Naruto-ReBorn as a Baker

Chapter 245: Malik's Promise in the Temple

The atmosphere within the Gelel temple was thick with tension, illuminated by the faint golden and pink glow radiating from Malik's body. Each step he took seemed to pulse with an aura of calm strength, his presence a stark bright light to the chaotic energy of the crumbling ruins around him. His mount, GrubGrub, had landed gracefully outside, leaving Malik to traverse the dim hallways on foot.

Near the entrance, a faint glimmer of light caught his eye. It wasn't the temple's magic—it was them. Ranke, Kamira, and Fugai stood together, their breaths heavy, their armor dented and smeared with dirt and blood. Their usual confidence had given way to weariness, their shoulders slumped with exhaustion. Malik's pink eyes softened at the sight, but his grin remained ever-present as he approached them.

"Well, well," he drawled, hands resting on his hips as his magic flared brighter. "What did I miss, my fierce knights? Don't tell me you let a little chaos get the better of you."

The three turned toward him, and despite their fatigue, a spark of relief flickered in their eyes. Fugai was the first to speak, her voice tinged with frustration. "That kunoichi you're marrying… She's a menace." She winced, placing a hand over a bruise on her side.

Kamira smirked, though her usual playfulness was subdued. "She's got spirit, I'll give her that, but she could've at least kept her insults to herself." Her reddish eyes narrowed as she muttered, "Flat as a board, but she fights like a damn hurricane."

Ranke crossed her arms, her light-violet eyes glaring at nothing in particular. "If I hear her call me a 'blonde windbag' one more time, I'm going to—"

"Ladies, please," Malik interrupted with a chuckle, stepping closer to them. His glow intensified, casting warm light across their bruised faces. "Let's heal those wounds before we dive into insults. You're all far too beautiful for such anger."

He reached up to Fugai first, his hand gently cradling her cheek. A soft kiss brushed her lips, and his golden-pink magic flowed through her, knitting her wounds and banishing her pain. Fugai's violet eyes widened slightly before she sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing.

Next was Kamira. Malik's fingers trailed lightly across her jawline before he leaned in, planting a kiss on her lips. "There we go, my sweet. Back to your radiant self." Kamira blinked, her usual mischievous smirk returning as her injuries faded.

Finally, he turned to Ranke. She scowled, her cheeks tinged with faint pink. "You don't have to be so dramatic," she muttered, though she didn't pull away as he cupped her face. His kiss lingered a moment longer, and as his magic healed her, her scowl softened into something closer to gratitude.

"Now," Malik said, stepping back to admire his work, "you're all as stunning as ever." He clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "And before you ask—yes, Sakura does have a giant butt to compensate for her, uh, modest chest. But you know looks aren't everything to me."

Kamira snorted. "Sure, Malik. Keep telling yourself that."

Malik winked at her. "What can I say? I'm a man of culture."

The three knights exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of exasperation and affection. Malik's demeanor was as infuriating as it was comforting, and despite their initial annoyance, they couldn't deny the warmth his presence brought.

"I mean it, though," Malik continued, his tone softening. "I love all of you. More than you might realize. If it's what you want, I'll happily put rings on each of your fingers—eventually. But I refuse to rush something so important. You deserve nothing less than perfection, and I intend to give it to you."

For a moment, the weight of his words hung in the air. Ranke's sharp eyes softened, Kamira's playful smirk grew gentler, and even Fugai, ever the skeptic, seemed to relax. Malik's true sincerity was a rare thing, but when it surfaced, it was impossible to ignore.

"Alright, ShortStack," Ranke said finally, her voice lighter than before. "We'll hold you to that. But don't think you're off the hook for making us deal with that pink-haired terror."

Malik laughed, his voice echoing through the temple. "Noted. Now, as much as I'd love to stay and chat…" His gaze shifted toward the deeper chambers of the temple, where the faint hum of Gelel energy resonated. "Duty calls."

He gave them one last look, his pink eyes gleaming with fondness. "Stay safe, my knights. I'll see you soon."

Malik paused at the entrance of the temple, turning back to face the three women. His expression was serious, his pink eyes gleaming with intensity. He beckoned them closer, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper.

