Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

The night remained still and quiet.

This part of the village was almost deserted. No one really lived in this area anymore, so even when Ino had shouted earlier, it hadn't attracted any attention at all.

Unlike the freezing cold and snow-covered world outside, the small house was warm and cozy. Naruto was lounging on the sofa with a thin blanket draped over him.

Little Ino, now holding an empty bowl of ginger soup meant to warm her stomach, gently set it down—just enough to let her eyes wander over to Naruto's figure.

She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she thought he looked rather charming when he was lost in thought.

After taking a few final sips, Ino asked quietly, "What are you thinking about? You look totally spaced out."

Naruto's thoughts were yanked back to reality by her voice. He lifted his head slightly and found her clear, innocent eyes staring straight at him.

And then…

Her light pink panties were clearly visible under the hem of her oversized T-shirt, thanks to the way her slender legs were crossed. The angle was unintentional, but undeniably suggestive.

Oddly enough, she hadn't looked nearly as enticing earlier when she was standing around in just her underwear. But now, with her T-shirt slightly covering her form, the partial concealment made it more alluring.

Ino couldn't sit still. Her ten little toes were fidgeting restlessly, tapping against the sofa like she was playing an invisible piano.

Seeing Naruto still staring, Ino tilted her head and asked, "What are you looking at?"

She followed his gaze down… and then froze when she realized it had landed on her thigh.

Her face flushed red in an instant. She tugged her T-shirt down with both hands and shifted in place, adjusting her posture with a flustered expression.

Then, she started yelling at him, her words tumbling out in a barrage of embarrassment:

"Perv!"

"Degenerate!"

"Creep!"

"You're not allowed to look again!"

In a fit of frustration, Ino grabbed a nearby cushion and hurled it at Naruto. It landed squarely on his face—right between the eyes.

Headshot!

Naruto: "…"

At this point, Naruto was starting to wonder if the so-called "Pervert Meter" (or "Corruption Value Selector") he relied on was a complete scam. According to it, Ino's corruption value was supposedly at 70%.

But based on her current reaction? It didn't feel like it at all.

Forty percent? Sure, that made sense when Bai was literally begging him to punish her. Fifty? That matched how Lady Hazuki had let him cross the line with her a few times. But seventy? And Ino was throwing cushions at him for glancing at her thigh?

Was this really how someone at seventy percent was supposed to act?

It felt completely off.

What Naruto didn't know, however, was that Ino had immediately regretted hitting him.

She'd expected him to dodge—not take the cushion right to the face like a statue.

And now that he was sitting there in silence, not saying a word, she started to panic.

"Oh no… he's probably really mad now. He's always been a petty guy. What if he's holding a grudge?"

"Why aren't you saying anything, you moody jerk?"

"Ugh, I should've just ignored it…"

"What do I do now?"

She sighed deeply and slowly got to her feet, using her hands for balance. Her bare feet padded across the floor as she cautiously made her way over to Naruto.

She hesitated every few steps. Her thoughts were a whirlwind.

"Am I really going to go through with this?"

"But it'll happen sooner or later anyway, right?"

"Will he think I'm being too forward? Too cheap?"

"Still… I already made up my mind. Even Dad gave his approval."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she walked, and her messy hair reflected her inner turmoil.

Seeing Naruto still staring blankly, she wanted to kick him in the face out of frustration.

"This stupid stingy guy. He's not saying anything—making me overthink everything."

Even though it was only two or three meters, it took Ino over ten seconds to finally reach him.

She stopped in front of him, hesitating. Then—gathering her courage—she lifted her oversized T-shirt just a little, bent down slightly, and let her long straight hair fall across Naruto's face.

Her hair smelled faintly floral but tickled slightly where it brushed his skin.

Naruto brushed a few strands aside and looked up, catching sight of Ino's flushed cheeks.

She said in a small voice, "If you're going to look, then just look. Don't sneak peeks like a creep—it's annoying!"

"…What are you even staring at?" she added, narrowing her eyes.

Naruto locked eyes with her. The clear, watery look she usually had was gone—replaced by a mix of nervousness and subtle allure.

She glared at him but didn't say another word, just bit her lip nervously.

"…?" Naruto tilted his head and looked down.

There they were—Ino's smooth, tight, flawless thighs. Her skin gleamed under the light, perfect and soft.

He blinked. His gaze lingered.

Her cheeks reddened even more under his stare, and she shifted her weight uncomfortably.

Then, Naruto looked back up at her face and said calmly:

"…Huh? That's all you're showing me?"

…???

Ino stood frozen for a second—completely stunned.

A tight knot formed in her chest.

"That's it?! THAT'S your reaction?!"

Furious, she grabbed another pillow from the couch and chucked it straight at him.

