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[Naruto: Superpower Roulette] Chapter 351
🕑 Added 2025-01-11 16:00:36 +0000 UTC"Are you here to repay the debt? Just give me the money directly."
Yoichi glanced at Temari, who had come to his shop on her own. A slight smile crossed his face. He had thought she would hold out for a few days, but it seemed that just one day was enough to break her resolve.
"Let's talk inside."
Temari spoke softly, her confidence and strength from the day before completely gone. She now resembled a wilted daisy. Her voice carried a trace of pleading as she addressed Yoichi.
"Alright, come in."
Yoichi stepped aside to let Temari into the shop. However, he neither invited her upstairs nor offered her tea.
"So, what do you want? If it's about solving the issue of your existence disappearing, forget it. I've already given up on that."
Temari's head shot up, her face showing shock. She quickly asked, "Why? My... my problem hasn't been resolved yet!"
"Why should I fix your problem? You can't provide me with the rare medicinal herbs I want, nor can you meet my other demands. Would you go to great lengths, paying a hefty price, to help someone unrelated to you?"
Before Temari could respond, Yoichi continued, "I certainly wouldn't. If you think someone else might, go find them. I have other things to do. If you're not here to repay the debt, then leave."
Temari fell silent at his words. Yoichi's attitude was clear—if she wanted his help, she had to offer him something in return. But his demands were things she could not fulfill.
Rare medicinal herbs might take years to locate even a single trace across the ninja world. By the time she returned, Shikamaru might have already moved on and started a new family.
The other demand... required her to betray Shikamaru. Her hands clenched the fabric of her clothes tightly. The thought of doing such a thing was abhorrent to her. If it meant betraying Shikamaru to regain her existence, could she still love him the way she once did?
"So, what exactly are you here for? I don't have time to play games with you. If there's nothing, go back. I'm busy here."
Seeing her hanging her head without saying anything, Yoichi's tone grew sharper.
"Does it have to be that condition? Can't I repay you in another way? Please, just solve my problem," Temari pleaded.
"Wait."
Before she could finish, Yoichi interrupted her. "How old are you, ma'am?"
"Twenty-nine."
"Almost thirty, huh? At that age, in certain establishments, you might fetch five or six thousand ryō at most, and the client would still be thrilled to be served."
Yoichi rubbed his chin, pretending to consider something. Then, with a smirk, he added, "But for someone like you, the more reluctant you are, the more intriguing it is.
"However, I won't force you. If you don't want to, just turn around and leave. Pretend I never mentioned it."
Temari's anger surged as she heard him comparing her to a woman in a brothel. She instinctively reached for the fan on her back but stopped herself. She couldn't afford to make a move now.
After a moment of silence, Temari looked up and said, "If there's another way, I'll make sure both the Nara clan and Sunagakure express their gratitude after my existence is restored."
...
"I agree."
"What?"
Yoichi had heard her clearly but feigned surprise. "What did you just say?"
"I'm willing to help you... with your personal needs!"
Temari closed her eyes, steeling herself to say the words she least wanted to. She then opened her eyes, her gaze firm and unyielding as she stared at Yoichi. "I agree to this, but what if you don't restore my existence afterward?"
"I'm basing my actions on my research. To be precise, the White Whale does have the ability related to your condition, and I've developed a secret medicine to counter it. However, I can't guarantee its effectiveness."
Yoichi's explanation didn't make absolute promises, though he was confident the secret medicine would work.
"There's also the possibility that your identity is someone else's, and you've just inherited the memories of being Shikamaru's wife. Or you really are his wife. Everything will be clear once the current state is resolved."
Temari's expression was tinged with frustration, but she knew this was her only option.
"I understand. Let's proceed as agreed."
Her heart ached as she whispered apologies to Shikamaru repeatedly. She had no other choice—this was the only way to return to her family.
"Alright then. Let's do it here," Yoichi said with a smile.
"Here?!"
Temari was startled and quickly shook her head. "No way. Why not go upstairs? This is the first floor, and the door is still open..."
Before she could finish, Yoichi produced a chain lock and secured the shop's front door.
Temari fell silent. Although the door was locked, it could still be pushed open slightly, leaving a gap through which no one could enter.
"This will do. You've seen it from outside—this glass door is special. It's one-way, so people outside can't see what's happening inside."
Yoichi then took out a camera, setting it up to face Temari. "Just to be safe, I'd like you to state on record that you're doing this willingly. Otherwise, what if you deny it later and come after me?"
"Recording this will be my insurance. Otherwise, I can't defend myself against a ninja like you."
Temari's anger flared. "I won't record anything! I'm not some untrustworthy scoundrel!"
"No recording, no deal," Yoichi replied with a cold smile. "If you want to kill me afterward to keep things quiet, who am I supposed to turn to for help? Just leave if that's the case."
A person with no way out had little room for pride.
Temari took several deep breaths to suppress her anger, but her face betrayed her frustration. After a long pause, she reluctantly said, "Fine. I'll do it."
"Quite the temper, aren't you? Your name is Temari, right? Then I'll address you as Lady Temari from now on."
Yoichi set the camera on the table, ensuring it captured Temari. He then approached her, reaching out to touch her face.
Though nearing thirty, Temari's skin remained smooth and fair, defying her age.
Her body trembled slightly, but she didn't avoid his touch, instead glaring at him with a defiant gaze.
"The more you look at me like that, Lady Temari, the more excited I get," Yoichi said with a grin.
He then leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
"Mm!"
Temari was startled by the sudden kiss and instinctively tried to push him away. However, Yoichi held her hands firmly. She reminded herself that this was the only way to restore her existence and return to Shikamaru.
I'm sorry, Shikamaru... just this once.
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Two hours later, Yoichi let out a satisfied breath, gazing at the exhausted Temari lying on the ground.
"Strong liquor can quench thirst—and tastes pretty good too," he thought to himself.
"Consider this your reward," he said as he took out the secret medicine he had prepared to counter the Mist of Oblivion. He placed it in Temari's mouth, helping her swallow it. Exhausted, she didn't resist as he fed her the medicine.
Moments after consuming the antidote, an almost invisible mist began to escape from Temari's body.
As the mist dissipated, her existence began to return to the ninja world.
In the Hokage's office, Shikamaru was busy with his work when he suddenly recalled Temari. Memories of his attitude toward her over the past few days flooded back, causing him to slam the desk.
"I remember now—Temari!"
He immediately dashed out. Naruto, sitting nearby, looked startled but then slowly began to remember as well. He clapped his hands together.
"So that's what happened. How did I forget about Temari? Shikamaru... well, I'll leave this to him."
Naruto initially thought of accompanying Shikamaru to find Temari but decided against it.
"It's just finding someone. Shikamaru can handle it. Besides, he's been neglecting Temari these past few days. He's going to have a tough time making up for it," Naruto chuckled as he returned to his paperwork.
Back at Yoichi's shop, after feeding Temari the medicine, Yoichi adjusted the camera toward her once more.
Supporting the exhausted Temari into a kneeling position, he leaned close and whispered, "Lady Temari, let's begin."
"Mm..."
(End of Chapter)
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