Chapter 2: The Big One
"Not like this! Not by her!" thought Ino with closed eyes as the glowing Naginata's blade descended like an executioner's judgement upon her.
A gust of wind and a reverberant strike of metal on metal was all that came in the next instant prompting the light blonde girl to open her eyes warily and upon seeing the back of a person with a long tan colored long coat that went wide.
"Man! That was close! Yamanaka, are you alright?!" hurriedly asked Anko Mitarashi as she held Sakura's Naginata at bay with a set of twin curved short blades commonly known as Wakizashi but these lacked the traditional hilt making them look like metal fangs.
"Instructor Anko?..." asked Ino in disbelief that help had arrived at long last, albeit somewhat late given the situation.
"The one and only…You better step back while I handle this brat" grunted Anko as she managed to push back Sakura who seemed startled at the recent arrival. But soon enough her rage was etched once more on her face and got ready to deliver another devastating attack.
Sakura this time moved her glaive sideways to make Anko's defense harder but the instructor smirked and bent backwards until she was flat and used her blades to form a human table. The attack went above her and obliterated the few remaining black armored warriors still walking towards her.
Anko pushed herself up and sheathing one of her blades quickly groped her own chest and whistled "Man, for a second there I thought you were going to cap my mountains into hills!"
Ino couldn't believe what she was seeing as the instructor apparently had little trouble dealing with the power crazed Sakura who at the moment seemed to have taken greater offense at Anko's dismissing joke.
Seeing Sakura's growing anger Anko reversed the grip on her blades and raising one hand in a placating manner said "Alright Haruno, I am going to ask that you stand down. I don't want to hurt you if I can help it, so just breathe and lower your blade"
"You can't hurt me! Now give him back!" roared Sakura in return with a wide upward swing of the glaive that sent a growing crescent of glowing red energy in Anko's direction, but the instructor easily sidestepped it further impressing Ino who was on her knees unable to move as she witnessed such a battle.
Anko observed the prone Naruto pierced by three black arrows and looking up to Sakura quickly made the math and said "Oh boy, I am starting to guess what happened here…Yamanaka, did they kiss?!"
Ino was too dumbstruck to speak so she simply nodded making Anko frown and sigh in frustration saying "Do no one follow rules anymore? I'll have all three of your asses after this is over. And that's the easy part, wait until Tsunade is through with you guys!"
"Three of us?..." Ino wondered in a breath and in obvious confusion.
Anko turned to Sakura and warned "Last chance Haruno! Lower your weapon and take a breath or I'll make you!"
Sakura's response was now a series of attacks that due to their speed were less powerful making short lived crescents of energy head for Anko who would dodge them with ease until the pink haired girl made a feint and with a reverse movement managed to make a small cut in Anko's long coat.
Anko saw the coat and growling said "That does it you little bitch!"
Ino observed Anko stand upright on both her feet and got shocked once more as a dark purplish aura started to glow around the instructor and with it the air got cold but charged somehow as Sakura's anger seemed to flare to greater heights.
Sakura readied yet another one of her deadly attacks but this time Anko took the initiative and with a powerful step that boomed the air around it, she was suddenly next to her opponent and within her guard.
Sakura looked surprised but started to turn and retreat as to deliver a counter to Anko's sudden approach. The instructor though didn't let her and snaking around her weapon swiftly got behind Sakura and tightening her grip on one of the blades delivered a powerful strike with the pommel to the back of her head.
Ino winced at the force of the impact that made a loud noise but to her surprise Sakura just dropped to her knee with her eyes shut in pain.
Still this was all Anko needed to sheathe her blades and put Sakura on a choke hold to which she couldn't do anything against.
"Calm down girl, everything is alright. Just breathe" whispered Anko into Sakura's ear as her hair shadowed her eyes.
The position Anko held Sakura forced the pink haired to stare at Naruto and his immobile form made tears well up in her eyes and with a whimper Sakura finally calmed down and sobbing said "No…nothing is alright…Naruto is…he is…and it's my fault"
Finally the red glowing aura left Sakura and she went limp in Anko's hold dropping her Naginata to the ground. At this Ino finally found it in her to stand up and jogging went and held the girl as Anko let her go as her own aura also disappeared.
"It's my fault Sakura! It's all on me so don't punish yourself over this!" said Ino, her voice twisted with guilt and sadness.
"Will you drop the drama for later?!" suddenly a stern female voice boomed through the area as the armored men crumbled down and turned into dust.
