Lusful Sasuke: Taming Kunoichis

She blushed, looking away. "Stop it, Sasuke. You're just being nice. What would you know?"

"I'm not being nice," I replied, a smirk tugging at my lips. "I'm saying what I see. And what I see is a beautiful, powerful kunoichi who's forgotten herself along the way."

She burst out laughing, a real laugh this time, and I felt the tension in the room ease. "Beautiful kunoichi, huh? You've got a way with words, kid."

"Stop with the 'kid'," I said, faux-offended. "I'm taller than you, in case you haven't noticed."

She giggled, shaking her head. "Okay, okay, you're not a kid. But you're still the little Sasuke who caused trouble in Konoha. Even if you're six feet tall now."

"And you're still the Shizune who chased after Tsunade with a stack of paperwork," I retorted, raising an eyebrow. "We've all changed, haven't we?"

She held my gaze for a moment, her smile softening. "Yeah… maybe."

We kept talking, the tea cooling on the table. She told me stories about Tsunade, sleepless nights managing her gambling debts, missions where she'd nearly died. I listened, asked questions, slipped in subtle compliments. Every word was calculated to make her feel good, but I was enjoying it. She was more open than at the bar, less defensive. She felt heard, and that was my way in.

When the inn started to empty, I stood up. "I'll walk you to your room?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But no funny business."

"Me? Funny business?" I said, feigning innocence. "I've always been well-behaved."

*"Says the guy who deserted Konoha to join a S-rank criminal."*

*"Ah... Touche."*

She snorted, following me down the narrow hallway. At her door, she turned to me, her cheeks still slightly flushed. "Thanks, Sasuke. It's been a while since I've talked like this."

"Anytime, Shizune-san," I said, my gaze locked on hers. "I'll be here for a few weeks. Hope we cross paths again?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it, a shy smile on her lips. "Maybe. Good night."

I watched her close the door, a slight satisfied smirk on my face.

[Taming Level: 20%]

Shizune would be mine soon.

The next morning, I woke up in my inn room, sunlight filtering through the wooden shutters. The scent of damp wood and cold tea lingered in the air. My mind was still full of last night: Shizune, her red dress, her hesitant confessions.

[Taming Level: 20%]

She was starting to open up, lower her guard, but she still saw me as a brash kid. I needed to push further, make her see me as a man.

I got up, pulling on a shirt and pants. My stump ached a little, a reminder that this Sasuke body was strong but not invincible.

If I wanted to survive the Otsutsuki or those renegades from the mission, I needed to train. But for now, my priority was Shizune. She could help me regain my power.

I stepped out into the streets. The atmosphere was different in the morning: fewer neon lights, but still that buzz of life. Vendors were setting up stalls, the smell of grilled fish and stale saké hung in the air.

I spotted Shizune near a noodle stand, her black hair hastily tied back, a simple tunic replacing her provocative dress from last night. She looked more subdued, but still nervous, her fingers playing with a wooden chopstick.

"Yo, Shizune-san," I called, approaching with a smirk. "Already replaced saké with noodles?"

She jumped, giving me a half-amused, half-annoyed look. "Sasuke? You're everywhere, aren't you?" She set the chopstick down, crossing her arms. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on some mission or something?"

I shrugged, sitting across from her without asking. "The mission can wait. I've got better things to do." I let the words hang, my eyes locked on hers.

She blushed slightly, looking away. "You're really weird these days. Since when are you the type to hang around?"

"Since I decided to enjoy life," I said, leaning toward her. "And you look like you need to relax. How about the public baths?"

Her eyes widened. "The baths? Are you serious?" She laughed, a bit nervous. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Come on, Shizune-san. You said yesterday you wanted to feel alive. A hot bath's perfect for that." I played on her hesitation, my tone light but insistent.

She bit her lip, clearly conflicted. "Okay, but… why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we don't really know each other that well, and we're not from the same generation—"

"Ahh… Stop bringing up age, Shizune-san. Instead of hitting on guys in a bar, wouldn't a bath be better?"

"Ehh! Keep it down," she blushed.

"So~?"

"Okay, fine. But it doesn't mean anything."

"I didn't imply anything from the start," I said, raising my hands in mock innocence.

[Taming Level: 25%]