Chapter 6, Yakumo Kurama

He doesn't like this.

He doesn't like this, at all.

He had thought when he accepted Yakumo Kurama's invitation, they would have a normal date. With her picking him up and then spending their time together romantically…

You know, like the romance novel he had read in the past.

And yet… here he is, being tortured by his own assistant before anything can even start.

"How about this, Naruto-sama? These fabrics was imported from the land of the crescent moon and very soft and cool to the touch, I'm pretty sure you won't feel so hot inside the wagon if you wear these"

In the middle of his own chamber, Naruto let out a regretful sigh as he can no longer feel his hands that has been spreading to his left and right for so long.

He is wearing several layers of high-class silk on his body.

And in front of him is Shizune, in her hands, several more kimonos can be seen. Each with its own color and flair that make them unique in its own right.

He has been doing this for several hours, already.

Is this how royalty spend their time? Wearing so many silks so they look better in the eyes of the masses?

Now, now, he wore kimono of course. But as a commoner, the layer of silk he wore is two to three layers at best.

Now?

On his body alone, Naruto already counted twelve layers, and the inner layer is also kinda heavy, weighing him down and making him feel rather uncomfortable.

"Shizune… enough"

Naruto spoke sharply. And after he did, he waste no time disrobing everything and let all the expensive silks he wore fall to the floor, leaving him bare except for the last layer of his inner kimono, which is a simple white and sleeveless kimono that merely reach his thigh.

And after he took a black obi lay on his feet, Naruto tied it to his waist.

Seeing his action and the fact he's only using one layer of kimono, in front of him, Shizune's eyes widen.

"N-N-Naruto-sama, how can you just use one layer of kimono for your date with a Daimyo? It… it might give wrong impression, or are you planning to disrespect Yakumo Kurama from the start?"

Hearing the words said by Shizune, Naruto's eyes held a tint of uncomfortable.

She's not wrong per se…

Formally, even commoners would use three to four layers of kimono before they go out while those from royalty would wear more than twelve layers.

If he wore one layer of kimono on his date with Yakumo Kurama, the new Daimyo might think it as him disrespecting him.

"Uh… guard, send my message to Yakumo-san"

In front of Naruto, one of his guards knelt down in silence, waiting for the message that her master will impart and trust her to send to the new female Daimyo of fire country.

Seeing this, Naruto nodded a little.

"Tell her this…"

-With Yakumo Kurama-

"He said that…?"

Sat on her stage, the new Daimyo held nothing but intrigue in her eyes. Around her, her trusty guards also seem confused after they heard the new message sent by the great Naruto of all people.

"Hai, Daimyo-sama"

"Alright, thank you… you're excused"

Shuffled her sitting position, Yakumo Kurama covered her mouth with her large sleeve regally, in her eyes, a telltale of confusion can be seen.

Naruto Uzumaki…

He sent her a message, telling her that he wants to use nothing but a single layer of silk for his clothing, topped by haori.

It was not a sign of disrespect, he also said. And for proof, he even let her be the one to choose the clothing among her own collection for him to use on their date.

He wants to use her kimono…?

That… that sound so very exciting and positive for her.

Naruto Uzumaki, from the word of the street, the boy was a cold and very calculating person. One who never let anyone get too close to his personal space, more so kunoichi or even normal females that can use chakra for everyday use.

Forget touching him, Naruto won't even touch a cloth touched by any female, no matter how high-class the material is.

The fact he's letting her choose kimono from her collection for him to use… it was more than a positive response for her courting later this night.

It is a sign that she's allowed to enter his personal space.

"I'm still confused… but I'll spend my time to search for some good kimono for Naruto to use for now. Guards, tell anyone who want to see me that I'll not be available for the time being"

"Understood, Daimyo-sama"

Regally, Yakumo Kurama shifted her position and stood. And thus, she walked toward her main chamber with a calm gait with each step.

Her mind though… still reeling from the fact Naruto of all people wants to use her clothing.

It…

It made a smile blossom on her lips and blush to paint her cheeks.

Maybe… just maybe… she will be able to call Naruto as hers later this night. The thought alone is enough to make her fasten her steps a little bit.

There are still several hours before her appointed time for their date to arrive, but she doesn't want to waste every second of it. Not when she will spend several hours of it to apply makeup for herself.

