In the Akatsuki Hideout at the pinkette's new chamber. You will see a silhouette of a man staring at her while she was deeply asleep.

"She's so cute when she is sleeping~" The guy who was staring at her giggled and he was gonna touch her cheek but Sakura's body moved on its own and held his wrist, before opening her eyes and waking her up.

"You're interrupting my rest. Who are you?" she asked while glaring at him. Before letting go of his wrist and stood up out of her bed. Then, wipe the remaining tears from her eyes from last night.

"Ohayo Sakura-chan! My name is Tobi nice to meet you!~" he introduces himself cheerfully. Sakura sat back in her new bed while staring at the member of the mercenary whom she didn't see yesterday.

He was wearing a weird orange mask with a circular pattern ending into his left eye-hole. Even though his whole face was being blocked by his mask you can still see his spiky raven-hair waving every time he talked cheerfully.

"Are you perhaps a new member?" Sakura asked after recalling that she didn't see him last night.

"No! Tobi is not a new member of the Akatsuki. Tobi just had a mission, yesterday. That is why Tobi didn't get a chance to meet you yesterday. But, Tobi was happy because he finally met you, today!~" he said before diving at her and attempting to hug her. Sakura was surprised about the act which left her off guard.

Tobi was now above her while she was lying on the bed with widened eyes. Then, she saw the eye inside of the mask and it reminded her of someone. Examining the man above her was interrupted when Tobi suddenly hugged her while playing his body at her. It made her annoyance pop out at her forehead, before smacking him on the head and pushing him out of her bed.

"YOU PERVERT!!" she roared while glaring at him intensely. Before going out to her bed leaving Tobi lying on the ground while twitching suppressing his painful head on the floor.

"Tsk, a pervert that looked like an Uchiha in the morning! Really, Kaguya-sama?! It's in the morning so please-itai!" she mumbled before bumping her face into one of the Akatsuki.

"Oh, look what we have here Jetsu! An appe-ti-tizer in the mornin' " the guy with a green body said in his weird voice making Sakura step back feeling frightened at his voice. "Don't be upset. A little taste won't hurt, right?" he said before slowly walking near her. Sakura was gonna step back once more but an arm surrounded her waist startling her.

"Darlin', ohayo! How was your night, un?" the blonde ponytail guy said in his soothing voice near her ears. Sakura pushed him away making the green guy have a chance to hug her.

"She's my food, Deidara!" he declared in an emotionless tone. Sakura tried to disperse at the strong hug of Zetsu but her strength was not enough. So, the only thing she could do was to ask Deidara to interrupt Zetsu so she could get through the green guy's tight hug. But he just smirked at it while saying.

"Alright, un! You can have her, yeah. But don't forget to leave some from me, yeah?" he said while mockingly smirking before leaving them.

She couldn't do anything but only sighed at her hopeless situation. Even though she wants to ask Indragami to borrow his strength once again, however, she can't do it, especially after what happened last night.

"Can you now get your hands off me?" she asked while glaring at him intensely.

"No, I'll eat you first before-" he halted as time had stopped. Then, Sakura noticed the red thread in front of them. She followed the thread in her gaze and then saw the red-haired guy who was staring at them with a frown look.

"Do you need a hand, pinky?" he asked while smirking. Sakura sighed again before smacking the face of Zetsu making him surprised.

She then walked beside him while whispering, "I don't need anyone's help," before walking passed by him and proceeding to the kitchen since she had never eaten last night. Even though, she needed a hand to distract the green guy so she could smack him to let her go.

When she finally arrived at the kitchen a smell of fog lingered around the kitchen welcoming her, while hearing a man coughing inside. Then, a man entered the kitchen beside Sakura while saying; "Tsk, where is Itachi? And why would you even replace him in the kitchen?" he frustratingly asked before casting magic to water down the fire that the unfamiliar guy made. When the fog was completely clear the pinkette widened her eyes when she saw who it was but she just closed her eyes and pretended that she didn't know him.

She walked inside ignoring the guy who was the cause of the smoke and then walked near the overcooked food.

"What are you cooking?" she asked not even glancing at the guy beside her.

