Chapter 408: Nadeshiko Village
"That's how it happened... I'm truly sorry! I never thought they'd actually take it seriously! And remember it for so many years!"
At the dining table, Jiraiya—beaten into a mass of bumps by Kushina and sporting a swollen, bruised pig-head face—pressed his forehead heavily against the table surface, his tone carrying several parts of disbelieving grievance.
Naruto rubbed his forehead. He'd almost forgotten about this matter.
The story traced back to when Jiraiya traveled the ninja world in his youth. He'd heard of a place called Nadeshiko Village where the entire village from the village head to the ninja, from civilians to merchants, were all female without exception.
This "Land of Women"-like setup was simply paradise for gathering material (peeping) for Jiraiya at that time. He'd excitedly snuck over, only—
To be caught red-handed.
What was even more ridiculous was that after he escaped, he was actually taken a liking to by a kunoichi from Nadeshiko Village at that time.
So the question arose: how did a village without males reproduce?
The answer was simple and brutal—defeat the man you fancied, use force to compel him to marry in.
Jiraiya and that kunoichi fought for several days and nights straight without determining a victor. Finally both sides compromised and reached an agreement.
This unfinished contest would be completed by their respective disciples.
After hearing this, Satsuki completely froze.
Those black eyes currently held no light at all, like two bottomless cold pools. The gaze she directed at Jiraiya was already no different from looking at a corpse.
"Defeat Naruto... and you can forcibly make him marry in?"
"How nice... I want that kind of authority too." She slowly raised her head, the corners of her mouth even hooking into an extremely faint curve.
"But before that—I need to clean up the obstructive garbage first. As long as I kill them, that agreement won't count anymore, right?"
Jiraiya's entire body stiffened. "Wh-what?! Wait, killing them would be a bit too..."
"You shut up!!!"
Kushina's roar and fist arrived simultaneously, one punch hammering Jiraiya back onto the table surface with a dull thud. She currently had only one thing on her mind—her son's relationship!
Satsuki and Naruto had already consummated their marriage! The wedding was right before them! At this critical juncture, this old lecher's romantic debt from decades ago suddenly popped up to cause trouble?!
Of course, Kushina was angry for another reason too. The agreement and betrothal inherited by disciples? Jiraiya's other disciple was her husband!
"That... can it be declined?"
Naruto spoke, his tone fairly calm. "Talk it out with them properly. If they absolutely must fight, I'll oblige, but don't blow things up."
He didn't want Satsuki upset, much less complications. The simplest method was to win, use strength to make Nadeshiko Village give up.
But Jiraiya's voice grew increasingly hollow. "Uh... sorry Naruto... they seem to be... afraid I'll go back on my word..."
"...You can't be serious."
The aura emanating from Satsuki's surroundings dropped the entire room's temperature several more degrees.
"Look! This is it!"
Kushina furiously pulled a crumpled flyer from her bosom, slapping it on the table with a smack. "They've even picked the venue! Damn it... if only I could participate, I'd definitely teach them a lesson! Win the fight and forcibly make him marry in? Why didn't I encounter such a good deal?!"
Jiraiya muttered quietly. "Uh... if you didn't use the Nine-Tails' power, you probably couldn't beat Minato either..."
"Nobody thinks you're mute if you don't talk!!!" Another heavy punch fell.
Everyone's gaze focused on that flyer. It wasn't an ordinary notice at all, but a carefully designed promotional poster—
[The Ninja World's Attention! Battle of Succession!]
[Fifth Hokage's Disciple - Uzumaki Naruto VS Current Nadeshiko Village Princess - Nadeshiko Shizuka!]
[The Victor Writes the Future, the Defeated Fulfills the Oath!]
[Location: Konoha Village Training Grounds | Time: Today | "The result of this battle will determine Nadeshiko Village's next 'father' candidate."]
---
"I've finally met you, Jiraiya-sama."
In the room, a capable female ninja around Kushina's age but appearing older bowed slightly. She was Nadeshiko Shizuka's attendant.
At her side sat a young woman wearing a plain white robe with a cool expression—the current Nadeshiko Village heir, Nadeshiko Shizuka. Her eyelids lowered slightly, showing no reaction to the others' arrival.