Naruto is a perfect being, he will look better than any man in the world even with nothing but a t-shirt.

But her…? She is a slightly special mortal. But she's still a mortal nonetheless… she must do everything she can to make her body, face, and everything else looks better in front of such a perfect being like Naruto.

For now… let's search for the highest-class kimono she can find in her collection for her future husband to use.

-Hyuga clan compound-

"That doesn't sound good"

Behind a table, a rather young teen said while putting her lithe hand on her chin. In her narrowed eyes, a glint of calculation can be seen as she stares hard at the messenger that gave her the bad news.

The messenger herself looks terrified of the young teen across from her.

"I-I'm sorry that I gave you such bad news, Hanabi-sama. But I assure you that the news is new and just happened few minutes ago, I didn't waste my time before I told you about it"

"… I see, then you're excused"

"T-Thank you so much, Hanabi Hyuga-sama"

The female messenger was quick to flicker off from the room after the young teen told her to go, leaving one still deep in thinking Hyuga behind.

Said Hyuga is tapping the table with a small hint of irritation in her eyes.

"Onee-sama won't like this development"

The girl muttered silently as she activated her famous bloodline to check on her sister, Hinata Hyuga's condition in the forest of death.

The woman is doing fine, so much that she is actually decimating Jonin-level kunoichi left and right without even looking.

Seeing this, Hanabi that taking her big sister's place while said sister fighting in the Naruto exam can only exhale a heavy sigh full of regret.

She cannot do anything to change the situation.

Naruto Uzumaki already made his move. And to any party in the elemental nation, his move is always a checkpoint, you cannot change it no matter what you do.

And yes, he held that much power in the world.

And now he made his move and accept the fire Daimyo's date invitation, all parties can only wait for the conclusion of their date. Sure, anyone could go and make it hard for the new fire Daimyo, but new or not, Daimyo is still a Daimyo, and their power is not to be underestimated.

The ones who could be daring enough to sabotage Yakumo Kurama right now are only the other four great Daimyos.

But with the other four great Daimyos being males and all, they probably won't try such a thing and take a chance of making an enemy out of the new fire Daimyo.

Sadly… it is a check from the Yakumo Kurama's party and will become a checkmate if she somehow succeeds to court Naruto.

The chance for such a thing would be very slim, though.

"Onee-sama… you better take Mikoto-sama place as Naruto-sama right-hand woman, cause if not, you won't be able to do anything to change this situation"

The young teen muttered to herself, byakugan deactivated as she no longer wishes to see the situation of her dearest big sister.

She can handle herself.

First, second, third, and even fourth test, Hinata should be able to handle herself.

The real problem will come in the new test where all succeeding contestants will fight against each other and even the people from Naruto's own guards to get the position of his left and right hands.

It will be a very hard test for Hinata… no matter how strong she is.

-In the forest of death-

Pant

Pant

"This… is crazy"

"Yeah, you could say it again"

Ino and Sakura said to each other while hiding behind a rather large tree, panting very heavily with sweat covering their whole tired body.

Survive.

That's the theme of the first test of the Naruto exam.

For three full days, they and the other contestants must survive the harsh condition of the forest of death while doing their best to sabotage each other.

Trap.

Take all of the edible mushrooms for themselves and leave nothing for the others.

Even attacking while the other party is asleep.

Every plan is plausible and allowed, except for killing blows. A contestant failed the moment they passed out, where the seal on the back of their hand will flare when they did, teleporting them out from the forest and to the hospital almost instantly.

The seal was made by the genius of sealing jutsu, Jiraiya.

"I think we should look for a cave to hide… after all, in no time the sun will set"

Sakura Haruno said calmly, which got her a nod from her best friend, Ino Yamanaka.

Teaming up is not forbidden, it actually means they have a good head on their shoulders and can work with each other in a dangerous situation.

Like the statement above… every single plan is plausible.

"Then I'll check our surrounding, please guard my body as I do so, Sakura"

"I will…"

With that statement from her friend, Ino Yamanaka knelt down and went into her clan pose before she used her clan's famed jutsu.

"…"

And with that, Ino's body fell backward into the tree's stump as her spirit flew off from her body.