"Uh, a potato soup with some veggies," he answered. Sakura walked through the refrigerator then saw nothing but a web of spiders inside making her sweat drop.

"Woah! Nice refrigerator, full of fucking web!! I thought you were the strongest mercenary?! Why can't you even buy a portion of food to restore to this poor refrigerator of yours?!" she scolded furiously.

"Tsk, what is this fucking whining shits about, in the morning?" the silver-haired guy said while rubbing his right ear, before noticing the pink-haired girl making him smirk. "Oh look what we fucking have here! I told you maid bitch suits you so much," he added before receiving a black slimy on his face that she threw out of annoyance.

"What the fuck did you just throw to my gorgeous face, you bitch?!" he yelled before running to the bathroom to clean his face.

"Tsk, so loud," she mumbled before sighing then looked back at the guy who was cooking.

"So you were a substitute cook?" she asked in a straight face making him gulped at her intense gaze.

"H-hai!" he answered.

"Where did you get your ingredients?"

"Uh, leftover last night?!" he answered not even sure if it was from last night or the other day.

"Who keeps your fund? I'll need to talk to him about this,"

"If I were you I would just fetch some ingredients in the forest rather than bother that guy," the shark face guy suggested.

"I don't care. Just tell me who he is," she insists. Kisame is gonna tell her who he is but a guy suddenly enters the kitchen joining in their conversation.

"He is Kakuzu, the pale guy with emerald eyes. If you were going to borrow money you should know bargains. And if you're looking for ingredients, here," a man's voice said with a serious gaze that just entered the kitchen, before placing the ingredients beside her. "Nice seeing you again, hime," he added.

The pinkette ignored her and reached the ingredients then placed them on the faucet to clean them.

"Ouch!" the shark-faced guy mocked before gazing at the two Uchiha who was completely ignored by the pinkette.

"Go to the dining room. I'll just call you after I finish cooking. Now get out!" she ordered before chopping the carrot aggressively.

After cooking for an hour she was finally finished cooking. She called Kisame to help her and completely ignored the two Uchiha. When she was in the living room placing the food on the table. The crimson-haired guy wrapped his hand around her waist while saying, "You forgot to thank me earlier, pinky!", making the other guy in the room jealous.

Sakura sighed before saying "Thank you," so she won't owe anything from the mercenary. However, the hug around her waist remained as if the red-haired guy didn't hear her.

"That is not what I meant. Here, feed me," he ordered while holding his spoon to feed him. Sakura's annoyance popped up again on her forehead feeling more irritation at the touch.

"If you don't want then I'll feed you instead. Say Ah," he said while putting the spoon in her mouth.

"Sasori!" the leader yelled while frowning at the red-haired guy making him halt at what he was doing.

"What? I am just feeding her since she will now be one of our masters. What is the problem?" he stated with a serious face.

The leader of the Akatsuki was gonna say something but he got interrupted when Sakura put the spoon inside of her mouth.

"Now, are you done?" she asked the red-haired guy feeling surprised at the act making him flush a little, especially at her frowning eyes.

"Geez, Sasori enough with that, yeah. You're making me nauseous, un" the blonde-haired guy said while feeling jealous and having a thought that if he was the one who helped her then there was no doubt that she eventually would fall over heels for him. And would wish to feed her every time.

The red-haired guy let her go while not saying anything after that situation.

Then, Sakura proceeded back to the kitchen then placed the apron where she fetched it like nothing happened. After that, she walks out and proceeds to her room. But before she could go to the corridor through her room the leader asked her.

"Where are you going? The food will get cold,"

"I already ate while cooking, so you can finish it without me," she answered without looking at him.

"If you said so. By the way, there are three members of the Akatsuki that you haven't met yesterday. So I am going to introduce you to them," he suggested.

"There is no need for introductions. The perverted orange mask guy already had an introduction after interrupting my sleep. And also it is not necessary for the Uchiha because I already know them," she said making the other Akatsuki wonder how she knew the Uchiha, except the shark-faced guy and their leader.

"Alright. The files you requested from me yesterday. Will be delivered to your chamber later,"

"Just put it in my bed. I'll be off to my cabin to fetch my belongings, then we could talk about what I might do with that file," she stated.

