After Shizuka finished speaking, Uchiha Hikaru fell silent.
He admitted that when he heard her explanation, it felt outrageous, ridiculous—even absurd.
But considering the reality in front of him and what he remembered from the original timeline, he knew it was true.
In the TV storyline, Shizuka was supposed to have already become entangled with a powerless merchant. According to the traditions of Nadeshiko Village, that man had no chance to be with Shizuka, so he planned to prove his strength. In the end, he failed and died. Before his death, he begged Shizuka to seal away her heart and obey only her master's teachings.
It wasn't until her master, Nadeshiko Teika, approached death that she told Shizuka about the unfinished agreement with Jiraiya many years ago—leading her to find Naruto and fulfill their bet.
But now the situation was different. A rare medicine—a healing potion—had appeared on the black market. Desperate for hope, Shizuka and the elders of Nadeshiko Village accepted a bet with Jiraiya in order to obtain enough leverage to save Teika.
After all, the only reason a small village like Nadeshiko can hold territory in the chaotic ninja world is because their pillar, Nadeshiko Teika, possesses strength comparable to Jiraiya himself.
So it was natural that Shizuka would set out early.
And because she was not deceived by the merchant's promises, she must have trained relentlessly for half a year in preparation for the duel. Only after confirming her strength did she arrive here.
If Naruto had fought Shizuka now, he might not win. Naruto at this stage was reckless with chakra control; he didn't yet understand his true strengths. Unlike the Naruto in the later timeline who mastered wind-release nature transformation and created the forbidden S-rank Rasenshuriken.
Uchiha Hikaru took several seconds to gather his thoughts, then looked at Shizuka—still standing with her head bowed in embarrassment.
"The result of the match is obvious. I won. According to the original agreement, this matter ends here."
Hearing this, Shizuka's expression went blank. Her shoulders slumped, all strength leaving her body.
"…I understand. Sorry for wasting your time."
Turning away, she prepared to leave—desperate to return to her master and search for any other way to acquire Konoha's healing potion.
"Wait. I can help with your master's condition."
Hikaru's voice froze her mid-step.
She turned quickly and stared at him, confused.
"Are you saying… you'll marry me?" Shizuka stepped closer, looking up at him with innocent eyes and a baby-faced expression that most men would crumble under. Her chest rose against her crossed arms—so close that Hikaru felt his heartbeat skip.
For a split second, Hikaru wanted to say yes without hesitation.
But Samui was standing right there. And Shizuka believed he was Jiraiya's disciple; Hikaru was only playing that role.
And Samui knew his real identity.
If he agreed impulsively, wouldn't that be far too reckless?
"That's not what I meant. But you should discuss what comes next with your master."
"As long as negotiations succeed, whether or not the healing potion works, Konoha will assist in treating her condition."
Samui widened her eyes, realizing the significance. She hesitated—should she report this to the Raikage? Hikaru wasn't just talking about helping Shizuka. This was a political bridge between Nadeshiko Village and Konoha.
Shizuka nodded slowly. Yet she still stepped closer, unwilling to drop the subject.
"In that case… you defeated me. According to Nadeshiko tradition, you have the right to marry me. Are you really not going to consider it?"
Hikaru cleared his throat.
"Emm… I already have a family."
"It's fine. The elders say powerful shinobi having multiple partners is normal. I don't mind."
"...We'll talk about that later. Your master comes first. Saving her is the priority."
Only when Hikaru diverted the topic did Shizuka finally stop pressing the issue.
At that moment, Killer Bee and Naruto returned from behind the trees.
"Yo~ Hikaru bro, how'd it go? Did you bag the win?" Killer Bee whistled, teasing with a grin.
Samui answered before Hikaru could speak.
"Lord Killer Bee, Lord Hikaru has urgent matters to address and must leave Turtle Island."
Recognizing her tone, the battle-hardened Bee nodded knowingly.
"In that case, Hikaru—take this lovely lady and go handle your business~ I gotta drag Naruto back to training."
He grabbed Naruto by the collar and walked off.
Naruto thrashed wildly, legs kicking the ground, clawing at the dirt.
"Let me go! I can walk! I'm gonna choke to death, Uncle Bee!"
He twisted back and yelled:
"Hikaru! Don't forget my mom's request!!!"
Hikaru waved casually.
"Don't worry. I won't forget, little brother."
Naruto stopped struggling, shoved his hands in his pockets, and rolled his eyes dramatically at Bee while letting himself be dragged away (￣︿￣).
Only then did Shizuka realize Naruto had been present the entire time. Previously she had been too focused on the bet and the healing potion to notice him.
"Who was that kid? Is he training here?"
"He's the son of Jiraiya's disciple."
"Your son?"
"No. He's my senior brother—the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
Shizuka froze. Even she knew of the legendary Fourth Hokage who turned the tide in the Third Ninja War and later became Hokage. And everyone knew Minato was Jiraiya's disciple.
"…Is that so? I don't know why, but something feels off."
Hikaru: sweating intensifies
"Really? It must be your imagination."
"Yes—just an illusion. Also—please show respect to your master. How can you call her by name?"
"Um… it's a unique custom. It symbolizes equality between master and disciple. We get along… like friends."
"…A very unique tradition."
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