She Really Was a Princess

"Young man, watch what you say and where you say it. Now speak. What are you plotting by infiltrating Konoha?" The Third's imposing aura surged, and his commanding voice carried a vast, crushing pressure. Merely standing at the edge of that aura was already difficult to bear, let alone being Nanaha at its center.

Genma, meanwhile, respected the Third Hokage even more. He had never expected the elderly Third to possess such an imposing presence. The old blade was still sharp.

Issui was secretly shocked. The Shinobi Hero famous throughout the Shinobi World and known as the Professor of Ninjutsu really did have some impressive skills. Though he was no longer as strong as he had been in his prime, he still retained seventy or eighty percent of his former strength. In the original story, he had single-handedly fought Orochimaru and Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, who had been brought back through Impure World Reincarnation. Although the "vessels" used for Impure World Reincarnation had not been strong, the two Hokage whose souls had been reincarnated still retained their fighting instincts. The only difference was the amount of chakra they had. Even under those circumstances, the Third had managed to hold his own against all three of them and ultimately sealed the two Hokage and Orochimaru's arms. It could only be said that the Third was definitely a powerful Kage Level ninja.

"Ah... sob, sob, Grandpa Hokage, it's me, little Nanaha! You even held me when I was little." Nanaha had finally found hope. Ah, there's finally someone who knows who I am! I'm never going to pretend to be a ninja killer again. And I'll show that brat!

"Oh? Let me have a look. You've grown so much! I never expected that little girl from back then to grow into such a graceful beauty. What a surprise! Why are you dressed like this? Fortunately, Issui was the one who found you. If it had been someone else and something had happened to you, I wouldn't have been able to answer to your father..." Sarutobi took a closer look. No wonder she looked so familiar. She's the Land of Fire daimyo's daughter. Good thing that boy Issui went easy on her. If anything had happened, the Land of Fire would certainly have been shaken. Nanaha is far too naughty, pretending to be a missing-nin. Sigh, it looks like I'll have to ask the daimyo to discipline her properly. Still, that little girl Nanaha really does have a nice figure...

"N-no way. Is this woman really... really the daimyo's daughter?" Issui was so full of regret he wanted to die. He cursed Nanaha in his heart. Of all the things you could pretend to be, you had to dress up as a Grass Ninja missing-nin! Now I'm the one suffering for it. I even thought I'd get a reward. Well, look at me now. Reward, my ass. I'll be lucky not to get punished. Good thing you're a beauty. If you'd been ugly and I'd killed you, I'd have become a criminal.

"Ah, a misunderstanding! This is a misunderstanding. Issui, hurry and apologize to the princess. You can't blame someone who didn't know. Nanaha, you see, he was only following the rules, so don't make things difficult for him. And really, if you hadn't dressed up as a missing-nin, who would have done that?" The Third was embarrassed by the situation too and hurriedly signaled Issui with his eyes.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Princess. It was all a misunderstanding. I'll put your arms back in place right away. Sigh..." Issui bowed and apologized to Nanaha with a miserable expression. He hurriedly helped her up and reset her dislocated arms, succeeding on the first try this time. He didn't dare make several attempts again. What a mess.

"Ha, brat, now it's my turn..." As soon as Nanaha's arms were free, she grabbed one of Issui's ears with her left hand. Women really were creatures you shouldn't provoke. Although Issui was only eight, Nanaha didn't think this brat could be judged by his age. He's really ruthless! He could even ignore a beauty like me. How hateful! I'm the most, most, most, most, most beautiful princess in the Land of Fire. How could you ignore me? You even wanted to trade this beautiful young lady for money to buy things for a little girl. Have I lost my charm? Just look at the Third old man's lecherous eyes and you'll know that's not true. (Third: How did I get dragged into this again? I was only "observing.")

"Ow, let... let go! Or... or I won't go easy on you..." Issui thought he was terribly unlucky. Is this ear even still mine? If she keeps pulling it, it'll come off. Damn you, don't think I'm easy to bully. Give you an inch and you take a mile. Even a clay figure has some temper, and a cornered rabbit will bite. I'm not a rabbit, but I can still bite.

"Oh? Oh? What are you going to do about it? I'm going to fight you until heaven and earth are turned upside down today!" Nanaha felt wonderful. This was so satisfying.

It seemed Issui had no choice but to use his trump card. His hands rapidly formed hand seals for the ultimate escape technique-Substitution Technique. With a puff of white smoke, Issui appeared behind the Lord Hokage. Nanaha, who had been enjoying herself, noticed that her prey had vanished from her hand, and rage filled her heart.

"All right, all right, Nanaha, let him go. Besides, he's just a child, so you should make allowances for him. You haven't suffered any injuries either, have you? I think we should just let it go. Issui, why aren't you going back yet? Hiashi will be asking me for you soon." The Third hurried to smooth things over, signaling Issui to disappear and get past this trouble first. Sigh, someone as old as me still has to deal with these troublesome matters every day. It's really exhausting. I'll quit soon.

"Then I'll take my leave. Goodbye, Grandpa Hokage." With permission to leave, Issui jumped straight out of the window and fled...

Back home, Issui touched his injured ear and cursed. That woman's hand was vicious. My ear's swollen! How hateful. Today isn't my lucky day. How could I be so unlucky? I'll go find my little Hinata to comfort my wounded heart.

"Ah, Issui-kun, you're back. The food is ready, so come eat." Hinata had heard the noise in the courtyard and come out. Only when she saw that Issui was back did her worries fade. She had heard that Issui-kun had gone outside the village to train, and she couldn't help worrying. There were plenty of wild beasts outside the village. What if he got hurt?

