Disclaimer:...pending.

If Naruto had been able to appreciate it, the blonde would have openly admired the enormous school before him, long, rectangular buildings, seemingly dormitories, stretching along both sides of the walkway. It was so massive it seemed built to house an entire city, let alone a school.

Even the gates, which he'd already considered massive beyond anything he had seen before, barely conveyed its true scale, which could hold the entirety of Konoha and still have room to spare.

His astonishment didn't stop there. Despite the size, every building back home paled in comparison to its design. Even the Hokage Tower would look like his apartment next to them, let alone the center building.

And that was just the front part!

The blonde, however, had no time to admire the awe-inspiring structure.

"Lashara…" Naruto asked, doing his best to stay calm, though it was difficult with nearly every pair of eyes fixed on him.

He had known Lashara was a queen and had braced himself for some unintentional publicity due to his stunt, but he never expected to be the center of so much attention. And most worryingly was that it was almost all females.

"Do you have a question, Naruto? I'd be happy to answer." Lashara said, leading the group of three down the almost gold-tinted, wide brick walkway in her new ankle long, black school robes. She glanced back at him with a smug, almost knowing smirk that made him narrow his eyes.

'She knows.' It wasn't surprising, she had obviously sent word back here as they had been welcomed at the gates, but it was his own slip up that he hadn't asked exactly what she revealed to them.

"Why is everyone…staring at me like they already know me? And why are most of them... girls?" He stole another quick glance at the neatly kept stretches of grass, grimacing as his suspicion was confirmed.

Numerous small groups of teenage girls were scattered everywhere, some standing beneath trees, others sitting on vast manicured lawns, but all stealing glances at him. The moment his eyes met theirs, they quickly turned away, giggling at each other.

"We are the Queen of the Shitoreiyu Empire, the last of the Earth royal bloodline. To the world, our existence cannot be measured by wealth. To our citizens, our lives are of utmost importance. As for you, who have saved us, how can this response be anything less than expected? Perhaps you do not know our world, Naruto, but I implore you to listen to their words." She concluded, her blonde braids swaying with the motion as she turned to face forward.

A bit surprised at the shift in her attitude, he did so, closing his eyes momentarily to focus better.

He really shouldn't have.

He really, really shouldn't have!

"He's the one who saved Lady Lashara-sama isn't he?!"

"Is he really the one who saved Lady Lashara-sama?" One girl gasped. "I heard he helped her evade an entire Seikijin battalion all on his own. He must have been bred perfectly!"

"He's so... handsome!"

"I can't even imagine a male being so powerful…!"

"Look at him! He's so tall, so...perfect nothing like the male Seikishi here!"

"Do you think he has a partner yet?"

"Surely a male so strong must have a partner by his side. We just need to wait until her time is over." Another replied, eyes scanning him like a hawk.

"...what the hell?" He did not understand what he was hearing.

And did he just hear someone ask about the virility of his seed?!

Naruto stared wide-eyed at Lashara, who, at some point, turned to look at him. Her face was slowly turning crimson, though unlike the blonde's red face, flushed with embarrassment, hers was red with delight.

Pig-like snorts that somehow remained refined, escaped from her though she quickly muffled them, unable to stop herself from giggling uncontrollably.

Realizing he wouldn't get any answers from her and that he had been pranked, Naruto turned to the more reliable source of information.

"Can you explain Chiaia?"

"E-eh?!" The short haired, redhead flinched as if she was trying to hide from his view and Naruto's eyes twitched at how flaky she looked.

"W-well, how much do you know of our planet, Naruto?" She twirled a lock of hair, her green eyes glancing at him.

"Except for the forest….not much. You two are the first people…I've seen here."

Her eyes widened at the information before she took a languid breath. "Okay, so you don't know anything. Well to start, do you remember what I'm called?"

"A Seikishi." Naruto nodded.

"I'm not a Seikishi officially as of yet, but yes. You could also call us guardians of The Holy Land." She nodded to the school, before continuing, folding her arms and sighing wearily.

