DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (THOUGH LET'S GET REAL FOR A SECOND, OWNING NARUTO IS A STATE OF MIND. SO IN MY HEAD, I OWN NARUTO)

Ch.37 - Hello, My Hateful Shrew


- In Tamayori's Home Office -

(After Visiting Otake's Manor)


With the revelation that Otake Nao was not responsible for endangering Tamayori's life, the team found themselves back at square one, brainstorming their next move. Tamayori proposed visiting his ex-wife, Nishimoto Kou, who is currently living in Inaho Village, Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire), south of Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). With that being said, they began to discuss who to pay a visit to next.

"Any ideas on who we should visit now?" Kurenai asked.

Tamayori suggested, "We should probably pay a visit to my ex-wife. She's currently living at Inaho Village. It's not that far, but it'll still take some time to get there, especially with me coming along on the trip," Tamayori replied.

As they were discussing this, it was evident that Tamayori wasn't looking forward to seeing his ex-wife again. Kurenai then told him that this was necessary to not leave any stone unturned. With a heavy sigh, Tamayori reluctantly agreed and finalized the decision to pay his ex-wife, Nishimoto Kou, a visit. Team 8 and Iku then nodded in agreement with Tamayori's decision. Kurenai turned to Tamayori and asked, "Very well, when should we embark on our journey to Inaho Village, Tamayori-san?"

"I don't see a reason why we can't go there immediately," Tamayori suggested.

"Oh, if that's the case, then my team and I will be at the front door once more, waiting for your arrival," Kurenai said.

Just then, Shotaro entered the office and greeted everyone in the room. He then approached Tamayori and handed him some documents to look over, reporting some things about the business that Tamayori needed to know.

While the two of them were talking, Iku couldn't help but ask Kurenai who that man was: "Who's that man with Tamayori-san? They seem awfully close."

"That's Shotaro-san; he was good friends with Tamayori-san's late father, Shigeo. He's both Tamayori's business partner and godfather," Kurenai explained to Iku.

Curious, Iku then listened to the laughter coming from both Shotaro and Tamayori. "Make sure to pack a jacket when you pay Kou-san a visit, Tamayori-sama. Things would get awfully chilly when you're around her because she's a block of ice," Shotaro joked, eliciting a good laugh from Tamayori.

"I'll be sure to bring a coat with me, Shotaro-san. I appreciate your concern," Tamayori replied, and Shotaro laughed in response.

"While you're away, I'll be sure to hold down the fort and look after the manor, Tamayori-sama," Shotaro said. Tamayori nodded gratefully and thanked him for his initiative and helpfulness. Tamayori then turned his attention back to the group and announced, "The meeting is adjourned. You can now vacate the office and wait for me at the front door. I'll join you in a couple of minutes." All of them nodded and left the office, heading to the front door. They didn't need to pack any more things since they had already prepared everything they needed when they visited Otake's manor not too long ago.

As they headed out of the office, Iku looked back and saw Shotaro and Tamayori continuing their conversation. Both men were having a good laugh, though he couldn't hear what they were talking about. Sakura then noticed Iku looking back and turned her attention toward Tamayori's office. She also saw Shotaro and Tamayori talking to each other. She turned back to Iku and asked if he was alright. "Is everything alright, Iku-san?" she asked, voicing her concern.

Iku then snapped out of it and turned his attention toward Sakura. "Huh?... Oh, yes, I'm doing just fine, Sakura-san. Thank you for asking. Why do you ask?" he asked with a smile.

"I saw that you were in deep thought, is something bothering you?..." Sakura inquired.

"Oh, I see... It's nothing; don't worry about it. But if I'm being honest, I have a strange feeling in my gut about Shotaro-san, but I can't place my finger on it..." Iku answered.

"Hmmm... I see..." Sakura replied, after which there was a lull of silence in their conversation. Sakura then decided to keep their conversation going by asking Iku more personal questions. She noted that Iku was a member of the Yamanaka Clan and wondered if Iku knew Ino in some manner.

"Do you mind if I ask you some questions, Iku-san?" Sakura asked.

"Sure! What is it that you'd like to ask, Sakura-san?" he replied.

"This seems like a dumb question, but by any chance, do you know Yamanaka Ino?" Sakura inquired.

"Of course I know her; she's my cousin after all! My father and her father are brothers, so there's that," Iku replied with a smile.

