The Cardinal's chamber remains in tension when the petite lady wearing a white hoodie points the edge of the dagger at one of the mercenary's back. Actually, it was not difficult to dodge that threat, however when she pointed the dagger it suddenly felt like his body stopped moving.

Meanwhile, the Cardinal was infuriated at his precious gem's ludicrous behavior. No matter how precious she is to the Cardinal this behavior of her was nothing, but rudeness.

"Sakura put that dagger down!" he growled for the first time at his precious gem. She lets go of the dagger making a cling sound when it hits the floor and then glances back at the Cardinal who is still displeased at her behavior.

"I apologize for pointing a blade at someone. That was not my intention, Orchimaru-sama. As you can see, he pointed the blade at me simply means he will not change his mind but hurt me. Thankfully Kabuto noticed it so the blade stopped from stabbing me... I know that situation was unavoidable since you see me as nothing but a nuisance to your organization so it is natural that I take action for my protection. Nonetheless, I won't cease at my decision..." she enunciated before looking dignified to the mercenaries. The Cardinal's tempers increases after seeing her precious gem talking back at him.

"ENOUGH! I've heard enough of your ludicrous requests. You are becoming more and more irreverent, right now, Sakura..." he yelled at Sakura who just remained in her dignified look. The Cardinal walks closer to her and whispers to her ear controlling his temper while caressing the strand of her hair. "Can't you see? They were the mercenaries who killed innumerable people and they can easily slaughter you wherever they desire. I always believe that I have you at my side for my plan, but why does it look like you're against it!".

Sakura stepped backward loosening the hair that Orochimaru was caressing. "First of all, I don't even know this plan of yours. Second, who even said that I am against it? I was just making your plan more manageable. Lastly, isn't this a good opportunity for us to know where their loyalty lies?" she whispered surprising the Cardinal with what her real intentions are, but the truth is that was another of her lies.

The Cardinal was now becoming pleased at what she said, but at the same time baffled at her cunning eyes that he saw for the first time. He only knows her dazzling beauty and blessed vision, and he is not aware that she has a lot more to offer than what he sees. He was gonna declare his change of heart to consent to her request, but the leader of the mercenary suddenly spoke while removing his hoodie making everyone look at him and getting their attention.

He has orange messy hair and light purple irides with ripple patterns that spread over his eyeball with six nose rings at his bridge making Sakura sense something gloomy at those nose rings for some reason.

"As a mercenary leader, no one has the guts to propose to be our benefactor. So I had to say you are brave with that, young lady. However, I am still not convinced that you deserve to be our benefactor, as what am I seeing right now," he stated while looking solemn at her. Sakura steps forward confidently while staring at the Mercenary revealing her dignified dazzling emerald eyes.

"There I ask, what can I do to convince you?" she asked while guessing a little of what might he do to make her more convincing for the title. While the Deacon and Cardinal were feeling uneasy about the Leader of the Mercenary because they knew that he always had something on his sleeve that should be ignored.

"Fought all my men and prove that you are worthy to be our benefactor," he declared straightforwardly while looking solemn but at the same time intimidating.

She was going say something to what he expected but was cut by the four mercenary members who disapproved of their leader for spitting absurdity, except the other three who just remained silent.

"What the fuck?!" yelled by the silver-haired guy.

"Yeah, totally stupid, yeah" added by the blonde-haired guy.

"Hey, I didn't agree with this to just play with that red-haired doll," said by one of the mercenaries while still wearing a hoodie, who didn't care about what was happening earlier and now spitting his complaint.

"Pein-sama, I think you should reconsider. That petite red hair has no match for us," the shark-faced guy who removed his hoodie said.

"Yeah, she's not even faster earlier Yeah, I just halted to play with her," he stated to help himself to not feel humiliated earlier.

"Pardon me, but the leader should be obeyed by his slave, right? Oh, pardon the slave term, it should be drudge who does all dirty works," she disparaged while smirking to mock the mercenaries. It did strike their pride making them blow up.

"Hey Bitch! What did you fucking say?" he said while walking in fury at her and was going to do something to teach her a lesson, but he was stopped by their leader using his arm.

"Halt!... Now, I gave you my consent to provide the place, rules, and weapon for the combat, Sakura," he said casually which she nodded in return like they made an agreement by just staring at each other earlier.

