Chapter 46: Limits & Understanding
Leaving the Hyuga compound, Naruto felt a weight lift. Seeing that Hinata, while injured, was safe and resting eased his mind.
The sky was fully dark now, a few sparse stars punctuating the velvet black. He walked aimlessly under the glow of street lamps, his thoughts drifting.
The taverns lining the street buzzed with life, and the savory aromas from various food stalls wafted through the air. Suddenly, his own stomach growled in protest.
Just then, a clear, lively voice called out from a nearby shop. "Hey! Naruto! What are you doing out here all alone?"
He turned to see Anko, sitting at a counter in a dango shop, a skewer in her mouth, waving him over with a grin.
Naruto paused, then walked over with a chuckle. "Anko-sensei. Fancy meeting you here."
Anko patted the stool beside her. "Naruto, it's late. Why the solitary stroll?"
"Just had some errands. Was heading back to sleep, actually."
"Oh? Well, since you're here, have a bite with me!" Anko handed him a fresh skewer of dango, her enthusiasm uncontainable.
"Thanks." Naruto accepted without ceremony, took a bite, and smiled. "Not bad at all. I was just getting hungry."
"Great! Boss! A few more plates over here!" Anko immediately called out, ordering several more servings with various fillings.
Naruto laughed. "That's a lot. I'm not paying if I can't finish it!"
"Don't worry about it! My treat!"
After polishing off a few skewers, the edge of his hunger gone, Naruto looked up. "Oh, by the way, how's your injury?" His eyes unconsciously flicked toward the bandaged area visible at her collar.
"Patched up. All good. You're a thoughtful one, aren't you?" Anko blinked, then laughed. Her youthful, round face was oddly charming, Naruto noted.
They chatted as they ate, time slipping by. Before they knew it, it was past midnight, and the shop had mostly emptied.
Both Naruto and Anko were pleasantly full.
"Oof, I'm stuffed!" Just as they were about to get up and leave, Anko suddenly groaned, clutching her stomach. She swayed, almost tipping off her stool.
Naruto, sitting right beside her, instinctively shot out a hand to steady her by the waist. But then Anko slumped her whole weight against his shoulder, pressing into him. A distinctly feminine, sweet scent enveloped him.
At the same time, Anko's face, smelling faintly of sweet dango, leaned playfully close to his. "Little Naruto~ You have to help your big sister out~ I ate so much I can't even walk!" she cooed.
Whether it was the scent of the dessert or her own, the warm breath against his cheek sent an immediate, flustered heat through him.
Seeing his obvious discomfort, Anko suddenly pulled back and burst out laughing. "Little Naruto, you're so cute when you're flustered! I was just teasing you!"
Whew. Naruto let out a mental sigh of relief, a fine sweat on his brow. That had been dangerous. When Anko leaned on him, the unmistakable, soft, weighty pressure of her generous chest against his arm had very nearly triggered a primal, embarrassing reaction. Thankfully, she'd stopped.
He really didn't know how to handle this unpredictable woman. He forced a flat tone. "Actually, I wouldn't mind. Need me to walk you home?"
"Pfft! As if I'm really that full!" Anko stood up, patting his shoulder. "Don't look so serious, Naruto. Be honest, did you have any naughty thoughts just now?" she asked, her eyes glinting with mischief.
This grown woman was far too playful. Naruto could only offer a helpless smile. "Since you're fine, I'll head back. Thanks for the food." Without waiting for another retort, he turned and left.
"Eh? Why so fast? I won't bite!" Anko called after him.
But by the time she stepped outside, the street was empty. Naruto was long gone.
"Hmph! Running away? Just you wait till next time!" she muttered, then a sly, intrigued smile spread across her face. "That kid… he's pretty interesting."
Back home, thoroughly drained by the long day, Naruto collapsed onto his bed and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, he rose early, intent on training.
His Rasengan was now solid. Combat skill and experience took time he didn't have. To face Orochimaru, he needed a more powerful weapon. Perhaps it was time to pursue the next step: chakra nature transformation for the Rasengan.
Just as he was about to head out, a knock came at his door. He opened it to find a familiar, coolly beautiful face.
"Sasuke?" He was slightly surprised. What brought her here?
"Naruto. I came to train with you," Sasuke stated flatly, though Naruto caught a flicker of something uncharacteristically uncertain in her expression. He hid a smile. So even she can soften up. She must want something.
"Alright. I was just heading out to train myself," Naruto agreed without hesitation.
A hint of satisfaction, quickly masked, flashed in Sasuke's eyes. The two of them made their way to one of Konoha's training grounds in a companionable, if quiet, tandem.
There, they began as if resuming a routine. Naruto created several shadow clones, each working to imbue the Rasengan with Wind Nature transformation. Sasuke, watching him, formed several clones of her own and began her own drills.
Naruto's brow furrowed slightly. So she picked up on my training method yesterday and wants to try it. He knew, however, that this method was uniquely suited to someone with his abnormal chakra reserves and resilient mind.
The training ground filled with the sounds of exertion—the crackle of Lightning and flicker of Fire from Sasuke's clones, the howling whirlwinds from Naruto's.
Time flowed unnoticed. Naruto was beginning to make headway. Having already mastered Wind Release, the process of fusing it with the Rasengan's form was a matter of meticulous control and experimentation. He could feel a shift beginning, a new potential stirring within the technique.
His moment of private triumph was cut short by a pained gasp from Sasuke's side. All her shadow clones dissolved into puffs of white smoke simultaneously, and her main body swayed, knees buckling.
Naruto was beside her in an instant, catching her as she fell. She leaned limply against him, her face pale with exhaustion.
"Naruto… what's… wrong? I'm so tired…" Sasuke murmured, still confused, nestled weakly in his arms.
Naruto shook his head with a wry smile. "Sasuke, this method… it's not for you. Your mind is under too much strain. It's a wonder you're even conscious."