Before the Chunin Exam Finals

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

June 28, x788.

It did not take long for the group to reach the Village after leaving the Valley of the End. When they did, they quickly split up to go to their own destinations. After registering at the gate, Tsunade led Retsu to meet Hiruzen. Meanwhile, Genma, Raidō, and Iwashi led the people from Magnolia to the temporary residence they had been lent.

Along the way, Yamato met up with the group, and they chatted while walking through the streets of the village.

Due to the Chunin Exam Finals that would start tomorrow, seeing so many outsiders in the village did not surprise anyone. However, almost all of them were women. Add that to the fact that most people recognized Alfonzo after he had stayed in the village for so long, a few rumors about Alfonzo collecting women started circling around the village.

"Hey, Fonzie." Elicia said with a grin while nudging Alfonzo with her elbow after overhearing the citizens of the Leaf talking about their group. "They're saying you're collecting women, what do you think about that?"

In response, Alfonzo only rolled his eyes, too tired to even retort. However, the other ladies had no intention of letting go of the topic.

"Yeah, I wanna know what you think about that, too." Cana said after taking a swig from a bottle of whiskey. "How does it feel to be recognized for your efforts."

"My efforts?" Alfonzo asked with an eyebrow raised. "Don't you mean Lici's efforts?"

Cana's eyes widened momentarily at Alfonzo's question. Then, she stopped to think for a moment. After that, she gazed at Elicia while in deep thought.

"Cana? What's wrong?" Elicia asked curiously.

"Now that I think about it, wasn't it you who picked me up for Fonzie's harem, Lici?" Cana asked.

"Was it?" Elicia asked, acting rather innocent. "I don't remember. It's been so long. Are you sure you're remembering correctly?"

Both Alfonzo and Cana rolled their eyes at Elicia's shamelessness.

"Lici didn't pick me up, though." Lucy said, poking her head out from between Alfonzo and Cana with a smile on her face. "Alfonzo pursued me on his own. Does that make me special?"

"Of course not." Cana said as he placed her hand on top of Lucy's head before pushing her back. "You were just lucky enough to show up after Fonzie accepted that he could fit more girls in his heart."

"I still think that makes me special." Lucy said after standing up straight. "I mean, with these looks plus my beautiful personality, it's no wonder that Alfonzo accepted everything, right?"

"Sigh Lulu's vain side is coming out again." Elicia said in a dramatic way while theatrically placing the back of her right hand on her forehead. "Fonzie, I think you'll need to discipline her tonight."

Immediately, Lucy's face blushed in embarrassment. Though, the thought of sex wasn't enough to embarrass her at this point, the fact that Elicia said something about it in public was enough to do the job.

"Lici, you're getting as bad as Erza." Lucy whined.

"Nope, not even close." x 5

Elicia, Cana, Laki, Saeko, and Rika refuted in unison. Erza's ability to not mind the time or place when she was talking about her nightlife was unparalleled, after all.

"By the way, Fonzie." Shizuka said while walking with her arm linked with Rika's. "Since you're collecting girls, how about picking up Rika, too?"

The whole group, minus the maids and Rika, turned dumbfounded looks in Shizuka's direction after hearing her proposal. However, when they saw Shizuka's bright and innocent smile, they quickly looked away, feeling that they may end up blind if they stared at it for too long.

Rika, on the other hand, wore a smile filled with amusement. However, the glint of desire and curiosity in her eyes could not be hidden. Unfortunately, everyone was too focused on Shizuka's surprising statement to notice.

"*Cough* Why don't we wait until we get to the house to talk about this?" Alfonzo said with a rarely seen blush on his face.

'Are these women crazy?' Alfonzo asked himself. 'There are so many hostile glares on me right now. I can even feel Yamato's, Genma's, Raidō's and Iwashi's gazes starting to sting. Not to mention all the civilians. If this conversation continues like this, at such a volume, I may have to fight every man in this god damn village.'

Although he was thinking that, the smug smile Alfonzo was throwing at all the jealous gazes was not making the situation any better. However, he did not really notice that as he just wanted to get to the house and go to sleep for a while. It seemed that sleep deprivation was really starting to get to him.

