Back in the Hidden Leaf

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

December 23, x787.

After packing their bags, Alfonzo and the others left for Akane Beach. Then, after arriving, for the next week, they enjoyed themselves to the fullest. They played with Amar'e on the beach, they spent time at the resort, they grilled seafood on the beach, and they even set off fireworks a few nights. However, like all good things do, the vacation eventually came to an end.

So, while most of the group drove back to Magnolia to continue with their normal lives, Alfonzo, Laki, Wendy, Carla, Saeko, and Miyuki got into the Escalade and made their way to the Valley of the End. And just like last time, the members of Team Guy were the ones to escort them to the village.

After meeting with Hiruzen and introducing Laki, Kakashi escorted the group to the house where they usually stayed. And just as Alfonzo planned Laki took an interest in Kakashi. Although it did not seem to be romantic interest at the moment, she was curious to see what was under his mask.

"Why does he hide his face?" Laki asked in a curious tone after everyone put away their luggage and gathered in the residence's living room.

"Well, I'm sure there's a reason for it." Alfonzo replied with a shrug.

Hearing that, Laki turned her attention to Alfonzo.

"Have you seen his face?' Laki asked. "Is it scarred or something?"

This time, not only Laki, but Wendy, Carla, Saeko, and Miyuki also turned their attentions to Alfonzo, curious to hear his answer.

"Yeah, I've seen it." Alfonzo replied with a nod. "And he does have a scar. But it's not as bad as you're thinking. In fact, he's a pretty good looking dude."

"Then, why would he hide his face?" Carla asked with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Who knows?" Alfonzo replied with another shrug.

"Is he better looking than you?" Wendy asked.

As soon as Wendy asked her question, everyone turned their gazes to her. A moment later, after realizing what she had asked, Wendy reddened like a tomato. Then, she lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Oh my, does Wendy have a crush on Alfonzo?" Laki asked with a sadistic smile on her face.

"Well, can you really blame her?" Saeko asked in a serious tone. "Alfonzo is quite handsome. ON top of that, he's a good cook, really strong, and quite kind and gentle. There really isn't anything wrong with having a crush on him."

"Well, I have to admit it." Alfonzo said with a proud smile on his face. "When you put it like that, I'm pretty fucking awesome, ain't I? But still, I kinda feel bad for Lee."

"Indeed." Miyuki added. "If Miss Wendy does, indeed, have a crush on Master Alfonzo, I'm afraid he does not have a chance with her."

When Laki asked her question, Wendy's ears turned the same shade as her face. And when Saeko made her assessment about Alfonzo, the blush climbed down the petite Dragon Slayer's neck. But when Alfonzo brought up Lee, steam shot out of the top of Wendy's head. And after Miyuki made her comment, Wendy hurriedly stood up from where She was sitting.

"Well, I'm really tired after such a long trip." Wendy said, speaking so quickly that her words were hard to understand. "so, I'm gonna go to bed. I'll see you all later. Bye!"

After that, with magic power flooding her body, Wendy dashed out of the room as fast as she could. Then, about two seconds later, the sound of a door slamming shut could be heard echoing through the whole house.

"*Sigh* Did you all really have to tease her like that?" Carla asked in an exasperated tone. "It's gonna take forever to calm her down now. And I don't even wanna think about what she'll look like the next time she sees Lee."

"We did." Alfonzo replied in a solemn tone while nodding his head emphatically.

In response, Laki, Saeko, and Miyuki also nodded their heads, as well. Meanwhile, Carla looked at Alfonzo skeptically, her gaze asking for the reason why that was necessary.

"Because ever since Wendy started to grow up, it's been harder and harder to see her embarrassed face." Alfonzo continued. "And as we all know…"

"… embarrassed Wendy is the cutest." Alfonzo, Laki, Saeko, and Miyuki said in unison, finishing Alfonzo's previous sentence.

"Even if I agree with you…" Carla said with an awkward smile on her face. "Just who do you think is going to have to calm her down?"

"We thank you for your noble sacrifice." Laki said in a completely serious tone. Though, she was wearing her usual smile as she adjusted her glasses.

That last statement left Carla completely speechless. However, nothing else of note happened for the rest of the evening. So, after just hanging out for a while and having a dinner cooked by Alfonzo, the group separated and went to their own rooms for the evening before eventually going to bed.

On a side note, despite the fact that she was still feeling embarrassment, Wendy did come out of her room for dinner. However, she ate rather quickly before thanking Alfonzo for the meal and rushing right back into her room.

December 24, x787.

The next day started like any other. Alfonzo woke up with Miyuki staring at his face before telling him she wished he would never wake up. Then, after getting ready for the day, he started cooking breakfast. Around that time, everyone else also came out of their rooms. And it seemed as though Carla had managed to calm Wendy down after dinner last night, since she was no longer blushing… as fiercely as she was last night.

After breakfast, Alfonzo and Miyuki, accompanied by Kakashi, went to one of the training grounds in the village so that Alfonzo could continue his work. Meanwhile, Wendy and Carla left with Anko for Wendy's shift at the village hospital.

Around Lunch time, Miyuki separated from Alfonzo to prepare lunch for Laki and Saeko while Alfonzo had lunch with Kakashi. Then, around the time the men were finished eating, Miyuki returned to accompany them.

At the end of a long day of work, Alfonzo and Miyuki were the first ones to return to the house. After them, the kids from the academy showed up, happy to restart their training with Alfonzo and the others again. And finally, Wendy and Carla would return after Wendy's shift at the hospital ended.

Once the kids arrived, Alfonzo would start their basic training. Then, they would split up, with Alfonzo training Naruto in the use of [Seals], Wendy training Sakura in [Medical Ninjutsu], and Saeko training Sasuke in swordsmanship. Meanwhile, taking Rika's place, Laki train the rest of the kids in combat tactics.

