NARUTO: Flirting Paradise

Morning sunlight streamed through the slightly parted curtains, casting bright streaks across the walls of the small room. Naruto lay on his bed, hands clasped behind his head. His blue eyes stared at the ceiling, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and memories from the night before.

Sakura's words still echoed in his head, heavy as an anvil. "You're not good enough for me, Naruto." They played on a loop, a cruel refrain he couldn't silence. He had believed that their relationship, though sometimes complicated, had potential—that if he persevered, she would finally see him for who he truly was. But her words had shattered something within him, a dream he had nurtured since childhood.

He sighed deeply, feeling an immense weight pressing on his chest. Why could he never measure up? Why, despite all his efforts, dreams, and dedication, did he always feel inadequate? Part of him wanted to scream, to get up and train even harder, to prove he was more than she thought. But another, darker part of him questioned whether it was even worth it.

The silence in the room was deafening. Only the ticking of an old clock on the wall punctuated his thoughts. Naruto turned onto his side, his gaze falling on the bedside table where his headband rested. He remembered the promises he had made to himself, the ones he had made to others. Was he betraying them simply because he felt broken?

Suddenly, three soft knocks broke the oppressive silence. Naruto didn't respond immediately. The knocks came again, louder this time.

"Naruto? It's me, Shikamaru. You in there?"

Naruto groaned faintly, reluctantly pulling himself up. Opening the door, he came face-to-face with the nonchalant ninja, hands buried in his pockets.

"Yo. We were waiting for you at the meeting, but judging by your face, I'm guessing you're not in the mood."

Naruto forced a weak smile. "Not really, Shikamaru. Sorry, but I think I'll sit this one out today."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, ready to leave without pressing further. Digging into others' business wasn't his style. But as he turned to walk away, Naruto stopped him.

"Wait, Shikamaru."

The tone in Naruto's voice was different—deeper, almost desperate. It made the strategist pause, turning back with curiosity.

"What?"

Naruto took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Do you... do you think I should change?"

Shikamaru frowned, clearly surprised. "Change? What are you talking about?"

Naruto averted his eyes, uncomfortable, and sat down on the edge of his bed. "I mean... my personality, the way I am. I wonder if I'm too... you know, too loud, too naïve, too... unbearable."

Shikamaru leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Where's this coming from? What's going on with you?"

Naruto hesitated before spilling everything. He told him about his evening with Sakura, every word she had said and how it had affected him. His voice wavered at times, but he didn't stop. Shikamaru listened intently, withholding any comments until Naruto finished.

"So... do you think she's right? Do I really need to change to be better?" Naruto asked, his gaze pleading.

Shikamaru let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for the right response. "You said you wanted me to be honest, so here it is: yeah, maybe she's right about some things."

Naruto stared at him, eyes wide. Even though he had expected this answer, hearing it still hurt.

"You want to know why?" Shikamaru continued. "It's not because you're loud or unbearable. It's because you lose yourself trying to be what you think others want you to be. You try so hard to prove your worth to everyone else that you forget to ask what you really want."

Naruto looked down, unable to reply.

"Look at yourself," Shikamaru went on. "You woke up this morning wondering if you were good enough for her. But did you ever stop to ask if she deserves you? Maybe the problem isn't you, but the expectations you've set for yourself. You're not perfect—no one is. But you're Naruto, and that's already something."

A heavy silence filled the room. Naruto, though still troubled, mulled over his friend's words.

"So... you're saying I shouldn't change?" he finally asked, his voice hesitant.

"I'm saying if you're going to change, do it for yourself, not for someone else." Shikamaru stood upright, hands back in his pockets. "Sakura might've been harsh, but she gave you a chance to think about who you want to be. So take it. But remember this: the people who truly matter will accept you for who you are, not who you try to be."

Naruto nodded slowly, absorbing Shikamaru's words.

"Anyway, I'll leave you to it. If you want to join us later, you know where to find us," Shikamaru said as he turned toward the door.

"Shikamaru..." Naruto called out before he left.

"Hm?"

"Thanks."

Shikamaru shrugged, a small smirk on his lips. "Don't mention it. Helping a friend isn't that troublesome... most of the time."

When the door closed, Naruto was alone again. But this time, his mind was less restless. He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling with a different feeling. Shikamaru's words echoed in his head, illuminating a path he hadn't considered before.

He didn't know what he would do next, but one thing was certain: he wouldn't let others' words completely define his worth anymore.

The sunlight shone brighter through the curtains. Maybe change was on the horizon, but for the first time in a while, Naruto asked himself: What kind of Naruto do I really want to be?

[...]

In the Hokage's office, the silence was briefly interrupted by the sound of casual footsteps. Jiraiya, the legendary Sannin, entered with his usual mischievous grin, one hand resting on his hip.

"Tsunade-hime! Still as radiant as ever, even stuck in this gloomy office," he quipped, settling himself into a chair without waiting for an invitation.

Tsunade looked up from the stack of reports she was reading, her expression wavering between exasperation and amusement. "Jiraiya… how many times do I have to tell you to stop buttering me up? I know you're just trying to avoid giving your report."

"Me? Avoid? Never," he replied with a sly smile. "But honestly, you could at least admit you're stunning today. Who knows? Maybe I came back just to see you."

Tsunade sighed, propping her elbow on the desk and resting her chin on her fist. "You'd better start telling me what you learned in Kumo before I decide to throw you out the window."

Jiraiya burst out laughing. "Ah, you're always so charming when you threaten violence." Straightening up, he adopted a slightly more serious tone. "Alright, alright. Let's talk about Kumo. Tensions seem to be easing, but there's an underground group stirring up trouble. They're not too fond of the idea of a deal with Konoha. I've gathered some intel, but it's going to require ongoing surveillance."

Tsunade nodded, her gaze sharpening. "Go on."

But before Jiraiya could continue, he allowed himself one last comment. "I must say, even in the middle of a crisis, your beauty remains unshaken."

Tsunade grabbed a book within reach and hurled it at him. "Finish your report or you're sleeping outside!"