Chapter 252: New Home and Bad News
Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 252: New Home and Bad News
"Here." Ino handed him a plant as soon as he opened the door.
"Why are you giving me this?" Naruto stared at the flowerpot with confusion.
"It is customary to gift a plant when someone moves to a new place." Ino walked into the house and noticed that Hinata was already there.
The Hyuga princess glanced at Ino without getting up from the couch. "It is? I didn't bring Naruto any plants."
"Don't worry. I had no idea I should be expecting any." Naruto looked down at the pot again. "I don't even know how to take care of this thing."
Ino sighed and took it from his hands. "You can leave it to me then. I'll take care of the plants. It's the least I can do for letting me live here."
"So, you're staying here too? I thought your house was already repaired," Hinata commented.
"I discovered some advantages about not living under the same roof as my parents. It feels more…comfortable, you know?"
"And you don't have to worry about screaming loudly while you have an orgasm," Hinata added.
Ino's cheeks gained a red tint, but she did not deny it. "I assume you're staying too?"
"Of course!" Hinata admitted with enthusiasm. "There's no reason for me to go back to the compound. Especially now that Naruto and I are engaged. It makes more sense for me to live here."
"Right…you're getting married."
Hinata noted a tinge of concern on Ino's face. "Ino…"
"Is this marriage thing important to your family also?" Naruto asked her. "I agreed with this mortal wedding because it appeared to be important to Hinata's father since he's fond of tradition. But…"
"So you would marry me too, if my parents asked?" Ino said.
Naruto shrugged. "As far as I'm concerned, the bond between two Dao Companions is more important than this marriage thing. But if it makes you happy…"
Ino chuckled. "I figured that you thought that way. We don't need to get married."
"Are you sure about that?" Hinata was carefully observing Ino.
"Yes." Ino turned to look at Naruto. "From the perspective of a cultivator like Naruto, the bonds of marriage mean little, as he puts more importance on different things. Besides, in the Land of Fire, you can only have one spouse."
"You would be the mistress, then," Hinata pointed out.
Ino shrugged. "Sure."
"As long as you're happy with this arrangement, that's fine with me. But if you change your minds, just tell me. The laws of mortals can easily be changed. I'll just pay a visit to this Daimyo and convince him."
"That would start a war…" Hinata muttered.
"We must welcome conflict and use it to temper ourselves," Naruto exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Both girls began to laugh.
"That is such a reckless way to think," Hinata commented.
"Naruto has many things, but common sense is not one of them," Ino added.
"Hmph! I do have common sense. But I am only wary of those with the potential to defeat me," Naruto said.
There was a moment of silence after he spoke.
"Is there anyone left who can do that?" Hinata wondered.
"Not in Konoha, probably…" Ino added.
They were both aware of what happened two days ago in the commercial district. Naruto had fought and defeated many of Konoha's strongest ninjas, and he did it while having his arms restricted in chakra cuffs.
The story had already become common knowledge throughout the village. There was no one left who didn't know about Naruto's accomplishments.
He was already being considered by many as the first SSS-rank ninja since the era of Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara.
"I'm sure there are still many powerful folks out there. The world is too large to make assumptions about being the strongest…something like that would get you killed. I will not be lowering my guard until the end. And I will not stop trying to improve myself until I reach the peak and ascend to the Heavens," Naruto promised.
"But you won't be doing that any time soon, I hope," Hinata said, looking somewhat worried. She knew from the beginning that Naruto was not meant to remain here forever.
"You don't need to worry about that. I still have a long journey ahead of me, and I also promised Tsunade that I would protect this village for a century."
"A century? Isn't that way too much?" Ino exclaimed.
Naruto grinned. "What is a century to someone intent on achieving immortality? This village has given me many opportunities. I will repay the karma I owe before moving on. That's how things must be done."
"So…we can live comfortably here, then?" Hinata said.
"I want to choose my room! This place is much bigger than the apartment," Ino said with excitement.
"Why, of course it is…that's why I decided to move here," Naruto said.
The apartment had been fine when he was alone, but now that those two girls insisted on living together, he had moved to the house that his parents left him.
It had been too spacious for himself, but now it would offer enough room for the three of them to live comfortably.
"There are three rooms on the second floor, but…" Hinata glanced at Naruto. "I thought we were going to be sharing one."
"I mean, we can have our own rooms and get together when we want…you know," Ino said, turning to look up at Naruto. But just then, she saw his expression change.
"Naruto?" Hinata had also noticed it. He only makes that grim face when something serious happens.
"What is it?" Ino inquired.
Naruto stood up. "One of the clones I left at Mount Myoboku has ended the jutsu in order to send its memories to me…"
"You left clones with the Toad Clan?" Hinata was not aware of that.
"What did the clone discover?" Ino asked.
"Jiraiya is dead…murdered during his last mission."
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