"But an equally important, if not more so, role of the Seikishi is to be the main and only force of all countries."

Naruto's jaw clenched briefly but he quickly loosened it. That sounded familiar.

"So you're a weapon then?"

Chiaia turned her head towards him, slightly to look at him a bit surprised as she paused. After a couple seconds she nodded. "I suppose you can call us that if you look at it a certain way, Naruto. However our formal titles are knights or Seikishi, so please call us that instead. The term weapons….is a bit too inhumane."

Naruto turned to look at the narrow water channels they were passing by feeling a bit stuffy.

Was his new friend similar to him? Probably not because they seemed quite loved here but not everything was as it seemed on the surface.

"Sure."

However something else occurred to him.

"Wait only force? Do you fight wars only using Seikishi? Is that possible?"

"Surprising, isn't it?" she grinned, and he couldn't help but admit she looked quite cute looking so assured. "I've heard many from Ena are shocked to hear it. I guess you're no different. Years ago, it unanimously decided to forgo conventional weaponry in favor of training Seikishi. Not only were we far more cost-effective, but Seikishi were so much more powerful than the weapons of that time, they practically seemed like gods and they've only gotten stronger!"

He raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm that had him leaning back. "Gods? That's a pretty bold claim."

Gods that he could rip apart like tissue?

"It's not just a claim, it's history. Seikishi were stronger, faster, and adaptable. They could decimate armies in a blink and be out in seconds nearly touching the clouds. It wasn't an exaggeration to say just one could wipe out an entire nation's army, Ahou forbid if they bypassed the army to go straight for the leader. "

"I see, but… Chiaia?" Naruto questioned feeling uncomfortable. He still wasn't very used to all this contact with another person.

"Ah?"

"You're a bit… too close." He tapped her shoulder, which was pressing against his, causing her eyes to widen.

"Ah, I'm sorry!" She quickly stepped away, turning her face as he scratched his head awkwardly.

"It's okay. You just really like…history, huh?"

"...It's my major when I was new… Sorry." She muttered, her ears turning bright red.

"So, how does this tie into their reaction?" Naruto asked, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. If he'd known she'd get this embarrassed, he would've let it slide. She got flustered too easily.

"Well-"

"You two. Please leave the bonding for later. As expected, we have company." Lashara interjected suddenly, making Chiaia's head snap forward, her embarrassment growing tenfold until she noticed who it was.

She froze in her tracks.

"Lashara-sama, that's…" Chiaia exclaimed, shocked, and Naruto followed her gaze, raising an eyebrow. It was a young man with blond hair, kneeling in front of the grand building, accompanied by other males doing the same. They got quite the amount of stares, nearly more than he in fact.

"Who is he?" He asked as Chiaia caught up quickly looking more flustered than before.

"Dagmyer Mest," Lashara muttered sharply, sizing him up with a hint of a sly smile. "The son of the Chancellor and a powerful Seikishi, but that is of little consequence at the moment. Naruto?"

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes never leaving him, a queen's poise in her every movement.

"I don't fully understand the inner workings of your skills." she continued. "But I must ask, if you were to stumble upon any shocking information, please, resist the urge to react impulsively. It's much more entertaining that way."

Naruto frowned exasperated. "Oi….why am I being scolded…all of a sudden?"

She gave him a cheeky look. "Now, now, don't be like that. I'm merely offering a reminder. I, too, have lost myself in the heat of the moment before. I understand how it is. Chalk it up to me not knowing you well enough yet. Perhaps, had you made an effort to change that…"

She shrugged.

"Alas."

Her expression seemed both mock offended and innocent, but Naruto wasn't fooled. For a girl who appeared younger than him, she was far more trouble than he expected.

"I'll continue as I am now…Lashara."

"That's all I could ask." She gave him one last smile before they appeared before the kneeling males.

'Is this some kind of custom?' Naruto thought as Chiaia lightly touched his arm, signaling him to stop. Lashara, however, continued forward, taking five more steps before pausing.