Walking while flanked by actual living ceremonially armed guards, Tsunade Senju approached them clad not in her usual regal kimono but in clothes more fitting a martial artist with an emerald green sleeveless shirt tied with a yellow sash. She wore dark blue tight fitting pants that ended just below the knee with her feet covered in high heeled leather sandals. Her arms were covered in custom made metal gauntlets.
"These three were the morons who stupidly wandered into the Killing Field" commented Anko walking up to Tsunade who gave her a quick disapproving glance over her lack of respect for her person.
Tsunade nodded and asked "Which one?"
"The pinky with the moron over there" pointed Anko with her thumb making Sakura snap at her saying "Don't you dare talk about him like that!"
Tsunade gave Anko another dirty glance that made the girl roll her eyes and walk away while putting her arms behind her head. The War Princess then turned her gaze on the younger girls and after a moment it softened a bit.
Tsunade then walked over to Sakura and Ino and kneeling in front of them waved Ino away from Sakura who looked quite miserable.
Suddenly, Tsunade took Sakura in her embrace and softly said "Oh my poor foolish child…don't you know what you just did? What you became?"
Sakura seemed confused while Ino's eyes went wide in shock and observing the destruction around brought by her lifelong friend she said "Did she? Did she become a…Samurai?"
Tsunade closed her eyes and nodded making Sakura's eyes go wide and all she could do was turn towards Naruto who remained prone and still looking quite happy.
"Then…my Daimyo is…?" commented Sakura as Tsunade let her go and began to stand up.
"But…he is…gone. How can it be possible?" asked Ino quite confused over the situation for common knowledge said that a Samurai couldn't exist without her Daimyo.
Tsunade smirked and shaking her head slowly said "He isn't gone girls. Take a closer look"
At that both Sakura and Ino walked towards Naruto and finally noticed that the arrows were not just gone but there was no blood to be seen. And his face wasn't pale at all despite still being frozen in that content expression.
Sakura seemed quite scared so it was Ino knelt by his side and placing her hand next to his cheek noticed it was still warm. She then slid two fingers to his neck and with wide eyes turned to Sakura and simply nodded.
"The Killing Field doesn't actually kill people unless you break your neck or something. It is a simulation of a combat situation, you were never in any real danger besides injuring yourselves" explained Tsunade feeling a hefty amount of pity for the youngsters.
"But how…how did you do that?" asked the baffled Ino as Sakura was the one now kneeling next to Naruto who somehow sensed her and smiled further.
Tsunade smirked and said "Had you waited for the day of training you would have been informed on how it was done. In any case, that's the least of your concerns at the moment for you three are in a mountain load of trouble"
At that Ino gulped but turning to look at Sakura she forgot her fear and simply felt remorse as her friend just kept watching Naruto sleep while hesitating over touching him or not.
"What's going to happen with Naruto and Sakura?..." asked Ino thinking ahead.
Tsunade turned to them and replied "Well…for starters we will all have a long and very serious talk and then we'll see"
On the meantime Sakura finally mustered the courage to touch Naruto, only for the boy to turn in his sleep while muttering "Another pork Ramen bowl please Uncle Teuchi…"
Sakura's concerns vanished as she had to resist the urge to punch the sleeping blonde in front of her.
The Next Day
Naruto, Sakura and Ino were placed under "arrest" and as such were excused from attending their lessons that day. The explanation given to the other candidates who asked was simply skipping curfew and on physical training for the remainder of the day.
In truth the three had been taken first to the medical wing of the Palace District where the three were screened for injuries and after finding none they were discharged and moved on to the Temple Annex of the Shogun's Palace.
In there, temple attendants took their clothes and bathed them thoroughly and somewhat painfully as they were scrubbed with special herbs and smooth stones. In Naruto's case the cleansing was even more thorough as obviously the boy had issues with his personal hygiene…
They were given then white yukatas with red sashes and then allowed to be moved into the Palace though not through where they expected as they travelled hidden corridors.
Tsunade now dressed in her regal attire albeit missing several ornaments explained that the Palace was now largely filled with bureaucrats and court officials that saw to the day to day affairs of running the Land of Fire in good order.
During the long trek though neither Naruto or Sakura exchanged words and Ino couldn't blame them as they were now, apparently, Daimyo and Samurai and common knowledge was that such roles were for life and immutable. A deal from which there was no way back.