.

..

The test is just starting.

-With Naruto-

Once again sitting on the rooftop of his mansion and surrounded by Shizune and his guards, Naruto calmly eats some snacks while marveling at the sight of several explosions that happened in the forest of death.

Those Jonin kunoichi…

They're really going at it, it seems.

Survive.

In the first test, the contestants' every single survival ability will be tested, from their durability, their power, their awareness of danger, and even their knowledge of edible and non-edible plants.

Those who lack even one of them will be most likely to fail.

In this first test alone, more than half contestants probably will fail because they also must eliminate each other so the remaining contestants will have enough plants to eat.

A very effective test, Naruto thought to himself.

He might not like the fact that the previous him was a tyrant in this world, but nonetheless, he cannot disagree that Naruto who made such a test is definitely a genius and knew what he was doing.

And yeah, he also doesn't mind thinking like this because he is also Naruto, so when he complimented previous Naruto, he actually also complimented himself.

Naruto is a genius, he just can't deny that single fact.

"Shizune, can you get my novel? I'd like to write something"

The first of his icha-icha series is yet to complete and still needs around 30% more words or so before he can release it to the world.

Of course, ever since what Shizune did to him when he first wrote the book, Naruto rarely let her or the others read it when he was writing, as no matter how pleasurable it was to get assaulted by such a beautiful woman, he doesn't want them to do so when he was being serious.

It just… feels wrong.

Though maybe it was just his embarrassment talking.

"Naruto-sama… while I have no right to order you around, as your assistant, I heavily suggest you to go to your study room if you want to write. I, for one wouldn't want your heavenly skin to be scorched under the sunlight for too long"

"U-Uh…"

Heavenly skin…? What the hell is that?

And what does Shizune mean by sunlight now? With the time almost afternoon, the sun isn't that high and soon will set. It is cool and calm at the moment, and yet she's afraid to see him sitting for too long under the 'sunlight'?

But still…

A small and cute smile blossomed on Naruto's lips as his cheeks painted pink, feeling happy and warm at her worries for his wellbeing.

The women in this world might worry after him too much and coddle after him like no other. But in the end, he won't be angry…

He is… happy.

"O-Okay then Shizune. Though would you mind making me a cup of tea? The cup you made last time is really nice"

"Of course, Naruto-sama. If that's what you wish for"

Popped a few of his bones nicely, Naruto stood from his previous position, eyes staring at the forest of death for several more minutes before, in the end, he nodded to himself and turn around.

He is not a ninja.

Why?

Even his biography didn't tell him anything.

For all intent, this world Naruto did graduate from the ninja academy with ease… and yet…

Naruto doesn't have an answer to his question. Nonetheless, he needs to do this one step at a time. Ninja or not, he is currently someone sitting in a very high position, his every movement and action would've their consequence if he's not being careful enough.

He doesn't want to know about what happened to the previous fire Daimyo and his family… not at all.

"Naruto-sama, the kimono from the Daimyo has arrived"

"Eh… so fast?"

And here he wanted to write a few paragraphs for his novel.

Oh well…

.

..

..

An hour or so later, Naruto came out of his chamber with a noble white shirt and sleeveless kimono with a golden dragon marking on the chest, followed by a simple black hakama for the bottom.

The pair might not like much, but these clothes are really soft to the touch and not hot to use.

"You look perfect, Naruto-sama"

"You look perfect, Naruto-sama"

"You look perfect, Naruto-sama"

Several guards outside the door said immediately the moment they see him, not even wasting a single second to compliment him. And of course, hearing such a thing, Naruto's cheeks bloom with pink almost immediately.

Behind him, Shizune was ogling him without any shame whatsoever.

Ehem

"T-Thanks everyone. Anyway, when will Yakumo-san pick me up, Shizune?"

Embarrassed and seldom complimented back in his previous world, Naruto can only cough into his palm as he tries to side away from the compliments given to him.

Yes, he is rather shy about it.

"Probably in half an hour or so, Naruto-sama. Though, how many guards are you planning to bring with you on your date?"

Fortunately, Shizune doesn't take notice of his shyness, or even if she did, doesn't seem intent to comment on it.

Though, hearing her question, Naruto tilts his head slightly, rather confused.

