you don't have much time. Max, two to three years before more Otsutsuki arrive. Can you imagine what they would do to Sasuke if they find him in this state? Or what they might do to you?"
The mention of the Otsutsuki sent a chill down her spine. if kaguya was that strong than how strong will others be?. She could already see it in her mind: Sasuke trapped, vulnerable, at the mercy of their twisted ambitions.
"Every moment you hesitate is another moment for them to strike," Shoi pressed, his eyes glinting with a mix of satisfaction and impatience. "If you want to save him, you'll have to take action. You know that. So, what will it be, Sakura? Are you really willing to let your pride get in the way of his safety?"
Sakura clenched her fists, feeling the weight of his ultimatum pressing down on her. The thought of losing Sasuke to the Otsutsuki was unbearable. But giving in to Shoi's demands felt like a betrayal to everything she believed in, to all the sacrifices she had made for her friends.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head fiercely, as if denying his words would somehow change her reality. "I won't let fear dictate my choices. There has to be another way."
"Another way?" Shoi scoffed, leaning forward again, his eyes narrowing. "Do you think you can outsmart me? You think you can find another path when I hold all the cards? The truth is, you're running out of time, Sakura. You can't rely on the others forever. They won't be there when the Otsutsuki come."
Sakura swallowed hard, anger flaring within her. "I won't give you what you want."
"I'm not threatening you; I'm merely stating facts. The clock is ticking, and you know it. The Otsutsuki are ruthless. If they find Sasuke before you're ready, he's done for. If you think I'm your biggest problem, you haven't even begun to see the dangers lurking in the shadows."
"If you don't want to sacrifice yourself to me, then let's say we make a deal," Shoi continued, his tone shifting to something more calculated. "You work with me. We can help each other out. You want the truth, and I want the power that comes from having you at my side. Imagine what we could accomplish together."
Sakura scoffed, her eyes blazing with defiance. "You think I would ever trust you?"
"Trust is a luxury we don't have, Sakura," he replied smoothly. "But it's a necessary step toward your goals. Work with me, and I can ensure Sasuke's safety while you uncover the truth. Otherwise…" He leaned back, the smirk returning to his face. "Well, we both know how that story ends."
Sakura's fists tightened, and for a moment, her anger warred with the fear gnawing at her. She hated everything Shoi stood for, but the thought of losing Sasuke… It made her stomach churn.
"If it's just a kiss…" she thought, rationalizing it to herself. "It's nothing compared to what's at stake. I can handle that."
Her resolve hardened as she lifted her chin, glaring at Shoi. "Fine," she muttered, her voice low but firm. "If all you want is a kiss, then let's get this over with."
Shoi's smirk widened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "That's the spirit." He stepped closer, the tension between them thickening. "You'll see, Sakura. Sometimes the smallest sacrifices bring the greatest rewards."
She forced herself to remain still as he leaned in, her heart pounding. "It's just a kiss," she repeated to herself, feeling her pulse quicken. "For Sasuke."
Shoi's lips were just inches away, and her stomach twisted with disgust, but she refused to flinch. She would get through this—no matter how humiliating.
His hands slowly reached her waist holding with with one hand and one behind her neck
Sakura's heart raced as Shoi's hands tightened around her waist and neck, pulling her closer.
She fought the urge to push him away, to escape from his touch, but she knew she couldn't back down now. For Sasuke. She had to remind herself of that.
Shoi's lips pressed against hers, and Sakura closed her eyes, trying to block out the revulsion coursing through her. But as he deepened the kiss.