"I didn't expect anyone to be here to welcome us, Dagmyer Mest. Thank you." Lashara said without wasting time.

The blonde-haired teen, flanked by his entourage, rose to his feet. "It's true that the Holy Land discourages students from acknowledging their status inside its walls, but I couldn't ignore the news when I heard the Swan had been attacked."

He placed a hand onto his chest and Naruto observed him keenly wondering why he elicited a warning from Lashara.

"I hope I didn't overstep my bounds."

"No. Your sincerity has been noted." Naruto's hawk-like gaze quickly shifted to a male behind him, then narrowed seeing said male flinch before controlling it.

'Have we met before? No, that's impossible. Maybe he's afraid of these rumors the others have heard?' The latter idea distressed him a bit. He really didn't need some unnecessary fear against him here too. The people here had been nice for the most part.

"With that said, there is an issue I'm sure you're aware of." Dagmyer said, his face twisting slightly in regret before he bent by the waist, bowing.

"Oh? I knew your father, Babalun, would not be unaware but it seems your 'greeting' was something more as I expected. Speak your mind, Dagmyer." Lashara said, folding her hands one over the other.

"Indeed, the Shitoreiyu Empire has a wonderful Queen. I heed your command. Lashara-sama, allow me to apologize for the immense blunder my servant, no, my former servant, Emira has caused you."

'Emira…Emira…Emira. Ah, the angry girl I captured along with Doll.' He remembered the pretty brown haired girl with a loose braid falling over her right shoulder. The last thing he could remember of her was her reddish-purple eyes glaring at him, spitefully, as he left her in her cage.

'Wait, she was his servant? His former servant? Was that a long time ago? No. If it was he wouldn't be coming here to apologize! That means it was a recent thing.' Naruto mulled over, his eyes ghosting over their forms.

"Apologize? Is there a need for you to apologize for a rebellious servant Dagmyer unless you were in on it?" Lashara ended the sentence in good humor but the way his face contorted in terror before smoothing out was telling.

It finally clicked for Naruto. Was he a part of those who came with Doll? Was this why Lashara told him to watch his reaction twice? Then she was right to worry.

"L-Lashara sama? Please don't misunderstand, I was just trying to clear up this event-!" His hands shot up as he denied quickly but Lashara cut him off with a small laugh.

"What a curious reaction, Dagmyer Mest. Of course, I know neither you nor your father are involved in this. It was simply an unfortunate happenstance. Be at ease." Naruto watched Lashara, her lip twitching as she observed the teen's discomfort, unsure of how to feel about her toying with him.

"Thank you for your understanding, Lashara-sama. I've been on edge for several days because of this issue. She was truly a gifted servant. Please excuse any lapses in my behavior, the loss is still hard to swallow." Naruto couldn't help but admire the smooth recovery, watching as the teen rapidly regained composure, wiping his sweat with a cough.

"However, as you're no doubt aware, the fault of the servant lies with the master. My father has instructed me to ensure that traitorous cur is properly punished." He sneered saying so. "I would like to request a more private time and place to discuss the terms of her capture, as it wouldn't be appropriate here."

"Of course. As the one she served under previously, your role would be crucial in determining her punishment. Unless, of course, we choose to send her to the church, but I doubt it will come to that." She waved him off with a dismissive nod.

"…Yes, let's hope for the best." Dagmyer forced a strained smile and bowed again, then turned slightly to address one of the figures behind her.

"Chiaia," Said girl quickly turned to look at him. "I heard you went to great lengths to save Lashara-sama. That must've been difficult." Naruto shot a sideways glance at the redhead, who now seemed preoccupied with fiddling with her burgundy tunic.

Did she have feelings for him? It looked oddly similar to the way Sakura acted around Sasuke.

"It was, but I managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived." She glanced at him, her expression momentarily lost, and Naruto offered her an encouraging look. Her lips curled into a faint smile before her gaze turned back to his fellow male blonde.

