Naruto's POV (Exit Hall to Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Naruto stretched his body and relaxed as he prepared for his next match. Samui was different from the opponent Naruto had been hoping for. He would've preferred Gaara or Sasuke. Both of them were dicks he would've loved to smack around. But Samui was a friend, a newer friend, but a friend. It wasn't going to be fun to defeat her. It took work. Ino had come quite a long way, yet Samui had defeated her. Naruto wouldn't let his guard down.
Before he could walk out to the field, he heard a voice call for him.
"Oi, you brat! Your wise and noble Sensei has come to offer three pieces of advice, and I wish you luck! Be excited to see the enigmatic Jiraiya!" Jiraiya roared as he marched down the hall, locking eyes with Naruto.
"Pervy Sage?" Naruto asked, confused. He had grown rather fond of his temporary sensei during their training, and Jiraiya had even offered him more in the future. Yet he hadn't expected to see him during the exams. The man explained that he would be on guard duty in the Kage Box.
"I keep telling you, add super, or it isn't accurate," Jiraiya joyfully replied. Besides, I wasted a favor to come talk to you. You don't exactly get breaks on guard duty."
"Right, thanks, Pervy Sage," Naruto nodded. "You said you had advice or something?"
"Like any good sensei would!" Jiraiya agreed with a prideful nod. "Wanna hear?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders, which Jiraiya balked at.
"Damn youth so indifferent…" Jiraiya complained with a shake of his head. "Though the wisdom shall breakthrough! The first and second both pertain to the match coming!"
"Woah, I assumed it would be something stupid…" Naruto said, surprised.
Jiraiya flinched but confidently continued. "Your opponent is a unique one! A cloud beauty! Do you recognize such a thing?"
"Um, I mean, I guess she's pretty," Naruto answered, confused.
"She already has you!" Jiraiya bemoaned, full of despair. "See cloud kunoichi are known for their rare beauty! Especially the one before you; it could bewitch you."
"Ahuh."
"It could! See, she has the same refined beauty as your teammate. But with peaks of a much higher level!" Jiraiya ranted.
"Watch it."
"Yes, beware, my dear boy, for she may bewitch you-" Jiraiya could not finish this as Naruto promptly kicked him away.
"You damn pervert, I thought you were being serious!" Naruto yelled angrily at the now twitching pile of pain that was Jiraiya. Naruto sighed at his ridiculous sensei before he slowly marched off. "Damn waste of time."
However, the Blonde did not flinch when Jiraiya reappeared before him. The man often let him and Tsunade land hits but never seemed indeed affected.
"Violent student…" Jiraiya grumbled. "I was just pointing it out. Anyway, truthfully came to let you know I'm proud of you and counting on you to win me some money~! We'll go to the club and party, right!" Naruto raised his fist warningly, and Jiraiya chuckled before his game face appeared.
Naruto had learned that he could be serious despite the man's goofy nature when he wanted to. Seemingly switching into a professional at will.
"I did want to let you know I expect you to win and tell you something about Tsunade," Jiraiya said simply. She told me about you two's argument—one that likely is one I'm all too familiar with."
"Yeah, she told Ino some crazy shit!" Naruto replied angrily. "What the hell is her problem?" How could anyone be so defeated? Naruto just couldn't understand it.
"It's a story that isn't my place to tell. A by-product of this cold world we live in. But I wanted to assure you that she has simply lost her way. Tsunade thinks she merely trying to spare you the pain that broke her. Not realizing she has become jaded and bitter. I've tried to break her of such for years but haven't succeeded yet."
Naruto pondered over this. Was this what tragedy did to a person? Tsunade had lived it, but was her state genuinely living? Was this the future of Shinobi? Surely, Naruto could avoid such.
"I see the concern in your eyes, brat," Jiraiya said with a teasing smile. "I have lived something of a comparable life as well, yet I disagree with her. My point is that when it comes to women, anyone, I guess, you can't always listen to what they say. Instead, consider what they haven't said."
Naruto was confused by such, but Jiraiya pushed him on anyone. "Make us Proud!" He called as he shoved him into the Courtyard. Naruto would have to reflect on Pervy Sage's words. But for now…
Kakashi's POV (Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Kakashi watched as Naruto walked onto the field. The amount of pride that flowed through him made him feel as if he was buzzing. Neji and Ino had undoubtedly improved and impressed him. But Naruto had blown his expectations out of the water. Naruto had yet to indeed seem troubled or in any actual danger. Kakashi was confident that Naruto may even be a match for Sasuke or Gaara.
It was painful that his sensei or team weren't here to see the next generation begin. To see the son of Minato shine as brightly as he could. But it mattered little; Kakashi was here. And after these exams, it would be fair to get something nice for the blonde. Perhaps a gift?
His mind focused again, noticing Naruto doing odd stretches, seemingly bored. How long had it been? Where was Samui?
