"Naruto, Sakura, the Heaven scroll has been brought."
Sasuke called out as he stepped into the cave where Naruto and Sakura were staying, immediately noticing the lingering aroma filling the space.
"Oh, Sasuke's here?" Naruto mumbled through a big bite of fish.
Sasuke swallowed hard, but his stomach couldn't hold back a loud rumble of protest.
"Hungry? Come join me and eat," Naruto said with a grin, inviting him over.
"I'm not hungry!" Sasuke scoffed, inwardly annoyed by Naruto's teasing look. Why does he have to look at me like that? I won't be mocked.
"Really not hungry?" Naruto gave a sly smile. "Then I guess I'll eat the last piece myself."
Heh, serves you right for pretending to be all high and mighty... Naruto thought with a chuckle.
"What? The last piece?" Sasuke suddenly shouted and in a flash snatched the fish right from Naruto's hand, moving so fast it left Naruto stunned.
"Uh..." Naruto stared blankly as Sasuke, eyes flashing with his Sharingan, sat down and began devouring the fish. Really? Using the Sharingan just to grab a fish?
"All right, all full now. Time to get moving!" Naruto patted his stuffed belly and let out a satisfied burp, standing up.
"Damn it, I'm not full yet," Sasuke grumbled, glaring at Naruto.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" Sasuke suddenly formed hand signs and unleashed a fire jutsu onto a nearby stream, keeping it burning for several minutes.
"Uh… what are you doing?" Naruto looked at him in confusion.
Crackle! Sizzle!
Sasuke grabbed several aromatic fish from the now-boiling water, took a bite, and mumbled, "Let's go…"
"Uh…" Naruto was shocked. "The timing's perfect, but you didn't scale the fish or clean out the guts…"
He shuddered, looking at Sasuke with utter disgust. "Sasuke, that's gross."
"This is the wild. You have to learn how to survive!" Sasuke said matter-of-factly, holding the 'poached fish' in his hands, chakra swirling gently around them.
"Uh…" Naruto was speechless, left only with a look of defeat.
"Hey Sakura, do you think we're the first ones to arrive at the tower?" Naruto turned to Sakura.
She kicked a nearby log to propel herself forward, casting a sideways glance at Naruto and saying irritably, "How would I know? Seriously, stop asking such childish questions."
"Sakura, you're so mean! You hurt my feelings..." Naruto pouted, looking pitifully at her.
"Gross, Naruto, stop with those creepy looks!" Sakura shivered and quickly distanced herself.
"Is it really that bad? Just joking around…" Naruto said helplessly.
"Kid? What a coincidence, we met again!" A sharp, feminine voice called out, nearly making Naruto topple off the tree he was on.
"Wha… it's you?" Naruto stammered as Anko suddenly appeared right in front of him.
"Why wouldn't it be me?" Anko shot Naruto a glare. "Kid, looks like you still need some serious training…"
"Examiner, what are you doing here…" Sakura jumped beside Naruto, puzzled.
"Have you gotten the Heaven and Earth scroll?" Anko asked Sakura.
"Yes, we have," Sakura nodded.
"Good. I have some business with Naruto. You two go ahead. I'll send Naruto over to the tower later," Anko said to Sakura and Sasuke.
"Oh, okay then. Naruto, give me the Earth scroll," Sakura reached out her hand.
"Naruto, give your teammate the Earth scroll…" Anko's voice softened as she nudged Naruto.
"Alright." Naruto handed the book to Sakura with a sulky face but hesitated before letting go.
"Naruto, let go," Sakura said, confused at how tightly he gripped the book.
"Okay, okay…" Naruto reluctantly loosened his hold, watching Sakura and Sasuke sprint away.
"Kid, now it's just the two of us again," Anko smiled, emphasizing the word 'again.'
"W-what do you want?" Naruto backed up, feeling the hard trunk behind him, no way out.
"What do you think I want?" Anko stepped closer, her voice soft and teasing.
Whoosh!
A flash of cold light, and another kunai appeared in her hand.
"D-don't get any ideas…" Naruto stammered, staring at her close face, panic rising.
"Alright, let's get to the point. Answer me nicely!" She pressed the kunai lightly to his neck, lips parting softly. "Do you know what happened over there?"
"There?" Naruto feigned ignorance.
"You're not being cooperative, kid…"
Swish!
The cold kunai suddenly cut a shallow line across Naruto's cheek.
"Uh… see… you're bleeding again…" Anko leaned in, her lips brushing Naruto's ear. "I just received a message from the Hokage. The massive destruction over there… it was you. I just can't believe how strong you've gotten, kid. So I came to check for myself."
"Alright, I admit it was me," Naruto sighed weakly.
"Good, that's more like it. So where's that Orochimaru bastard?" Anko's voice stayed gentle but the kunai kept tracing his face.
"He's gone…" Naruto hesitated. "Why should I tell you?"
Swish! Crack! Crack!
Before he finished speaking, countless branches fell from the tree above, binding Anko tightly.
"Wood Style?" Anko was shocked. "Isn't that a technique only the First Hokage with the Kekkei Genkai can use? How could this kid possibly, ?"
"Heh, surprised?" Naruto snatched the kunai from her hand with a sly grin.
"Either explode in silence, or perish in silence."
That was Naruto's truth.
"What… what are you planning?" Anko's confident tone faltered as she watched Naruto toy with the kunai.
"Heh, the tides have turned…"
Naruto reached out and touched Anko's smooth, resilient cheek. "Now, it's my turn to do something to you…
⚔────────
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Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
Naruto: Wandering with Beauties – 38 advanced chapters!
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