"My pleasure, Pein-san. So as you heard I will be the one who will elucidate the combat to prove my capability as your benefactor. Further, the combat will-"

"I refuse!" said by the Cardinal calmly while staring at the leader of the Mercenary intensely. "This kind of agreement was so unfair, especially on a young lady with a petite body for combat. But as I see Sakura is willing to do the combat, however on one condition she is only allowed to fight one person. And that should be the stronger member of your organization. Because if she's going to fight all of you, it is already futile." he explained having a concern at the plan of her precious gem that he needs to support for now.

The Leader looks back at the red-haired lady who's nodding at what the Cardinal said. "Very well, I the leader of the Akatsuki mercenaries would volunteer to prove if you are qualified to become our benefactor," he declared making the atmosphere between the mercenaries more intensely and loudly.

"No fucking way!" the silver-haired guy shouted.

"Hey, why you, yeah? It should be me or the Uchiha's. They're our strongest members, un?" the blonde guy said.

"Deidara, the Uchiha's isn't even here. And why you? You can't even defeat Tobi," the shark-faced guy said while rolling his eyes. "In addition, Pein-sama you should consider first our opinion, before stating some kind of combat that is unnecessary. Having a benefactor does not only qualify the skill physically but also mentally. If she doesn't have both that skills then it was just a waste of time having her in our organization," he added while whispering the last-second sentence while staring at the red-haired girl.

"I know what I am doing Kisame. Don't compare me to the likes of you and the raven who made a plan behind my back," he whispered while looking at his eyes intensely making him gulp.

It seems that Kisame and Itachi hide their lying to the Pope from their leader and he knows all of it. Actually, it was not their intention to hide it they were just late to deliver, the change of plan.

"So, where do we begin?" he asked while staring at the red-haired girl who just said, "Follow me!".

After walking inside the temple while following the petite lady. They finally arrive at the Garden of Indragami. The god of war and wisdom.

The Akatsuki Mercenaries and the two priests arrive at the garden looking bewildered at the chosen place for combat by the Princess. Especially the Cardinal who is not pleased with the feeling of being disrespectful by the chosen place.

"Why the garden of Indragami, Sakura?" he asked controlling his temper.

"Indra-sama was the god of War and Wisdom," she started while looking at his statue. "He will bless our combat as well as our strength and capability. Therefore, by fighting, you can witness, if I am qualified to your expectations," she stated while looking at the Mercenaries who are still opposed to her becoming their benefactor.

"Very well. Then, what would be the rules for our combat?" the leader asked making the red-haired girl nod at him.

Sakura walked closer to Kabuto and reached her hand.

"Can I borrow your sword, Kabuto-san?" she asked while looking him in the eye who did not like the situation she was in.

Even if he is against the situation he still summons his sword and gives it to the Princess.

"Don't swing this sword too vastly with your mana. Swing it using only your strength, if you don't want to be eaten alive," he whispered while staring at her. She just smiled in return and said,

"All swords are my friends. So, you don't need to worry about my mana," she said making him curious. But instead of raising a question about what she said, he let her do what she wanted to do. At least he is aware that she has more secrets that still need to peel off.

"Alright, the rules were just simple," she said while tying the handkerchief at the hilt of the sword, that was tied in her hands earlier. "You Lose when you loosen the sword on your hand. You Win if you make just a single scratch on my body. Simple, right?" she said making the Cardinal and the Deacon oppose her rules.

"Sakura, what are you doing? Are you trying to kill yourself?" the Cardinal asked while holding her arms towards him so his whispers could only be heard by her.

"Have you forgotten, your eminence? If you may recall, no man can kill me," she whispered closer to his ears while smiling.

"But that doesn't mean no man can't hurt you," he added while staring at her dazzling emerald eyes who just smirked in return.

"Orochimaru-sama, I'm inside a god's chamber. Simply means I have his protection,". He almost forgot the prophecy, because of the action of his gem turning his attention only to her. The cardinal let go of her arms and let her do whatever she wanted. However, he felt a bit of wary this behavior his gem was showing. And he is not pleased by it.

The red-haired girl walked at the center of the huge garden making the akatsuki mercenaries stunned at her beauty. Before stepping onto their battlefield she removed first her white cloak revealing her in a sleeve pink dress. But what made them stunned was when she removed her hanfu veil mask and red hair wig revealing her dazzling emerald eyes and silky long pink hair. The Cardinal and the Deacon were shocked at what she did because if she revealed herself, her hiding would no longer be necessary. Also showing her real face can make the mercenaries take advantage of it.

"Now, can we begin the combat?" she asked while glancing at the leader of the Akatsuki, who in return looked at her from head to toe.

"Are you going to fight me while wearing a dress?"