"Alright, suit yourself." he finished before continuing his eating. She then continued where she was going after the talk without looking at each other.

"What was that, un?" Deidara started feeling strange at their conversation.

"Just ignore it," Sasori said before taking a bite at the new fresh food they were gonna eat for the first time. While still suppressing the incomprehensible feeling inside his stomach.

"Woah! This is fucking amazing! I knew it maid bitch suits her rather than a benefactor," the silver-haired guy said.

"Yeah, d'ish ish delicious, yeah," the blonde with a ponytail said while taking more bites supplying his mouth with a lot of food.

"Tobi is so delighted to taste Sakura-chan's food. So delicious!" the orange-masked guy said while daydreaming and holding his cheeks.

"I don't know that she actually can cook," the shark-faced guy mumbled before noticing his fellow mercenary beside him not even taking a bite. "Why aren't you eating?" he asked.

"she changed," the ravenette muttered making Kisame raise his eyebrow.

"Did you say something?"

"Hn?" he asked in return.

"I heard you mumbled just now. What was that?"

"I never said anything," he said before taking a bite of his food. The shark-faced guy felt suspicious of the raven beside him. Especially, he is aware that the pink-haired lad and his partner were acquaintances in the past. However, the other Uchiha also catches his attention not even taking a bite.

"Why aren't you also eating?" he asked making the other ravenette get back to his usual self

"Oh, It is just my first time again seeing actual food in front of me," he mumbled before finally taking a bite and now acting like Tobi.

After eating, Kisame suddenly caught something earlier that he despised to notice and he wanted to clarify his suspicion. The leader noticed it that is why he stared at him so he could start speaking.

"You two sound so close!" he started making the atmosphere change especially with his intense gaze.

"What do you mean?"

"You always permitted her to do whatever she requested. You're the leader of the strongest mercenary and she is just a new benefactor so why do you favor her so much, Pein-sama?" Kisame stated making the atmosphere more intense.

"I don't favor her," he said while frowning at Kisame.

"Then why did you give her our confidential file, un?" Deidara asked adding to Kisame's intention.

"What is the problem with that? She is our new benefactor so she must know that,"

"She is that snake pawn and she can be a spy to find our weaknesses. Consequently, the temple can effortlessly eradicate us if we try to betray them. Especially according to the Pope that snake would finally have much more power if we play at his plan," Kisame added making the other mercenaries agree to his statement except for his partner who knew this was not a good topic to talk about especially since this would be against what he planned.

"Kisame enough," Itachi said while staring at his partner with a serious gaze. Notifying him that if he continued he might say something that he would regret.

"I apologize Pein-sama. I guess my wound still hasn't healed yet that is why the pain triggered me. Regardless, no matter how long she stays here. I would not treat her as my benefactor, especially a master," he finished before walking out of the dining hall to go to his chamber.

"I apologize for Kisame's behavior," Itachi apologized hoping that their leader wouldn't initiate to punish his friend.

"I know that he hates women being superior to us. But you must teach him to control his emotions Itachi."

"Hn." he nodded.

"And, I know Kisame is not the only one who doesn't agree with her being here. But, I won't blame you for it since you haven't witnessed yet what she is capable of." he finished before they heard a knock outside the entrance door.

"Who might it be?"

***

The pinkette finally arrived at her cabin while wearing her red wig, hanfu veil mask, and her dress last night. She forgot to change her clothes last night because she didn't want to owe one of the mercenary members.

She put the key on her door and then entered her cabin. But before she could walk inside she already felt that someone had been in her house last night.

"Who could it be?" she asked herself before running immediately to her bedroom to check all of her secret belongings. Especially the book she bought that was hidden using her mana.

"Thank goodness no one noticed this," she said to the book she bought in one of the bookstores feeling glad that they never found out about it. Then, she noticed a ripped paper on the ground and picked it up. After looking at the paper, she smirked finding out who might be the guy that visited her house.

After searching all over her house she noticed that some of her clothes were taken. And that leads her to figure out why he entered her house and made a mess.

"If I knew that you would already fetched my belongings. I would probably not be here right now seeing this bunch of mess you made," she mumbled before sitting on her bed feeling tired already.