Ino noticed that Sakura looked distraught and visibly shaken, but every time she watched Naruto the girl would frown with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration before turning away and repeat the cycle.
On his part Naruto walked looking down with a remorseful look on him that became one of anguish every time he stole a glance at Sakura but soon enough a guilty smile would draw itself on his face; and then the whole cycle repeated itself as well.
"What a mess…I always knew those two were more a fit than many would admit but to the point of becoming such a couple?!" thought Ino feeling a bit bad for Sakura and even Naruto. But also quite jealous that Sakura beat her to becoming a Samurai.
Looking up to Tsunade who walked in short but purposeful steps Ino asked "Lady Tsunade…where are we going?"
Tsunade spared her a cold glance that softened a bit upon seeing the girl's confused and a bit scared face. Stopping, she sighed and replied "To see the Shogun and decide what's going to happen"
At the mention of the Land of Fire's absolute undisputed ruler both Sakura and Ino stopped on their tracks while the distracted Naruto stumbled and walked into Tsunade whose "generous" assets cushioned his face before pushing back with somewhat enviable force finally making the boy put attention.
"Naruto!" barked a blushing Sakura bonking the boy over the head who blushed in turn and quickly apologized.
Tsunade smirked and pushing her chest said "Glad to see you two finally snapped out of it!"
"The Shogun? Are we going to be…?" whispered Ino just loud enough to be heard making Tsunade walk up to her and say "Hey, don't worry. The old man is nicer than you think, particularly to pretty girls"
"What of dashingly handsome boys?" asked Naruto naively worried about his own neck.
Tsunade smirked again and said "Believe it or not, he also has a soft spot for spunky perverts like you" she turned and muttered "Otherwise Jiraiya would have been executed a thousand times already…"
Naruto was visibly relieved prompting yet another bonk to the head from an angry blushing Sakura who muttered "Don't admit you are a pervert in public you moron!"
Naruto chuckled and following Sakura said "I won't Sakura-chan!"
Ino sighed slightly relieved at Tsunade's words, but still she was nervous for the Shogun's decrees were absolute and his word was law. And not even her belonging to a Clan with Samurai and Daimyo in its lineage could change the Shogun's will.
After traversing the hidden corridors the small group finally made it to what only they could guess were the living quarters of the Palace for the decorations were more exquisite and the servants went by discreetly making as little noise as it was possible.
People living here were basically non-existent for this place was reserved for the Shogun in person and any members of his court, family or Harem. Nevertheless the Harem thing was in truth an insulting title for the cadre of Samurai serving directly under him…
Still the lack of people around was unsettling as they moved to an upper floor that only contained a single room with a large set of red wood doors with bronze hinges and ornaments in the shape of flames. On the door frame the inscription "Will of Fire" was present in the symbols of the country's oldest dialects.
Before the gates both Sakura and Ino looked a bit apprehensive and Naruto mirrored their expression as he knew a thing or two about getting into real trouble. But seeing them prompted Naruto upright himself and flashing them with a bright grin he said "Don't worry girls! It will be alright! Believe it!"
Naruto though was shaking a bit himself which in turn made the girls blink and after looking at one another giggled a bit making the boy blush and turn away. Still they appreciated that he tried to cheer them up.
With that the gates parted revealing a long hall lit by burning braziers and candles giving the room and warm atmosphere.
Tsunade prompted the youngsters and these led by Naruto walked into the room which's silence was broken by the play of a soft string musical instrument being played by a hidden musician. Lining the walls and shrouded in shadows were the silhouettes of females holding on to an assortment of weapons and apparently ready to jump at a moment's notice to protect their master.
At the bottom of the room stood a small elevated dais surrounded by four posts hanging from them was a bamboo veil with the symbol of "Fire" painted on it.
"Candidates! Before you stands the Third Shogun of the Land of Fire Hiruzen Sarutobi!" suddenly barked Tsunade in a commanding voice prompting both Ino and Sakura to drop on their knees and bow until their heads touched the floor with their hands placed in front of them extended with their palms down. The absolute prostration from the country's servants to the maximum figure of authority.
Sakura and Ino knew well whom they stood before and as such they behaved accordingly for this was a man who stood above all.
A male wizened chuckle resounded prompting both girls to dare raise their faces from the floor and both went pale upon seeing Naruto standing proudly with his arms crossed and straining his eyes to look through the wooden veil.
