"What a strange guy."
Nagare couldn't quite understand Rock Lee's bizarre personality, but facing Lee's attack, he didn't dare to be careless. He immediately pulled out two kunai and rushed toward Lee.
[Leaf Whirlwind]!
Another Leaf Whirlwind strike. Lee launched himself into the air, aiming a powerful kick at Nagare's head. Nagare blocked the attack with his right forearm and immediately countered by slashing the kunai in his left hand at Lee's leg.
The moment his attack got blocked, Lee already reacted. He pushed off from Nagare's right arm with his left foot, using the force to instantly leap backward, narrowly avoiding Nagare's kunai.
After landing, Lee didn't stop. He kept charging at Nagare, continuously changing angles and attacking from different directions. However, surprisingly, Nagare almost effortlessly blocked each of Lee's attacks, as if he could clearly see every move Lee made.
"Your village's weirdo with the Kappa head is pretty fast!" Temari watched Lee's agile movements, slightly surprised, though she didn't worry about Nagare losing to Lee. "Too bad, though. For Nagare, this speed just doesn't cut it!"
"You've really got faith in him, huh?" Sakura observed Nagare's movements. Though slightly puzzled, she had never doubted whether Lee would win or lose.
"Although I really dislike that guy, I have to admit—he truly has amazing talent!" Temari frowned slightly, clearly in a sour mood. "Especially regarding speed. Even though the Kappa head moves fast, Nagare has long since grown accustomed to dealing with this level of speed!"
"Speed? Is it Swift Release—a rare type of Kekkei Genkai?" Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly. If she wasn't mistaken, there was a Kekkei Genkai in Sunagakure called Swift Release that could dramatically increase speed. Could it be that Nagare possessed this Swift Release Kekkei Genkai (an inherited bloodline ability)?
"You know about Swift Release?" Temari looked at Sakura in slight surprise. Swift Release was a rare type of Kekkei Genkai belonging to a relatively minor clan. It wasn't particularly famous on the battlefield, so few outsiders had even heard of it.
"I know a bit. A Kekkei Genkai that enhances personal speed is pretty impressive!" Sakura smiled smugly. "If he faced any other opponent, our chances of winning would be very high. But unfortunately for him, he met Lee. When it comes to speed, Lee is the real expert!"
"Easy to say, hard to prove!" Temari scoffed. "If this was a descendant of the Uchiha clan with a Sharingan, then they could easily counter Nagare. But this Kappa head? Don't make me laugh!"
"How about we make a bet then?" Sakura suddenly grinned. "Let's bet on who truly has the faster speed—Rock Lee or your Sunagakure's Nagare. If I win, I'll send your village one billion dollars worth of free supplies every year, and you can choose whatever you want. But if I lose, you move to Konoha and marry into my family—how about that?"
"What kind of strange bet is that?" Temari's face darkened with a thick line of displeasure. Marry into Konoha?
"They're attacking Konoha in a month, right? But thinking about Nagare's Kekkei Genkai, Temari didn't really believe she would lose. However, she was doubtful about Sakura's bet. 'You said if you lose, you'll send the Sand Village one billion worth of supplies every year? Why should I believe you?'
"'Just trust me because I bear the Haruno name and am the largest shareholder of the Celestial Society!' Sakura shrugged helplessly. 'To you, one billion might seem like a lot. But for me? Loose change. When you marry Shikamaru, this kind of cash will just be your everyday spending money!'
"'Haruno? Is that newly-emerged Haruno Corporation related to you? Also, you're actually a shareholder of the Celestial Society?' Covering her heart with one hand, Temari gasped. That explains why they're pushing ahead with the Leaf Destruction Plan. These damned capitalists were so rich! Then she quickly recovered her composure. 'Wait, who exactly is this Shikamaru you mentioned? And why would I have to marry him?!'
"'That lazy pineapple head,' Sakura pointed at Shikamaru, who leaned back resting his hands behind his head with eyes closed. 'Although he seems unenergetic, he's actually very smart! Plus his father is Shikaku, Konoha's military strategist, and right-hand man of the Third Hokage. It's practically a match made in heaven based on social status. Whether you admit it or not, eventually the two of you will end up together.'
"'Like hell I'd ever end up with that pineapple head!' Temari grimaced. 'He's so slothful all day; no way I'd ever fall for a guy like that.'
"'Don't be too hasty to deny it, young lady. After all, destiny is unpredictable!' Sakura shook her finger mysteriously. With Sakura playing matchmaker, those two never stood a chance of getting away.
"'Hmph, I'm not going to argue with you over such pointless things!' Temari refused to waste time debating. Compared to this, money seemed far more important. 'Are you sure you can supply one billion worth of resources annually if you lose?'
"'That's nothing to worry about. I can definitely afford it!' Sakura replied casually. After earning fortunes over the years, money had long since become meaningless to her.
"'Fine, as long as you can pay up, I'll accept this wager!' Temari was confident. Though their three siblings didn't get along well with Nagare, she still trusted his strength. Since Sakura offered all these benefits willingly, how could she possibly refuse?
"'Let's sign a contract then, so you won't back out later.'
"Sakura pulled out a contract document. This way, she wouldn't need to worry about Temari denying the deal later."
Chapter 197: [Lotus] of Konoha Shall Bloom Again [Continued]
"'Fine, I'll sign! Like I'd be afraid of you backing out either!'
"Temari took the contract from Sakura and carefully examined it. Finding no hidden traps, she readily signed her name and pressed her fingerprint.
"'Great! You just wait quietly for your wedding ceremony to Konoha!' Sakura grinned until her eyes squinted shut. Holding the contract tightly, she quickly ran towards Shikaku Nara seated among the audience seats and asked, 'Uncle Shikaku, quick question—would you mind if Shikamaru ended up marrying an older woman?'"
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