After a fierce battle with two S-rank rogue ninja, not only did Naruto endure the Nine-Tails' chakra raging within him, but he also had his regular chakra siphoned by a spirit blade. His body had been pierced by steel cables, and while jostled about on a flying bird, Tamako was still frantically trying to heal his abdominal wound.
After days of torment and being tossed around like a ragdoll by Tayuya, he finally passed out.
"Lord Uzumaki!" Tamako cried out. Moving with incredible speed and strength, she ripped Naruto from Tayuya's grip.
"Why are you doing this to him? Do you even know what he's been through today? Even with my help?"
"Lord Uzumaki?" Three voices responded at once—curiosity, anger, and finally, a lewd chuckle.
Tamako sighed as she looked down at the unconscious Naruto in her arms, then turned toward Tayuya.
"Do you have a place where Naruto can stay overnight?"
Tayuya nodded.
"There's an extra room upstairs."
Tamako gave a brief bow and half-carried Naruto upstairs.
"Thank you very much."
Kakashi gave her a knowing wink.
"He'll be his old energetic self tomorrow. No need to worry."
Tamako continued half-dragging Naruto up the stairs.
Kakashi raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Where did he even find her? Why does she call him Lord Uzumaki? And how did he get injured like that?"
Shikamaru was thinking too.
"Troublesome. The blond's back. Can we go home now?"
Tayuya stared at them heading upstairs.
"Who is she exactly? 'Lord Uzumaki'? What's going on?"
Sighing, Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Better to wait until he wakes up to ask questions. Also, that's not the same sword he left with."
##The Next Day##
Tayuya decided to wake Naruto immediately and speak with him.
However, when she reached out to knock on the door leading to the room where Tamako and Naruto were staying, she received a literal electric shock. A seal had been applied to the door.
Cursing under her breath, she yelled for Kakashi to come upstairs and remove that stupid seal.
But after taking one look at the complex sealing technique used, Kakashi didn't even touch it before walking away.
As he walked off, he chuckled to himself, imagining what kinds of things Tamako and Naruto might be up to in that room.
Inori was thrilled to hear Naruto was back home and tried to burst into the room to see her hero, only to receive a powerful electric shock.
After that incident, no one dared attempt to enter that room again.
When Naruto woke up, he found himself comfortably lying on a futon.
Still too weak to move much, he sighed.
"Tamako-chan?"
"Uzumaki-sama?"
"Why are you in the futon with me?" He asked blankly, noticing Tamako hugging him tightly.
She looked up at him with her amber eyes wide open.
"You passed out from injuries and exhaustion. You weren't wearing a shirt—only bandages—and I was worried you'd get cold, so I decided to use my body heat to keep you warm."
Nodding slowly, Naruto asked,
"I get it, but why aren't you wearing any clothes?"
Tamako shrugged slightly.
"Clothes would interfere with the warmth, Lord Uzumaki."
She saw his confused expression and added,
"Are you angry with me? I'm sorry."
Naruto tried to sit up, but Tamako helped him up, shielding her chest.
"What? Of course not. I never intended to leave you behind alone. After everything you've been through, you deserve a better life. And since you're the only survivor from your village, I decided to take you to Konoha."
Tamako gave him a smile.
Naruto groaned as he stood, less painful than before, though still stiff.
Once they had both properly dressed, they made their way downstairs.
Although Naruto insisted he was fine, Tamako redressed his wounds, making his upper body look like a mummy.
Sitting at the table with a wide grin, Naruto said,
"Hey everyone, I know you've got questions. Go ahead."
Kakashi cleared his throat pointedly.
"Well then, Naruto, you said you wouldn't be gone for more than two days."
Naruto shot him a glare.
"I seriously underestimated how strong those lunatics were."
Kakashi immediately understood what he meant.
"So how did things go?"
"You could say this trip was fruitful."
Kakashi smiled.
"That much is obvious. Who's this mysterious girl?"
Naruto looked at Tamako, who bowed to Kakashi.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Kakashi. My name is Shimizu Tamako. I never expected Lord Naruto would know the Legend of the White Fang. It's truly incredible meeting such a legendary ninja."
Kakashi gave an awkward chuckle.
"Sorry, you've got the wrong person. I'm his son, Kakashi Hatake."
"I deeply apologize, but you look incredibly like him. I can't believe I'm standing before such a legendary ninja."
Shikamaru arched an eyebrow.
"You just called him Uzumaki-sama?"
Tamako turned to Shikamaru.
"That's right."
Naruto fell off his chair.
"Uzumaki-sama?" Tayuya asked, "What did you do to this girl to make her call you Uzumaki-sama? Why did you bring her here? Definitely not from Kirigakure."
Naruto sat back in the seat beside Tamako.
"It's a long story. Most of you don't need to know about that. Except Kakashi, since he let me leave. I'll tell you later, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi nodded.
Tayuya snorted. "Well, at least tell us where you found her," she said, pointing at Tamako, "and why you brought her here. Does she live nearby?"
Naruto glanced at Tamako.
"No, she doesn't live here. She's the only survivor from where I went on my mission. If I hadn't run into some trouble, I wouldn't have found her at all. She'll stay with me in Konoha."
Kakashi nodded.
"Of course, Naruto, but how exactly do you plan to support both of you on a Chunin's salary?"
Naruto grinned.
"Got the bounty list on you?" Kakashi handed it to him, and after flipping through it, his eyes lit up. "...My current income should cover me and Tamako-chan just fine. No worries."
"How so?" Kakashi asked.
Naruto handed the book back to Kakashi. "You'll see soon enough."
He turned to Kakashi. "So, when are we heading back to Konoha?"
Kakashi put his book back into his vest pocket.
"Well, since you're almost fully recovered, we can head back today."
Naruto nodded.
"I need to get Tamako some clothes first. She can't keep borrowing my shirts."
Tayuya glared at Naruto, her voice eerily calm.
"How come she was even wearing your clothes to begin with?"
Before Naruto could think up an excuse, Tamako answered.
"Because when Lord Uzumaki found me, I had nothing of my own—not even clothes."
Naruto caught the flash of anger on her face. He shot a glance at Shikamaru and noticed him trying to look away.
Kakashi chuckled and gave a thumbs-up.
"Naruto, you work fast."
Naruto glanced at Tamako, grabbed her, and disappeared in a blur of [Shifting Body Technique].
"I'll find a place to get Tamako some clothes! Catch you all later!"
Kakashi shrugged and pulled out his copy of Make Out Paradise.
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