After sitting on her bed for twenty minutes an unfamiliar insect entered her window alerting her that she was already being surrounded by someone.

***

Commander Kakashi and the squires arrived at the cabin to search and clear their suspicions.

"I have no idea that such cabins were built in here," the commander started. "In addition, a woman lives in here?" he added.

"Certainly, Commander Kakashi-sama. That is why we felt suspicious about it," the long brown-haired squire added.

But before the Commander placed his order to the squires he noticed that the doors weren't locked, which is not a good thing if a priestess lives in here.

"Alright, now we're here. We must foremost find out who was inside the cabin, especially leaving the door open means an intruder forestalls our investigation. Now, Squire Shino use your Kikachū. Let's see who it was," he ordered. The squire raises his hand and lets his insect fly out from his long sleeve.

"Uh, Commander Kakashi where is Naruto?" the spiky brown hair asked. The Commander looked around before resting his palm on his face.

"That Prince undoubtedly doesn't listen to any command," he mumbled before sighing. "Sasuke, find Naruto and Shikamaru go to the rear so we can corner her with your spell,"

"Hai!" the two responded before separating from the team to do the tasks that were assigned to them.

Meanwhile, in Sakura's situation after finding out the insect from her window. She immediately packs up all her secret belongings by making a bag from a blanket. Then, she put on her disguise before tying the blanket around her shoulder. After that, she steps out her window to jump on a nearby tree to use it as a ladder.

"What are you doing?" a man asked below her. She looked down and saw a blonde-haired boy looking up at her. However, before she could move a little from the tree she suddenly lost her grip and fell.

When she felt her body on the ground she immediately opened her eyes and saw the face of the young squire. He was flinching and suppressing the pain then opened his eyes and they made eye contact.

Sakura immediately diverted her eyes then stood up and held her belongings tightly on her shoulder. She was gonna run but the blonde-haired boy suddenly held her wrist tightly.

"Gotcha!" he said. "Wait, are you the priestess?" He asked recognizing that it was a woman behind the hoodie. But the hoodie lady answered his question with a back kick so he could let her go before her curse was triggered. Since the guy that touches her is a prince and she is aware that he is one of the chosen men by the Goddess.

After making the squire fall from the ground. She rashly ran towards the forest so she could hide from them.

"Itai!" Naruto muttered while rubbing his butt.

"Naruto, what are you doing here?" Shikamaru asked.

"Naruto found you!" Sasuke said that just arrived while frowning at the squire he was tasked with.

"I saw a woman with a hoodie she went that way through the forest. I am not sure if she is the priestess since when I asked she suddenly kicked me so hard. Wait, what if she is a burglar?" he said before standing up. "Itai, I don't know that she could kick that hard," he mumbled while still rubbing his butt.

"She kicked you?"

"Hai!"

"If it's a burglar then we should catch that thief before anything else..."

"Wait, we must first report it to Commander Kakashi,"

"You report it to Kakashi-sama. Naruto and I will catch her before she can go so far from us,"

"Alright!" he nodded before running to the front to inform the Commander. The two squires run towards the forest to look for the hoodie woman as the blonde describes.

When Shikamaru finally informs the Commander. He then ordered Shino to use his Kikachu to locate her inside the wide forest.

"And Neji are you ready to use the spell your father had thought you?" he asked while looking at him.

"Ready than ever."

"Alright, time to catch a burglar." after saying this the squires ran beside him.

Meanwhile, Sakura we're cornered behind the big rocks after the two squired catches her speed. She couldn't run fast because of what she was holding. Currently, she can't think of anything of what to do to escape from them other than borrowing Indragami's ability.

"What are you doing at the priestess cabin?" Naruto started but she only keep silent. "Are you robbing her belongings since she's not at home?" he added.

"Naruto, enough with the question. I guess she doesn't want to be interrogated like this. What if we catch her and tied her to a tree to make her talk," Sasuke said to intimidate the hoodie woman.

"(Then do so,)" Sakura said using the Hana language.

"What did you say?"

"Naruto! Sasuke!" the spiky dark haired guy said interrupting them along with their fellow squires beside him.

"So that's the hoodie woman you are talking about?" Kiba asked feeling excited to catch a thief.