"Won't Yakumo-san bring her samurai to be our guards though?"

"Of course, she will, Naruto-sama. But you can't never be too careful when it comes to your own safety"

That's… kinda true.

But to bring guards when it should be a date between him and a woman who loves him… it just sounds kind of strange no matter how many times he thinks about it.

Plus, Yakumo probably will bring her own samurai guards.

The guards of fire Daimyo… if that's not enough to guarantee his safety, then Naruto wouldn't know what.

So…

"Then let's not bring any for today"

-With Yakumo Kurama-

Using her highest-class kimonos and twenty layers of it, Yakumo Kurama sat regally within the confinement of her large wagon. Her eyes are closed behind her face cover, trying and failing to calm down her heavily beating heart.

And then, she felt it as her wagon being lowered… a sign of them already arrived.

So fast…?

The door then opened, and one of her samurais is quick to kneel down in nothing but reverence in front of the door.

"Daimyo-sama, we have arrived"

"…"

Curtly, Yakumo Kurama nodded and slowly walked out of her wagon to greet her soon-to-be husband.

Today, she must do more than her best to court Naruto Uzumaki… if she failed… well… failure is not an option. She will kidnap him, and force him against his will to be her husband if that's what she must do to gain his compliance.

If that plan also failed…?

Well… she would rather kill herself.

After all, what life without Naruto Uzumaki by her side?

"…!"

But all of her negativity, her pessimistic thinking, all of it disappeared the moment she lay her eyes on him, standing in front of his grand mansion with a small smile on his face.

Just as he promised, he is wearing her kimono that is wrapped snugly against his perfect body and shows the perfect amount of his perfect skin on his neck and shoulders… though, for some reason, he is yet to use the haori she gave him.

Probably because the day is not that cold yet.

Nonetheless, when she lay her eyes on him, only one thing crossed her usually dark and cold mind…

Perfect.

Behind him, two women are guarding him with slightly strange glares toward her.

What…?

Why are they glaring at her?

She got her answer when Naruto himself ran toward her direction and took her right hand, and with a strange impatient in his voice, he said something to her…

"Come on, Yakumo-san… let's get out of here before Shizune force some guards to follow me"

His words were followed by a small titter, though not really catching up to what he said, Yakumo can only stare at him blankly, watching his smile that makes her tummy flutter happily.

Over her sleeve… she can feel the warmth that is his hand.

.

..

..

Once they took their seat, Yakumo's heart began to calm down as her eyes stares at the boy sitting across from her that looking at the outside, still with a small smile on his lips.

She… just finished digesting his previous words.

He is not bringing his guards…? Isn't that just a plain sign of his full trust in her?

But still…

"My name is Yakumo Kurama, the new Fire Daimyo of fire country… It is to my happiness that you accepted my invitation within such a short notice, Naruto-sama"

After she said this, Yakumo gently kneels down and take his right hand into her palms, then kissed it politely.

Her heavy attire made it rather hard to do, but knowing her uncomfortable feeling is of small importance compared to her formal greeting toward the boy sitting across from her, she did it without any complaint.

And right after she kissed his palm, a soft, polite smile blossomed on her face…

"I hope you'll enjoy today's date with me and may we part way with happiness in our hearts"

.

..

-With Naruto-

When Naruto saw Yakumo Kurama walk off of her wagon, he felt something strange and familiar aura coming from her…

Clad in so many layers of crimson kimono, Naruto is not able to see her figure hidden under her layer after layer of kimono. The only thing he took notice of is the pair of rather tall geta sandals she wears which made her stand taller than a normal female human simply because the lower kimono of hers has a small slit that shows him her feet and a little bit of her legs.

Not only that, she is also covering her head with crimson silk, something which makes him cannot see her face except for her red, shiny lips.

In simpler terms, the only skin he can see from this Yakumo Kurama is nothing but her lips to the upper part of her neck, while the rest was covered by her clothing.

Unlike him, she really looks like a noble.

But still…

That looks so much hot and uncomfortable, something that would've made him sweat if not for him that sense a glare of hatred toward Yakumo from Shizune and the strongest of his guards.

Not going to lie, while it was really sweet of them to be worried for his well-being, glaring at the daimyo of their country is still a big no, no matter what.

