Water Mountain Gate
Ever since Naruto entered Water Mountain Gate, he had not seen a single man.
Along the entire path, all he saw were girls.
And whenever these girls saw him, they would cover their mouths, giggle softly, and look at him with playful smiles.
Some even hid their faces shyly.
Naruto was completely confused.
What was going on?
Did he have something on his face?
Or was there something wrong with his clothes?
Natsuki Tategen led Naruto straight to the top of the mountain.
At the summit stood a magnificent palace.
It was Natsuki's residence.
"Come on, Naruto."
"From today on, this will be your place to live."
Naruto froze slightly.
He glanced at the palace.
It felt strangely familiar.
Yes.
It was almost exactly like the palace of Fire Mountain Gate's master.
The only difference was—
That one had fire patterns.
This one had water patterns.
Wait…
Wasn't this supposed to be where the sect master lived?
Could he really live here?
Before Naruto could ask, Natsuki spoke again.
"Go, Naruto."
"The firewood in the woodshed is almost gone."
"Go down the mountain and chop some."
"Then boil water and prepare the bath in the room next door."
After saying that, she leaped lightly and flew into the palace.
Naruto stood there, stunned.
What?
I just arrived, and now I'm a servant?
But after thinking for a moment, he sighed.
Forget it.
If you want someone to teach you seriously, you have to pay something in return.
So Naruto obediently followed her instructions.
He chopped firewood.
Carried water.
Boiled it.
Prepared the bath.
After finishing everything, he stood outside and called out nervously.
"Master… Master…"
"Y-You can come take a bath now…"
He felt extremely embarrassed.
After all, asking a woman to bathe…
It felt awkward.
Natsuki walked out slowly.
She looked at him with a meaningful smile.
"What did you just call me?"
Naruto quickly cupped his hands.
"Master!"
Natsuki chuckled.
She exhaled a ring of smoke.
"You don't have to be so formal."
"When no one else is around, just call me 'Sister.'"
As she spoke, she floated past Naruto.
Her silk robes brushed against his arm.
A faint fragrance lingered.
Naruto froze.
Sister…?
What was this master doing?
Why was she asking him to call her that?
"Come here."
Naruto turned around.
"Master… what do I do?"
"Of course you still have work."
"Come on."
With no other choice, Naruto followed her into the bathroom.
"Help me bathe."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"No! No, no, no!"
"Master, that's not appropriate!"
"I'm a boy!"
"I'll wait outside!"
He turned around and tried to leave.
Then—
Natsuki's voice stopped him.
"Don't you want to learn my secret techniques?"
Naruto froze.
He turned back awkwardly.
"Master… it's really inconvenient…"
"There's nothing inconvenient."
"Come and help."
Natsuki placed her pipe aside and stepped into the tub.
She leaned back comfortably.
Naruto wiped cold sweat from his forehead.
At least she was still wearing clothes.
That was… acceptable.
"Come on."
"Massage my shoulders."
Her voice sounded again.
Naruto walked over stiffly.
His face was red.
Natsuki deliberately teased him.
She leaned slightly closer.
Naruto's face turned completely crimson.
He shut his eyes tightly.
He looked like he was ready to sacrifice himself.
Natsuki burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Little brother, you're really funny."
"Alright, alright."
"You can go."
Naruto rushed out like he was escaping.
It was too dangerous.
This place was not fit for humans.
Days at Water Mountain Gate
Night fell quietly.
That day, Naruto had chopped wood, boiled water, and served Natsuki all day.
He was completely exhausted.
He stayed in a well-decorated room beside the palace.
After putting down his sword, he slept deeply.
The next day.
Natsuki took Naruto around Water Mountain Gate.
They wandered everywhere.
Naruto followed behind like a little attendant.
He carried things.
Ran errands.
Served tea.
He never complained.
Only then did he realize—
Water Mountain Gate only accepted female disciples.
No men.
Not a single one.
What a sin!
Days passed.
Half a month went by.
For half a month, Naruto either worked, got teased by Natsuki, or was surrounded by senior sisters.
"Junior Brother Naruto, come here!"
"Help me massage my shoulder!"
"Junior Brother Naruto, my ankle hurts!"
"Carry me back!"
"Junior Brother Naruto…"
"Junior Brother Naruto…"
Naruto was going crazy.
He was a married man at heart!
He definitely didn't want to live among flowers!
This couldn't continue.
So he went to find Natsuki.
Confrontation
Natsuki was lying on a lounge chair at the summit.
She was smoking calmly.
Seeing Naruto approach, she raised her eyebrows.
"What is it?"
Naruto's courage instantly disappeared.
"Well… Master…"
"I can't go on like this."
"I came here to cultivate."
"But in half a month, I haven't learned anything!"
Natsuki exhaled smoke.
She smiled.
"Naruto."
"Do you know why everyone here is a woman?"
Naruto shook his head.
"No."
"Because water is gentle."
"Like tenderness itself."
"You are a man."
"Bringing you here already breaks the rules."
"Plus, you practiced Fire Release before."
"Your fire chakra is very strong."
"That's why I didn't teach you immediately."
"I wanted you to experience water first."
She stood up.
Walked in front of Naruto.
Looked straight into his eyes.
"Now tell me."
"Do you feel the meaning of water?"
Naruto subconsciously looked away.
Natsuki laughed.
"See?"
"I just looked at you, and you couldn't hold it."
"My disciples are weaker than me."
"But you still can't deal with them easily."
"How can you learn Water Release like this?"
Naruto suddenly understood.
So that was it.
"I understand, Master."
"I'll try."
Another Half Month
Another half month passed.
This time, Naruto truly adapted.
He helped his senior sisters.
Listened to their thoughts.
Understood their emotions.
Gradually, he became popular.
He learned how women thought.
How they felt.
How they reacted.
Slowly, he began to understand Hinata's past feelings.
"Hina… I'm sorry…"
Naruto sighed quietly.
So that was how she felt back then.
When Natsuki saw his change, she finally nodded in satisfaction.
True Teaching
One day, Natsuki summoned Naruto.
"From today on."
"I'll officially teach you Water Release."
Naruto was overjoyed.
He bowed deeply.
"Yes, Master!"
Natsuki tossed him a book.
It contained complete Water Release techniques.
After catching it, Naruto smiled.
"Master, I've already practiced this."
Natsuki was stunned.
"How?"
Naruto chuckled.
"My senior sisters taught me."
Natsuki looked at him playfully.
Then she tapped him lightly with her pipe.
"…Good boy."