"You jerk! I showed you so much and you act like it's nothing?!"

Naruto dodged, then caught the next pillow she threw. "Hey! I saved your life and you're throwing things at me?!"

After a few more throws, Naruto had enough. He grabbed another pillow and fired back.

His aim was perfect, and the cushion hit Ino squarely. He followed up with a rapid pillow barrage, nearly knocking her over.

"You want to fight me now?" she yelled.

"You started it!" Naruto retorted.

"Fine! Let's settle this once and for all, Naruto Uzumaki!"

Naruto stood up, frowning seriously. "Bring it on!"

Ten minutes later…

Naruto, the clear victor, stood tall with a smug expression. He looked down at the disheveled Ino, who sat on the floor panting and glaring up at him with pure rage.

"So weak," he muttered smugly.

Ino's eyes burned with fury. If looks could kill, Naruto would be ashes.

"You absolute bastard…"

"You're the one who wanted to fight," Naruto said, genuinely confused. "Why are you mad now?"

"I'M NOT MAD!"

She stormed to her feet, turned sharply, stomped into the bedroom, and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Naruto just laughed quietly and shrugged.

He knew what was going on in her head. He wasn't stupid.

But Ino was still too young. It wasn't the right time to push things too far. He'd wait a few more years before making any major decisions.

In the bedroom, Ino yanked off Naruto's T-shirt and threw it onto the bed like it had insulted her personally.

"You idiot. You don't understand romance at all."

"Go ahead and be single forever. I don't care anymore."

"Even if you beg me to date you one day, I'll just walk away."

She picked up her long black skirt, not caring whether it was dry or not. She'd wear it and go home. She didn't want to stay in this loser's house one second longer.

Then—

Naruto's voice rang out from the other room.

"Ino, don't forget to turn off the lights. It's late, and staying up too long is bad for your health. Good night!"

Ino: "…"

"…Hmph!"

She silently put the skirt down, turned off the light, climbed into bed, and pulled the covers over her head.

"Since he said goodnight, I guess I can forgive him this time…"

"But if he messes with me again, I swear I'll never forgive him!"

A small smile played on her lips as her mood lifted. She stared at the ceiling with sparkling eyes.

It was her first time sleeping at a boy's house.

On the sofa, Naruto stared blankly at the floating words in front of him.

[Friend "Yamanaka Ino"'s Corruption Value increased to 72%!]

"…Even a pillow fight can raise the number, huh?"

"…"

Meanwhile, far from Konoha…

Heavy snow still blanketed the Hidden Leaf, but in the nearby Land of Iron, the ice was already beginning to melt. Their climate warmed earlier, and it was technically early spring there—even though it was only December.

But this year, the Land of Iron wasn't feeling any of the usual springtime peace.

Instead, the entire nation was filled with tension and fear.

The reason?

Two major powers had arrived the day before.

On one side—Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village of the Fire Country.

On the other—Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village of the Lightning Country.

Both were among the Five Great Shinobi Nations. And both had sent their top leaders—the Hokage and the Raikage—to the neutral Land of Iron, each backed by a thousand-strong force of elite shinobi.

A summit had been arranged… but the peace talks quickly turned into a heated argument.

Inside the main conference room, the negotiations had all but devolved into chaos.

Ninjas from both villages were shouting, trading insults, and even the Raikage and Tsunade were on the verge of coming to blows.

"You damn Konoha brats killed our men!" Raikage slammed his hand on the table. "Hand him over! Execute him as compensation!"

Tsunade's expression turned icy. "Your ninja attacked first. And they got exactly what they deserved. If anything, we should be the ones asking for compensation."

"You're dreaming!" Raikage roared. "I'm being generous by not demanding reparations from your side!"

He was like an unstoppable firestorm.

Tsunade's face darkened. "So you're saying you don't want to negotiate anymore? You want war?"

Raikage sneered. "That's what you said—not me. But if it's war you want, we're ready. Hidden Cloud has never feared battle. Can't say the same for you cowards in Konoha."

"Fine then!" Tsunade's fist smashed the table to splinters. "But don't come crying to us when we burn your village to the ground!"

"I should be the one saying that to you," Raikage replied coldly.

The tension thickened.

Only one person tried to calm things down—Mifune, leader of the Iron Country, the host of this summit.

He was clearly on edge, sweating despite the cold.

"Hokage-sama, Raikage-sama," he began, voice trembling slightly, "please—don't let your tempers destroy what neutrality remains here. The Iron Country has taken no sides, and I beg you both not to drag us into this."

"If war truly is unavoidable, then at least wait until you've left our lands before shedding blood!"

The room fell quiet.

At last, both Tsunade and the Raikage gave Mifune a reluctant nod.

For now, the fighting would wait.

But after they left the Iron Country…

All bets were off.