Yeah… Yakumo usurped the position and all, but you got the gist.

Ran toward the new Daimyo, Naruto took her hand and pulled her toward her wagon, smiling slightly at her, hoping that he won't be seen as rude for doing such a thing…

"Come on, Yakumo-san… let's get out of here before Shizune force some guards to follow me"

Whether the woman hears him or not, Naruto doesn't know because he cannot see her face behind her veil, nor does the woman in question give him any gesture in response to his words.

Nonetheless, she doesn't seem to refuse his action as she let him lead her toward her wagon.

.

..

..

Strange.

That's what Naruto thought after several minutes passed without Yakumo Kurama saying anything to him and seemingly consenting by staring at him from behind her crimson veil.

Something that really made him feel slightly self-conscious and led him to stare at the Konoha outside with a nervous smile on his lips.

Uh…

What should he do now?

Fortunately, he didn't need to wait for much longer, because just as he thought that, the female Daimyo broke the ice surrounding them.

"My name is Yakumo Kurama, the new Fire Daimyo of fire country… It is to my happiness that you accepted my invitation within such a short notice, Naruto-sama"

Her voice is cold, emotionless, and yet with a tint of wanting.

And hearing such a thing, Naruto smiled softly toward her, for now ignoring her strangeness and the familiar aura he sensed from her.

For all intent, she was probably just nervous now that she met him.

Before he can answer her sentence, Yakumo Kurama already knelt down and took his right hand, then politely kissed the back of the said hand with her red rosy lips, leaving a lipstick marking on it.

Embarrassed, a blush bloomed on Naruto's cheeks.

"I hope you'll enjoy today's date with me and may we part way with happiness in our hearts"

"Y-Yeah, it is my pleasure to meet you too, Yakumo-san"

Not really liking and familiar with such fancy words, Naruto can only shutter when he said his words, hoping what he said wasn't a bad choice or worse, the wrong sentence to answer the woman in front of him.

Fortunately, the woman doesn't feel offended at this and merely lets out a small, mysterious smile on her lips as she returned to her seat, where she continues her staring.

Three seconds after he is staring at her, the woman's smile disappeared as she straightened her sleeve and covered her mouth with it.

"I'm sorry if my ugliness makes you uncomfortable, Naruto-sama"

Uh…

What…?

He was just staring for about three seconds, and that's what her mind concluded? It seems even with everything she has done, her mind is still just like the other women he met in this world.

Insecure toward themselves when it comes to him.

"Mnn, it's alright… I actually staring because I thought your make up and attire seems nicely done"

Naruto said quickly, giving the woman across from him a white lie.

And yeah…

Her attire, makeup, and even her fragrant perfume are nicely done, but he actually staring at her because he wanted to. After all, what kind of date when the people on said date don't stare at each other, right?

"Ufufu~ is that so…? It eases my heart and makes me really happy if you think so"

As a telltale of happiness creep into Yakumo's voice, Naruto nodded inwardly.

She must have spent hour after hour getting everything ready, unlike him who finished his attire in less than half an hour.

Now that he thinks again… he is pretty rude, huh? Using one layer of kimono and all.

Oh well…

Ehem

"I do think so… so, what's the plan for today, Yakumo-san?"

Hearing his question, Yakumo Kurama lowered her sleeve slightly, which let him see her mysterious smile once again…

"For now… let's have a dinner"

-With ?-

"… Is it really alright to leave our master in her hands?"

"Of course, not… follow them, I want you to keep your eyes peeled for anything that may harm him"

"But… his order…"

"I'll take the punishment if he somehow took notice of your presence"

And thus, here she is, kneeling on top of the rooftop while staring at the slowly moving wagon with nothing but focus in her eyes.

Behind her, several of her sisters doing the same.

"Girls… spread out, make sure to keep yourself well hidden. We will not let even a single strand of Naruto-sama hair got hurt this time"

"Understood"

"Understood"

"Understood"

As one, the elite guards of Naruto answered her sentence. And hearing this, she, the strongest among them nodded to herself.

"Move"

Like ghosts, everyone began to disappear one by one, until she alone is left kneeling on that particular rooftop. All the while, her eyes never left the slow-moving wagon.

She will protect him…

That's her oath as his guard.