"I see..." Sakura replied.

"What about you, Sakura-san? How do you know Ino-chan?" he asked.

Oh, that?... I guess she and I are best friends," Sakura replied.

"You guess?" Iku said, perplexed by Sakura's choice of words.

"Well... I'm not sure if she still considers me her best friend," Sakura answered.

"How so?" Iku inquired.

"*sigh* It's because we both like the same guy, and because of that, our friendship was strained. Sure, I see her and talk to her from time to time, but I'm still unsure of how she sees me. As a friend? Sure, I can see that. But her best friend? I don't know about that," Sakura explained.

"Wait... So you're the one Ino-chan refers to as 'forehead'?" Iku replied, causing Sakura to be flustered and embarrassed.

"Oh gosh, you know about that?..." Sakura asked as she buried her face in her hands in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. "PLEASE BURY ME NOW! SHANNARO!" her inner self screamed in exasperation.

"Unfortunately, yes, I do know about that, and I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. But for what it's worth, I don't think your forehead is that big. You know how people tend to exaggerate things," Iku offered to cheer up Sakura.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better, Iku-san," Sakura countered.

"Of course not! I'll tell you what, you tell me if my forehead is bigger than yours," Iku said as he took off his bandana and brushed his hair to the sides to reveal his forehead to Sakura. Sakura was quite shocked to learn that Iku's forehead was quite large as well.

"See? Now you know why I wear a bandana," he said while laughing, causing Sakura to lighten up.

"Thank you for that, Iku-san. I really appreciate it," she replied.

"Don't sweat it, Sakura-san," said Iku with a reassuring smile. "Though I have two pieces of advice for you about those concerns that are bothering you. First, remember that there'll always be people who will criticize you, no matter what you do or who you are. But screw them! Tell them that they can take their criticism and shove it where the sun doesn't shine!" Sakura chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease.

"The second piece of advice," Iku continued, "is that if you're uncertain about something, don't be afraid to ask. In your case, if you want to know how Ino-chan feels about you, just ask! It's that simple. Though... You could technically can read her mind, do you have any mind-reading jutsus up your sleeve?" he teased, making Sakura laugh and playfully shake her head.

As they chatted, they suddenly noticed they had been standing by the front door for quite some time. Minutes had slipped by, and Tamayori should be arriving any moment now. Kurenai, the leader of their group, decided to do a quick rundown to ensure everyone was ready for the journey ahead. Each member nodded, indicating their preparedness. After a few more moments, Tamayori finally joined them, and it was time to hit the road towards Inaho Village.

Leaving the manor's grounds, they caught sight of Shotaro in the distance, waving goodbye. In response, they all waved back, except for Iku, who merely looked back at him in silence. Their adventure was about to begin, and none of them could predict the challenges and wonders that awaited them on the path to Inaho Village.


- In A Forest -

(South of Yugakure)


As Tamayori, Team 8, and Iku strolled through the forest, an unusual silence enveloped them, leaving no one in the group willing to break it. Sensing the tension, Tamayori decided to engage Iku, the specialist, to get to know him better. "Yamanaka-san, did I say it right?" Tamayori asked with a smile.

Iku nodded in response, saying, "Great! Could you tell me more about yourself? We haven't had much chance to converse since you arrived in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). Are you enjoying your stay?"

"I agree, we haven't talked much since I got here, Tamayori-san," Iku replied. "But yes, I've been enjoying my time here. Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) is quite different from Konoha (The Hidden Leaf), but overall, I can't complain. As for my work, I'm a Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja), and I serve as an interrogator back at Konoha (The Hidden Leaf) in T&I (Torture and Interrogation Division)."

"T&I(Torture and Interrogation Division)? Can you enlighten me about it?" Tamayori inquired further.

"Sure thing! T&I stands for Torture and Interrogation," Iku explained. "It's a specialized division in Konoha (The Hidden Leaf) where we question and interrogate certain individuals to extract vital information. However! we only resort to harsh methods when necessary, typically when dealing with hostile or threatening individuals to the village. If they're cooperative, there's no need for such tactics."

"Fascinating... So tell me, what made you decide to pursue this field, Yamanaka-san?" Tamayori inquired further

"I guess it all boils down to the environment I grew up in and my upbringing. As you know, my surname is Yamanaka, and my clan is renowned for our prowess and expertise regarding the mind" Iku replied

"That makes sense, though do you enjoy what you do? Does it ever disturb you?" Tamayori asked, genuinely interested.

