- People of the Land of Fire, we have a present for you. Today, we'll get to know each of these young women better and understand how their relationship with the prince is going. So tonight, let's just ask. - Orochimaru ran his eyes over the cards before announcing: - Karui Uzumaki, from Thunder Village.
Karui stood up gracefully and walked down the stairs with a sinuous gait. Before sitting down for the interview, he placed a kiss on each of Orochimaru's cheeks. Her interview was predictable, as was Mei's. They both tried to look seductive, repeatedly bending over to highlight their cleavage and casting suggestive glances at me. At one point, Mei tried to bite her lips in a sensual way, but the result was a hilarious grimace. I turned to Sakura and, without exchanging words, we shared a restrained laugh.
Other candidates showed more composure. Pakura kept her voice low and seemed to guide the interview at her own pace. Yugito and Ino adopted a more formal tone, although Ino's animation made her voice a little squeaky.
Orochimaru asked a series of questions, but two seemed fixed: "What do you think of the prince?" and "Are you the owner of the shoe?". Every time the second question echoed; Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She clearly wasn't ready to tell the whole country that she had hit me with a shoe.
They all seemed proud that they weren't the "owner of the shoe", and they all thought I was nice. Karui said I was handsome. Mei, on the other hand, said that I had a "silent power", which sounded a bit scary. Orochimaru even asked some of them if I had ever kissed them. The answer was a unanimous "no", always followed by blushing cheeks.
After Hinata's denial, Orochimaru turned to me and fired.
- None?
- They've only been here a few weeks. What kind of man do you think I am? - I retorted.
Hinata had just said that her stay at the Palace was wonderful when Orochimaru called Sakura Haruno, from the Tea Village. As usual, the girls applauded when she stood up. She seemed to be concentrating on her feet, as if losing focus would mean falling over. Our gazes met over Orochimaru's shoulder, and I winked at her.
- Haruno Sakura. An interesting name," commented Orochimaru. - Cherry tree in a field of flowers. Is there a meaning behind it?
Sakura looked up, as if she had expected the question.
- My father says that, for centuries, the petals of the sakura tree have symbolized warriors. Samurai ideals say that a warrior should live passionately and die young, just like the petals of the cherry tree. Sakura is the flower of the samurai and of war. - She paused briefly before smiling. - I used to kick my mother in the stomach a lot, so she said I was carrying nothing less than a warrior.
Orochimaru let out a low laugh.
- Oh, do you and your mother look alike?
- We have similar personalities, I think that's why we fight all the time. I'm headstrong like her.
- Come on, so my little lady is stubborn? A bit prickly?
- Sometimes.
- And you wouldn't happen to be the owner of the shoe?
Sakura took a deep breath and closed her eyes before answering:
- Yes, it was me. And my mother is probably having a heart attack right now.
No one could stop laughing. Not even me. It was comical to see her there, so elegant in her red dress, having to admit that she had thrown a shoe at someone.
- I was nervous and... and the shoe was so close..." she muttered, drawing more laughter, even from Karin.
Orochimaru, however, tilted his head, curious.
- And he forgave her?
- Incredibly. - She shrugged.
- Well, now that the two of you have made up, what kind of activities do you do together?
- We talk, walk around the garden... and he knows I love riding.
Her answer seemed too simple compared to the others. I'd been out hunting with Pakura, taken Ino and Yugito to the movies, watched a ballet show with Mei. But Sakura... Sakura could boast that she talked to me.
- So, do you think you'll win?
The question caught everyone off guard. Orochimaru gave me an amused look, his eyes shining with curiosity.
- No, no - Sakura began after a moment. - I don't think I'm any better or worse than the other girls here. They're all incredible in their own way, and I know that Naruto really appreciates what makes each of them unique.
There was a collective murmur of surprise. Sakura frowned, mentally re-reading her own words, trying to understand what she had said wrong. It took her a few seconds to realize.
She called me Naruto. Plain and simple. No "your majesty", no "prince". Just Naruto.
Her green eyes widened, and before she could react, a voice cut through the silence:
- Well, it seems you're quite close to the prince. So, tell us... what do you think of Naruto?
And I wanted to know. If he thought I was nice, as some people said. If you thought I was handsome, like Karui. If, somehow, he saw something in me beyond the crown - a silent power, a striking presence.
But above all... I wanted to know.
Sakura Haruno took a deep breath.
Naruto Henrique Arquimon Namikaze Senju is the embodiment of all virtues. He will be an extraordinary king. He allows girls to wear riding boots, even when they should opt for heels, and he never gets angry when I talk too much. What's more, he doesn't just listen; he really makes an effort to understand. Whoever is lucky enough to marry him will be blessed. And whatever happens to me, it will be an honor to be his subject.
I swallowed as I heard those words.
- Thank you very much, Sakura Haruno," concluded Orochimaru. - Next up is Miss Tenten Mitsashi, from the Key Village.
***
At ten o'clock, I went to her. I knocked twice on the door and when she opened it, her face flushed intensely.
- I'm so sorry, Naruto, I shouldn't have called you... - She started, but I asked her to stop with a wave of my hand.
- Can you come with me?
Sakura frowned, adjusted her robe and, with a gentle movement, grabbed my arm. She thought we were going to the garden, but when I led her down the corridor hidden between the walls, her eyes fixed on me, full of doubt.
- This was my father's favorite place," I explained as I led her.
- The West Wall. He used to bring Karin and me here when we were little.
As we reached the top of the high walls, the city in front of us sparkled like a sea of stars. The wind played with Sakura's long hair, making it dance gently around her face.
- I once brought a princess here," I began, starting to walk.