Naruto rubbed the lump on his head and promised readily, setting Kano down. Kano straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and waited for the heat in her cheeks to fade before she moved on.
"Let's get this thing off fast—try cutting it with a Kunai."
In the original story they'd been stuck together for two or three days. That was fine for the boys, but Kano couldn't take it; she was a girl now.
Thanks to memories of her past life she wouldn't blush even if Naruto stripped naked—she'd had one herself, after all.
The reverse was different. She still couldn't beat the embarrassment. Training with Ino had been one thing—Ino was a girl. This time? No way.
"Kano-chan… it won't cut."
Naruto thought the situation was great: holding Kano's hand, standing so close… heh-heh, Kano smelled so nice.
"Sigh, guess we do it the hard way. Naruto, stand back."
Shadow Zabuza stepped forth.
"I don't believe this—if a Kunai can't slice it, the kubikiribōchō will!"
"You pull that way, I'll pull this way; I'll have a Shadow Ninja hack it apart with the big blade!"
"Wait, wait, wait! One slip and you'll chop our hands off!"
"Relax, I never miss."
"No, no, no! Too dangerous—forget it!"
To keep from being separated from Kano, Naruto threw himself over the sticky orb.
"Fine. Even if we severed our hands they'd still be wrapped. We'll head back and use a Chakra scalpel."
"Yay!"
"Don't celebrate yet. If you try anything weird I'll swing the blade—whether it lands on the ball or on you is your call."
"Got it, got it. I'll behave."
"Let's find Kakashi-sensei first. The flare's dead, so we run. Don't worry about Sasuke—without you slowing him down he can handle those bandits alone."
"Kano-chan, hold up… I need to pee."
"I'm a girl, remember? Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Well, a little."
"I won't peek—go ahead."
Still holding hands, they reached a tree: Kano on one side, Naruto on the other. She leaned against the trunk, bored; little boys peeing were nothing worth watching.
But Naruto took forever.
"Done yet?"
"Almost!"
"Still not ready?"
"Just a sec, just a sec."
"How long can one guy pee?"
"Almost there—two drops already out!"
So he was the shy type who couldn't go with company. Kano said nothing and waited.
Twenty-odd minutes later he finally finished.
By then Kano needed to go herself, but she could hold it; the sooner they finished, the sooner they got back.
On the way to Kakashi she let Naruto carry her again; he beamed the whole trip.
"Consider yourself lucky. Next time don't act on your own. If your dirty little schemes drag me in again, I'll ignore you for good."
"Won't happen, promise!"
He said it—but who knew if the idiot would remember next time.
They found Kakashi soon after.
"Oh? Interesting pose. You're still kids, so—well—try not to create any… surprises."
Naruto didn't get it; Kakashi's meaning flew over his head. Kano understood, flushed crimson, and stammered out an explanation.
"It's not what you think! Some weird Ninjutsu glued our hands together. Carrying me just made moving easier—don't get the wrong idea!"
"Sure, sure, I understand."
"No you don't! I like girls. I'll only ever be with a girl!"
"That's what they all say, kiddo."
Realizing argument was useless, Kano dropped it and briefed Kakashi on the situation. He told them to wait while he went to back up Sasuke.
The two of them in this state would only slow Kakashi down and need protecting in a fight.
Which left Naruto and Kano alone again.
"Kano-chan… do you like anyone?"
"Romantically, you mean?"
"Mm."
"Kind of. Right now I really like Ino—but she likes Sasuke, and I can't exactly 'bend' her."
Naruto didn't know what 'bend' meant, but he could tell Kano had missed his point.
"I meant: do you like any guys?"
"Oh—promise you won't get hurt, okay?"
"I'm tough. Tell me."
"Sasuke."
Kano smirked, finger to her lips; teasing the blockhead was better than being bored.
"Figures—why does every girl like Sasuke?"
"But I like you more than Sasuke. Happy now?"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
"Of course. Haven't you noticed how much I look after you?"
"Yes! Kano-chan and I are in love!"
"Hold on—I'm talking about friend-like like. If we're talking romance, I'll only fall for a girl."
Naruto didn't care about details; all he heard was that Kano liked him.
Kano sighed at her own sinful charms, and they sat chatting while the sky darkened.
"Why aren't they back yet?"
After sitting so long Kano's need grew urgent; she hadn't gone all day. The plan had been quick in, quick out—who knew Kakashi and Sasuke would take this long?
She pressed her thighs together, trying to last a bit more, but her body rebelled; a few drops escaped.
"Um… um…"
"Need something? I can help."
"No helping! I… I need to… p-pee…"
Kano's face burned; her voice shrank. She didn't know why she felt shy—once upon a time she could pee side-by-side with the guys.
"What? I didn't catch that."
"Never mind—come with me."
She dragged Naruto into the grass; he waited outside. Even Naruto could guess what was up, and he blushed, half thrilled.
"Don't you dare peek!"
He nodded and closed his eyes—agree first, decide whether to peek later. What kind of man wouldn't look?
She crouched slowly, still feeling Naruto's warmth on her hand. Her face stayed red; though desperate, she didn't feel safe.
"No listening, no breathing!"
"No breathing's too much! And I've only got one hand to cover my ears."
Kano still didn't trust him—if she were in his shoes she'd cause trouble. So she summoned several shadow clones to hold Naruto down, covering his eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
One clone even shook branches for extra noise.
Under that fortress-like guard it still took five minutes before she could finish.
"Done. You can open your eyes."
She pulled up her panties and stood—then remembered Naruto was still smothered by her clones. He was turning blue.
She quickly released them; Naruto dropped to his knees, gasping.
"Sorry, sorry, I forgot!"
"Hah-hah-hah… thought I was gonna suffocate!"
Kakashi poked his head from the grass.
"Hate to interrupt, but it's getting late—time to head back."
"Told you you've got it wrong—Naruto and I weren't doing anything!"
Face scarlet, Kano shoved Kakashi aside and hauled Naruto off. They didn't separate until they were back in Konoha Village and a Chakra scalpel finally cut them free.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!