At the Hatake residence., ever since stepping down from the ANBU, Sakumo had felt an unprecedented sense of ease.
No more constant surveillance of that troubleso Shin.
Nearly five years of nonstop surveillance had drained him physically and ntally, so he decided to give himself a long vacation.
On his first day off, he indulged in food and singing, feeling like he'd finally discovered what life should be.
On the second day, he was sipping tea and listening to music, thinking this was what life should be like.
On the third day, he strolled leisurely around Konoha, looking around with a childlike curiosity.
When he reached a certain district, and ensured no one was watching, he slipped into a bookstore and expertly made his way to a very hidden corner. He looked around carefully. Seeing no one nearby, he cautiously picked up a copy of "The Secret of the Kunoichi" and began reading with great interest.
As expected from that author, it still had that sa charm from back in the day. The plot, the descriptions… it was downright addictive.
Yes. A great book. Brilliant.
Wait, they can do that?
An entire afternoon slipped by like that. As the sun dipped in the west and the shopkeeper turned on the lights, Sakumo suddenly snapped back to reality.
Panicking, he shoved the book back on the shelf and turned to rush out. But after just a few steps, he froze, his face twisted as if he were constipated.
Why am I worried? I don't need to watch that kid anymore. I'm free now!
He took a few more steps, but then stopped again. Seeing that no one was around, he turned his head back toward that shelf.
The Secret of the Kunoichi...
Why can't I stop thinking about it? Like an itch I can't scratch... Wait... am I being inappropriate?
No, that book's just that captivating. Besides, books are made to be read, right?
I'm simply appreciating literature. Nothing wrong with that.
Seeing no one was paying attention to him, Sakumo briefly considered using the Transformation Jutsu, but a quick ntal calculation stopped him. Using chakra for sothing so trivial seed unnecessary, especially when he was officially off-duty. Besides, a transformation might trigger the bookstore's security seals, designed to detect ninja techniques after several incidents of theft.
Instead, he settled for pulling his coat collar higher until it covered most of his face. Then, with feigned casualness, he walked back to the bookshelf and retrieved the book he'd only finished a quarter of.
Glancing over the other books on the shelf, he nodded in satisfaction. So many new titles in recent years… it looked like the shinobi world still has so talented folks. The authors were working hard.
No need to rush, I'll tackle them all one by one.
Humming a tune, he made his way to the checkout counter and handed the book to the young lady cashier. When she saw the title, her face instantly turned red. Then she took another look at Sakumo.
And that's when it hit her, that familiar face cover, that familiar aura... isn't this one of our old regulars? The one who always refuses a receipt?
It had been so long with no sign of him, she'd thought sothing bad might have happened.
But here he was, alive and well!
"You're..."
"I'm not!" Sakumo imdiately denied it.
Confird. It's really him.
"Sorry, I must've mistaken you for soone else."
Once he left the bookstore, Sakumo let out a deep breath.
On the fourth day, he lounged in bed, swimming joyfully in a sea of literature, occasionally letting out pervy little giggles at the good parts.
Day five...
Day six...
Day fifteen...
At first, life had been great and carefree. But as the days passed, he could no longer sit still.
Shin had promised to introduce him to Nao.
And what happened?
He'd waited a full half a month, and Shin had vanished without a trace.
Of course, on the surface, the two had always acted like they didn't get along. Shin had even warned Sakumo not to co looking for him. He also said that when the ti was right, he'd show up and ensure Sakumo's happiness for the rest of his life.
Perhaps sothing urgent had co up?
Fine. I'll give him one more chance.
Day sixteen...
Day twenty-one...
Day twenty-five...
Day thirty...
This is absolutely unacceptable!
He was losing his mind.
Thirty days. Thirty full days of waiting. Did Shin have any idea what this was doing to him?
No, it was ti to find that kid!
It had been so many days, even if he had sothing big going on, it should be over by now, right?
Or he probably never intended to keep his promise!
Yeah, that was it, ti to find him!
...But what if he genuinely had important matters to attend to?
What if confronting him makes things worse, and he refuses to help altogether...
What am I thinking?
If I keep hesitating, soone else might win Nao's heart!
I'm going. Now. No more delays!
---
The next day, at Konoha Hospital, Tsunade sprang up the mont she heard the nurse's urgent report, grabbing a dical kit and rushing straight into the operating room.
"What? A critically injured patient?"
When she saw Sakumo's left arm twisted like a pretzel, she was stunned. She knew exactly how powerful he was, so how could he be this badly injured within the village? Who the hell did this to him?
But now wasn't the ti for questions. As she directed the nurses to hand her the necessary tools one by one, she started treatnt imdiately.
Luckily, though the injury was severe, treatnt had been tily. It was just that the bones had been fractured in several places. Once set properly, he would only need so rest to make a full recovery.
"Who did this to you?" Tsunade finally breathed a sigh of relief and asked curiously.
Seeing Sakumo hesitate, looking like he wanted to speak but couldn't, Tsunade nodded and told the others, "You all leave us."
After the last nurse exited and closed the door, Sakumo imdiately sat up. With a look of grievance that bordered on tears, he cried, Tsunade, you have to help !"
"What do you an?"
"I injured my hand on purpose."
"..."
"But I really had no choice. By the way, Nao. She hasn't started dating anyone this past month, has she?"
Tsunade's expression beca incredibly strange. But seeing how anxious Sakumo looked, she shook her head and replied, "No. I've transferred her to assist directly. She's been really busy, no ti for dating."
"That's a relief!" The massive weight in Sakumo's heart finally lifted, and his entire deanor changed.
"...?" Tsunade, still confused, was about to speak again but Sakumo raised a hand to stop her.
"Where's Shin?"
