Chapter 39

"Get off of him."

Sakura never in her life felt so on the edge until today. She saw pale death in the eyes of one Hinata Hyuga. The nerves around her eyes twitched, waiting to kill at the first move.

"I refuse."

"Stop it." Sakura sighed in relief when her sensei got the woman off of his frame, that calmed Hinata down, but the Byakugan was still very much active. Naruto Uzumaki gave a sigh of his own. He rubbed his forehead. "Now, where were we?"

"The part where this bimbo hogged you." Ino's words would've made her laugh any other day, but given how murderous her other teammate looked a few seconds back she'd laugh later. "Who even is she?"

"I'm his wife," the woman said and Sakura really noticed how, well, hot she was. She looked to be about their age, maybe a bit older. That would explain the curves.

"We've never seen you in this village before," Hinata started. The normally shy, sweet, adoring girl was gone. In her place stood this incarnation of furious anger. "Who the hell are you?"

"Beloved," the woman said, wrapping her arm around his, squishing against him again, "educate this…girl." Sakura felt the sting in that last word. Before she knew it a clone of sensei popped up, picked up the girl in his arms and dashed off leaving the grounds much faster than she'd seen her teacher move. Ever. How fast is he?

"That was awkward." Her sensei critiqued the affair. In all honesty it was spot on.

"You can fucking say that again," Ino seemed really apprehended at this. For some reason. Well she could understand. The woman popped up out of nowhere and was almost grinding against Naruto. Sakura also didn't forget how Kurenai and Anko had been arguing over him at the Hot Springs. Their sensei really went around town.

"Sensei," Hinata started, her eyes now normal, but narrowed. "Who is she?"

"That was Shizuka." Naruto sat down and reached into his pouch, looking for something. A bunch of papers. Three of them. "I met her during a mission. She hails from the Nadeshiko Village. You girls ever heard of that place?"

"I think I did." Sakura answered. She read it somewhere, but couldn't remember where exactly from. Either way she wanted to know more about this development. "Though I don't remember the details."

"Well, I'll fill you in on a little bit. The Nadeshiko Village is a shinobi village, much like ours, except they have one unique feature."

"That was where the bimbo was born?" Sakura expected many things, but slurs from Hinata Hyuga? She was probably picking it up from their sensei. Naruto Uzumaki gave her a sharp look. He didn't say anything. He didn't look in a menacing way. Nor did he let out a gesture of sorts, but it was just enough to make Hinata mellow down. Ino seemed more composed now too. It was so cool and scary at the same time. To think this guy used to be the loud one in our class, Sakura remembered bits and pieces about him. Back then she would've never believed someone like him could become this strong. Yet here he stood. A jōnin.

"The Nadeshiko Village, as I was saying before being rudely interrupted, is different from every other village." Naruto continued looking at the papers, "It's an all-kunoichi village."

"What?" All three of them said together.

"That's right. Unlike other societies, the Nadeshiko population is entirely comprised of women. You won't find a single man there."

"So, no men?" Of course Ino would ask that question.

"Not one."

"Then how do they-"

"Well," Naruto stood up, "since they're all women, they can't reproduce cause you know…genitals. Nadeshiko kunoichi set out when their leader tells them to go out on heiress quests. They go out, scout, find a suitable husband, one that is strong as her or more, beat that guy, or convince him to do the deed, get pregnant with his child and go back to the village for the birthing so the line can continue. I know how absurd it sounds, but it is what it is."

"You're making this up," Sakura had a hard time believing what he said.

"Nope."

"You're joking," Ino was on the same board as her.

"I don't do bad jokes. I am hilarious and people quote everything I say."

"Please tell us you're lying," Hinata's words seemed more softer, and the intention behind it even more confusing. Naruto shrugged.

"I'm not. It's the truth, can't change it. About the Nadeshiko village and my jokes."

"So she picked you," Hinata continued. "And she got…"

"No." The jōnin waved it off. "My case was special. Apparently a teacher of mine was confronted by their village's now leader, who happens to be Shizuka's grandmother and her sensei as well. My goofball, lecher of a teacher promised the Nadeshiko kunoichi that a student of his would…help her student in the future. I don't know much about other people, but if a girl shows up, challenges you to a fucking duel, demands you put a baby in her and then reveals that your idiotic, voyeuristic excuse of a teacher basically put you up as an offering, that's pretty fucked up."

"Then she never got pregnant?" Hinata seemed elated when her sensei nodded. Sakura assumed that Hinata had a crush on him and this all but confirmed it. Not that she blamed the Hyuga for such a decision. Her sensei was soft on the eyes and he did look good. Not as good as…

"Well, Shizuka failed in her mission courtesy of one ass kicking session from yours truly. And she said I passed the test with flying colors, unfortunately I didn't want the reward. And she tried, believe me she tried to make me give her a child, but you know me. I do what I want. So she went back empty handed and as a result, she was excommunicated." Sakura wasn't the only one shocked to hear that.

"They kicked her out?"

"Yep."

"Because she didn't get pregnant?"

"Yeah."

"All because she didn't let a man dick her down?"

"Pretty much. Now let's talk about more important things."

"Why is she here then?" Hinata asked.

"I'm the reason she got kicked out," Naruto explained, brushing his hair back. "I'm not going to sit by while that happens. She didn't have a choice in the matter. Tradition screwed her over, and if there's anything I love its giving the middle finger to rules. So I brought her to the Village and after a bunch of meetings, a lot, lot of meetings she was made a kunoichi of Konoha."

"And her about being your fiancé is…"

"Yeah, that bit is true," Naruto raised his hand before another volley of questions rose. "If I didn't take her as a fiancé, well let's just say life would be a bit harsh for her. Either way, it's my life and my choices. I'll deal with it. That said, I do believe we've talked enough about our personal lives. Now, before you all interrupt me again, here." He handed each of them a paper and Sakura's eyes were glued on the heading.

Chūnin Exams Registration Form.

"Sensei," Sakura started, "This is..."

"Yeah, the obvious." He coughed into his hand, and his eye gleamed. "Look, I wouldn't given you these forms if I didn't think you're not ready to take these exams. However, if you still feel like you're not ready, you're free to not participate."

"Not that I don't want to," Ino started, not looking away from the form, "but my Dad told me in this exam, anything goes."

"He's right." Naruto cranked his neck. "Anything goes. No holds barred. No quarter given, no mercy shown. You can torture, cripple and kill to get to your goals. In many ways, the Chūnin Exams are kind of a trailer for the rest of your life."

"Sensei," Hinata looked reserved, much like her normal self, "isn't that a harsh way to see things?"

Naruto Uzumaki sighed, shrugging as he rubbed the eye patch. "Life is harsh. One day you're just a kid, then a few days pass you become someone who can you become someone who knows where to hit someone in the head to make them feel dizzy. Then a few days later you learn how to cauterize your own wounds. Fast forward you'll find yourself with a poisoned kunai in your hand and at the end of that sharp blade is gonna someone you never expected. A woman. A child. An old person who was once a killer or a cunning fuck who was responsible for the horrific events, but now a feeble old man filled with regrets and wants to repent. You as a ninja have an obligation to follow through."

...

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