Naruto The Warlord

Chapter 14

Some days had passed since the meeting with his officers and Naruto reflected on it with a sigh as he covered himself with a cloak over the rags he wore. He was currently residing inside his personal tent which was big enough to house a small party of 5.

Temari hadn't said much over the last few days. After the meeting, she'd simply left and Naruto hadn't seen hide nor hair of the woman since. He figured she was still around to relay some last minute orders to the shinobi that would be left behind, but her absence was worrying.

His officers had been absolutely horrified at his plan, Ryu and Shou more than anyone else. Ryu had very nearly screamed at him and called him a madman, but reigned himself in at Naruto's harsh reprimand. The responding 'As you command, my Lord' from Ryu, spoken in a colder tone than what Naruto had ever heard from his friend cemented Naruto's position among them in a way Naruto hated. He truly hated this position and the responsibility it laid on his shoulders.

Naruto shook his head and continued to focus on dressing himself. He couldn't let his convictions falter.

Despite their protests, they had all relented to his plans in the end. None but they would know for now, not until his officers felt it absolutely necessary to inform their fighting men of the nearing battle. Shou would take the lead of the operation against the mines, delegating the responsibility of infiltrating the city to the other officers when the time arrived to ensure they'd somehow pass the gates when the battle began.

They had glossed over the details over the last few days, Naruto guiding them as best as he could before they had to stand on their own legs for a whole month. He worried for them, despite the confidence he had in his people.

Just as he finished dressing himself in the slave rags that had been secretly procured by one of his men, one of his officers called him from the outside.

"My Lord, Temari is here to see you."

Naruto sucked in a sharp breath of surprise. Seemed like she was still around.

He considered sending her away, not particularly keen on anyone seeing him in the rags he currently wore which barely covered his modesty, but he figured he couldn't afford sending her away before they had one last conversation.

"Send her in.", Naruto called back, steeling himself for the coming conversation.

A moment later, Temari entered with a frown, freezing at the entrance of the tent upon seeing him. Observing her, Naruto took note of her gaze as she ran her eyes over him, pursing her lips with a hint of worry.

Smirking at her, Naruto held out his arms as if presenting himself.

"How do I look?", he chuckled at her. After a moment of silence, she smirked back at him.

"Like you belong here." Her smirk quickly vanished however as she stepped further into his tent, her expression set into on of worry and curiosity. "Are you sure of this?"

Naruto glanced at her with amusement, before turning around to pack away the last of his things; he wouldn't be seeing any of it again for a good while, but his men had promised to take care of it.

"I am going to, with the help of my loyal men, sell myself into slavery from which I may or may not return from.", Naruto chuckled and shook his head as he packed. "I'd like to say I'm sure, but I would be raving mad to not have some doubts about this."

Temari sighed and seated herself at a sitting pillow at the corner of the tent, a few feet away from Naruto. A companionable silence was left between them, the quiet only broken by the sound of Naruto rummaging around and putting away his stuff.