He tried to cover it but Naruto easily caught the severe frown and the way his eyes never tried to meet his own. Definitely suspicious.

"Well I'm glad to see you in one piece. If you wouldn't mind, can we talk a bit later?" He offered politely.

"Nnnn. I'm sorry but I have to attend to Lashara sama. The situation has been a great strain on her." She bit her lips, bowing her head very slightly.

Naruto glanced at the Queen who was staring at the interaction with a wide smile, not looking strained at all. She truly lived for chaos didn't she? She clearly had no qualms about the awkward scenario playing out in front of them.

"I see, you always were the embodiment of a knight. Perhaps another time Chiaia?"

"Yes perhaps." Her answer was as noncommittal as any.

"Then we shall take our leave, Lashara sama." He bowed once more, followed by his group and turned to leave without another word, their heels clicking against the stone.

"That was…enlightening Lashara." He said after they left earshot while the Queen looked over the school grounds.

"It was as interesting as I said it would be, right? Did you notice his shaking? Why I wonder what he could be so afraid of." That smug voice piped up again, spinning on her heel to look at him teasingly. As if she couldn't wait to rub it in his face.

Naruto reluctantly nodded, finding it almost amusing how far someone would go to protect a secret, especially when he had no idea what it was. He could clearly see the blonde's fear, his trembling hands, stiff neck, and eyes that never once met his own. The guy was terrified and more than likely knew something about him.

"That's one way to put…it." Naruto gave an almost bored glance to a far away window, catching the eyes of another set of peepers on their show. "I have so many questions but…I would rather be inside for it...wouldn't you?"

Lashara glanced at where he was looking and her eyes widened. "I suppose you're right. I would have liked to at least give you a little tour of the surroundings, tis a shame." She turned moving in the direction the previous group did.

"Though your abilities still surprise me every time Naruto. How were you able to see them so easily? To pinpoint the room of the president of The Holy Land Academy's Student Council from thousands is no easy feat from here."

Naruto picked his ears at Chiaia's surprised exclamation at the information,feeling a bit shy at the praise. "I didn't see them. I'm not that good. I just sensed their movement from the corner of my eyes."

"..."

"..."

Naruto sighed.

"That was more impressive wasn't it?"

"Quite right." Lashara nodded.

"Obviously!" Chiaia shouted.

Damn it.

"Did you see how broad his shoulders are? He must train every day. I wouldn't mind being his sparring partner."

"I bet he could sweep us off our feet without even breaking a sweat."

"I wonder where Lashara-sama found him. He looks our age, yet he's already such a strong Seikishi?"

"Wait, is he a Seikishi? They only said he helped her evade a battalion but I suppose only a Seikishi can do that!"

"I thought he spotted me when he passed by. I swear, he looked right at me for a moment."

"He totally saw me too!"

"Yeah, glanced right at us, didn't he? But how? We're so far away!"

Lithia Po Cheena's grip tightened on her pen as her gaze flicked up from her papers. This was getting ridiculous. She'd heard enough.

"Girls, please." she interjected calmly but with just a hint of warning. "You need to focus. We have work to do. Letting your imaginations run wild won't help anyone."

A quick chorus of "Sorry, President Lithia" rang out, and the girls scrambled to their seats. Lithia smiled faintly at their quick compliance. This was why she chose them. They were more mature than their peers.

'Still, it's a bit ridiculous. Did they really think he saw all the way over here? Not even the elves could manage something like that.' She huffed, attributing it to the usual teenage nonsense.

'Though… maybe they're not entirely wrong to fawn over him. Just a little. If the reports are accurate, what he's done is impressive. Perhaps I'll look into him more myself, Lashara-sama's guest of honor, Uzumaki Naruto.' Lithia adjusted her glasses thoughtfully. She was one of the only ones who actually got to read the raw report unlike the rumors everyone else worked off of and it only made her more intrigued.