Not long after that, the group finally left the crowded areas of the village. However, they were definitely the talk of the village for the rest of the day. Though, they were quickly forgotten when the Chunin Exam Finals started.

As soon as the group reached the temporary residence, Genma, Raidō, Iwashi, and Yamato bid their farewells. They would have to make some final preparations for the Chunin Exam Finals, after all. Meanwhile, the visitors from Magnolia made their ways inside.

However, before anyone could sit down and relax, Grayfia stepped forward with an even more solemn expression on her face as she scanned the house from top to bottom. A few moments later, she returned to the group, who was curious to see what she would do. Then, she started giving out orders.

"Ikaruga." Grayfia said authoritatively. "Although it would seem that Miss Wendy and Miss Carla have been trying to keep the place tidy while they were here alone, they are not professionals. Please take care of the dust that has accumulated since Miyuki was last here."

"Understood." Ikaruga replied with a nod.

In the next instant, Ikaruga, using her super speed, disappeared from where she stood, found a cloth to wipe everything down, and started dusting the surfaces in the house. At the same time, Grayfia turned to Miyuki, who was waiting patiently to receive orders from the head maid.

"Miyuki, please head to the room where Master Alfonzo usually rests." Grayfia said calmly. "Also, as he has mentioned that he is quite exhausted, prepare the room for him to sleep. Also, draw a bath, as well. It should help him relax after working so hard for so long."

"Yes, Ma'am." Miyuki replied with a nod.

With that, Miyuki quickly made her way towards the large bath in the house and started filling it with water. Then, she quickly moved to the room where Alfonzo usually slept to tidy it up while the bathtub was being filled.

When Miyuki left, Grayfia turned to the others.

"If you don't mind, you can leave your luggage here." Grayfia said as she bowed to Alfonzo and the ladies. "I'll make sure to put them in the other rooms for you. Then, I will inform you of which room has your belongings. After that, I'll start working on dinner."

"Sure." "No problem." "thanks, Grayfia."

Many terms of acknowledgement followed Grayfia's arrangements. So, as everyone put their luggage down and took off their shoes, Grayfia began transporting everyone's things to the rooms they would be sleeping in during their stay.

A few moments later, Alfonzo, Elicia, Cana, Laki, Lucy, Mavis, Saeko, Shizuka, and Rika were seated in the residence's living room and relaxing.

"it feels like it's been a while since I've been here.' Elicia said as she curled up on the couch next to Alfonzo.

"Well, it has been a year, right?" Alfonzo asked. "I mean, we left to go see the Grand Magic Games last year. And you haven't come back since then, right?"

"Yeah, I guess that's true." Elicia replied. "If Mar'e was older, I would have come back with you after he was born. I miss you so much when you're gone."

"She's not the only one, you know." Cana said as she hugged Alfonzo from the other side. "That big mansion on the lake feels empty when you're not there. But it's not quite so bad now that Mar'e is there."

"Yeah, Amar'e makes the whole house feel more alive." Lucy said with a smile.

"I miss my Amar'e already." Shizuka added.

At that moment, Miyuki entered the living room and bowed politely.

"Master Alfonzo, the bath is ready should you wish to take one." Miyuki said.

"That sounds like a great idea." Alfonzo said as he separated himself from the ladies and stood up.

"You go have a nice bath, Fonzie." Elicia said with a smile. "We'll be here when you get back."

"Actually, I would like to look around the village." Mavis said with a smile as her ahoge swayed from side to side. "Can anyone accompany me?"

"Sure." Saeko said with a smile. "I would be honored to guide you around, Master Mavis."

"Ooh, I wanna look around the village, too." Shizuka said with a smile. "Rika, wanna come with me?"

"Okay." Rika said. "I still know my way around here."

That led to all those who were visiting for the first time wanting to check out the village. Naturally, those who had visited before became their guides. In the end, Alfonzo ended up staying in the house with Grayfia and Miyuki while everyone else went out tour the village.

"Fonzie, we'll be back by dinner time, okay?" Elicia said as she and the others left the house. "Don't miss us too much."

Alfonzo only smiled at that. Then, once everyone was gone, he took that bath he was looking forward to.