However, not even ten minutes after they separated, Saeko knocked on the door to Alfonzo's makeshift workshop, interrupting his lessons with Naruto.

"Saeko, what's up?" Alfonzo asked while correcting Naruto's use of [Seals].

"I need your assistance." Saeko said politely. "It seems that Sasuke does not believe that learning swordsmanship will help him as much as learning [Ninjutsu] will. So, I wanted you to help me demonstrate what a skilled swordsman can do."

"So basically, you need a sparring partner, right?" Alfonzo asked as he stood up from his seat next to Naruto.

"That's right." Saeko replied with a nod.

"Does that mean you're gonna fight, Big Bro Alfonzo?" Naruto asked excitedly as he looked away from the [Seal] he was creating.

"Looks that way." Alfonzo replied with a shrug. Then, he turned back to Saeko as he continued. "Sure, I'll help with your demonstration."

"Thank you." Saeko replied while bowing her head in gratitude.

"Alright, I'll be out in a few minutes." Alfonzo said. "I'm gonna tell Wendy, Carla, and Sakura. This will be a good experience for them, too. Oh, and I guess I'll get that girl on Guy's team, Tenten. She uses weapons, too. Maybe seeing us will make her decide to learn a single weapon instead of just throwing every weapon she owns at her opponents."

"Alright, I'll be waiting for you in the yard." Saeko replied as she turned around to return to the yard.

"Hey, wait for me!" Naruto shouted as he ran after Saeko. "Ther's no way I'm missing this!"

Meanwhile, Alfonzo, after watching Naruto run out the room, went to tell Wendy, Carla, and Sakura about the spar. Then, after the three young ladies agreed to watch it, he closed his eyes and focused on his [Magic Power Detection], which had been active for a little more than two full weeks.

"Found her." Alfonzo said quietly after he found his target. "And it looks like they're all together. I guess I'll bring all of them to watch."

With that said, Alfonzo vanished from where he stood in a burst of speed. A few moments later, Alfonzo appeared next to a certain table in Yakiniku Q with a flash of violet light, startling all the restaurant goers in the process.

"Hey, Guy." Alfonzo said with a smile. "How's it going?"

"Alfonzo!" Guy exclaimed with a smile. "My friend, have you come to join us for dinner? Of course, you're more than welcome."

"Not this time." Alfonzo replied while shaking his head. "I actually came to get Tenten. I wanted her to see something."

"Me?" Tenten asked in a confused tone while pointing her right index finger at herself.

"Yeah, I think seeing what I have to show you will really help you improve." Alfonzo replied with a nod.

Instead of replying immediately, Tenten looked at Guy with the question, "What should I do?" swirling in her eyes.

"You should go." Guy said energetically. "If Alfonzo says it will help you improve, then I believe whatever it is he wants to show you will help your youth burn brightly."

Hearing that, Tenten only stared at Guy with a blank expression. Alfonzo, on the other hand, could only smile wryly at Guy being Guy. Neji and Lee, however, were curious to know what Alfonzo wanted to show Tenten.

"In fact, if it's okay, we should all go." Guy said, completely ignoring Tenten's stare.

"It's fine with me." Alfonzo replied with a shrug.

"Well then, you heard him, my youthful disciples." Guy said as he stood up from his seat. "Let's go!"

With a loud shout, Guy turned around and rushed out of the restaurant, leaving the other four staring at him blankly.

"This was supposed to be Guy-Sensei's treat." Neji muttered. "Now, who's gonna pay for the meal?"

"Yes, let's let our youth explode!" Lee shouted a moment later. "Guy-Sensei, wait for me!"

Then, like Guy before him, Lee also dashed out of the restaurant.

"*Sigh* do those two even know where they're supposed to go?" Tenten asked in an exasperated tone. Then, she looked at the table full of uncooked meat. "And Neji is right, who's gonna pay for all this."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Alfonzo said exasperatedly. "Guy's gonna have to pay me back for this, though. Anyway, you two head over to my place. After paying the bill and finding Guy and Lee, I'll meet you there."

"Understood." Neji replied as he stood up and started to leave.

"Okay, we'll see you there." Tenten said as she followed Neji.

Meanwhile, Alfonzo headed to the front desk to pay for Team Guy's meal. Then, after paying, he once again focused on his [Magic Power Detection] to find Guy and Lee. And to his dismay, they had run in completely opposite directions after leaving the restaurant.

"*sigh* sometimes those two are so troublesome." Alfonzo said in an annoyed tone. Then, he once again vanished from where he stood in a burst of speed, leaving a sentence floating in the air of Yakiniku Q. "What a drag…"

After leaving the restaurant, Alfonzo caught up to Lee first. Then, without a word, he snatched him up and returned to the house, dropping him off right next to Wendy and leaving the young man thoroughly confused. However, after seeing Wendy, he could not help but smile brightly.

After that, Alfonzo caught up to Guy. And just like he had done with Lee, he snatched him up and returned to the house. However, since Kakashi was nearby when he caught Guy, he decided to snatch up Kakashi, too.

When Alfonzo eventually returned to the house, he released Guy and Kakashi. However, they were treated in markedly different ways. While Kakashi was placed gently next to Laki, Guy was dropped while Alfonzo was still moving at high speed, resulting in the Leaf's Blue Beast rolling violently across the backyard until he slammed into a tree.

At the same time, Neji and Tenten had just arrived at the house, as well. And by the time they made it into the backyard, Alfonzo and Saeko were standing opposite each other while everyone, other than Guy, who was still trying to get his bearings after rolling across the ground, were surrounding them and waiting for the spar to begin.