To Ranke, he leaned in and murmured, "Later, I'm going to take you to that waterfall we found on our first mission together. Remember how we couldn't keep our hands off each other?" His lips curled into a wicked smile, and he nipped her earlobe playfully before pulling back.

To Kamira, he leaned in and whispered, "I've been dying to see you in that red lace lingerie you wore on our second night together. How about we pick up where we left off, but this time, I won't let you distract me with your mouth." He chuckled softly, pressing a quick kiss to her neck before moving on.

To Fugai, he leaned in and said, "I've been wanting to try out that new bondage technique I read about. What do you say we give it a go in our private quarters, just the two of us? I promise to make it worth your while." He winked at her, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I know you like it a little rough."

Each woman blushed at his words, their hearts pounding with anticipation and desire. Malik's promises were as seductive as they were thrilling, and they couldn't wait to see them through.

As he turned to leave, he called out over his shoulder, "And who knows? Maybe I'll make time for a little fun here and now. But for now, duty calls. We can't have that kunoichi waiting too long, can we?"

With that, he strode off, his laughter echoing through the temple, leaving the three women to daydream about the pleasures that awaited them later.

As he turned to leave, his golden-pink light fading into the shadows, the three women watched him go, their hearts heavy yet hopeful. Despite their weariness, they couldn't help but smile. Malik had a way of turning even the darkest moments into something brighter.

"Do you think he'll actually pull it off?" Kamira asked, her voice quiet.

Fugai's lips curled into a small, confident smirk. "If anyone can, it's him."

Ranke crossed her arms, her tone begrudging yet affectionate. "He'd better. I'm not letting him off that easily."

With that, the three knights gathered their strength and prepared to follow, their trust in Malik unwavering as he ventured deeper into the heart of the temple.

The crumbling ancient stone corridors of the Gelel temple echoed with the sound of footsteps as Malik emerged from the shadows, his golden-pink glow illuminating the otherwise dim and oppressive space. Behind him, the three knights—Ranke, Fugai, and Kamira—followed in formation, their bodies fully healed, their armor polished, and their usual sharp expressions softened by Malik's touch. Each of them carried a quiet confidence, bolstered by their unwavering loyalty to him.

Ahead, Shikamaru, Kankurō, and Sakura stood in wait. standing amidst the debris and faint glow of Gelel energy, The three Leaf ninja turned sharply at the sound of footsteps, their eyes narrowing as they spotted the group. Shikamaru's shoulders visibly sagged as he muttered, "Troublesome…"

Shikamaru leaned against the wall, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his sharp eyes observing the approaching group with growing unease.

Kankurō crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Of course, he shows up now," she muttered under her breath. Kankurō's jaw tightened as she crossed her arms, and her dark brown eyes darted between Malik and the knights with suspicion. But it was Sakura who stepped forward first, her emerald eyes blazing with anger.

"Really, Malik? This is what you've been doing?" Sakura snapped, pointing at the knights. "Playing both sides again? What, healing your little harem while the rest of us fight to the death out here?"

"Don't you dare try to sweet-talk me! You've got a lot of nerve showing up here with them." She jabbed a finger in the direction of the knights. "They attacked us. They insulted me. And you're just… what? Playing peacekeeper? Or are you just trying to get everyone on your side like you always do?"

Ranke, Kamira, and Fugai stiffened at the insult, their expressions darkening, but a glance from Malik held them back. "Ladies," he murmured softly, without even looking over his shoulder, "let's not ruin the moment, hmm?"

Kamira muttered something under her breath, while Ranke crossed her arms and scowled. Fugai, ever the fiery one, clenched her fists but stayed silent, her violet eyes smoldering with restrained fury.

"I mean, come on, Malik!" Sakura continued, her voice rising. "We're out here risking our lives, and you're…" She gestured wildly at the knights. "What? Making friends? Flirting? Whatever it is you're doing!"

Malik's smile never wavered as he approached Sakura, his glowing form radiating a calm that seemed to contrast with her fiery outburst. She stomped toward him, her scowl deepening, and jabbed a finger at his chest. "You better have a damn good explanation for this."