After all, how could her interest not be taken by someone who'd had an entirely new title created for him by a Queen of a major empire? It was both outlandish and fairytale like in nature.

"So, you never had any intention of handing her…over." Naruto said as they walked down a very well lit, gray corridor to the Headmistress of the Holy academy's office.

"Nope." Lashara emphasized the "P" in "nope" with a sharp pop.

"And you told him you could negotiate later…knowing that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yep." Another loud pop echoed in the hallway.

Naruto's expression was one of utter confusion.

"So, why say that? Wouldn't it just cause problems? I'd think you'd want to…avoid making more of them."

"Lashara-sama always plans ahead, Naruto. She must have had a reason for saying it." Chiaia chimed in.

Naruto glanced at the bodyguard, noticing the doubt on her face. His eyebrow twitched. "You don't seem so sure either…"

Chiaia averted her gaze, her guilty expression confirming his suspicion.

"It's not too complicated, I suppose I can tell you now that we're alone." Lashara said nonchalantly. "I saw an opportunity to bring a piece to my side with little risk and took it."

"A piece?" Naruto asked, still puzzled. What did that mean?

"Hmmm? I meant an ally." Lashara grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I plan to let Emira attend our negotiations. And…" She giggled darkly."Let's just say, I don't think she'll be too pleased when she discovers how her master has abandoned her. The way he speaks, it's clear he no longer cares for her. Once she's broken enough, the well-known, forgiving Queen of Shitoreiyu will offer her a chance to serve, earning her loyalty."

Naruto and Chiaia exchanged worried glances as the Queen rubbed her hands together, muttering to herself with a sinister smile.

Scary. They both thought.

"You don't seem too upset that…she tried to kill you."

"Fufufu. That's just how these matters are when it comes to politics, Naruto. If I took offense to something like that I wouldn't get far at all. Besides, if I'm going to resent anyone, it won't be the servant." She said the last part almost absentmindedly.

Naruto glanced down in thought with the group walking in silence while they made their way to the main office. He noticed Chiaia sending him concerned glances, probably worried about what he was thinking.

'She's smart. Smarter than me, anyway. Kind too. No one who nearly died would hesitate to kill her.'

"Being a queen must be tough, huh?" he muttered.

"Hooo? Admiring me, Naruto?"

"Just a bit." he admitted, glancing her way. Perhaps he would be taking notes if he still thought being Hokage was possible.

She stumbled slightly before catching herself. "Ahem! Of course, you should! But don't fall for me now! Hurry up, we're almost there." She quickened her pace, leaving Naruto chuckling behind her.

'Weak to compliments, huh?'

It wasn't long before they turned a corner, and Naruto spotted a large door, almost geometric in its design, covered in intricate symbols.

"You!" Lashara froze after speaking.

"...What could've made her freeze like that?" Naruto murmured confused, watching as Lashara stood temporarily paralyzed at the office entrance, the door ajar.

Chiaia sighed. "I only know one person that could... and they would be-"

"I was just talking about you. Speak of the devil indeed." Soft and measured, Naruto was surprised by the tone that he could only liken to Lashara's.

Royalty.

"Maria, what are you doing here?" Lashara growled, irritated as Chiaia motioned for him to follow her inside.

"Lashara of Earth, your temper is as short as ever." A calm voice instantly captured his attention. His gaze shifted to a young girl, about Lashara's age, with long, straight brown hair that cascaded down her back, her bangs touching her shoulders. A white headband was atop her hair, with light pink bows to finish.

She stood just ahead of a woman with a short, straight, pale gray bob framing her sharp features, nearly as tall as Naruto, if a bit taller.

'Are both of them students here?' Naruto thought seeing them wearing the same uniform as Lashara.

Lashara stormed forward, stopping squarely in front of what Naruto assumed was the Headmistress' table as he stood beside the young girl, her body language livid.

"You didn't answer my question." Lashara grumbled. "The very day we return, you're already here to intercept us? What's your game?"

