Naruto: Chosen

The scene in which I kissed a baby was cut to make way for one of my answers in the interview.

"I'd like to say I've made a lot of friends, but that wouldn't be true. In fact, I'm lucky that my best friend came with me."

- Oh, is that right? Miss Ino Yamanaka? - The interviewer asked.

- Yes, I couldn't be happier to have been sent here with her.

- A competition of this size can shake a friendship, don't you think?

- No, not ours. - I answered with conviction.

The scene was cut to Ino's interview.

- Miss Haruno Sakura spoke a little about you in her own interview. What do you think of her? - The interviewer asked Ino, who smiled openly.

- Apart from the riding boots and leather belts, I don't know anyone better to be queen. - Ino replied, extending her arm and shaking my hand. It was decided: I was going to cheer for her.

The last image shown was of us hugging when we arrived at the Tea Village square. All the selected girls watched us.

Suigetsu could live without loving Karin, but it was almost unbearable for his ego that she didn't love him either.

- God, your sister is a rock of ice! - said the prince of the Land of Waves, clearly annoyed. He had sent Karin a beautiful bouquet of red roses that afternoon and had not received a single "thank you" in return.

- I sent you red roses this afternoon, Karin! - said Suigetsu, loud enough for his voice to carry across the one-meter distance between him and my sister.

- I know that, Suigetsu. - she replied, not even looking away from the prince and more concerned with arranging her napkin on her lap.

- So...?

- I prefer orchids. - she replied calmly, and before Suigetsu could argue, the large doors of the dining hall opened.

Queen Tsunade Senju entered with her royal guard, accompanied at arm's length by my godfather, Jiraya.

- Well, well, someone seems upset today. - my godfather teased, and Suigetsu rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. Jiraya kissed Karin's forehead and sat down next to her, while my grandmother settled down at the head of the table and ordered dinner to be served.

Before I could pick up my fork for the first bite, everyone in the room heard the soft footsteps of thirty-four pairs of high heels. They were heading towards the women's lounge, and something about that noise made me uneasy.

My house was full of my betrothed. I could find my future wife returning from one of my kitchen raids or after an exhausting day at the Council. They were there. Me, who was a prize in a game I didn't ask to take part in.

I have no idea what a girl expects from a prince, but I know that, at some point in their lives, they have waited for one. I didn't want to disappoint their expectations, but I don't consider myself to be that majestic. My family didn't seem to want to romanticize the Selection.

I was doing it because it was a king's duty to keep the peace in his kingdom, especially now that groups against the monarchy were gaining more adherents. But deep down, I wanted to fall in love. And, if possible, to choose someone who would also choose me.

- Do you hear that sound? One of those footsteps is that of your future wife. - said my godfather before bringing his fork to his mouth.

Karin would be better at that than me. Actually, Karin was better at anything than me. She was a year younger, but her posture, the way she moved and spoke, made her seem older and more responsible. Karin had accepted Suigetsu as promised because she knew it was her duty. It was a much more responsible attitude than that of a fool who wanted to fall in love.

- That Karui is quite popular. - commented Karin, smiling at me. - She's a Two.

- Miss Hinata is angelic, what eyes she has. - added my grandmother, with a nostalgic smile.

- That Fuu looks like fun. - said my godfather, adding his observation to the conversation.

The favorite cards were played on the table, but the final, fatal card was dealt by the prince of the Land of Waves.

- The prince's favorite is Four, Sakura Haruno. Her doe eyes won him over immediately.

Doe eyes, an emerald green expanse and a smile that could put an end to wars. Let me smile for a moment, until I notice the two women from my family staring at me.

- Do we have a favorite, then? - my grandmother began, smiling sideways. - When your grandfather came to take part in my selection, I knew it would be him from the moment I saw him.

Whenever she spoke of my grandfather, her eyes became wistful, but she always smiled. She had fallen in love with him, and even after twenty years, she still loved him.

- Hide your heart, Naruto. - my sister advised, with a serious tone.

***

As usual, before going to sleep, I liked to visit the west wall to look out over the shining city of Konoha. My father had the same habit and always took Karin and me along. Over time, my sister began to prefer the safety of its walls, while I carried on with our ritual alone.

- Forgive me, but you must go back to your room. - said someone with authority, interrupting my walk.

I had almost reached the great gates on the west side of the castle, and the garden exuded the scent of camellias, my grandmother's favorite flowers. The girl I found being held back by two guards also had pink hair, like a camellia... No, pink like a sakura.

- No... No... I need to... leave... - the words blended together, and she couldn't seem to breathe properly.

- Miss, go to your room now. - shouted the other guard, impatiently.

- Please, God... I have to leave... - her eyes were watery.

- I'm sorry... Miss Sakura, right? - said the first guard, reading her brooch. - You must go back to your room.

The impatient guard tried to grab the girl's wrist and was slapped with the back of his hand in response. She was nervous and pale.

- Why, you... - this time he managed to grab her wrist. - Damn you, Four!