He didn't say a word at first. Instead, he gently caught her wrist, his touch warm and steady, and placed his other hand against her cheek. Her pink hair, now longer and slightly disheveled from the battles she'd endured, caught his attention. With a tender motion, he brushed a stray strand behind her ear, his eyes softening as he met her gaze.

His other hand reached up to smooth her pink hair, which had grown longer since the last time he'd seen her. "But you're covered in dirt and scratches. Let me take care of that."

"Sakura," he said quietly, his voice low and soothing. "You're as stunning as ever, even when you're furious with me."

Sakura blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his tone. But before she could respond, she felt his magic seep through her, the golden-pink light wrapping around her like a gentle embrace. The aches in her muscles faded, the dirt and grime from battle vanished, and for a moment, she was left speechless.

"I've missed you so much," Malik continued, his thumb brushing against her cheek. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, his free hand slipped lower, running briefly over the curve of her backside. The motion was subtle but deliberate, earning him a sharp glare from Sakura.

"Malik," she growled, her cheeks flushing pink, "you are so lucky I'm too tired to strangle you right now."

He chuckled softly, leaning in just close enough to murmur, "I'll take that as a 'not now but later.'"

Before Sakura could muster a retort, Malik pulled her into a brief but warm embrace. She let out a huff of annoyance but didn't pull away, her tension melting just a little as his presence worked its magic.

Malik finally released her and turned to Kankurō. The Sand ninja stood a little ways off, her arms still crossed, though her posture had relaxed ever so slightly. Malik approached her with his usual grace, his glowing eyes meeting hers.

"Kankurō," he said warmly, his tone carrying genuine gratitude. "Gaara's holding everything together outside. I saw her doing some incredible work with her sand, but I wanted to thank you personally for everything you've done to help."

Kankurō raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Malik placed his hand on her shoulder. His magic flowed over her, cleansing away the dirt and tension. Before she could protest, Malik leaned down slightly and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Kankurō muttered something under her breath about him being "smooth as hell" but didn't pull away.

"You've been amazing," he said, his voice sincere. "Thank you."

Kankurō blinked, her lips parting slightly as if to say something, but she quickly looked away, her cheeks faintly pink. "Just… don't screw this up," she muttered.

Malik grinned and turned back to his knights, who were watching the scene unfold with varying degrees of jealousy. Ranke's arms were still crossed, her eyes narrowed in that familiar tsundere glare. Kamira tapped her fingers against her hips, her lips pursed, while Fugai simply stared, her expression unreadable.

"Jealous, are we?" Malik teased, flashing them a playful wink. "Don't worry, my lovely knights. There's plenty of me to go around."

"Better be," Kamira muttered, though her tone was more amused than annoyed.

"You're insufferable," Ranke grumbled, though her faint blush betrayed her.

Fugai said nothing, but her violet eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before she turned away, pretending not to care.

Off to the side, Shikamaru watched the entire exchange with a mixture of amusement and exhaustion. "I don't know how he does it," he muttered to himself. "Managing all these women… It's too troublesome. I feel tired just watching him."

Sakura overheard and shot him a glare. "Focus, Shikamaru. We're not here to analyze his ridiculous love life."

Malik clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, team," he said, his voice cheerful but commanding. "Enough flirting and glaring for now. We've got a mission to complete. Knowing Naruto, he's probably on death's door by now, so let's move."

Sakura's irritation melted into concern, her fists clenching. "Then we need to move."

"Exactly," Malik said, gesturing toward the deeper parts of the temple. "Stick close, and try not to kill each other, alright? Let's go save the day."

With that, he turned and began leading the way deeper into the temple. The group followed, their steps heavy but determined, the faint sound of Malik's laughter echoing through the ancient halls as they ventured further into the heart of the ruins.

The group's footsteps echoed ominously as they ventured deeper into the crumbling Gelel temple. The dim, flickering light of ancient runes illuminated their path, casting eerie shadows along the cracked walls. The air grew heavier, thick with a mixture of ancient magic and the lingering tension between the mismatched group.