"How charming. Do you truly believe the world revolves around your bloated ego?" Maria shot back smoothly

"Don't project your issues onto me. I don't believe in 'coincidences' where you're concerned."

"You don't honestly think I just happened to be here, do you?"

"No."

The girl tilted her head slightly, a faint smile blooming on her lips. "Hmm. It seems I've been discovered. How terribly unfortunate."

"I knew it." Lashara sneered, her eyes narrowing. "Now, spill."

"For one." Maria began, her tone dismissive. "I was here on matters that have nothing to do with you, correct, Yukine?"

Naruto's gaze flickered from the two, then landed on the woman beside him. Her faint, obedient nod seemed almost familiar.

She glanced at him, sensing his attention and Naruto continued to stare back unabashedly until she turned away with a slight blush on her cheeks.

'She acts like Hinata.'

"And?" Lashara pressed.

"I merely wished to ensure everyone was well after that disastrous attack on the Swan. I did, however, hear that Chiaia endured… something rather unpleasant, as she often does, in your service." Maria sighed dramatically, as if weighed down by some immense burden, while Naruto glanced toward Chiaia, who met his gaze with a deadpan look.

Don't ask, her eyes seemed to say.

Lashara chuckled coldly. "Then it must sting that I emerged unscathed once more."

"Haaah… At least pretend to feel a shred of embarrassment for being a magnet for trouble wherever you go."

'Okay that's enough.' He didn't know how long they'd argue but-

"Lashara…care to introduce me to your friend?" Naruto stepped forward, stubbornly ignoring Chiaia's sudden panic as both girls turned towards him in surprise.

"Naruto-?!"

"Ara? Blonde hair, blue eyes and a well-defined stature, there is no doubt you are the one who saved Lashara from certain death, correct?" Naruto already knew she was big trouble when those large bright teal eyes narrowed in on him mischievously.

Naruto rubbed his head trying to ignore the dead look Lashara was giving him. "I wouldn't say..certain death but…I helped them out, yes."

"Humble but knows when to accept praise. Guest of Honor, indeed." She looked him up and down before raising her hand for a…shake?

"I am Maria Nanadan, Princess of Havoniwa, Daughter to Queen Flora Nanadan and cousin to this shrimp here."

"Uzumaki Naruto... guest of honor?" Naruto murmured, taking the smaller, dainty hand in his, preparing to shake it. But then, a sudden realization stopped him.

In front of four pairs of astonished eyes, the disaster unfolded. He gently turned her hand, making sure to keep eye contact with her confused, steadily reddening expression.

Chuuu.

"Nice to… meet you, Maria." Naruto mumbled, quickly releasing her hand, relieved he remembered some advice from Vanessa and Angela. He nearly made a huge mistake.

"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled at their blank expressions.

"W-w-w-why did you kiss her hand, Naruto?!" Lashara nearly teleported in front of him, grabbing his collar with both hands. Her face was a brilliant shade of red. "Is your loyalty so easily swayed by a pretty face? Am I not enough?! Answer me!"

"What? I was just greeting her like you nobles do….right?!" Naruto leaned back as if to avoid the flames practically bursting from her mouth.

"Nobles?!" Lashara roared. "Not even royalty have greeted like that for over 200 years, Naruto! What era do you think this is?!"

"Err…how would I know? I just got…here."

"He's right, Lashara sama. You know his circumstances. Someone had to teach him that. We shouldn't blame him. Naruto is… a good person." Lashara head darted to Chiaia who walked closer, glancing at him strangely.

"Right?"

Naruto knew a life line when he saw it.

'Thank you Chiaia!'

"Yeah, I learned it from a…book?" He also knew he couldn't give away his friends and get them in trouble.

Lashara's eyes narrowed, catching the lie.

"You said you didn't meet anyone before and you didn't greet me like that."

"It was on my bed…in the Swan. I guess…someone put it there?" Naruto coughed a bit, hating having to lie so much. He didn't realize how difficult it was compared to doing it with people who hated him.