"Ah, Hinata, sorry I didn't ask you to come along today. Actually, I was worried about you. I ran into a 'missing-nin' outside the village today, but I already defeated her, although there was a bit of an accident afterward..."

"Ah, were you hurt? How could there be a missing-nin near the village?"

"No. With my current strength, I can handle anyone as long as they aren't a Jonin."

"Really... are you all right?" Hinata asked with concern. She even examined Issui from head to toe, but all she found was that one of his ears was a little swollen. Did that missing-nin like attacking ears? How strange. No wonder the missing-nin was defeated. She must have been an idiot. Who attacks someone's ear? (Issui: You've defeated me. How did you even come up with that?)

"All right, I'm fine. We still have training tomorrow, so let's eat and get to bed early. I'm really tired today. I trained all day, and I never expected so much to happen afterward. Honestly."

The next day, outside Hyuga Hiashi's house.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

"Who is it? May I ask who you are...?" Hinata looked at the young lady outside the door, who was about fifteen or sixteen. She was so pretty. Hinata didn't seem to know her. Huh?

"Ah, what a cute little girl. Is Issui Kanna here?" Nanaha looked at the cute little girl in front of her and felt intensely jealous. Why does she have to be so cute? But she's still young and doesn't pose a threat, so I won't hold it against her.

"Ah, you're looking for Issui-kun? He just finished breakfast and was getting ready to go out and train. What do you need him for?" Hinata was full of questions. I've never heard Issui-kun mention knowing her. Could she be a fraud? Hmm, it's possible. I have to find out for sure.

"Ah... aha, I wanted to ask him out to 'play' for a while. We had a very 'pleasant' time together yesterday, so..." Nanaha didn't know what to say. Why does this little girl ask so many questions? Can't she just call that brat out?

"Really? But..."

"But what, Hinata? Huh? You, you're..." When Issui saw Nanaha outside the door, his head immediately ached. You even came looking for me here? Do you think I'm afraid of you?

"Hee-hee, brat, didn't expect this, did you? That old man the Third gave me your address. Go on, try running away again!" Nanaha said with a smile. Run, go on and run again. You can't escape from the palm of my hand. Hahaha...

"Is she an enemy, Issui-kun?" Hinata was a little afraid, but she still assumed a defensive stance, her cute little face completely serious.

"What?" Issui and Nanaha were both bewildered. What's going on? Little cutie, you've got the wrong idea...

"Never mind. Actually, I don't blame you anymore. I came to ask you to show me around Konoha today. Bring this little beauty along too." Nanaha had no choice but to explain why she was there, or the little cutie would keep this up. Was she supposed to bully a little girl younger than herself? That would be too...

"Oh, that's good. Don't be afraid, Hinata. I met her yesterday. She's the daughter of our Land of Fire's daimyo, and her name is Nanaha Yaja." Issui had no choice but to set Hinata's mind at ease.

"Ah? Oh, so that's how it is. Please come in and sit down. We can all go out together in a little while." Hinata's face immediately flushed, and she pouted at Issui. Honestly, Issui-kun, you should have said so earlier. You made me embarrass myself on purpose. You're awful.

Issui forced a smile and invited Nanaha in. Women are so troublesome. And now we're going shopping today. Heavens, these two beauties, one big and one little, are going shopping. I hope it won't take too long, but that probably won't happen. Shopping is in women's nature, and beauties are especially good at it.

After getting ready, Issui, Hinata, and Nanaha went out. The three headed straight for Konoha's busiest street and first entered a clothing store that sold women's and children's clothes. The proprietress was about thirty. Though her looks were not particularly striking, her well-tailored kimono showed off her perfect figure.

"My, what a pretty young lady! Welcome to my store. A beautiful young lady like you would look lovely in any style of clothing. Of course, pretty, well-fitting clothes would show off your beauty even more. Here, let me tell you, our store just happened to get two fitted, tight mesh outfits from the Land of Wind. The fabric is soft and comfortable..." The proprietress chattered on to Nanaha, leaving her somewhat dazed. Still, after Nanaha took the proprietress's advice and put on the new-style clothes, she really did look even more beautiful.

Hinata was quite envious too, and in the end she also had the proprietress pick out a coat and a kimono for her.

Unable to resist Hinata's persuasion, Issui picked out a top as well. He also drew a design for a cloak, similar in style to the male mage's trench coat in DNF and silver-white in color, and had the proprietress make it. She praised Issui's design, too. Since it was already winter, animal fur was used for the material. Naturally, the price was not low, but Nanaha paid. The princess had plenty of money.

After leaving the clothing store, Issui and the others visited various snack shops. Hinata and Nanaha ate until their mouths were greasy. They rarely behaved like this normally. One was the young lady of a great clan, and the other was a princess of a great nation. Their statuses required them to pay close attention to manners and upbringing, but now that no one was watching, they could relax for once. Issui got to enjoy himself along with them...

After a full day of wild fun, Nanaha bid Issui and Hinata farewell one by one and headed for the daimyo's residence under the protection of her guards. She had secretly run away from home, and the Land of Fire daimyo had been growing more and more frantic over the past few days. Fortunately, the Third had informed him that Nanaha was in Konoha, and the daimyo had immediately sent a guard unit to bring her back.

"You stinky brat, and cute little Hinata, I'm very happy I met you. I had so much fun today. Come visit me sometime. I'll miss you both..."

"Goodbye, Nanaha!" Hinata was very happy too.

"Tch, I told you not to call me a brat..." Issui was very unhappy with what Nanaha called him. Still, it didn't matter. He hoped they would have a chance to meet again so he could spend more of Nanaha's money. Spending someone else's money was great.