Naruto x 5 Sisters – The Bodyguard Mission
Part 4: A Thankless Job
The Takahashi estate buzzed with activity the morning after the attack. The sisters were in unusually high spirits, especially Rika, who couldn't stop talking about Sasuke's "heroic" intervention.
"Sasuke-kun was so calm under pressure," Rika said, practically glowing as she addressed her sisters over breakfast.
"He didn't even break a sweat," Mizuki added dreamily.
"He's the perfect ninja," Isabella said, sighing.
Zara giggled. "I bet he'd make a great prince."
Naruto, seated at the far end of the table, could barely hold back his irritation. He stabbed at his bowl of rice with his chopsticks, the sisters' praises of Sasuke ringing in his ears. He tried to focus on the taste of the food, but the sugary sweetness of the girls' words was too much to bear.
"You know," he finally said, his voice rising and a hint of desperation creeping in, "I fought off like five of those guys last night before Sasuke even showed up!"
The sisters paused, glancing at him briefly, their expressions showing mild interest, before returning to their conversation as if he hadn't spoken. The laughter and enthusiasm about Sasuke drowned out his voice like a storm over a gentle stream.
Naruto slumped in his chair, feeling the weight of his unappreciated efforts. "Unbelievable…" He pushed his bowl aside, losing his appetite as frustration bubbled inside him.
--
Later that day, Kakashi gathered Naruto and the Konoha 12 in the courtyard to discuss the attack.
"I've looked into the situation," Kakashi said, leaning against a post with his usual air of nonchalance. "The intruders were hired mercenaries, likely after the Takahashi family's fortune."
"Figures," Shikamaru muttered. "Rich families always attract trouble."
"Still," Kakashi continued, his tone turning serious, "Naruto, you handled the situation well. You kept the sisters safe and neutralized most of the threat."
Naruto perked up at the compliment, swelling with pride. "See? Even Kakashi-sensei thinks I did a good job!"
"Yeah, but Sasuke finished it," Kiba teased, a smirk on his face that riled Naruto further, earning a round of chuckles from the boys.
Naruto shot him a glare, feeling like his past accomplishments were brushed aside. "You weren't even there, Kiba!"
"True, but we all know who the real hero is," Kiba responded, folding his arms with a wink.
"Anyway," Kakashi interjected before the banter could escalate, cutting through the chatter, "we'll be increasing patrols around the estate. Naruto, you'll remain as their primary bodyguard."
Naruto groaned, his shoulders slumping as the realization hit him. "Great. More time with the ungrateful princess squad." He couldn't comprehend why he was voluntarily putting himself through this.
--
Meanwhile, the Takahashi sisters gathered in the garden, their chatter drowning out the rhythm of nature around them. They discussed the upcoming summer festival in Konoha with a palpable excitement.
"We should invite Sasuke-kun to join us," Mizuki said, her eyes sparkling as she clapped her hands together.
"Absolutely," Rika agreed with fervor. "It would be an honor to have him accompany us."
Naruto, who had been standing nearby, rolled his eyes at the lack of acknowledgment for his own contributions. "What about me? I'm your bodyguard, remember? Shouldn't I get a say?"
Rika looked at him coolly, her face displaying indifference. "You can come… to keep us safe, of course." Her dismissive tone made his blood boil.
Naruto clenched his fists, glaring at the ground. "You're welcome, by the way, for saving you last night!" His voice was just shy of a shout, but the sisters continued their merry conversation as if he were invisible.
--
The night of the festival arrived, and the Takahashi sisters dressed in elegant kimonos, each more dazzling than the last. Naruto couldn't help but admit, grudgingly, that they looked beautiful. The intricately stitched fabric shimmered in the lantern light, and they drew eyes from every corner of the festival, especially that of Sasuke.
As they entered the festival grounds, the Konoha 12 were already there, enjoying the festivities, laughter, and the savory smells of street food wafting through the air.
"Sasuke-kun!" Zara called, waving eagerly as a blush painted her cheeks.
Sasuke, leaning casually against a post with his typical aloof demeanor, nodded at them, his presence attracting all the attention. The sisters immediately surrounded him, chatting excitedly, their voices a chorus of admiration.
Naruto trailed behind, feeling like an afterthought in a story where he was neither the hero nor the sidekick. "This mission just keeps getting better and better," he grumbled under his breath while adjusting his headband with annoyance.
Hinata, who had been watching from a distance, felt an impulse to reach out to Naruto. She hesitated before stepping forward, her heart pounding. "N-Naruto-kun," she said softly, her voice a gentle encouragement that seemed to cut through the chatter of the festival, "you've done an amazing job. Don't let them get to you."
Naruto blinked, surprised by her words. He had expected mockery or indifference, not this warmth. "Thanks, Hinata… that actually helps a lot." He offered her a genuine smile, and it lit up her face like a sunrise.
Hinata smiled back, her cheeks turning pink as she looked away shyly, knowing that her simple support meant the world to him.
--
As the night wore on, the festival atmosphere thrummed with excitement. Lanterns danced in the night wind, children laughed, and firework displays lit up the sky. However, trouble struck again.
A sudden commotion erupted near the festival's edge, and Naruto's instincts kicked in. He felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as he realized the seriousness of the situation.
"Stay here!" he barked at the sisters, who were momentarily startled out of their Sasuke admiration. "Do not move!" He dashed toward the source of the disturbance, heart pounding.
A group of masked figures was causing chaos, overturning stalls and scattering civilians. Naruto didn't hesitate. He activated his shadow clone jutsu, and within moments, copies of himself engulfed the area, working together with precision.
The fight was intense but quick, his clones overwhelming the masked attackers with a coordinated assault. By the time the Konoha 12 arrived to assist, the situation was already under control, the last of the assailants subdued.
"Looks like you didn't need us," Shikamaru noted dryly, surveying the unconscious attackers sprawled on the ground.
"Yeah, no thanks to them," Naruto muttered, jerking his thumb toward the sisters, who were still fawning over Sasuke in the distance, their obliviousness grating on him yet again.
Kiba clapped him on the back, a teasing grin plastered across his face. "Maybe they'll notice you someday, if you keep this up."
"Dude, just give it a rest!" Naruto snapped, earning a punch on the shoulder from Sakura, who was rolling her eyes at the situation but secretly admired Naruto's dedication.
"Honestly, Naruto, no one can deny how hard you've worked. You're doing great," Sakura said, her tone turning sincere.
Naruto sighed deeply, shaking his head as he watched the Takahashi sisters laughing joyously with Sasuke, who appeared more taken by the festivities than ever. "This mission better end soon," he groaned, the weariness of unrequited effort settling heavily in his chest.
As the festival continued, the air filled with music, joy, and laughter, Naruto refused to let the weight of his frustration crush his spirit. Perhaps one day soon, the sisters would see him not just as a protector but as someone deserving of their attention, someone who fought relentlessly for them. Until then, he would guard them—despite how thankless it felt.
To Be Continued...*