"On your bed? But who could have- Mexiah/ Big sister!?" Both Lashara and Chiaia shouted at the same time in realization, making Naruto pale.

'Ah.' Dammit, he should have just said he found it!

"I should've known she had something to do with this! When I find her, she's going to get an earful from me!" Lashra muttered, as his gaze shifted away when she released his collar while he wondered how to fix the situation. Should he come clean or-

"Calm down, Lashara. Why all the fuss when I didn't take offense? It was just an accident, wasn't it? Naruto, correct? Do you have a speech impediment?" Maria asked coolly as she casually rubbed her cheek, a calm smile on her face.

"A…what?" Naruto blinked, bewildered, as he glanced at the "victim," still smiling serenely.

Why wasn't she mad?

"Hmm? Did you perhaps not attend formal schooling?" She raised an eyebrow. "I mean to say, is there a reason behind your slurred speech? If you aren't being taken care of properly, I would gladly find an elven healer to help your issue."

Oh?

Just about to respond, Naruto wasn't surprised to see Lashara stepping in front of him protectively.

Or rather obsessively.

"And what do you think you're doing?"

"I'm simply trying to help a Hero get what he deserves. If he is injured, it's paramount that he is healed right away." Maria sighed, waving her away.

"He can make that decision by himself! Ahou, we just got here didn't we? He's my responsibility."

"Is that what's this about? Your jealousy-" Naruto sighed as both of them went back to bickering, wondering how anyone could put up with them like this.

Tap tap.

'Huh?' Naruto felt a slight pressure on his shoulder and turned to see the tall, grey-haired woman or maybe girl, gazing at him with a purely neutral expression. She extended her hand toward him in greeting.

Naruto stared.

'Is she mocking me?' he thought, frowning as he turned to face her. But then he noticed the subtle, very nervous tremor in her outstretched hand.

"Yukine…Mare. Nice to meet..you." She uttered quietly and Naruto was a bit taken aback by how pleasant her voice was. It really tickled his ears in a good way.

Unaware of how the room had shifted to a deadly silence, Naruto gently took her soft hand, his gaze lifting to meet her eyes. There, he saw shyness and raw honesty, with an innocent gleam that stood out, almost palpable in purity.

Very pure.

Almost too pure.

….

'She looks really easy to tease doesn't she?' The devil whispered in his ears and Naruto barely kept the grin off his face.

Her hand rose higher and higher and Naruto watched with half lidded eyes as that composed face slowly gained emotion and color before-

Chuuu!

"Ah…" A soft gasp was heard.

"Uzumaki Naruto. Let's be friends, okay… Yukine?" Naruto's grin spread wide as she shyly nodded, her eyes flickering away from his.

Unfortunately that moment was followed by consequences.

"Oi."

Naruto froze mid-grin, slowly turning toward the voice.

Lashara's gaze pinned him with something that couldn't be captured with mere words. And behind her, Chiaia and Maria wore identical expressions of disbelief, their eyes wide, as if they had just witnessed something truly crazy.

Lashara's gaze slowly dropped down.

"Ahem." Naruto quickly released her hand, but the damage had already been done.

"Lustful beast."

"W-wait! I was just-"

"Scallywag, rapscallion, scamp-!"

"I was just-!" He tried catching himself, shamed beyond belief. What was he thinking?!

Maria raised an eyebrow, trying to hide a grin. "And I thought you were innocent, maybe you did it intentionally with me?"

The intensity of Lashara's glare multiplied many fold at that. An aura was even covering her at this point.

His hands raised in defense. "It wasn't like that!"

"Naruto…" Chiaia sighed, giving him an exasperated though still accusatory glare.

Naruto could physically feel his cool points going down!

"My apologies for the long wait. It seems some unexpected issues arose..." A portly older woman with gray hair opened the door to the room, then blinked at the scene before her.

The Headmistress of The Holy Academy had but one thing to say.

"What in Ahou's name is going on here?"