Malik walked near the center, his aura of golden-pink light keeping the oppressive atmosphere at bay. His calm presence seemed to hold the group together, a fragile thread weaving through warriors who, under any other circumstances, would likely have been at each other's throats. Sakura stayed close to his side, her gaze sharp as she scanned for danger. Behind them, Haido's knights—Ranke, Kamira, and Fugai—followed, their steps steady but their expressions unreadable.

Through their mental link, Sakura's voice cut through the silence, laced with irritation. "Alright, Malik, I've got to ask—why did you bother helping them? And don't tell me it's just because they have giant boobs."

Malik didn't even pause, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. "First of all," he replied smoothly, "you know I'm much more of an ass man than a boob man."

Despite herself, Sakura let out an exasperated groan. "Malik, be serious."

He chuckled softly, the sound warm and reassuring. "I am serious, Sakura. Everyone deserves a second chance, even people who've made terrible choices. Sometimes, they need that chance more than others."

"Also, Sakura, you know me better than that. Boobs are great, sure—but I'm much more of an ass man." His dark pink eyes drifted to her swaying hips and her notably curvaceous figure, making no effort to hide the appreciative glance. "And yours, my dear, is nothing short of a masterpiece."

Sakura's face turned crimson, her steps faltering for half a moment before she picked up the pace again, glaring at him over her shoulder. "You're impossible," she muttered, though she didn't seem as angry as she pretended to be.

Sakura glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her scowl softening slightly. "You think they can be trusted?"

Malik nodded. "I do. They've been loyal to Haido, sure, but they're not blind. They've seen what kind of man he really is. You felt it too when you fought them—the cracks in their convictions. They're not just warriors; they're people, and people can change."

Malik sighed, his gaze softening. "Change isn't easy, Sakura. It doesn't happen overnight. But I see something in them—something worth saving. And if they're willing to follow my lead, I'll give them that chance. Call me naïve, but I'd rather believe in people than write them off."

Sakura frowned, considering his words. "And what about Haido? You think he deserves a second chance?"

Malik's smile faded, his expression growing thoughtful. "Haido… Haido's already lost, Sakura. Maybe not his body, but his mind is teetering on the edge. The amount of Gelel power he's craving—it's going to melt him from the inside out. It's not just greed; it's madness."

Sakura's voice softened. "So what's your plan? You're not just going to let him keep going, are you?"

"Of course not," Malik said aloud, drawing the attention of the knights behind them. He glanced back at them with a disarming smile before continuing mentally. "I'm kind, not stupid. When we face him, I'll test his sanity. If there's even a shred of reason left in him, maybe we can lock him away. But if not…" His voice grew quieter, tinged with sorrow. "Then we'll have to end him. Some battles don't leave room for mercy." Malik said simply, his eyes hardening for the briefest of moments before his usual calm demeanor returned. "But not until we're sure. Mercy first, Sakura. Always mercy first."

Sakura didn't respond immediately, her green eyes fixed ahead. After a moment, she sighed. "I hope you're right, Malik. But just in case you're not, I'll be ready."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Malik replied, his tone lightening.

Ahead, the path widened into a vast chamber, its ceiling arching impossibly high. Pillars of glowing stone lined the room, their light pulsing in time with the faint hum of Gelel energy. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, depicting the rise and fall of a long-forgotten civilization.

Their conversation was interrupted by a low rumble that reverberated through the temple, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Malik extended an arm to steady Sakura, his other hand glowing faintly as he cast a protective barrier over the group. Behind them, Haido's knights stiffened, their hands moving instinctively to their weapons.

"Looks like we're getting close," Malik said, his voice lighter now, though his eyes betrayed his focus. "Let's keep moving. Naruto probably has everyone on edge—or in pieces—by now."

Sakura couldn't help but chuckle, despite the tension. "You're not wrong."

As they pressed on, Malik's gaze lingered on Sakura for a moment longer. Her determination, her strength—it was all part of what he admired about her. But there was also the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide. He hoped that, when the time came, she'd understand his decisions, even if she didn't agree with them.

Behind them, Shikamaru observed the entire exchange silently, shaking his head in mild disbelief.