Chapter 423: "Family"
The dispute between the two kunoichi was successfully resolved. Shizune was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief...
Sarada calmed down and even felt a slight pang of guilt over her overbearing behavior. If she had known about Temari's pregnancy, she could have restrained herself. But, even so, she did not apologize, but only returned to what really worried her:
"I didn't mean to fight... Shizune, something happened and... So... Where's sensei?"
"Hmm..." Understanding flashed through the kunoichi's eyes. Of course, she knew about this "something", but she was not going to raise this topic herself, and therefore answered:
"The master left on one important matter… Although, I'm surprised he didn't warn you…" As she spoke, Shizune slowly approached Sumire, touched her smooth hair and smiled kindly:
"I'm glad to meet you... We share a common secret, so we should stick together..." Smiling at the embarrassed Sumire, Shizune turned to Sarada.
But don't worry, he'll be back soon, you can be sure.
This answer was very disappointing...
Sarada could only sigh helplessly. Naruto did whatever he wanted, so why would he care about any warnings? Once his interest faded, Sarada was sidelined. Fortunately, she did not understand this yet, because too little time had passed since the last meeting.
Sumire timidly looked at the older kunoichi and didn't know what to say...
"Why is she petting me?"
Such a sudden touch seemed rather strange to her. On the one hand, she suspected something was wrong and even secretly got annoyed by it, but at the same time, the words about the Master gave her hope, so she continued to keep an embarrassed smile of an innocent girl.
"Hmm, what is so special about you, Sumire Kakei?" Shizune played with her hair a little more, and then reluctantly stepped back. There was a hidden meaning in her actions, known only to her. Provocation, curiosity, demonstration...
Meanwhile, Sarada silently frowned.
"Yes, what is it with her? I didn't hear… She calls him Master?"
At the same time, Sarada tried not to look at Temari. However, she did the same and turned to the window, sipping sake distantly. The whole show from Shizune didn't seem to bother her.
Hostility has passed and replaced it, a feeling of awkwardness has come ...
"So what happened to you?" Shizune suddenly asked, drawing the attention of everyone present. Trying to defuse the situation, she leaned against the Hokage's desk like Tsunade once did, clearly demonstrating her position. Another lesson from the Master...
Sarada was a little embarrassed. Shizune's open demeanor was reassuring, and unlike Temari, she knew her well. Besides, her position as the Hokage's first assistant meant a lot. Perhaps she had a way to contact him?
Realizing that even she didn't have that opportunity, Sarada suddenly felt sad...
After thinking for a bit, she replied:
"Mom... She had a fight with her father, and I thought that sensei could somehow influence her. Now she is a little... Not herself...
And this is putting it mildly ... Sarada felt just terrible, and when she was next to Sakura, everything became even worse. This is not even depression, but something more terrible ... As the closest person to her, she, of course, could not stay away. Sasuke escaped, so she had to take the brunt of it.
- Hm...
After hearing everything, Shizune narrowed her eyes in interest.
"So, Sasuke lost? What a shame..."
"Is that so… Poor thing…" but although she mentally chuckled, in reality she was still acting reserved.
Shizune had a rough idea of the situation given Sakura's unstable personality.
"Looks like Master's plan is going well… It's already gotten to the point…"
She couldn't help but admire his methods. Using Sasuke against Sakura is a far more powerful move than using her daughter. Thanks to that, she would hardly be able to resist now, Shizune had no doubts about it.
Temari listened with interest, although she carefully pretended that none of this bothered her. Given Naruto's personality, she had no doubt that he was definitely involved.
"So Sakura? No wonder... Greedy bastard, everything is not enough for him...»
She had heard something about their joint past, so his step towards her was completely surprising. Sakura has a very short temper, and her love for Sasuke made many people question her intelligence, even Temari. So she wondered how he would turn everything to his advantage...
But Shizune's next words startled everyone:
- I think you all already understand what's what? Sakura will soon become part of our... "Family". So don't worry Sarada, the Master will take care of everything as soon as he's free.
"Um… Families? - as soon as she heard this word, the girl was immediately embarrassed, She, of course, understood what it meant, but to hear this openly ...
But suddenly...
"Ha ha ha... Shizune..." Temari laughed uncontrollably. At a time like this, she couldn't stay away!
So are we a family? - she was very amused, and she did not miss the opportunity to throw out another mockery:
Why soften the words? Tell it like it is... We are rather his harem!
Shizune glanced at her friend with a wry smile. She couldn't argue with that, but...
"Family" sounds a lot better, don't you think? And if so…" Turning her attention back to Sarada, the kunoichi smiled restrainedly, trying to smooth the corners:
"We have to support each other. We have no enmity. So Sarada, you try too. Your mother, very... Peculiar personality... Who knows how she will react to our relationship with him. Do you understand?
The girl tensed, but still answered:
"I... I understand. Sarada understood this better than anyone. Of course, because her situation is not easy at all... In the situation with her mother, she could only rely on the Master, which is why she came today. Who knew that in the end you would have to face other members of this so-called "Family".
"Family... What nonsense..." But even though she thought like that, she didn't say anything out loud. The first encounter with Temari was enough for her. Sarada simply didn't have the energy for other arguments.
However, to some extent, Shizune's words were reassuring. She achieved the desired result, after which she turned her attention to Sumire:
"Did something happen to you too?"
"Um, no, it's okay…" the girl smiled sheepishly. The question is really difficult... But, she didn't want to talk about it. Shizune's good-natured tone and her strange behavior made Sumire respond warily, albeit under the guise of a timid girl.
However, Shizune wasn't going to give up so easily. With Sumire, it turned out to be more difficult than with Sarada, but she easily accepted it, and then led to the right topic:
"It's about Hanabi, isn't it?
- BUT? Sumire immediately changed her face: "Where are you from…
"Hmm," Shizune chuckled proudly, "It's simple... None of you know the truth about her, but it's understandable..."
"What does it mean?" Sarada frowned.
"Really…" Sumire began to guess.
The kunoichi present began to realize something, and Temari was the first to manage to ask this logical question:
"He and she have plans, am I right?"
All eyes immediately turned to one person...
"Hah, as expected of you..." Shizune didn't deny it, giving her own answer.
"You shouldn't get involved in this. Sumire, like Sarada, you just have to wait. The owner will take care of everything. Until he orders, you'd better not arouse suspicion.