"Precisely, what is wrong with that? We were only using swords to fight, so what is the problem?" she said while looking at her long dress that might make her slip while fighting. However, she doesn't need to worry because she is not wearing a tea-length dress but a sheath dress.

"Fine, let us now begin the fight!" he started while smirking having a thought that this would be just an easy combat.

He removed his black cloak gave it to Kakuzu and fetched his slitted huge sword making a slide sound. While he was walking closer to the battlefield. Sakura felt the dark aura the sword was showing. It signifies the sword has already been stained by a lot of blood with no mercy.

When he was now on the battlefield he ran towards her and sliced his sword at her sword making a clashing sound. Sakura knew that this leader's strength was not ordinary. That is why she chooses the Garden of Indragami which he can grant her the capability of fighting without the need for training. However, consequences still await her in the end. That is why in the first place she wants to learn martial arts so she doesn't need to rely on and borrow his ability just to protect herself.

The clashing sound continued, however, the leader of the Akatsuki was looking for an opportunity to find a hole so he could scratch her or stab her instead if necessary. But while fighting, her eyes send him something making him lose his mind for some reason. This kind of fight reminded him of his past. The past that he doesn't want to remember anymore.

"Was this the only strength of the leader of the Akatsuki?" she mocked making the atmosphere hype a little. Because while fighting earlier she noticed that the face of the leader was turning so melancholy and she didn't want it to turn into affection.

He smirked and made the force stronger so she would recede at the situation. However, no matter how hard his force is, she still can take it. It feels like she has more experience in fighting than him.

She forced and slid his sword away from his hand, however, it didn't work. It feels like the sword is connected to his hand. She stood a second at her position before attacking again figuring out how to make the sword slip at his hand.

"You are quite good for a young lady locked in the temple. But aren't you underestimating me too much by your filthy rules," he said before vanishing in front of her and now on her back. He was gonna slice her but he got distracted when she threw the handkerchief in the air, which made him confused.

"Why're you looking up there? I'm your opponent," she said making the leader of the Akatsuki widen his eyes and then glance in front of him immediately to catch her sword who is after him. But it was too late.

Sakura kicked him onto the floor and locked him by her sword to his left side near his left eye.

Their faces are closer, they can hear each other's breath and they can see each other's sweat. The Leader of the Akatsuki remembers a memory just by looking at the girl in front of him. It does remind her of his late fiance. He saw through her eyes the dedication to succeed something that is far more dangerous than being locked in the temple. And he hates to admit that he wants her to succeed.

"I know you made a deal with the Pope," she started while staring into his eyes. "And that should never be settled. Because if you want more customers to provide you mission and arrange all the money you've wasted, then make me your benefactor." She said with a cunning look.

"You are really an interesting lady," he whispered before letting go of his sword that was pointed at her back making a cling sound on the floor and accepting defeat. The mercenaries were shocked at what their leader did however they couldn't complain because they were still captivated by her beauty.

Sakura stands up and reaches her hand to the mercenary leader to help him stand up on the floor. He held it tightly while staring at her eyes before looking back at his fellow mercenary.

"I forfeit and accept defeat. Now, bow down mercenaries, we should declare our loyalty and alliances with our new benefactor," he said making all the mercenaries bow and follow their leader on their knees.

"We, Akatsuki mercenaries shall vow to the God Hagoromo that we shall follow, listen, and protect our new benefactor. We shall never betray and harm her. We shall stay and serve her with loyalty. We shall serve and sacrifice everything, even to the very end of our life," he said making the mercenaries repeat what he said without any hesitation.

Sakura was speechless at what they vowed she didn't have any idea that being a benefactor should come to this. This kind of vow reminded her of her past and she hates to remember it. Because she knows every vow she heard is meant to be broken no matter what.

"Alright, enough with the vows. I am just your benefactor, not some kind of new master to put your life on the line..." she said feeling a bit uncomfortable at their stares.

"No, you will not just be one of our benefactors. I saw the potential master in you since you are a blessed child who can become an empress someday, that we can gain an advantage, " he said straightforwardly without hesitation. This made her speechless again because it made her feel irritated for the reason of her being a blessed child.

The alliances were finished by Orochimaru's agreement with the leader of the Akatsuki that Sakura could have a spare room at the mercenary mansion for now. Because the house she was living-in was not safe, since there were still a lot of bandits roaming around the empire. Also, he warned them that they should not touch just a single strand of her hair. Because if they do he will turn everything they achieved together into something they will regret.