"At first, it did bother me. But... I've learned to embrace it as part of the job. And yes, I do enjoy it. I love every second of my work," Iku replied.

"I applaud your passion for your work. I believe in the saying, 'If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life, Tamayori said, drawing admiration from Team 8 and Iku.

"You remind me of myself when I was younger—full of drive and motivation to master my craft," Tamayori continued, sharing a personal anecdote. "I shadowed my father, observed everything he did, and learned from him. I idolized him and aimed to surpass his achievements. So, hold on to that drive within you, Yamanaka-san, and it will take you far."

"Thank you, Tamayori-san. On a side note, have you considered evaluating the people you trust?" Iku reminded him.

"I have, but I can't think of anyone right now. I'll let you know if I come up with a name," Tamayori replied.


- At Inaho Village -


Their journey towards Inaho Village was remarkably smooth, even with Tamayori accompanying them. The village, nestled by the edge of Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire), was a charming sight, with hills embracing it like a protective embrace. Compared to the size of Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves) and Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), Inaho Village appeared quite petite, yet it bustled with life. It served as a vital rest stop for weary travelers heading to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) or Ta no Kuni (Land of Rice Fields), explaining the abundance of inns and taverns lining its streets.

Once they set foot in the village, Tamayori approached a friendly villager and politely inquired about the directions to a specified address. After a few inquiries, they finally learned the whereabouts of Tamayori's ex-wife. Following a leisurely walk, they reached the doorstep of her home. Tamayori took a deep breath, mustered courage, and knocked three times. In a matter of moments, the door creaked open, revealing a man who appeared to be around Tamayori's age.

"Tamayori-san?" the man queried.

"Sugawara-san, is Nishimoto in?" Tamayori asked in return. The man requested a moment's patience before closing the door again. After a brief wait, the door swung open anew, revealing Tamayori's ex-wife, Nishimoto Kou.

"Hang on," she uttered, her voice laced with exasperation and a hint of bitterness. Audible clicks of locks being undone resonated from behind the door. Finally, the entrance granted them access, and Nishimoto Kou gestured for them to enter her home. Grateful for her hospitality, the group entered, with Tamayori offering his thanks, though begrudgingly.


- Inside Nishimoto's Home -


Inside Nishimoto's home, they found themselves in a surprisingly spacious living room, despite the unassuming exterior of the house. The cozy ambiance put everyone at ease, except for Tamayori, who dreaded every second spent inside his ex-wife's abode. As they settled down, everyone was offered refreshments, except Tamayori, which he seemed to take in stride, even humorously remarking that he'd rather not risk being poisoned by drinking anything in her house.

"So... What do you want, Okuda?" Nishimoto questioned with a hint of irritation.

"Well, hello to you too, my hateful shrew," Tamayori replied, not mincing words.

"Enough with the pleasantries. Cut to the chase," Nishimoto demanded, her impatience evident.

"Okay then, as you can see, I've brought a group of shinobi with me, and one of them needs to ask you a couple of questions," Tamayori explained.

"Uh-huh, and what's the meaning of all of this?" she asked, still skeptical.

"The reason I'm doing this is because my life was put in danger, and I believe someone is out to get me," he revealed.

"And what? You want my help? Tough luck, Okuda, not interested," she retorted dismissively.

"That's not what I meant. What I'm saying is that I have a few suspects, and... You're one of them..." Tamayori nervously admitted.

"Excuse me?!..." Nishimoto exclaimed, her outrage palpable.

"Okay, calm down-" Tamayori tried to diffuse the situation, but Nishimoto wasn't having it.

"Calm down? Calm down?! HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF SUCH A THING! YOU DISGUST ME, I WANT ALL OF YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE, NOW!" she raged furiously.

"Hear me out-" Tamayori interjected, attempting to reason, but Nishimoto's anger only intensified.

"I SAID GET OUT!" she repeated her demand, and the group had no choice but to leave. Sugawara escorted them out, and as they stood outside, Tamayori realized he had left his handkerchief behind.

"What is it, Tamayori-san?" Kurenai inquired.

"I left my handkerchief inside..." he replied with a sigh of frustration.