After his bath, Alfonzo went into his room to get dressed. Before he did, however, with only a towel wrapped around his waist, he sat on the bed. Then, he layed back to relax for a moment. Unfortunately, before he even realized, as soon as he was lying down, he fell into a very needed, deep sleep.

Alfonzo would only wake up well after everyone returned home and they all fell asleep. Though, he would not be the only one that woke up, as Elicia would wake up for the same reason.

Other than that, the rest of the day and evening passed peacefully.

June 29, x788.

The next morning, the entirety of the Village Hidden in the Leaves was pulsing with excitement. Today was the day that the eight Genin who qualified for the Chunin Exam Finals would show the world what they were capable of.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

However, that atmosphere seemed to be absent from a certain residence in the village. That was not to say that the occupants of this residence were not excited. Rather, they had witnessed far bigger spectacles. So, their excitement was on a lower level than the residents of the Hidden Leaf.

Even so, that morning, a knock on the door could be heard at the temporary residence of the visitors from Magnolia.

"I do hope that Alfonzo was able to get enough rest." Retsu, the one who knocked on the door said in a gentle tone. "He seemed quite exhausted yesterday."

"You're only hoping that he's well-rested so he will give it everything he has when he cooks breakfast this morning." Tsunade muttered under her breath.

Aside from Tsunade, Shizune, and even Sakura, had come to visit the house with Retsu this morning, as well. And although Sakura seemed out of place with the other three, there was a reason she was traveling with them first thing in the morning.

Yesterday, after visiting Hiruzen, Tsunade did not go straight home. Instead, because of what she heard, she went to visit Wendy at the hospital. And during their conversation, Wendy mentioned that she had been training a girl from the village, Sakura Haruno, in [Medical Ninjutsu].

When Tsunade heard about that, she questioned Wendy about Sakura's talent and disposition. And what she heard made Tsunade rather satisfied. So, after finding out that Wendy had not taken the girl as a disciple, she rushed over to the Haruno residence and took her as her newest disciple on the spot.

AS a result, Sakura would be leaving with Tsunade whenever she went back to Mermaid Heel to continue her training.

"I'm sorry, did you say something, Tsuna?" Retsu asked as she turned her gentle, yet menacing, smile towards Tsunade. "I don't think I heard you properly because of all the hustle and bustle in the village."

Seeing Retsu's exceptionally gentle smile, Tsunade began to shiver involuntarily. Then, she put on an ugly smile as she replied.

"Huh? What are you talking about, Master Retsu?" Tsunade asked in a confused tone. "I didn't say anything. Perhaps there's someone with a voice that sounds like mine somewhere in the village. AS you said, there is quite a lot of noise from the hustle and bustle, after all."

"I see." Retsu replied without losing her smile. Though, she did narrow her eyes.

At that moment, the front door of the residence opened. When it did, Grayfia was standing there.

"Good morning, Master Unohana, Master Tsunade, Miss Shizune, and this must be Miss Sakura." Grayfia said politely while bowing to the guests. "Please, come in. Master Alfonzo has almost finished cooking breakfast. It will be ready in a few minutes at most."

"Thank you Grayfia." Tsunade said quickly as she was the first to rush into the house, if only to get away from Retsu's gentle stare.

Seeing that, Retsu continued to smile while Shizune shook her head. Sakura, on the other hand, was dumbfounded to see one of the three legendary ninja of the village acting like that. She then discreetly made a [Ram Seal] before disturbing her magic power and saying, "Kai."

Seeing Sakura's actions, Retsu and Shizune could understand her feelings. Still, they could not help but laugh.

"You're not under a [Genjutsu], Sakura." Retsu said. "You'll get used to sights like this in the future. Just don't think about it too much and you'll be fine."

With that, Retsu was the next to enter the house. Following Retsu, Shizune also started walking forward.

"Lady Tsunade can be a bit unreliable at times." Shizune said. "But she really is a great kunoichi. So, just learn as much as you can without picking up her bad habits, and you should be fine."

"I... See…" Sakura replied as she stiffly followed the other three ladies into the house.

Once all the guests were inside, Grayfia quietly closed the door before returning to her duties. Not long after that, breakfast was served. Then, after breakfast, the entire group made their way to the arena where the Chunin Exam Finals would be held.