The leader of the mercenary felt nothing intimidating at his warning because he knew his fellow mercenary wouldn't be interested in her. Because all of them have plenty of wounds that can't be cured no matter what. That is why Love does not exist in each of their hearts, but only their goal that keeps them alive.

***

The Akatsuki and the Princess finally arrived at the Akatsuki mercenary's Mansion without the preachers. When they were walking to the Akatsuki Mansion silence filled the hallway. And it made her feel glad that they didn't try to talk to her.

The Mansion was as big and gloomy as she expected. The walls were made of crimson-red stones that were almost like blood flowing on the walls. While the floors were made of shady black tiles that looked dusty and dirty. It made her irritated because even if it was black, you could still see the dust who were being swept when they were walking.

When they arrive at the living room of the mansion. The guy with the blonde hair removed his coat leaving it on the floor and jumped on the big cushioned sofa. He was wearing a teal in color black, v-neck with a sleeveless, midriff shirt with mesh armor underneath it along with pants and stirrups.

"Hey pinky, come here, un!" he said while reaching his hand showing the black nail polish on his fingers with an Akatsuki ring on his right index finger, which bore the kanji for (ao).

She ignored him and looked at their Leader. "Before I settle living in here. I suggest that this place needs a cleaning. And please don't leave your coat on the floor. Have you not learned any manner? Especially wearing a sandal inside the living room was already a sign of... uncleanliness," she complained making the shark-faced guy snicker at her complaint.

"Oh, so does this mean you are signing off from being our benefactor?..." he asked while smirking.

"I didn't even say it like that. I am asking you to please have a bit of concern in your place," she said while looking seriously at him.

"I apologize if our place irritated you. As you can see as a mercenary our time was always packed. That is why we don't have enough time to clean," the leader explained.

"Or, I suggest that instead of whining some bullshits like this is your fucking place. Why don't you volunteer to clean our place, especially it suits you very much," The silver-haired guy said while smirking waiting for the pinkette to yield. However, rather than adding to what he said. She removed her hanfu veil mask showing her dazzling and serious face while reaching her hand to the Leader.

"Hand me all of your files indicating everything about your information. Then, I'll assign who will clean in each of the days..." she said. The rest of the mercenaries were gonna oppose but she shushed them and continued what she was saying. "But, do not be upset. I know all of you are lazy and only want a mission that can satisfy your needs. I was just doing that as part of avoiding any plague that can cause us a loss of fortune. Nevertheless, as a new benefactor and a master as what you vowed earlier, I only want what is best for the organization and I wouldn't suggest such a thing just for personal reasons," she finished still waiting for the leader to give her the files she wanted.

"Stupid to say that it is not for a fucking personal reasons. Scrubbing shits, mopping shits or whatever shits are commoner's duties. Why don't you just fucking hire one?" the silver-haired guy mocked.

"Yeah, actually we don't need to because she's already one, un?" the blonde guy suggests while resting his chin on the backrest of the sofa while clapping and laughing along with the silver-haired and shark-faced guy.

"Enough!!" the Leader roared while giving Deidara a death glare making him gulp. After, he glances back at the pinkette "I apologize for their rudeness."

"No need to apologize, I completely understand that manner was not in your forte. In addition, during my stay here. I just want to remind all of you as early as possible that expect a lot of changes and modifications in your organizations. Do we understand?" she asked making the three laugh again along with the red-haired who just smirked mockingly.

"I SAID, DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND?!" she repeated while glaring at all of them. They were shocked at her change of attitude making them gulped. They all nodded making her smile back in the end getting back to herself.

"Excellent! So, where is my office and chamber, then?" she asked as if nothing happened.

The Leader cleared his throat feeling pleased that he was not wrong for having her in their organization as he expected. Before ordering Kisame to assist Sakura to her chamber leaving them in the living room so he could discuss something confidential with the Akatsuki Mercenaries.

To be continued...

***

Mei's Note:

I deeply apologize for the late update and for so much of long wait. My schedule was really hectic which is why I don't have much time to update and write this fanfiction. It is just the start of my first year of college which is why I am so busy. ༼⁠;⁠'⁠༎ຶ⁠ ⁠۝ ⁠༎ຶ⁠༽. So many projects, assignments, and all. But do not worry, I'll manage my schedule as I can, so I can have a little time to continue this story. Because I also love this fanfiction and I will finish this no matter what. In addition, wait for the cover update
\(⁠＠•▽•＠⁠)/. That is all for now.

Thanks for reading my fanfiction. I hope that you enjoy reading it. Arigatou minna!!

~Credits to the owner of the picture from Google~