Malphegor
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IUTT: Ch. 49
🕑 Added 2025-05-12 15:05:21 +0000 UTCAt the Hatake residence., ever since stepping down from the ANBU, Sakumo had felt an unprecedented sense of ease.
No more constant surveillance of that troublesome Shin.
Nearly five years of nonstop surveillance had drained him physically and mentally, so he decided to give himself a long vacation.
On his first day off, he indulged in food and singing, feeling like he'd finally discovered what life should be.
On the second day, he was sipping tea and listening to music, thinking this was what life should be like.
On the third day, he strolled leisurely around Konoha, looking around with a childlike curiosity.
When he reached a certain district, and ensured no one was watching, he slipped into a bookstore and expertly made his way to a very hidden corner. He looked around carefully. Seeing no one nearby, he cautiously picked up a copy of "The Secret of the Kunoichi" and began reading with great interest.
As expected from that author, it still had that same charm from back in the day. The plot, the descriptions… it was downright addictive.
Yes. A great book. Brilliant.
Wait, they can do that?
An entire afternoon slipped by like that. As the sun dipped in the west and the shopkeeper turned on the lights, Sakumo suddenly snapped back to reality.
Panicking, he shoved the book back on the shelf and turned to rush out. But after just a few steps, he froze, his face twisted as if he were constipated.
Why am I worried? I don't need to watch that kid anymore. I'm free now!
He took a few more steps, but then stopped again. Seeing that no one was around, he turned his head back toward that shelf.
The Secret of the Kunoichi...
Why can't I stop thinking about it? Like an itch I can't scratch... Wait... am I being inappropriate?
No, that book's just that captivating. Besides, books are made to be read, right?
I'm simply appreciating literature. Nothing wrong with that.
Seeing no one was paying attention to him, Sakumo briefly considered using the Transformation Jutsu, but a quick mental calculation stopped him. Using chakra for something so trivial seemed unnecessary, especially when he was officially off-duty. Besides, a transformation might trigger the bookstore's security seals, designed to detect ninja techniques after several incidents of theft.
Instead, he settled for pulling his coat collar higher until it covered most of his face. Then, with feigned casualness, he walked back to the bookshelf and retrieved the book he'd only finished a quarter of.
Glancing over the other books on the shelf, he nodded in satisfaction. So many new titles in recent years… it looked like the shinobi world still has some talented folks. The authors were working hard.
No need to rush, I'll tackle them all one by one.
Humming a tune, he made his way to the checkout counter and handed the book to the young lady cashier. When she saw the title, her face instantly turned red. Then she took another look at Sakumo.
And that's when it hit her, that familiar face cover, that familiar aura... isn't this one of our old regulars? The one who always refuses a receipt?
It had been so long with no sign of him, she'd thought something bad might have happened.
But here he was, alive and well!
"You're..."
"I'm not!" Sakumo immediately denied it.
Confirmed. It's really him.
"Sorry, I must've mistaken you for someone else."
Once he left the bookstore, Sakumo let out a deep breath.
On the fourth day, he lounged in bed, swimming joyfully in a sea of literature, occasionally letting out pervy little giggles at the good parts.
Day five...
Day six...
Day fifteen...
At first, life had been great and carefree. But as the days passed, he could no longer sit still.
Shin had promised to introduce him to Nao.
And what happened?
He'd waited a full half a month, and Shin had vanished without a trace.
Of course, on the surface, the two had always acted like they didn't get along. Shin had even warned Sakumo not to come looking for him. He also said that when the time was right, he'd show up and ensure Sakumo's happiness for the rest of his life.
Perhaps something urgent had come up?
Fine. I'll give him one more chance.
Day sixteen...
Day twenty-one...
Day twenty-five...
Day thirty...
This is absolutely unacceptable!
He was losing his mind.
Thirty days. Thirty full days of waiting. Did Shin have any idea what this was doing to him?
No, it was time to find that kid!
It had been so many days, even if he had something big going on, it should be over by now, right?
Or he probably never intended to keep his promise!
Yeah, that was it, time to find him!
...But what if he genuinely had important matters to attend to?
What if confronting him makes things worse, and he refuses to help me altogether...
What am I thinking?
If I keep hesitating, someone else might win Nao's heart!
I'm going. Now. No more delays!
---
The next day, at Konoha Hospital, Tsunade sprang up the moment she heard the nurse's urgent report, grabbing a medical kit and rushing straight into the operating room.
"What? A critically injured patient?"
When she saw Sakumo's left arm twisted like a pretzel, she was stunned. She knew exactly how powerful he was, so how could he be this badly injured within the village? Who the hell did this to him?
But now wasn't the time for questions. As she directed the nurses to hand her the necessary tools one by one, she started treatment immediately.
Luckily, though the injury was severe, treatment had been timely. It was just that the bones had been fractured in several places. Once set properly, he would only need some rest to make a full recovery.
"Who did this to you?" Tsunade finally breathed a sigh of relief and asked curiously.
Seeing Sakumo hesitate, looking like he wanted to speak but couldn't, Tsunade nodded and told the others, "You all leave us."
After the last nurse exited and closed the door, Sakumo immediately sat up. With a look of grievance that bordered on tears, he cried, Tsunade, you have to help me!"
"What do you mean?"
"I injured my hand on purpose."
"..."
"But I really had no choice. By the way, Nao. She hasn't started dating anyone this past month, has she?"
Tsunade's expression became incredibly strange. But seeing how anxious Sakumo looked, she shook her head and replied, "No. I've transferred her to assist me directly. She's been really busy, no time for dating."
"That's a relief!" The massive weight in Sakumo's heart finally lifted, and his entire demeanor changed.
"...?" Tsunade, still confused, was about to speak again but Sakumo raised a hand to stop her.
