Chapter 381: Konoha's "Sakura–Ino Duo"
Pretending?
Right, pretending!
The moment Sakura thought of this, her mind jumped back to the time during the Chūnin Exams in the Forest of Death.
Wasn't Naruto impersonated back then?
And figuring out whether Naruto was fake or not was actually simple.
Just punch him once.
If it was a Transformation Jutsu, it would definitely be dispelled immediately.
And if Naruto wasn't fake, if he really was the real Naruto?
Then with everything he had just said… wouldn't he deserve a beating anyway?
With that thought, Sakura made up her mind. She turned to Ino beside her and spoke softly, almost delicately, "Ino, help me out…"
She had just taken the compound. According to Orochimaru's medical theory report, after using it she needed to keep both body and mind relaxed and happy. She shouldn't get angry or lose her temper, otherwise it might backfire.
Besides, she had experienced something similar before, because she got angry too often, she developed mammary gland hyperplasia and even mistakenly thought she was developing, which ended up being quite embarrassing.
Thankfully, Tsunade-sensei performed a perfect surgery to remove it, leaving not even a scar. But afterward, Tsunade also reminded her to stay calm and keep a positive mindset.
Alright then.
Better leave the hitting to Ino.
"Huh? Is that really appropriate?"
Ino hadn't expected Sakura to make such a request.
"It couldn't be more appropriate."
Sakura gave Ino a push forward, "Just treat Naruto like Shikamaru or Chōji and beat him up. Go, Ino!"
"Uh… but I've never beaten them either…"
Ino's expression turned awkward.
It was true, like Sakura, Ino had a bit of a violent streak, but she was clearly much better about it.
Even in the original story, she had only hit Chōji a few times when he was being gluttonous and dragging the team down.
And now, Ino had basically left the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. She hadn't seen those two teammates in a long time, so naturally she wouldn't just go around hitting people.
When Ino hit someone, it was usually because they really deserved it.
But when Sakura hit someone, it often meant something was off with her mental or psychological state.
After all, everyone knew Sakura had early issues with split personality and emotional instability.
"I see…"
Sakura thought for a moment, then changed her approach, "Ino, look at Naruto right now, he's wearing women's clothes, and he often turns into a girl (Sexy Jutsu). Doesn't that mean that deep down, Naruto actually wants to become a girl?"
"I don't..."
"Hm?"
Sakura shot Naruto a look. He gulped and swallowed the rest of his words.
"Wait, Sakura… are you thinking of giving half your estradiol to Naruto? To actually help him become a girl?"
Ino's eyes widened in shock.
"Of course not! What I mean is, Naruto is an orphan, no one ever taught him anything. He doesn't even know how to behave properly as a girl. He's way too unrestrained. As his classmates, we should properly educate him. Spare the rod and spoil the child…"
Sakura racked her brain trying to come up with a reason for Ino to beat Naruto.
After she finished speaking, Naruto suddenly snapped back to reality.
This is a genjutsu world. Why should he be scared?
Getting intimidated by a mere glance from an illusionary Sakura was way too embarrassing!
Especially when he thought about Sasuke, the caster of this genjutsu, possibly watching everything. That made it even more humiliating.
With that thought…
"Hmph. If you won't scrub my back, then give me back my towel. I'll have Sasuke do it for me."
Naruto stepped forward, snatched back the towel, and formed a hand seal, creating a shadow clone that transformed into Sasuke.
Having Sasuke serve him would, first, irritate Sakura and help him regain face, and second, annoy the real Sasuke who might be watching from the shadows.
I'm a genius!
Naruto grinned smugly, slinging an arm around "Sasuke" as he headed toward the hot springs.
After taking two steps, he suddenly thought of something else. He created three more shadow clones, transforming them into Sakura, Ino, and his mother Kushina.
"You three, go prepare fruit platters, drinks, and ramen for me, Uzumaki Naruto-sama."
"Yes, Uzumaki Naruto-sama."
The three clones immediately dropped to their knees, bowing like servants.
Anger.
The string Sakura had been trying so hard to hold finally snapped.
"…Forget it. I'll start keeping a good mood from tomorrow."
She took a deep breath, accepting the reality of her "Day 0."
"…Naruto has gone too far. We have to beat him until he's scared of us on sight!"
Ino was grinding her teeth now as well.
She even thought that, in the new ninja world, besides ninjutsu patents, there should also be portrait rights, to stop people like Naruto from abusing others' likenesses for slander.
But before proposing that idea to Tsunade, she needed to beat Naruto so badly that he'd never dare transform into her again!
At the same time, Kushina, who had just caught up and entered from outside, witnessed the scene, her expression complicated.
She also wanted to give Naruto a good beating, but unfortunately, she had arrived too late.
Bang!
Just as Naruto smugly lifted the curtain, about to enter the hot spring, Sakura raised her right hand. Her muscles tensed, and she delivered a Lariat straight to Naruto's neck, sending him flying.
Immediately afterward, all of Naruto's shadow clones vanished due to the severe damage to the original body.
Outside, Naruto landed headfirst in the ground, his body stuck upside down, tongue hanging out, eyes rolled back.
All things considered, Sakura was still kind, she didn't aim the Lariat at Naruto's crotch.
"Huh? Naruto?"
Killer Bee, who had been strolling around while rapping, saw Naruto fly out of the hot spring inn and curiously walked over.
Soon, he saw two somewhat familiar girls walk out of the inn, they must have been the ones who hit Naruto.
"You two… aren't you the ones from the Kumogakure Village Chūnin Exams?"
Killer Bee remembered now, he had seen them in the Kumogakure Village's newspaper reports.
As Konoha kunoichi, they had actually used the powerful Lariat during the exams hosted by the Kumogakure, and their coordination had been surprisingly perfect.
"You're the 'Sakura–Ino Duo' from Konoha, right?"
Killer Bee recalled the nickname given to them by the Kumogakure Village.
"'Sakura–Ino Duo'? Why does that sound a bit… indecent?"
Sakura and Ino exchanged glances.
Although they were innocent girls, as medical ninja, they were naturally familiar with all anatomical terms.
"Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, watch your words. These two are still children."
Kushina couldn't help but step forward.
She knew it. Killer Bee was as vulgar as ever.
What she didn't expect was that he wasn't just… inappropriate with Naruto, but also had designs on other Konoha kids.
Wait, was it not about gender, but age?!
That would be far more horrifying and sinful!
"Uh, you've misunderstood. I only like older women…"
Killer Bee panicked when he was suddenly accused and hurriedly waved his hands in explanation.
Tragic.
Not only had Killer Bee… done things to Naruto, not only did he have thoughts about other Konoha kids, he even had designs on her too…
Kushina felt this man was utterly evil. Why hadn't Minato just used Flying Thunder God back then to "cut off" his… tendencies?
"Yeah, Uncle Killer Bee only likes older women. But, you know, older women can be 'raised' from a young age."
Naruto rubbed his neck as he got up from the ground, actually speaking up in Killer Bee's defense.
(End of this chapter)