At that both girls reached out for his ankles and yanking them brought the boy face first to the floor and there both forced him into a prostrating stance while saying "You are going to get us executed you idiot!"
"You brought me quite the interesting fellow Tsunade…is it confirmed?" said the voice of an old man that was surprisingly kind though underneath one could sense the steel of a hardened leader who commanded a powerful nation.
Tsunade bowed slightly making the girls surprised but reflecting on it, a woman with the title of War Princess must have a level of influence to not having to bow as deeply as they did.
"It is confirmed. I and Anko Mitarashi are witnesses to the event and healers applied the proper tests during their evaluation. The pact is made" said Tsunade sounding dead serious.
The man behind the curtain sighed as if lamenting what happened making Sakura feel immensely bothered over what she knew happened.
"Youth these days, they jump the gun so easily…" said the voice making Sakura look even more miserably while Naruto directed a challenging look at the curtain.
Somehow the three sensed the attention of the man behind the curtain rested on them and felt like wanting to step back.
"Naruto Uzumaki…Sakura Haruno…do you know what has happened?" asked the man with authority.
Before any could reply the man continued "You two…man it's hot in here! Can we take this outside?!"
At that the three youngsters made a confused expression while Tsunade sighed in embarrassment.
Moments Later…
The young ones were escorted by the Samurai within the hall and brought to a beautiful garden with small ponds and peacocks strolling around flower beds and lush bushes. At the end of a stone road was a fine stone kiosk next to a pond with Koi fishes swimming in it.
They were all seated and refreshments were brought while from the palace came an old but kind looking man in white and red robes escorted by manservants and surrounded by armed beautiful females they guessed were the Samurai from the hall.
The young ones looked at the man with confusion until Tsunade pointed out that it was the Shogun which prompted them to bow deeply. Sakura grabbed Naruto by the hair and forced him to bow painfully.
Hiruzen saw this and chuckling bade his Samurai escort to take their guarding positions away and lighting a pipe, took a seat at the table bidding the others to join him.
Sighing while enjoying the breeze the old man said "Much better don't you think? Personally I never liked that other room but protocol demands some absurd things sometimes. I like it better here where I can see the sky and if you walk a bit further into the garden you can observe the whole of Keishi light up at night. A much recommended sight if you ever get the chance!"
The young ones were at a complete loss on how to respond to the Shogun's candidness and instinctively looked up to Tsunade who blushed a bit and noticing their looks coughed drawing the Shogun's attention to the task at hand.
Hiruzen laughed again and putting down his pipe said "Well, where to begin? Well…Naruto Uzumaki I guess you already know why you are here correct?"
"I became a Daimyo…correct?" replied Naruto quite uncertain about the man in front of him.
Hiruzen cocked his head and said "Did you now?"
Naruto seemed confused by the reply but the old man turned his gaze to the girls and asked "And who among you is Sakura Haruno?"
The girls noticed that Hiruzen was looking straight at Sakura so the girl shyly said "I am your lordship"
Hiruzen nodded and replied "What do you think you are right now Sakura?"
Sakura blinked and lowering her face replied "A-A Samurai…?"
Hiruzen smirked and said "A Samurai? We shall see yet"
The Shogun finally turned to Ino and with a smile said "A Yamanaka correct?"
Ino blinked and blushing simply nodded making Hiruzen smile and add "Those eyes and hair are quite telling my dear. I still remember your great grandaunt Inara, quite a fearsome and elegant sight on the battle field. No target ever escaped her farsight"
Ino remembered the tale of Inara Yamanaka, the first Samurai of the Yamanaka Clan and loyal servant of the second Shogun Tobirama Senju during the first Elemental Wars. Her greatest skill was the farsight which was a technique her fabled Samurai skills allowed her to strike her target at impossible distances and some even said beyond obstacles like walls and hills. Some other Samurai from her clan tried to imitate her skill but no one ever matched her fabled level.
The Shogun then turned to Naruto and Sakura and his eyes hardened a little. He then said "Tell me with your own words, what do you kids believe, is a Samurai and Daimyo? Don't fear your answer in front of me so be honest"
"A-A Samurai is the world's greatest warrior and the country's ultimate weapon and deterrent. Only other Samurai can contend with one. They fight under the guidance of a Daimyo and swear fealty to the Shogun" said Sakura in her textbook response although she almost immediately regretted her answer as the Shogun had demanded her own words.