"Where's Shin?"
Now that his anxiety was gone, anger surged in its place. Sakumo's eyes looked practically murderous.
"With that look on your face, I'm not sure if I should tell you anything." Tsunade was baffled.
She remembered that Sakumo and Shin were supposed to be on decent terms. But now he looked like he wouldn't rest until the guy was dead. What was going on?
Could Shin have schemed something against Sakumo again, and gotten caught? But then again, earlier he rushed in here asking about Nao, could it be...?
"Earlier you mentioned Nao..." she probed instead of answering directly.
"Yes! Nao!" Sakumo instantly switched expressions again. "Shin promised a month ago he'd introduce us! I waited and waited for an entire month, and he never showed up! Where is he?! I need to have a serious talk with him!"
Tsunade could only cover her face in exasperation.
"Shin has been occupied with important matters this month, but I'll fulfill his promise on his behalf."
"Really?" A dazzling gleam flashed in Sakumo's eyes, as if he was about to teleport instantly using the Flying Thunder God Technique to get to Nao.
Nao, I'm on my way!
Wait, compose yourself!
"The Secret of the Kunoichi" said that when a girl found out someone liked her, she might feel joy, but that didn't mean she accepted him right away. She would keep evaluating his personality, character, and capabilities.
And in "The Tale of Exotic Bath", it also said that when pursuing a girl, you must not give her too much pressure or burden. What you thought was kindness might make her want to avoid you.
So...
First, make a memorable impression.
Then, engage her emotions, create interest.
Next, maintain some distance, build anticipation.
Finally, express sincere devotion, winning her heart.
---
At a relatively upscale teahouse in Konoha, Sakumo and Nao sat facing each other.
Sakumo's face was flushed. Beneath the table, his hands were clenched tightly, his head lowered so much he could barely look at Nao.
Every time he stole a glance at her face, his heart would tremble, then he'd panic and immediately look down, as if he'd done something terribly wrong.
"Um..." Nao's gentle voice suddenly broke the silence. "Aren't you going to drink your tea?"
"Yes... of course..." Sakumo scrambled to grab his teacup, but in his nervousness, he knocked it over. The tea spilled straight toward Nao.
She wasn't a ninja, just a nurse, so her reaction speed wasn't fast enough. Her white long dress was quickly soaked with tea, and she frowned deeply. This dress had cost her a lot of savings, and she hadn't even worn it before today. She only wore it today because Tsunade said she was introducing her to someone.
At first glance, her impression of Sakumo was actually quite good. He appeared well-groomed, and handsome.
But after spending a bit of time together, he completely messed it up. He was trembling the whole time, and could barely say a complete sentence.
Was she really that scary?
Nao felt misunderstood.
She had no idea that ever since she started working at Konoha Hospital, Sakumo had been watching her from afar, silently admiring her. Now that he finally had the chance to sit across from her, he could barely control himself.
Unfortunately, his behavior completely ruined her impression of him. If it hadn't been Tsunade who introduced him, she might've left right away.
Another thirty minutes passed in awkward silence, and Nao finally couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and said politely, "Sakumo-senpai, it's getting late, I should head home now."
She called him "senpai" because that was how Tsunade addressed him and told her to as well, saying it would help them grow closer.
But she felt it only made things more awkward.
"You're... leaving?" Sakumo finally lifted his head, his voice trembling.
It finally hit him, and he felt deeply frustrated.
It's over. I've ruined everything.
What happened to me? Where was the composure I maintain during missions? The confidence I carry into battle?
It's hopeless!
"I can... walk you home..." he offered hesitantly.
"No need."
To Nao, his uncertain tone made the offer sound like an obligation rather than a genuine desire. Her considerate nature made her reluctant to impose, so she declined immediately.
With a polite smile, she turned and walked away, leaving him behind, dazed and devastated.
"I should accompany her. What if something happens on her way home? I need to ensure her safety."
After a while, Sakumo finally came to his senses, forced himself to come up with an excuse, and chased after her. That night, the wind was especially strong. The awning outside the teahouse flapped noisily, as if mocking him mercilessly.
Seeing Nao's silhouette about 20 meters ahead, he felt like dying.
What just happened?
This is Shin's fault!
If he hadn't disappeared, I wouldn't have been so nervous...
If things don't work out between Nao and me...
Suddenly, Sakumo noticed something ahead and went on high alert.
Seven or eight meters in front of Nao, an old transformer box mounted on a utility pole was swaying violently in the wind, like it could fall at any moment.
As she took a few more steps, the box made a loud cracking sound, and broke free from the pole, falling straight toward her.
Sakumo's heart nearly stopped. In a flash, he vanished.
The next moment, Nao found herself five meters from her previous position, held securely in Sakumo's arms.
Startled and confused, Nao initially tried to push away.
But then—boom!—a heavy crash behind them startled her. She turned quickly to see a one-meter-tall metal transformer box right where she had just been standing.
Her body broke into a cold sweat.
If that had hit her, she might've gone straight to the Pure Land.
"Um..." Seeing Sakumo still holding her, her face turned beet red. She whispered in a voice only she could hear, "Could you... put me down?"
"Ah? Oh!" Sakumo suddenly realized he'd been frozen with excitement from holding his goddess in his arms. He hurriedly put her down.
The wind blew away the clouds, revealing a starry moonlit sky. Beneath the utility pole, both of them had cheeks too red to look at each other properly.
Thankfully, it was nighttime, the lighting dim, and few people were around, helping them both feel slightly less embarrassed.
After a while, Nao bit her lip, seeming to make up her mind. She whispered, "I think the breeze tonight feels really nice. I don't want to go home just yet. Would you tell me more about yourself?"
