Chapter 301: Awkward Team 7

Hospital, ward.

"Shikamaru!"

At this moment, Naruto stared with wide eyes at the crimson on the bed, his face turning green, almost collapsing on the spot.

"Naruto! You bastard!"

At this time, Shikamaru weakly and angrily spoke, painfully pulling up his pants. Now, as he walked, his legs were spread apart and uncontrollably trembling.

The messy room was evidence enough of everything.

Just then, the door of the hospital room was suddenly pushed open, and before the person entered, the proud voice of Sasuke was heard.

"Naruto, Teacher Kakashi has notified us of a Team 7 gathering tonight…"

Suddenly, Sasuke's voice choked as if gripped by something. His usual aloofness shattered in an instant, staring dumbfounded at the scene.

Naruto's small acorn was still stained with blood, and there were bloodstains and signs of a struggle all over the hospital room, with Shikamaru trembling as he clutched his pants by the bed.

The air was also filled with a smell akin to feces.

In an instant, Sasuke's usual cool demeanor turned bright red, and he started to stammer.

"Uh... I... I have something else to do, sorry to disturb... you, I didn't see anything, nothing…"

Sasuke, as if he had seen something horrifying, panicked and ran out, leaving the patients and medical staff in the corridor puzzled.

Just then, a nurse curiously glanced into the room and let out a piercing scream that echoed throughout the hospital.

"Ah!"

Seeing this, Naruto embarrassingly jumped out of the window and fled, further confirming his guilt.

The abandoned Shikamaru shouted in frustration, "Naruto, don't leave me alone!"

He was frustrated. If Naruto was going to escape, at least take him along. What a bastard move.

"Naruto!"

Shikamaru looked desperately at Naruto escaping through the window, his eyes red with resentment and a sense of betrayal.

That day, a rumor spread in the hospital about the young leader of the Nara clan.

Some, upon hearing it, suddenly realized why the young leader didn't mind losing a little weight; he had long been displeased with it.

In the twisted world of ninja, where ninjas often carry out murderous missions, some had twisted psyches. Hearing this news, many discreetly avoided contact with the young man.

After all, in a world with twisted and dark psychologies, there are many who develop such preferences.

However, this twisted mentality was neither acknowledged nor accepted, only developing in the shadows.

Shikamaru didn't know that because of today's incident, he would attract the attention of many disgusting people, with some approaching him secretly and intimately, including some with beards, which angered him.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru lay on the operating table with a lifeless look in his eyes.

After treating the wound, Yakushi Kabuto shook his head and said, "Be more careful next time, don't be so hasty. You've been stretched too much, both front and back, and it's all swollen."

"But the wound has been stitched up, just pay attention to disinfection in the future, and avoid spicy food and alcohol for now."

Watching the medical ninja incessantly instructing, a tear of despair rolled down Shikamaru's cheek.

"Oh, by the way, someone saw a red-haired girl covering her face and running away outside the door, she seemed to be saying something."

Yakushi Kabuto had a reminiscent look and suddenly remembered something, exclaiming, "Right, this little girl is talking about liars! All big liars!"

"Ah, you young people."

Kabuto understood but shook his head and sighed.

This was conclusive evidence that you two messed up, deceiving the girl's feelings.

At this moment, Shikamaru was full of frustration. He really did not expect Naruto to be so impulsive. But thinking about it, Naruto had been skilled in seduction from a young age, truly a gifted talent in this area.

Unfortunately, he miscalculated and got himself trapped. And now, with Sakura finding out, she must be shocked and angry.

Thinking he deceived her.

"I!"

Shikamaru tried to explain hoarsely, while Kabuto, smiling, pushed his glasses up, "No need to say, I understand. Don't worry, I won't discriminate against you."

"And as a medical ninja, I've encountered many people like you. Don't worry."

Kabuto, the instigator of all this, smiled broadly and slowly handed a bottle of medicine to Shikamaru.

"This is to speed up your recovery."

At this moment, Shikamaru felt like a real person only in front of Kabuto, the medical ninja, his emotions mixed.

Losing a bit of flesh was regrettable, but the spread of this incident made him feel the pressure of public opinion.

"What kind of impact will this have on me in the future?"

Looking at Shikamaru's inquiry, Kabuto calmly said, "Due to the lack of... testicles, there's a decrease in male hormones. Since you're in your developmental stage, there might be some impact."

"But don't worry, it's not significant for a ninja. The biggest changes would be a thinner, sharper voice and not growing a beard."

"These are physical changes, but the most important is psychological!"

"Psychological?" Shikamaru showed a look of astonishment, as if asking what that meant.

Kabuto nodded with a smile, "Exactly, psychological. Let's put it this way, people generally only have a first time and countless times."

"In cases like yours, if it was just a psychological desire before any actual action, it wouldn't matter. But after trying for the first time."

"I was forced!" Shikamaru quickly explained, and Kabuto nodded with a smile.

"I know, whether forced or not, humans are naturally curious. After the first time, many fall into this out of curiosity."

"Of course, there are those with strong wills, so it depends on the person. After all, it's also a way of emotional release, especially for ninjas who are under constant pressure from missions."

Kabuto showed no discrimination and analyzed it from the perspective of a pure medical ninja, which made Shikamaru extremely grateful.

"Thank you. Then, is there any way I can change back?"

Although Shikamaru was grateful, he did not want to continue falling. He had heard about such things within his clan, but he definitely did not want to secretly engage in them himself.

"A way?"

Kabuto lowered his head in thought for a moment, then hesitantly said: "I heard that some people, in order to reverse psychological changes, use their strong will to seek out song and dance geisha..."

"Thank you!"