Hiruzen noted this and graciously nodded her to continue.
"A-A Samurai is…what I was told when little that I could become if I worked hard. I also learned that they were the characters of the most enduring and fantastic romances…I have always wanted to become a Samurai but I guess I never wondered why exactly do I want to become one" said Sakura sounding increasingly confused.
Hiruzen though seemed satisfied with the answer and turning to Naruto he nodded to have him speak.
"Well, as Sakura-chan said, a Daimyo is a Samurai's guide in battle. I think they are also strategists for the country's armies…" said Naruto quite uncertain and a bit ashamed that he knew so little about what he wanted to become.
"Still I wanted to become Sakura-chan's Daimyo because I know that being a Samurai is to fight…and I guess I just wanted to help and protect her however I could" said Naruto blushing harshly and lowering his face to avoid being seen by his quite obvious crush.
Sakura blushed as well but she seemed rather guilty over some reason.
Hiruzen though chuckled effectively lightening the awkward atmosphere he forced upon the group.
When the gathering turned its attention to him he said "Well, you are not completely wrong but neither are you grasping exactly what it means to be Daimyo and Samurai"
"Daimyo and Samurai, young ones, are existences that in few words should be called miraculous. For they were born in an era of endless bloodshed and suffering" continued the old Shogun
"They came to be to not fight in the name of one's clan but to protect them from the harsh realities of our once fractured Land. Some say it was a boon from compassionate deities who pitied us from their lofty thrones" finished the Shogun as he made a pause.
Hiruzen himself knew he didn't make much sense either so with a smile continued "Daimyo and Samurai are not beings who fight and conquer, but beings that protect that which they love. Their friends, their families and their home, in essence they are there to protect that which both of them love most deeply"
"Hence the common but understandable misconception that Daimyo are just a romantic relationship!" pointed out the Shogun but Ino scowled at that.
"What of the kiss then?!" demanded Ino forgetting her place for a moment making Naruto and Sakura flinch and turn away from each other.
The Shogun looked trapped and directed Tsunade a pleading look. The woman sighed and said "The workings of how Daimyo and Samurai become so are a State Secret but direct physical contact is indeed required…that's why we forbid romance among candidates"
Ino didn't seem convinced but accepted the answer for the time being as she remembered who she was talking with.
Naruto and Sakura then silently reflected on that which at the moment they wanted to protect the most and realized all they could think about was the other and their memories.
"Well, with that out of the way…let us talk then about what happens now with the two of you kids" finally said Hiruzen lacing his fingers and placing his hands over the table in a serious manner that lent him gravity.
"What are out options?" asked Sakura.
"Well…your situation isn't unprecedented but it does represents a number of issues that we have managed to control through the systems we stablished over the decades" Hiruzen started saying.
"As you know, the country was made by Daimyo and Samurai in the first place and its current existence revolves around that fact. But most importantly, it endures under the order established by the existence of the Shogun who brought all Daimyo and their Samurai under his rule thus creating the Land of Fire as you know it" continued Hiruzen.
"Under such rule, no Daimyo or Samurai could exist that didn't swore his allegiance to him…as such it became a matter of state to control their existence and their formation as generations moved on" added Hiruzen.
"So basically you two stand here to determine if you want to become Daimyo and Samurai, or not. Think carefully for this decision is a lifetime one" finished Tsunade crossing her arms and directing them a harsh look.
"What happens if they don't want to become so?" Ino dared to ask.
Naruto and Sakura looked at their blonde companion and then to Tsunade who sighed and said "You'll get taken out from the Academy and get sent to your hometowns. There you'll follow a normal life but certain conditions will be given to you both"
"What are they?" asked Sakura feeling nervous.
"You avoid contact with each other and you'll be under constant, albeit discreet, surveillance by the country and forbidden from using your skills. You'll also be barred from occupying any positions on any government level and within its military too" explained Tsunade making the two youngsters feel cornered.
"That is no choice…" thought Ino wanting to speak up but knew better.
"The other choice?" asked Naruto a bit scared of what may be the other option.
"You two officially become Daimyo and Samurai of the Land of Fire and in light of your special circumstances, given the proper formation to become so. Nevertheless as the Shogun explained, this is a commitment for life which means that all other venues will get closed to you and as such, this will be the road you'll tread till the end" quickly explained Tsunade sounding even less pleased than when speaking of the first harsh choice.