Now that his anxiety was gone, anger surged in its place. Sakumo's eyes looked practically murderous.
"With that look on your face, I'm not sure if I should tell you anything." Tsunade was baffled.
She rembered that Sakumo and Shin were supposed to be on decent terms. But now he looked like he wouldn't rest until the guy was dead. What was going on?
Could Shin have sched sothing against Sakumo again, and gotten caught? But then again, earlier he rushed in here asking about Nao, could it be...?
"Earlier you ntioned Nao..." she probed instead of answering directly.
"Yes! Nao!" Sakumo instantly switched expressions again. "Shin promised a month ago he'd introduce us! I waited and waited for an entire month, and he never showed up! Where is he?! I need to have a serious talk with him!"
Tsunade could only cover her face in exasperation.
"Shin has been occupied with important matters this month, but I'll fulfill his promise on his behalf."
"Really?" A dazzling gleam flashed in Sakumo's eyes, as if he was about to teleport instantly using the Flying Thunder God Technique to get to Nao.
Nao, I'm on my way!
Wait, compose yourself!
"The Secret of the Kunoichi" said that when a girl found out soone liked her, she might feel joy, but that didn't an she accepted him right away. She would keep evaluating his personality, character, and capabilities.
And in "The Tale of Exotic Bath", it also said that when pursuing a girl, you must not give her too much pressure or burden. What you thought was kindness might make her want to avoid you.
So...
First, make a morable impression.
Then, engage her emotions, create interest.
Next, maintain so distance, build anticipation.
Finally, express sincere devotion, winning her heart.
---
At a relatively upscale teahouse in Konoha, Sakumo and Nao sat facing each other.
Sakumo's face was flushed. Beneath the table, his hands were clenched tightly, his head lowered so much he could barely look at Nao.
Every ti he stole a glance at her face, his heart would tremble, then he'd panic and imdiately look down, as if he'd done sothing terribly wrong.
"Um..." Nao's gentle voice suddenly broke the silence. "Aren't you going to drink your tea?"
"Yes... of course..." Sakumo scrambled to grab his teacup, but in his nervousness, he knocked it over. The tea spilled straight toward Nao.
She wasn't a ninja, just a nurse, so her reaction speed wasn't fast enough. Her white long dress was quickly soaked with tea, and she frowned deeply. This dress had cost her a lot of savings, and she hadn't even worn it before today. She only wore it today because Tsunade said she was introducing her to soone.
At first glance, her impression of Sakumo was actually quite good. He appeared well-grood, and handso.
But after spending a bit of ti together, he completely ssed it up. He was trembling the whole ti, and could barely say a complete sentence.
Was she really that scary?
Nao felt misunderstood.
She had no idea that ever since she started working at Konoha Hospital, Sakumo had been watching her from afar, silently admiring her. Now that he finally had the chance to sit across from her, he could barely control himself.
Unfortunately, his behavior completely ruined her impression of him. If it hadn't been Tsunade who introduced him, she might've left right away.
Another thirty minutes passed in awkward silence, and Nao finally couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and said politely, "Sakumo-senpai, it's getting late, I should head ho now."
She called him "senpai" because that was how Tsunade addressed him and told her to as well, saying it would help them grow closer.
But she felt it only made things more awkward.
"You're... leaving?" Sakumo finally lifted his head, his voice trembling.
It finally hit him, and he felt deeply frustrated.
It's over. I've ruined everything.
What happened to ? Where was the composure I maintain during missions? The confidence I carry into battle?
It's hopeless!
"I can... walk you ho..." he offered hesitantly.
"No need."
To Nao, his uncertain tone made the offer sound like an obligation rather than a genuine desire. Her considerate nature made her reluctant to impose, so she declined imdiately.
With a polite smile, she turned and walked away, leaving him behind, dazed and devastated.
"I should accompany her. What if sothing happens on her way ho? I need to ensure her safety."
After a while, Sakumo finally ca to his senses, forced himself to co up with an excuse, and chased after her. That night, the wind was especially strong. The awning outside the teahouse flapped noisily, as if mocking him rcilessly.
Seeing Nao's silhouette about 20 ters ahead, he felt like dying.
What just happened?
This is Shin's fault!
If he hadn't disappeared, I wouldn't have been so nervous...
If things don't work out between Nao and ...
Suddenly, Sakumo noticed sothing ahead and went on high alert.
Seven or eight ters in front of Nao, an old transforr box mounted on a utility pole was swaying violently in the wind, like it could fall at any mont.
As she took a few more steps, the box made a loud cracking sound, and broke free from the pole, falling straight toward her.
Sakumo's heart nearly stopped. In a flash, he vanished.
The next mont, Nao found herself five ters from her previous position, held securely in Sakumo's arms.
Startled and confused, Nao initially tried to push away.
But then—boom!—a heavy crash behind them startled her. She turned quickly to see a one-ter-tall tal transforr box right where she had just been standing.
Her body broke into a cold sweat.
If that had hit her, she might've gone straight to the Pure Land.
"Um..." Seeing Sakumo still holding her, her face turned beet red. She whispered in a voice only she could hear, "Could you... put down?"
"Ah? Oh!" Sakumo suddenly realized he'd been frozen with excitent from holding his goddess in his arms. He hurriedly put her down.
The wind blew away the clouds, revealing a starry moonlit sky. Beneath the utility pole, both of them had cheeks too red to look at each other properly.
Thankfully, it was nightti, the lighting dim, and few people were around, helping them both feel slightly less embarrassed.
After a while, Nao bit her lip, seeming to make up her mind. She whispered, "I think the breeze tonight feels really nice. I don't want to go ho just yet. Would you tell more about yourself?"
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