But somehow, both the attendant and Shizuka felt their spines turn cold simultaneously—the room's temperature seemed to plummet abruptly.
"This person... must be the rumored disciple of Jiraiya-sama, Uzumaki Naruto." The attendant's gaze fell on Naruto. "I believe you've already learned our purpose in coming from Jiraiya-sama—a serious duel with Shizuka-sama, wagering a marriage contract..."
"Stop!"
Naruto raised his hand interrupting, brow furrowed tight.
"That... since you know Jiraiya-sensei is my master, you should also be clear about my situation, right? I absolutely cannot acknowledge this kind of thing!"
"We're certainly aware!" The attendant's voice suddenly rose, carrying offended anger. "That's precisely why we specially came to Konoha! You're an important groom candidate for us—this was decided decades ago! Much earlier than your so-called betrothal!"
"So-called betrothal?!"
Kushina slammed the table and shot to her feet, her flame-like red hair practically exploding.
"That was set by us parents! You people who bind others then spread it everywhere have no right to say such things!"
"Spread it everywhere? You've misunderstood—publicizing the duel and selling tickets was done by some 'Ten-Thousand Commerce Association' to make money. We merely went with the flow."
The atmosphere was tense, and the instigator Jiraiya only dared shrink in the corner, not daring to breathe heavily.
"So-called betrothal... groom..."
Satsuki repeated these two words in a low voice, her teeth trembling slightly beyond her control.
Why couldn't she just kill them directly? If it were Naruto... he would definitely understand me.
"But! Given my current situation, I absolutely cannot agree to you!"
Naruto finally couldn't help raising his volume, becoming completely serious. "If it's a duel for other reasons—I'll fight to the end! But something like a marriage contract... I absolutely won't accept! To the person by my side, this would be betrayal!"
"...Wh-what?!"
The attendant's face darkened. "Do you think Shizuka-sama is willing either?!"
"Enough."
The silent Nadeshiko Shizuka finally spoke. "No need for further words. This is my fate—victory or defeat will be decided in the duel."
"Shizuka-sama, please allow me to finish." The attendant sighed, turning toward Naruto and the others. "Perhaps... after hearing the reason, you'll understand why this duel must take place."
She slowly recounted a past event.
Shizuka had once been unwilling to honor some ancestral marriage contract—because her heart already belonged to another.
The other party wasn't a ninja, just a merchant named Sagiri. After gaining permission to enter Nadeshiko Village for business, he and Shizuka met, came to know each other, fell in love.
But he lacked power. This romance was destined not to be acknowledged by the village.
So Sagiri made a firm resolution to change this rule through his own means—to marry Shizuka honorably—but he failed.
He was suddenly attacked and killed. The attacker's identity remained unknown, but many village elders had always been unable to tolerate "the heir falling in love with a powerless man."
"Since then, Shizuka-sama closed off her heart..." The attendant's voice lowered. "She no longer lets anyone approach, only fulfilling her mission—seeking the strong, completing the duel, continuing the village..."
"Wait."
An icy voice abruptly interrupted.
Satsuki raised her head, the depths of her black eyes churning with near-deathly coldness. "You mean..."
She enunciated each word as if confirming something extremely absurd. "This woman's heart contains another man, and just because he died—you came looking for Naruto?"
"Even though she doesn't like Naruto at all... you still want to use 'agreements' and 'tradition' to bind him?"
"...Your way of putting it is truly harsh." The attendant frowned. "But the situation... is roughly so."
What a joke.
Satsuki's fingers dug deeply into her palm. The pain couldn't suppress the raging fury churning in her heart.
Satsuki had given everything to Naruto—her body, her feelings, her future. To prove this love, she could crush and reshape even her clan, hatred, even her very self.
Why... why could this woman act so matter-of-fact, thinking one word "tradition" could take him away?!
Why could she carry a dead man in her heart yet come to taint my sun?!
Why?!
Killing intent surged like magma, breaking through reason's dam. At the edges of Satsuki's eyes, the pitch-black pupils began showing crimson—the Mangekyo Sharingan was about to manifest!
In that very instant—
BOOM—!!!!
A deafening explosion suddenly erupted from outside! Even the ground shook violently!
Jiraiya instantly sprang up, face changing dramatically. "What's happening?! Is someone attacking Konoha?!"
***
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