"What are you gonna do to the priestess belongings?" Shikamaru asked.

"Don't asked, she doesn't want to be interrogated," Sasuke interrupted.

The Commander walked near her making the hoodie woman ran towards her right side, then suddenly she felt a black aura holding her feet. She looked back at them then saw the spiky dark haired guy that is tied in ponytail using a spell at her.

"Don't try to run. Haven't you see? You are cornered,"

"(I know Commander)" she responded using the Hana language making the Commander widened his eyes since the language she uses were already buried after the war. So no one knows that language other than him and the Uchiha that still remained alive.

"Who are you? How come you know that language?" he asked making the hoodie woman smirk behind her hoodie.

"(Nothing. I am nothing Commander. So tell me how do you know the language I was born with? That was already buried in history by your hands. Traitor!)" she stated making the commander eyes widened more before walking towards her to find out who she is. But before he could go near her a knife were thrown in front of him making him halt from stepping more towards her.

He looked up the tree then saw seven man wearing the hoodie of the dangerous mercenaries. Then, a man jumped in front of the hoodie woman and fixed his glasses.

"Deacon Kabuto, what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked.

"Yeah, in addition with the Akatsuki Mercenaries," Naruto added while gritting his teeth since he despises the mercenaries.

"Don't dare lay a hand to the priestess," he said while stretching his arm as a protection to not get too close to her.

"Priestess?!" they shockingly asked.

The Commander stepped forward, then sat down in a respectful position and bowed to the priestess. "I apologize for mistaking you for a burglar." The squire beside him had no choice but to follow suit.

The priestess stand dignified, her voice calm as she speak in the Konoha Empire language. "I accept your apology, Commander. However, I urge you to remember that assumptions can lead to misunderstandings. I am not from your country, and capturing me without understanding my intentions could have dire consequences." The deacon nodded, reinforcing the importance of discernment. The Commander bowed his head, realizing the weight of her words.

The priestess took a deep breath, her eyes steady. "I was with the mercenaries because I received a call from the gods, warning me of danger. Your sudden capture of me, without proper interrogation, only heightened my fear. I am still adapting to your language and culture, which makes communication all the more crucial." The Commander nodded, realizing the gravity of her situation.

The priestess sighed, her weariness evident. "I guess all this heat is making me feel exhausted." As she turned to leave, the blonde-haired squire stepped forward, halting her. "If you really are the priestess, why can't you show us your face?" His tone was challenging, eyes searching for proof. The tension in the air thickened as the priestess paused, contemplating her response.

The Commander shot an intense look at his squire, sensing the weight of his question. The priestess glanced around, finding the blonde's gaze fixed on her. 

"Do you know Yokoshima Me?" she asked. 

"No," he replied. 

"Then don't ask questions you're not prepared to follow up on. Such inquiries are blasphemous. Remember, young knight, I am a priestess, not someone to command at your whim. I am here to bless your empire, so be mindful of your actions. They could lead to your empire's grim." The air crackled with tension as the squire absorbed her words.

The deacon placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, hoping to ease the tension in the air. "Let's not escalate this further," he urged gently. The priestess sighed, feeling the weight of her emotions. She couldn't help but see the prince's face—so much like the late emperor who had killed her parents. And there stood the Commander, a traitor in her eyes, acting as if he didn't know her at all. Memories surged within her, complicating her emotions as she fought to maintain her composure. 

"There will likely be a time when we can meet at the temple, so please be respectful. Now, return to your duties, and I shall head back," she said before walking away with the deacon, feeling exhausted and dizzy from her earlier fall in her window. As she made her way, a raven-haired mercenary descended from a nearby tree and offered to carry her on his back to the temple. Though she hesitated, the thought of fainting in the forest left her with little choice but to accept his offer.

The deacon opened his mouth to suggest of carrying her instead, but it was too late; she was already perched on the raven mercenary's back as he leaped effortlessly from tree to tree toward their hideout. Frustrated, he clenched his fist and picked up the white cloth she had been carrying, treating it like a bag without bothering to check its contents unknowingly that he can find more her secrets if he listen to the will of air.

To be continued...

***

~Credits to the owner of the picture from Pinterest~~