Chapter 197: The Lotus of Konoha Shall Bloom Again [Continuation] (Patreon)

Chapter List: Naruto: Sakura Blizzard

XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX

"Fine, let's sign it, and I was afraid you might back out!"

Taking the contract from Sakura, Temari scrutinized it carefully. Finding no traps, she signed her name with a decisive stroke, even adding a handprint for good measure.

"Good, prepare yourself to obediently become a bride in Konoha!" Sakura's eyes squinted into slits from her wide smile. She dashed to the spectators' area, approaching Shikaku Nara with the contract in hand. "Uncle Shikaku, I have a question. Would you mind if Shikamaru's future wife is older than him?"

"Why this sudden question?"

Stroking his goatee, Shikaku chuckled, "I know Shikamaru's temperament well. Finding someone willing to marry him is already quite a feat. As for age, it's not an issue as long as the gap isn't too large. As long as he's happy, Yoshino and I won't interfere much with his personal matters!"

"That's good to hear!" Sakura, satisfied with the response, handed over the contract. "Here, Uncle Shikaku, I've tricked a bride for Shikamaru. She's the biological daughter of the Fourth Kazekage from the Hidden Sand Village and the older sister of the future Fifth Kazekage. She's just a couple of years older than Shikamaru!"

"How did you manage to deceive her into signing this?" Shikaku glanced at the contract, his eyes nearly popping out. Knowing Sakura, she wouldn't engage in something uncertain, which meant she was confident about this bet. But he couldn't quite grasp what trick Sakura had used to get someone named Temari to sign.

"Just some chatting, and her overconfidence in that Hayate guy down there. She believed she couldn't lose. Then I proposed this wager, and she accepted!" Sakura recalled, then added, "You should probably thank Lee and Uncle Guy. Without their deceptive appearances, I doubt Temari would've been so confident." [XD]

"Are you sure she'll honor the contract?" Shikaku inquired, then added hesitantly, "Also, Shikamaru doesn't quite match up to her, does he?"

"..." Is Shikamaru really your son?! Sakura wanted to ask but considering their similar looks and personalities, she dismissed the absurd doubt.

"This is merely to create an opportunity for them. Shikamaru's charm will surely captivate Temari!" Holding the contract, Sakura continued, "In the future I witnessed, they have a rather pleasant marital life, with a son named Shikadai Nara."

"Shikadai Nara, huh? Nice name!" Shikaku nodded approvingly, aware of Sakura's unique ability. His look towards Temari changed, thinking his son must cherish this rare interest in him.

"After the match, let's find ways to give them some privacy to foster their feelings," Sakura plotted with Shikaku on creating opportunities for the young couple.

Meanwhile, in the arena, Lee and Hayate were in a tough fight. Both being physical ninjas focusing on speed, they exchanged blows, seemingly matched.

"That hurts..."

After enduring another kick from Lee, Hayate massaged his arm, certain it was bruised. He wondered how this peculiar-looking ninja, so strong and fast, had trained.

"I'm all fired up..." Lee's face showed excitement, his eyes seeming to burn. "This is what youth should be!"

"..." Damn your 'youth'! Hayate cursed internally, fed up with this oddball. Between his strange attire and constant babbling about 'youth,' he was a nuisance.

"Come, let us continue this sweaty battle of youth!"

Lee extended a hand, issuing a flamboyantly cheerful combat invitation.

"I've had enough..." Hayate's forehead veined, his expression fierce. "Stop blabbering, you bizarre, goblin-like creature. I'm sick of this endless fight. Soon, you'll be done for. You're an anomaly, unfit to be a ninja. I recall your weird-looking sensei mentioning you can't do ninjutsu or genjutsu. What right do you have to be a ninja?"

Furious, Hayate intended to provoke Lee, making him emotionally unstable, thus easier to defeat.

"Don't you dare insult Guy-sensei..." Lee's clenched fist behind his back tightened, his voice significantly lowering.

"You admire that goblin-head sensei of yours? What's there to admire? Ugly, bizarre, neurotic!"

Hayate sneered as he noticed Lee's barely contained anger, thinking he had hooked him. The angrier Lee got, the more his ninja abilities would diminish, making it easier for Hayate to win.

"I told you, don't insult Guy-sensei!" Lee's voice simmered with anger, his head lowered, obscuring his expression.

"And what if I do? What can you, a goblin-head, do to me?" Hayate taunted, ready to push Lee over the edge and end this duel quickly.

"You can insult me, but not Guy-sensei..."

Lee slowly bent down, untying the weights around his ankles. "Guy-sensei said these could only be removed when protecting someone important. Now's the time!"

"Oh? So you were weighted. No wonder your kicks were so powerful!" Hayate felt his throbbing arm, understanding now why Lee's kicks hurt so much: the fool had been fighting with leg weights.

[Read at www.patreon.com/bokuboku, without ads and support the work.]

XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX

Next Chapter >>Chapter 198: The Lotus of Konoha Blooms Again [Continued]