- Sakura, are you giving in to the prince's charms? - Pain said jokingly, but with a tone of jealousy.

  That's silly.

  Queen Tsunade began to speak, and I trated on her words.

  - This m, a Taka attack damaged our troops. However, we are fident that month's recruits will arrive to renew our strength and pride.

  I hated war. Our young try always seemed to be at war with someone. Perhaps we wouldn't survive another invasion. The st one had taken the lives of King Minato and Queen Kushina, and if something happeo Naruto and Karin... God, I didn't even want to think about it.

  After the Queen, it was the turn of the head of the ey ittee, a tall, strong man with long bone-colored hair and eyes as bck as a starless night. Mr. Jiraiya, Queen Tsunade's best friend and Naruto and Karin's godfather, was in charge of eiews. Some said that he had beeed by the Queeeen times. He started talking about the debt owed to the Land of Waves and, with a smile, mentioned how Princess Karin's e to Prince Suigetsu was helping the try. The versation tinued with details about road stru and the future visit of the Land of the Winds.

  Then he gave the floor to the master of ceremonies. Orochimaru.

  - Good evening, dies alemen. As you all know, we've sent our lucky ticket to every daughter of Fire. I've just received the first batd, I must fess, I felt a twinge of envy for the prince.

  Princess Kari out a ugh, while the prince shifted in his chair, grimag.

  - Nervous, Yhness?

  - On behalf of the royal family, I want to thank you for your enthusiasm and patriotism. With a bit of luck, we'll be celebrating the e of our beloved Prinaruto to a charming, beautiful ale daughter of Fire in the New Year.

  The advisors present appuded. Naruto smiled, but didn't seem pletely at ease. When the g stopped, Orochimaru tinued.

  - Of course, we'll have many hours of televisiramming to get to know the young women oeam, including specials about life in the Pace.

  Orochimaru was a living legend. He had been entating on the Festival of Gratitude parades, the Christmas certs and any other event held at the Pace for about twenty years. I've never seen an interview with members of the royal family or people close to them that wasn't ducted by Orochimaru.

  - Saky, maybe you know Orochimaru! - hummed Konan.

  - I'm lucky that month I'll be seeing the thirty-five prettiest girls in the try! Any idiot would love that job! - said Orochimaru, winking at the camera. - But before we meet these lovely dies, I have the pleasure of chatting with the man of the hour, Prinaruto Senju.

  On cue, Naruto walked across the carpeted stage to the two chairs set up for him and Orochimaru. The priraightened his tie and adjusted his suit, as if he o look eveer. He shook Orochimaru's hand, sat down opposite him and picked up the microphohe chair was high enough for Naruto to rest his feet on the bar between his legs. He looked much more informal this way.

  - It's a pleasure to see you again, Yhness.

  - Thank you, Orochimaru. The pleasure is all mine.

  Naruto's voice was hoarse and imposing, a voice capable of rousing crowds. Yet there was a softo it, a gentlehat I had heard so many times, but only now realized how f it really was.

  - Ihan a month, thirty-four women will be moving into your house. How are you feeling?

  Naruto ughed.

  - To be ho, it's a bit stressful. I imagihere will be a lot more h so many guests, and Karin will lose her position as the main talker. - The camera focused on Princess Karin, who rolled her blushing eyes, while Prince Suigetsu held back a ugh. - Well... even so, I'm looking forward to that day.

  - Well, you already live with two beautiful women. It would be natural to ask yrandmother and sister fgestions. What have they already said?

  A mischievous smile fshed across the prianned face. Okay, he was certainly a handsome guy.

  - Suggestions e, evehey're not asked for. Karin already has a well-defiype for the perfect sister-in-w, but I think Prince Suigetsu has bey greatest fidant.

  The camera cut to Prince Suigetsu, who smiled softly - a prince's smile, I'd say.

  - Our time is running out. I'd like to ask you o question: what would the perfean look like to you?

  Naruto leaned back a little in his chair and, for a moment, I had the impression that his face had flushed slightly.

  - To be ho, I don't know. I think this is the best part of the Sele. No two women in the petition will be the same, either in terms of beauty or personality. Throughout the process, as I get to know everyone and talk to them, I hope to uand what I really want,” said the prince, with a delighted smile and his eyes shining with anticipation.

  - Thank you, Yhness. An excellent answer. I speak on behalf of the whole of the Land of Fire in wishing you the best of luck.

  It took a few seds for the camera to cut away. We watched the prince look at his grandmother, as if to make sure he had said the right thing. The shot was a close-up of Orochimaru's face, leaving me unsure of the queen's rea.

  - Sadly, we've e to the end of today's broadcast. We thank you all for following the Official Gazette of the Land of Fire. See you week.

  And with that, the music began to py, and the team's credits appeared on the s.

  - Sakura and Naruto are dating... - sang Pain, apanied by Moegi's giggles. Without thinking, I threillow at them, but I couldn't tain my ughter.

  I fled to my room after dinner, finally esg Pain's taunts with a few good puo the ribs. When I closed the door behind me, I could still hear his provocative musid a silly grin still insisted on staying on my face.

  I threw myself on the bed and only then realized how sore my arms were. That's when it hit me: I was exhausted. It wasn't long before sleep overtook me.

  The hat woke me up was strange and hard to identify, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I surveyed the room in absolute silerying to uand where it was ing from.