Shikamaru respectfully expressed his gratitude, and then took advantage of the night to leave the hospital, as he already felt embarrassed by the situation, which he originally found troublesome.

…

That night at a Barbecue Restaurant.

Kakashi scratched his head, sensing something off about the atmosphere.

"That, Naruto is going to train with Lord Jiraiya in a few days, Sasuke will train with Lord Orochimaru, and even Sakura is learning medical ninjutsu under the tutelage of the head of the medical department, Yakushi Nono. You three are embarking on your own paths. How come for tonight's Team 7 gathering, you guys are…"

Kakashi looked puzzled. Sakura, feeling awkward, hung her head low, wishing she could just disappear into a hole.

She hadn't expected that the two men in the hospital would end up together, it seemed Yakushi Kabuto had even kindly warned her.

Sasuke was equally embarrassed, his discomfort seemed like he wanted to keep a distance from Naruto, as if being close to him would tarnish him, but his eyes betrayed more embarrassment than disdain.

After all, as a ninja, just not discriminating against such people was enough for him. To treat Naruto the same as before? Impossible!

Sasuke had come tonight purely out of obligation, feeling extremely awkward.

And Naruto's eyes showed a hint of sadness and sorrow. His first time was with Shikamaru, and it was wild and unrestrained.

Even as thick-skinned as he was, Naruto could feel heartbroken.

"Sasuke, believe me, you've got it all wrong," Naruto said desperately under the awkward atmosphere, looking for an explanation. Sasuke nodded hastily in response, "Yeah, I believe you, I got it wrong."

Suddenly, Sasuke changed the subject, looking at Kakashi, "When is Gaara coming?"

Just then, the door curtain lifted, and there was Gaara, with the character for love on his forehead. He bowed respectfully to Kakashi: "Jonin Kakashi."

Seeing Gaara, Kakashi smiled and gestured, "Everyone's here, let's sit down."

"I'll say this first, Team 7 hasn't disbanded. It's just that your talents would be wasted on regular missions, so that's why you're being sent to train."

"However, Naruto will be traveling with Lord Jiraiya and can't participate in Team 7's missions for now."

"So Gaara will join and train with Orochimaru along with Sasuke. I'll assign missions to you every year and look forward to working together again after three years of training."

Kakashi, with a newfound goal, was more enthusiastic and articulate than before.

As the atmosphere livened up with Kakashi's lead, everyone in Team 7 raised their glasses, shouting, "Cheers."

But clearly, Naruto, looking at Gaara who took his place, felt a lot of frustration and rejection. It's a natural human reaction.

Even in the original story, when Sai joined Team 7 and took Sasuke's place, Naruto was very resistant.

Now that he's been replaced, it's natural for Naruto to feel resentful towards Gaara.

In the original story, the two who sympathized with each other's plight, in this world, Naruto feels a strong repulsion towards Gaara.

Originally, with Gaara officially joining Team 7, Sakura and Sasuke were a bit uncomfortable, although they hid it well. Naruto had gotten used to it, and they had completed many missions together in harmony.

But this time, Sasuke and Sakura were secretly relieved, especially Sasuke, who looked at Gaara with gratitude.

It was as if he finally felt safe.

"Sasuke!"

At the dinner table, Naruto's persistent gaze was fixed on his best buddy Sasuke, and Sasuke, feeling uneasy under such scrutiny, showed an awkward smile.

"Naruto."

The once proud Sasuke, even when facing the Sannin, was filled with a resolute will, swearing to surpass them. But this time, seeing Naruto's eyes, he actually felt intimidated.

"You got something to say?"

Sasuke said awkwardly, hardening his scalp. The once-dismissive fiery gaze now made him uneasy every time he saw Naruto's eyes.

The thick-skinned Naruto didn't notice Sasuke's abnormal behavior. Instead, he realized that Sasuke, who always opposed him, had softened, warming his heart.

Sasuke indeed still cared about him. At the time of parting, the once always opposing Sasuke had softened.

Naruto grinned, showing a firm smile, and laughed while giving Sasuke a thumbs up: "Sasuke, in three years, I'll definitely surprise you. Then, I, Naruto, will surely defeat you."

"Stop bragging," the usually cool Sasuke stuttered, indicating how much the scene at the hospital bed had impacted the young Sasuke.

"Okay, you two, stop it. The barbecue is almost burnt."

Kakashi sensed something had happened between the two but didn't inquire further. After all, everyone goes through life experiences. His visible eye curved into a crescent, smiling as he addressed everyone.

"Start eating!"

In the bustling barbecue restaurant, Team 7 joyfully ate together, but the meal had a different taste.

The ones who enjoyed it the most were Kakashi and Gaara.

Kakashi was completely delighted, as his students were about to graduate and had a bright future ahead, freeing him from worry.

This was the most satisfying situation for him.

Gaara, on this occasion, seemed to feel something different, especially with Sakura and Sasuke sending accepting signals, stirring a rare sense of companionship in him.

This night was destined to be sleepless.

In the dim room of the Nara family.

Nara Shikaku rubbed his forehead tiredly, burdened by significant aftereffects.

"Father, this is the situation of our clan now."

After Shikamaru respectfully reported, Shikaku sighed wearily: "As expected, the alliance of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans has split."

He had anticipated the possibility of the three great clans splitting. Even a single family has disagreements, let alone three major clans. The previous good relationship of Ino-Shika-Cho was purely based on mutual interests.

Now, they were divided by interests as well, which was normal.

"Shikamaru, the future of our clan depends on you. You can't be as lazy as before."

"I know, Father!" At this moment, Shikamaru in the narrative recognized the importance of power earlier than in the original story, which might be good for him.

A small price to pay, trading a few ounces of flesh for an early realization of the fundamental principle of power in the ninja world.

~~~

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