Shikamaru carried Kurenai back to the ship while Shino helped a disheveled Kiba onboard, Akamaru snugly nestled in Kiba's arms.
"Kurenai-sensei! What should we do with these people?" Hinata asked as she looked at the unconscious enemies, showing no signs of jealousy even though Shikamaru was holding Kurenai close.
"Let them stay unconscious for now. I need to change first…" Kurenai replied with a faint blush, finally pulling herself away from Shikamaru's arms, having recovered some of her strength.
"I'll take care of the technique for you, Kurenai-sensei." Shikamaru said as he followed her. Without releasing the shadow cloak, Kurenai couldn't even remove her tattered clothes.
"Hinata-sama, was that man your companion?" Princess Koyuki asked as she watched Shikamaru walk away, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Yes, he's Shikamaru Nara of Konoha, also known as 'Shadow Seven,'" Hinata answered.
"Shadow Seven?!" Koyuki exclaimed. She'd heard of Shikamaru's feats while living in the Land of Fire but hadn't expected him to be so young.
"Ahem… He's also Hinata-sama's fiancé." Kiba teased with a smirk.
"Ah~" Hinata's face turned bright red as she shyly lowered her head, a happy expression nonetheless evident.
"Really? And what about the woman he was carrying just now? Aren't you jealous?" Koyuki pressed on.
Hinata hesitated, unable to find the words, but Kiba jumped in, recounting Shikamaru's reputation with a tinge of envy in his tone.
Meanwhile, inside the cabin, Kurenai turned to Shikamaru and said in a small voice, "Shikamaru, can you undo the technique now?" Her heart was pounding as she berated him internally for using a technique that required physical contact to release.
"Sure." Shikamaru replied with a mischievous grin, touching her hand as he prepared to release the shadow cloak.
"Wait!" Kurenai interrupted. "Close your eyes first, Shikamaru…"
"Of course, Kurenai-sensei." Shikamaru replied dutifully, though he had no intention of actually closing his eyes.
"Shadow Technique: Shadow Cloak Release!"
As the technique ended, the shadows on Kurenai's body retreated into Shikamaru's hand, leaving her partially exposed. Unbeknownst to her, Shikamaru's eyes were wide open, greedily taking in the sight before him.
With a soft rustle, Kurenai's tattered clothes fell to the floor, leaving her vulnerable. Feeling a chill, she instinctively looked at Shikamaru. Seeing his eyes shut tight, she sighed in relief and quickly dressed.
Shikamaru kept his gaze fixed on her until she finished dressing. Her figure was flawless, and he struggled to maintain his composure.
"Kurenai-sensei, shall we go?" Shikamaru asked once she was fully clothed, though his voice betrayed his suppressed excitement.
"Okay." Kurenai replied, following him out. But as she took a step, she froze. How had Shikamaru known she'd finished dressing? Her face flushed as realization dawned on her. Still, pretending nothing had happened, she resumed walking.
Outside the cabin, Kurenai dispelled the genjutsu placed on the others, waking them from their slumber. Sandaime and his crew awoke, utterly confused about what had transpired.
"Shikamaru-sama." Koyuki suddenly addressed him, stepping forward.
"Hmm? What is it, Miss Koyuki?" Shikamaru replied, intrigued by her approach.
"May I speak with you in private?" she asked hesitantly, her tone pleading.
"Of course. Where would you like to talk?" Shikamaru agreed, eyeing her curiously.
"In my cabin." Koyuki said, her cheeks slightly red as she led the way.
"Hinata, I'll talk to you later." Shikamaru said apologetically.
"Okay, go ahead." Hinata replied with a smile.
Following Koyuki to her room, Shikamaru entered as she shut the door behind them. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him with a determined expression.
"Shikamaru-sama, I have a request. Will you accept it?"
Seeing her resolute yet angry eyes, Shikamaru immediately guessed her intent. "What's the mission?" he asked.
"I want you to eliminate the daimyo of the Land of Snow, Doto Kazahana!" Koyuki declared, her voice unwavering as she gazed at him with hope.
Feigning surprise, Shikamaru replied, "That's a high-level mission. Can you afford the fee, Miss Koyuki?"
"You mean…you can defeat Doto?" Koyuki pressed, seeking confirmation of his ability.
"Of course. But that depends on the payment." Shikamaru replied with a smile.
"All my savings." Koyuki said without hesitation, thinking of the man who killed her father. When she realized it might not be enough, she looked up at him, her resolve unwavering. "And myself…"
"Oh?" Shikamaru's interest piqued at her bold declaration. He hadn't expected her to go this far.
"Are you certain?" he asked, his gaze openly appraising her.
Without answering, Koyuki began unfastening her clothes, her hands trembling.
"Don't be afraid, Koyuki… As long as he agrees, your revenge will succeed…" she told herself, steeling her nerves. Though her body quivered, she quickly disrobed, her face burning red as she awaited Shikamaru's next move.
Shikamaru, overwhelmed by her beauty, succumbed to his desires. Drawing her closer, he murmured, "You've made your choice. There's no turning back now…"
And with that, he pulled her into his arms.
⚔────────
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The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
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