"Do you want me to get it for you?" Kurenai offered.

"No, there's no need. I doubt she'll even let you inside, given your affiliation with me," Tamayori countered.

Kiba chimed in, "Well that was a massive waste of time. What now?...". Tamayori then glanced at him, defeat evident in his eyes. Sakura decided to intervene, giving Kiba a light smack for being too outspoken and not reading the room. "I apologize on his behalf, Tamayori-san. Don't mind him," Sakura nervously chuckled, inwardly scolding her teammate for his lack of tact, "YOU IDIOT! READ THE FREAKING ROOM, SHANNARO!" her inner self thought

"Your teammate is right, though. I apologize for wasting your time," Tamayori admitted with a sense of resignation.

"It's quite alright, Tamayori-san. I'm sure there are other ways to find out if your ex-wife was behind all of this," Kurenai reassured him. Just then, the door opened again, revealing the same man from earlier, holding Tamayori's missing handkerchief. He handed it to Tamayori, who thanked Sugawara and asked him to convey his apologies to Nishimoto.

"If you don't mind me asking, who are you exactly?" Iku wondered.

"I'm Kou-chan's brother," Sugawara replied.

"I see... How come you're not mad at us as well?..." Iku asked curiously.

"Well, I get where Tamayori-san is coming from. He and Kou-chan had a massive falling out after he found out she was cheating on him. I get it, I've been cheated on as well, and I don't agree with her actions either, but she didn't listen to me, and here we are," Sugawara explained.

"I see..." Iku replied, nodding in understanding. Sugawara then turned his attention back to Tamayori. "I'll tell you what, maybe I can answer the questions for her!" he offered, but Iku insisted it would be best if Nishimoto herself answered the questions to ensure the authenticity of her responses.

"I see... Well then, I'll go try and talk to her and change her mind. Though I can vouch for my sister's innocence," Sugawara said before reentering the house.

The group waited for a while, and after half an hour passed, Sugawara emerged from the front door and informed them that Tamayori and one other person were allowed back inside. Iku looked at Kurenai, who nodded in agreement. He then followed Tamayori back to the same room they were in before.


- Inside Nishimoto's Home -


The atmosphere inside the room became so tense that you could practically cut it with a knife. Not a single word was uttered, and everyone felt the weight of the situation bearing down on them. Nishimoto took a sip from her tea, breaking the stifling silence before speaking with a deep exhale, "Let me get this straight. You were attacked, and now you suspect someone has put a hit on you, and you think it's me behind all of it?" she asked incredulously.

"I'm not jumping to conclusions, but let's face it... You clearly despise me, and you have a motive for it," Tamayori replied.

"What?! You think I'm some kind of bloodsucker who would be willing to kill you for your money?! Unbelievable..." she retorted, her anger apparent.

"If you're not a bloodsucker, then explain why you had an affair, huh?" Tamayori countered, his frustration boiling over.

"It's because you never had time for me!" she yelled back.

"Everything I did was for you! And that's how you repay me? By cheating on me?!" he yelled back, the tension escalating. Iku swiftly intervened, doing his best to defuse the situation before it escalated any further. "Okay, okay... Let's all settle down. Remember why we're here, Tamayori-san," Iku interjected, successfully calming Tamayori down and refocusing their purpose in Inaho Village. Tamayori cleared his throat and apologized for raising his voice, and Nishimoto followed suit, bringing some calm back into the room.

"Okay, good. Now that everyone is calm, may I proceed?..." Iku asked. Nishimoto nodded, giving him permission to continue. Iku then performed the same procedure he had done back at Otake's manor, which only took a couple of minutes. Through his ability, he ascertained that Nishimoto was indeed innocent and not responsible for the attacks. After the revelation, both of them left Nishimoto's house and rejoined the others, as they still had one suspect left to visit - Tamayori's brother.


(A/N: I TRIED MY BEST TO WRITE THIS CHAPTER IN A WAY THAT THE FIGHTING FELT NATURAL, I HOPE I GOT IT RIGHT THOUGH, REGARDLESS, I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY IN THIS A/N SO YEAH, HOPE Y'ALL ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER, THE TITLE WAS A REFERENCE TO A LINE FROM A SHOW I WATCHED IN THE PAST WHICH HAD A DIVORCED COUPLE FIGHTING)