Being given the options Naruto and Sakura went silent and lowering their heads seemed to go deep in thought for whatever path they chose would be one from which they couldn't deviate now.
It was Naruto though who rose his head first and at this Hiruzen asked "Reached a decision?"
Naruto laughed nervously and scratching the back of his head said "Well…I kind of did but it doesn't seem fair for me to say anything here"
"Your meaning?" asked Hiruzen looking as if he already knew the answer.
"That I'll do whatever Sakura-chan decides…It was me who got her in this whole mess to begin with so I'll go along with whatever she picks" replied Naruto blushing a bit.
"You dummy…" muttered Sakura and Ino shared her thought for this was dumping the fate of two on her shoulders.
"Still it's true it was him who asked her to kiss him and it was not like she, or anyone, can refuse a dying man's wish" thought Ino looking sideways
Sakura then finally lifted her face towards Tsunade and asked "Is being a Samurai…worth it?"
Tsunade looked honestly surprised and a bit taken off but to her credit she recovered her composure and closing her eyes she looked a bit pained. She then opened her eyes and with steel in them she said "It is a very difficult road Sakura…It is a road of service that only ends in death. It's a road filled with sacrifice and pain and its rewards are few"
This seemed to discourage Sakura a bit but Tsunade wasn't over and softening her gaze she added "But it is indeed a worthy path and those few rewards are really good ones…"
Sakura nodded grateful for her superior's answer and taking a long breath said "I have always wanted to become a Samurai…but never really thought of what it took to become a Samurai in the first place"
"I understand that I would have to fight…to kill in the name of my country…but I, after having experienced how it is to be like you my Lady. I think I can do it so that others don't have to…" said Sakura with a small smile.
"Sakura-chan…you don't really have to…" said Naruto softly not liking the tone of resignation in her voice.
Sakura turned to Naruto with a not very pleased expression and flicking him on the forehead said "What about you moron? Isn't becoming a Daimyo what you wanted as well?"
Naruto rubbed his forehead and replied "I do but I don't want to force you, if you don't want to!"
"Is your conviction that strong then? That you can ditch your dreams aside that easily?" asked Sakura still looking a bit upset.
"Of course not! I never go back on my word!" replied Naruto puffing his chest making Sakura smirk a bit.
Ino in turn softened her expression while thinking "Unless it is for her that is…He truly is the real deal and you didn't get it Sakura…"
"Then it's decided I guess. We shall become Samurai and Daimyo…" began to say Sakura but upon seeing Naruto's growing blush she took him by the ear and added "But don't get any funny ideas you pervert! We are just partners!"
Hiruzen smiled silently while Tsunade sighed in both annoyance and relief. Nevertheless she directed the two younglings a look of grief and concern born out from her own experiences.
The Shogun nodded and said "Well, it seems you both will be an interesting pair to watch. In the coming days you'll be briefed to your new duties and status. But with that figured out, we still have one last matter to tend to"
Hiruzen's gaze became fixed on Ino and the girl gulped while she felt like a deer facing a wolf.
"My dear, I am afraid that you have been witness to the birth of a Samurai and believe it or not that's dangerous and very coveted knowledge due to the reasons stated about social order we covered before" began to explain Hiruzen.
Ino gulped and quickly figured then inherent threat in the Shogun's words. She quickly said "I-I would never say anything about what I saw! I am a loyal servant of the Land of Fire and the Shogun!"
"Yeah! She is from a family with Daimyo and Samurai from the Land of Fire!" argued Sakura standing up.
"Right! She is a gossip and a bit annoying but she is totally loyal! Believe it!" added Naruto making Sakura bite her lip else she giggled at the boy's really dumb but somewhat accurate comment on her friend.
Ino resisted the urge to climb over the table and strangle Naruto but she understood he wasn't the sharpest knife in the kitchen and he defended her much to her surprise since she couldn't recall a single time when she was nice to the boy…
Tsunade smirked but it was Hiruzen who chuckling spoke first "You seem to have taken my comment as a threat; I apologize. Your family has a distinguished record serving this country since the days of vaunted Shogun Hashirama and I don't doubt your loyalty"
"My comment was a warning that danger may fall on you over the knowledge you have glimpsed. There is much you ignore about the makings of Daimyo and Samurai, but alone what you just saw is enough for many who seek the secret to get on the right track" commented Hiruzen making the teenagers start to realize how serious the subject was and after bearing witness to the power unleashed, they understood why secrecy and control was paramount.
