Two days passed, and after Samui's report, the Fourth Raikage sent people to clean Turtle Island overnight. His priority was to provide flawless hospitality, afraid that Uchiha Hikaru might be dissatisfied with anything.
As for the dinner that evening, although Uchiha Hikaru attended, Samui was absent for some unknown reason, leaving Hikaru confused.
But since Samui was a Kumo kunoichi, perhaps she was handling confidential matters. He had no intention of asking more.
For those two days, only Uchiha Hikaru, Naruto, and Killer Bee remained on Turtle Island. Hikaru and Bee took turns guiding Naruto through training, while Bee instructed him on controlling Tailed Beast chakra.
Hikaru even drew a massive training chart titled "One Hundred Uses of Rasengan" based on the techniques Naruto would one day develop, instantly lighting up Naruto's eyes, filling him with burning motivation.
This morning, Samui returned—bringing with her a woman wearing a tight black combat suit, white bandages around her ankles and thigh, a navy-blue swimsuit-like top, and a deep exposed valley where a hidden weapon was likely stored—dangerous and mesmerizing at the same time.
The arrival startled Hikaru.
Nadeshiko Village's Shizuka?
Why is she in Kumogakure at this time?
In the original timeline, Naruto met her at sixteen, on his way to Turtle Island for training.
But now, not only was the timeline moved forward two years, she had even arrived directly on Turtle Island.
The impact of my existence is changing history more and more… (・・;)
Even Obito and Black Zetsu might not succeed in starting the Fourth Great Ninja War two years from now.
Just as Hikaru was lost in thought, Killer Bee nudged him with his elbow, raising his brows behind his sunglasses.
[Yo, brother—this girl's totally here for you~♪]
Hikaru sighed, shaking his head helplessly.
[No… it has nothing to do with me.]
Seeing Hikaru's reaction, Killer Bee's grin widened beneath his shades.
Come on, brother, stop pretending. If she's not looking for you, is she looking for Naruto?
At that moment, Shizuka walked straight up to Uchiha Hikaru, removed her right-arm glove, and threw it into his hands.
Hikaru stared blankly, utterly confused.
Huh?? I'm not Jiraiya's apprentice… Why are you challenging me??
Killer Bee stepped forward, patting Hikaru meaningfully on the shoulder.
"Brother Hikaru, I knew the past would chase ya down–♪
You gotta pay the debt you owe yourself, ya hear? ♪
I'll take Naruto and watch from over here~!"
Grabbing Naruto by the collar, he dragged him a hundred meters back and perched on a massive tree trunk to spectate.
Shizuka nodded at Bee's words, then stared at Hikaru with intense determination.
"What that uncle just said is correct. This is the agreement between you and my master. Now, it's time to settle it!"
Clenching her fist, she prepared to strike.
At that moment, Samui appeared between them and raised her hand to block Shizuka.
"Wait. Uchiha Hikaru has no idea about this contract. Jiraiya, as his supposed master, never told him. This is unfair. Here is a letter from him—please read it first."
She took a scented envelope from her uniform and handed it to Hikaru.
Hikaru frowned.
Did Jiraiya throw me under the bus again? Is he asking me to take the blame for Naruto??
He opened the letter.
[Brother Hikaru,
Years ago, the leader of Nadeshiko Village, Shizuka's mother, challenged me to a duel. The bet was marriage. If I lost, I would marry her and live in Nadeshiko Village. If I won, she would stop pursuing me.
I thought I'd win easily, but we tied. Since neither of us could claim victory, we extended the agreement to our future disciples.
But Naruto… Shizuka is already twenty, and Naruto is barely thirteen. You understand.
More importantly, Tsunade wrote to me saying you might find a way to resurrect Kushina. If Kushina heard I arranged something like this for Naruto, she'd tear me to pieces.
So please, just pretend to be my disciple for a while and take the blame for Naruto—just this once.
In return, I will serve the Hidden Cloud Village on missions for five years without any reward. I beg you (╥﹏╥)o
—Jiraiya]
When he finished reading, Hikaru tore the letter to pieces. A flame ignited in his palm, consuming the paper into drifting ash.
He let out a long sigh, looking at Shizuka—full of determination and battle spirit.
"…I understand everything. Since it's a debt that old bastard Jiraiya owed, I'll bear it. Tch… troublesome. (￣_￣|||)"
Far away, Naruto swung his legs cluelessly.
"Hey, Uncle Bee, what's wrong with Brother Hikaru? He looks miserable."
Bee put an arm around Naruto and answered gravely.
"When a man is too amazing, trouble comes flyin' his way~♪
From now on, try to become a man like brother Hikaru!"
Naruto tilted his head, thinking seriously, then shook hard.
"No way! Sasuke said women only slow down training!
To beat Sasuke, I'll never get involved with women!!!
My only goal is to defeat Sasuke when we return to the village!!!"
Killer Bee stared silently.
Poor child… he has no idea he's walking into tragedy… (￣▽￣;)
The conversation ended, and they turned their eyes back to the field.
Samui stepped forward as referee, signaling both to take their positions, raising a kunai.
"When the kunai lands, the battle begins. The match ends when one side uses ninjutsu or loses the ability to fight. Any objections?"
Uchiha Hikaru silently shook his head.
Shizuka shouted sharply, psyching herself up.
Samui tossed the kunai.
It flipped twice in the air—
—then struck the ground, blade-first.
The duel began.
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