- Rodman Graves Sterling, son of Albert Graves. No highlights at the academy, no noteworthy achievements in twenty years in the First Patent. And, curiously, his two sons are also in the same position. Coincidence? I don't think so. Rodman should never have been in the First Rank. It's precisely because of arrangements and favors like his that the rebels get in so easily.
I step forward, pointing my finger in his face, my voice charged with fury:
- Admit you did it because he hurt your little girl!
He holds my gaze for a moment before shrugging.
- I admit it. He tried to break a civilian's arm. A girl's. And I didn't like it.
***
Hinata and Tenten were sitting at the table, drinking tea and talking quietly. At the back of the room, Pakura remained silent, looking out of the window. On the huge cream sofa, Princess Karin was leafing through a magazine with disinterest.
- Miss Sakura? - someone called out.
I turned around before entering the hall and there was the queen, arm in arm with Councilor Jiraya. I bowed politely, and they both nodded in response.
- Your Majesty. Counselor.
- You had quite a fight yesterday," said the queen.
I swallowed.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Were you very close to her? - Jiraya asked.
My throat tightened.
- Yes, sir.
Tsunade sighed, assessing me with that stern look of someone who rarely gives in.
- A lady shouldn't behave like that. Lucky for you, the cameras were focused on the main event and not on your performance. Still, I hope that this kind of out-of-control behavior doesn't happen again during her stay.
She must never have had a close friend. That's why she couldn't understand me. Or worse, she didn't want to. Tsunade, granddaughter of the great King Hashirama, raised within those impenetrable walls... Had she ever had someone she could count on? Someone to share a bed with on nights of sadness, to talk to about everything, to share a pan of brigadier?
- She was my best friend," I told her. - I lost count of how many times her family saved mine from starvation. If we have a roof over our heads and a crop, it's thanks to the Yamanaka.
Tsunade's face remained impassive, but one of her blonde eyebrows rose.
- Did you do it out of gratitude?
- I did it out of love, Your Majesty. And I would do it again if I had to.
- I'm glad you did," Jiraya said suddenly.
Tsunade and I widened our eyes in surprise.
That's what I needed. Someone who could see beyond the rules, beyond the laws. Someone who understood me.
For a second, I felt like pouring it all out there, telling her how I felt. But the queen walked away, visibly upset. Jiraya waited a moment before placing a firm hand on my shoulder.
- I told myself I shouldn't get involved. Tsunade gets angry easily. But you were right, miss. I think even she would do the same... If it were me in Orochimaru's place, on that log.
His grip on my shoulder intensified slightly before he added:
- In any case, go easy on him.
I agreed. Jiraya gave me a gentle smile and dismissed me with a gesture.
I took a deep breath before entering the hall. I paced back and forth, trying to contain my thoughts, until I finally sat down with Tenten and Hinata.
- How are you? - Hinata asked softly.
- I'm fine. What worries me is Ino.
- At least they're together," commented Pakura, coming up behind me and massaging my shoulders. - As long as they have each other, they'll survive.
- How do you know they're together?
- Naruto told me," she replied, as if it were obvious.
I frowned.
- I can't believe he told you before he told me. I thought you were his favorite.
The princess laughed.
- Evidently, I'm not anymore," commented Karin.
The four of us exchanged glances.
- I can't believe Naruto did that to them," I let out, unable to hold it in any longer.
Hinata, always serene, just nodded.
- But she did something wrong.
Her voice held no judgment. Just acceptance. As if she were following orders.
Tenten, on the other hand, was more emphatic.
- He could have killed them both. I bet that if they were asked, they would have preferred the lash to death. It's horrible, of course, but if I had to choose... Well, I'd choose to live.
I laughed, humorlessly. A dry, mocking laugh.
Tenten gave me an annoyed look. I didn't mind.
- Please - I screwed up. - We all know that you're a Three brought up in the university libraries, where your father is a professor. You'd never survive a beating, let alone a life as an Eight. You'd beg to die.
Tenten's face turned as red as hot coals.
- You think you're the only one who's ever suffered, don't you? Poor Four, who's been planting in the fields and carrying bags of manure since she was three... Poor thing.
- I don't think I'm the only one who's suffered! - My voice went up a notch. - But I've been through a lot more than you!
- You have no idea what I've had to sacrifice! - We shouted at the same time.
- What? - I retorted, anger burning me up inside. - One day you had to exchange your new pink dress for your sister's old one?
Hinata put her hand to her chest in anguish. Her fragile nerves showed her tension, and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Pakura squeezed my shoulders, forcing a yellow smile.
- Hey, you don't know what crazy thing I heard yesterday... - began the greenish girl, trying to put an end to the fight.
We were all talking at the same time, our voices clashing in an attempt to win Pakura and Hinata over to our sides. It was the first time we'd argued like this. Tenten had always been one of the funniest girls, but I couldn't let her minimize Ino's suffering. No. Not Ino.
And then, in the midst of the chaos, in a dissonant voice, the princess whispered to her magazine as we argued.
- She got what she deserved. Biscuit.
The silence that followed was as dense as the discussion.
Karin looked back just in time to see me preparing to pounce. She screamed the instant we crashed into the coffee table, knocking over everything around us. The sound of shattering porcelain confirmed that a cup had been sacrificed in the chaos.
I closed my eyes mid-jump and, when I opened them, Karin was underneath me, struggling to hold my wrists.
- GUARDS! GUARDS! - she screamed, her voice choking with panic.
I unclenched my right arm and, without hesitation, slapped her with all my might. The crack resounded through the room. My hand burned, but the sound of the impact made the pain worthwhile.