Ino nodded and said "I understand my Lord. What I was witness to will be my secret to the end and as a hopeful Samurai, I'll even take my own life before I reveal anything that an enemy may use"
At this point both Naruto and Sakura had to admire Ino for she just reminded them of her lineage and taught them a bit of the world that for good or ill they were part from now.
Hiruzen nodded and replied "You honor your family and your ancestors with such fine words my dear. But let's work to avoid such an end alright? After all the secret is just between a few souls right now, so let's keep it that way and there will be nothing to regret after"
Hiruzen then nodded to Tsunade who clearing her throat and directing her gaze to the new Daimyo/Samurai pair said "Very well, with all matters cleared your first instruction will be that you are to return to your dorms and pack all of your belongings"
The Next Day
Having been sent back to the dorms both Naruto and Sakura packed their belonging while avoiding having to answer any questions made by their peers. Rumors started quickly and they went from serious indiscipline to a forbidden romance in Academy grounds.
The presence of District Guards in their traditional fashion didn't help to ease the questioning but the more keen eyed noted that the guards didn't treat neither Naruto and Sakura with harshness but with a quiet respect that such individuals gave to their superiors.
Ino was subject to questioning as well since she was also absent during Naruto and Sakura's own. But unlike them she wasn't going to leave the dorms. All she did manage to assure others was that neither was getting expelled from the Academy.
Shikamaru and Chouji managed to question her as well but failed to get any different information than that publicly given.
Once their packing was done, Naruto and Sakura were placed in a carriage and then taken to another section of the District which was more isolated and bountiful with greenery and isolated large properties.
On this journey Tsunade accompanied them and explained that such properties were the housing of Daimyo and Samurai pairs currently in training. Such buildings were their Dojos and within their walls they trained and tuned their affinity to become the warriors the country demanded.
Such pairs were in truth last year students from the Academy and once done with their training they would be placed directly under the Shogun's orders and dispatched to where their presence was needed like the borders or on tour through the country.
At this both Naruto and Sakura blushed while at the same time got excited for they would be living together and at the same time train to become fully fledged Daimyo and Samurai.
Both teens wondered at the large and rather luxurious buildings until they reached a forested patch of the Palace District where for some reason the landscaping was lacking in the extreme as bushes were overgrown, thorny vines crawled over trees with very thick tops.
Before the thickest segment of the patch the carriage finally stopped and Tsunade declared "Here we are kids, grab your things for we have some walking left to do"
"What? Where is our Dojo then?" asked Sakura concerned over not being able to see the building.
Tsunade nodded her head towards the forested patch and said "Behind all that I am afraid, that's why the carriage can't take us directly. So better whip out your Naginata for some gardening"
"Hey! What joke is this?!" angrily demanded Naruto getting up in Tsunade's face but her being taller than the teenager made his face stare at her generous cleavage making him blush and swallow.
Tsunade smirked and placing a hand on his head she started to tighten her grip on it while saying "Well, if you had listened to our instructions then you wouldn't be here in the first place. Also Dojos are special buildings and as such not high on numbers"
Forcefully turning Naruto's head in the forested patch's direction she continued "As all other Dojos are filled at the moment this is the best we can spare for you horny shrimp! So be glad you even get a Dojo in the first place!"
Tsunade finally let go of Naruto who started to rub his head as Sakura approached her and asked "Is there really a Dojo within that place?"
Tsunade softened her expression and said "Yes there is, a rather old one though and long without use…It has been scheduled for demolishing for a while but a lot of folks think it ill luck so the request has fallen through the cracks over and over. Rubbish if you ask me but quite convenient given the present situation"
"And is it usable?" wondered Sakura already annoyed of having to use her blade to cut through such thick scenery.
"It should be, it will be in need of a hand to return it to proper working order though. We will be giving you a hand with that so no biggie" explained Tsunade.
With that the trio waded into the forestry where they found a stone walkway. Sakura had to blemish her blade cutting tall grass, thick bushes and in a couple of occasions a few growing trees that began to grown in cracks among the stones.
Naruto on his side had to pull weeds and vines here and there and one could tell he was quite skilled at doing so for he managed to avoid getting cut or making a mess.
After a bit of trekking the group finally made it to the front door of a large property whose walls had peeled off white graying paint and with vines growing all over them. The place under such conditions could be hidden from a wandering eye.