Samui's POV (Corridor to Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Samui marched dutifully forward with nothing but her mission in mind. Last night was a total failure. Samui had tried to compromise between her morals and duty and had simply shown her hand. Attempted desperately to complete her mission without betraying her new friend. But Naruto, drunk and dazed, had fallen asleep during her rant. While it had been crushing at the time, Samui recognized it as being for the best. Such a desperate tactic would never work; besides, as much as she enjoyed Naruto, she could not risk Atsui…
Samui was a focused and intelligent woman. She had witnessed the Blonde's love for a friendly bout, his passionate way of sharing during combat; it would be a great opportunity… But could Samui do it? Attempting to woo the Blonde felt… dirty. Naruto certainly had her attention, but she wasn't sure she wanted something… serious. Yet A had suggested such, and if Samui was somewhat interested, why not?
Because she respected herself more than that. Samui was no mere tool; she was a cool and collected kunoichi. But Atsui and Naruto…
"Samui, " a voice called out, breaking her from her stupor. She turned to see her confidant/spy for A walking toward her. Samui could tell she was here for business, not for sharing any pleasantries, her eyes holding the same cold gaze they had whenever she was under A's orders.
"Our lord has sent me to remind you of your mission and offer guidance," Mabui stated woodenly. It was clear that Mabui was personally against this, but also just as clear she would not stop such.
"Guidance?" Samui asked. She knew better than to react too strongly or even suggest resistance. A didn't often go by his lord moniker, but when he did so, it was because he expected utter obedience and loyalty.
"Indeed, you are a young, skilled, and attractive lady, but our Lord fears you may hesitate to follow his orders or fail to do so adequately. As such, I have been sent to offer some tips and remind you of the stakes." Mabui stated. Despite her robotic tone, Mabui's eyes shone with pain. Samui always hated it when she got like this. It was like she became a machine dutifully fulfilling its task. Yet, all the while, she seemed to show her pain openly. A vicious cycle, if there was ever one.
"Which are?"
"Firstly, our Lord recommends using your beauty, specifically your… well assets, to get his attention and subtly fuel his lust. This should affect his decision-making process; a young man often only thinks with one head. Use combat as an excuse to get up close and personal. A shinobi always tries to fight with heightened senses, and catching one off guard is the most powerful weapon. One lapse of attention and *click*- you're dead. That unpredictability and lack of focus will help you achieve your goal. Our Lord wants you to focus on seducing the Uzumaki, as he sees it as the best path forward." Mabui recited.
Samui felt a growing sickness in her stomach. "Surely you don't mean to use me as some sort of call girl? That would be un-"
Samui was stopped because Mabui put a finger to her lips. But it was Mabui's eyes that drove the young woman to silence. They were cold and desperate as if she knew Samui was in danger and that she would save her from such a threat at any cost.
"Our Lord has been more observant than many know; he knows you have befriended him. He knows you seem more interested than mere friendship as well. As such, it only makes sense for you to move this way. Trust me when I say whatever he is to you, he is not worth it." Mabui countered. "Please, Sam-"
Samui, losing her temper, smacked her hand away. Mabui's eyes widened at such; Samui rarely lost her temper. "You know that doesn't matter, I wanted to see where things went, not be ordered to give myself to him! I barely know him! I thought you, of all people, wouldn't do this!"
Mabui's desperation seemed to give way to anger as she got in Samui's face. "Stop being childish! Do you think I didn't try to convince him against this? I did! But our Lord will not be persuaded. Besides, we aren't asking you to wed the man; we are merely enchanting him. Something I might add you seem to want. I know how it feels, but we, as kunoichi, are expected to use all of our… assets to serve. It is the burden of being a woman of the Cloud. I'm sorry, Samui…"
"No, I'm sorry! I refuse! This is not cool!" Samui stated boldly.
"No, you don't."
"Excuse me?"
"You don't, you know the cost of doing such," Mabui explained gravely.
"No…" Samui said as she realized why Mabui had been told to come speak to her before the fight. A was an impatient man; it seemed he wanted results and had prepared some cruel encouragement for her.
"Yes, our Lord has made it clear he expects your compliance. Should you fail to attempt such, or we feel you failed due to your incompetence, our Lord has promised the death of Atsui…" Mabui said, looking away from Samui. Samui flinched as she dropped to her knees. She feared it may come to this, but A had promised it now. Samui knew better than to hope A would be bluffing if she failed... Atsui might die…
"Fine, I'll… seduce Naruto…" Samui stated as she forced her calm to return to her. To mask the pain and shame that filled her body. Mabui nodded and hugged Samui as she often did when A did something like this. Cradling her as if she was a child. Mabui had been forced into this; this was a desperate attempt to express remorse. To make this blow hurt just a little less. Despite the small gesture, she was touched by it all the same.
But it mattered little to Samui now. She had spent her life protecting the only family she had left. Today would be no different…