Tsunade produced an old large iron key and approaching the door noticed that the lock was covered in rust. She tried to use the key but as expected it wasn't going to work so sighing she pulled back the sleeve of the Kimono and clenched a fist tightly.
Naruto and Sakura turned to Tsunade as they felt a change in the air that became charged. The older woman breathed out harshly and her fist basically disappeared as it shot forward followed by an explosion that shattered the rusted lock and sent the doors wide open almost tearing them from their squeaking hinges.
Both teens gulped at such demonstration of power but Tsunade seemed unfazed and rolling down her sleeve turned to them and said "Well, get in. The inside is in better shape than I expected"
The group then advanced into the property and saw a large yard of overgrown grass with weeds climbing over the wall. At the center stood two large buildings. One was a housing three floors tall complex large enough to accommodate about a dozen or so people; while the other was a formal Dojo with wooden floors that used to be flat and finely polished but now were cracked, bloated with humidity and had several boards cracked, broken or missing.
The dark red tiles from the roofs were cracked, bleached by the sun and in several areas missing while in others had fallen to the ground.
"What a dump…" thought Sakura already missing her comfortable bed back at the neatly kept dorms.
"I-IS this place just for us?" asked Naruto sounding seriously making Sakura think he was as disappointed as she was.
Tsunade thought the same and quickly said "Well, as I said if hadn't jumped the gun then you wouldn't be in such a place to begin with but…"
Tsunade's explanation died when Naruto turned with a nervous grin on his face and asked again "Really?! For us?!"
Tsunade by now was quite puzzled and she simply nodded making the boy turn to Sakura and excitedly say "Isn't this awesome Sakura-chan?! This whole place just for us!"
Sakura smiled awkwardly and looking around she couldn't help but wonder what Naruto saw in that place or if the last days' events finally took their toll on his sanity.
Naruto noticed Sakura's hesitance and calming down began "Well, it certainly looks messy but the place can be fixed in no time! The buildings are solid and only in need of a quick hand here and there! You just leave it to me! Believe it!"
"What?" asked a dumbfounded Sakura as Tsunade walked up and added "Indeed, repair materials will get brought over the weekend but due to the secrecy required in your case you'll be in charge of all the work here…consider it part of your punishment for breaking the rules and causing us all such a big headache"
Sakura looked dismayed but Naruto didn't look disheartened in the least and instead went ahead to open the doors of the housing building and get it to start exploring.
"Interesting fellow" was all that Tsunade managed to comment prompting Sakura to sigh and say "Well…I think I can understand why he is so excited"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and nodded Sakura to continue.
"He is an orphan who lived on the outskirts of Konoha…He never had much but what little came his way made him quite excited and happy…we usually ridiculed him for that since he made such a big scene" said Sakura with guilt in her voice as Naruto started to drag out junk from the housing's inside while opening windows and doors.
Tsunade nodded her understanding and then reaching for her sleeve she produced two envelopes and handed them to Sakura while saying "Now that you are officially Daimyo and Samurai you are within the country's payroll. Note though that the amount being paid is quite small as most of your funds will be used to pay for the Dojo's refurbishing"
Sakura took the envelopes nodding her thanks but knowing how much of a fuss Naruto would make she decided to keep the money on her person. Naruto also had the bad habit of using up whatever money came his way to eat all the ramen he could.
With that servants brought Naruto and Sakura's belongings alongside wooden trunks for them to store them and a pair of futons to sleep in.
Sakura bowed before Tsunade thanking her attentions but before the older woman left for the night she turned to the girl and said "A word of advice Sakura…the road you are on can and will get really hard and very painful. You'll even come to regret your decision and you'll blame everyone…"
Sakura got apprehensive but Tsunade wasn't done and she continued "But I found that such burden is much lighter if you are willing to let others give you a hand. Being a Samurai is a great responsibility but is not one you have to carry alone, so trust your comrades and trust your Daimyo as they trust you"
"Sakura-chan! I found a room for you!" shouted Naruto from one of the house's windows while covered in dust making the girl lighten up and bowing again to Tsunade she skipped her way into the house…
Tsunade heard them as she departed and an old memory drew a smile on her face that vanished just as quickly as it came…
AN: Done!
So, intrigued? Bored?
Be sure to let me know on your reviews! As always I like to receive suggestions, criticism (constructive kind) and questions.
Also know that in two weeks I'll be leaving for a European vacation of about two weeks, so next update may take a bit longer to come.
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