Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

[Option 1: Upright and Awesome]

Be a gentleman. Even if a beautiful woman throws herself at you, politely decline and go home immediately after dinner.

Completion Reward: Sunflower Manual: Auto-Cultivation Perfect Edition

[Option 2: Let It Be]

Stay put and let Sarutobi Hazuki make the first move.

Completion Reward: Eight Gates of Dunjia

[Option 3: Take the Initiative]

Within 12 hours, max out Sarutobi Hazuki's corruption value.

Completion Reward: Talent: 100% Illusion Resistance

Talent: 100% Illusion Resistance — "No illusion, no matter how powerful, will affect you."

Naruto's breath caught the moment he read the third option.

If he could really get that reward…

Why would he fear Kotoamatsukami or Infinite Tsukuyomi ever again? With that talent, he could even wipe out the entire Uchiha Clan without blinking.

Suddenly, Hazuki's soft smile seemed even sweeter. Of course, it had to be a beautiful woman tied to such a game-changing prize.

As Naruto stood there dazed, Hazuki stepped closer, her features growing more defined with each stride.

"Naruto-kun, are you okay?" she asked, waving a hand in front of his eyes, her snow-white arms catching the light.

She was starting to think he didn't want to join them for dinner, that maybe he was just zoning out to avoid saying no.

To her surprise, Naruto reached out and grabbed her hand tightly.

"Ma'am, you're my lucky star. I love you so much."

"Ahh!" Hazuki gasped, stunned by his bold words and even bolder grip.

Her face flushed pink with disbelief. "What nonsense are you talking about, you little brat?"

She yanked her hand free and turned to leave.

Uh oh. She's mad.

Naruto realized he might have pushed too fast, too soon. Option three's reward was excellent, but it seemed nearly impossible. After all, her corruption value had only risen to 55% after all this time—they still needed a 45% jump in just 12 hours.

But then...

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 3%. Now: 58%!]

Wait—what?!

So… she wasn't angry?

She was happy?!

Suddenly it clicked. All those past increases—Hazuki would verbally scold him, but her corruption stat would still go up.

Naruto got it now.

Hazuki was one of those women who liked a strong, assertive type.

And with that tempting reward dangling before him, Naruto wasn't going to back down.

He caught up to her, grabbed her hand again, and locked their fingers together.

Then he spun her around to face him, gazing deep into her eyes with a calm, commanding voice:

"Woman, are you trying to leave me?"

"I'm telling you—you can't. You're mine."

Naruto had watched enough soap operas in his past life to know how a 'dominant male lead' should sound. He did his best to copy the tone.

If only he weren't 10 cm shorter than Hazuki, he might've actually pulled off the "domineering boyfriend" look.

Hazuki froze, stunned by his sudden boldness.

Why was this brat talking like that?

Sure, at other times it might've flustered her—but here? At home? What if Konohamaru saw them?!

She decided she needed to scare Naruto a little to make him stop before things escalated.

She glared at him, jabbed her index finger at his nose, and scolded, "Keep talking nonsense, and I'll teach you a lesson. Let go of my hand. Now!"

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%. Now: 60%!]

Naruto barely kept from laughing out loud.

Oh, she was so pretending to be angry.

"Heh. Woman!" Naruto snapped, voice dripping with attitude. "Didn't you hear me? I said you're mine. Why should I let go?"

Then he grabbed her other hand—yes, the one that had been pointing at his face.

Her hands were delicate, even smaller than his. Now, they were completely engulfed by his own.

Snowflakes fluttered down, cold against their skin.

But Hazuki felt like she was burning—burning under the heat of Naruto's gaze.

She tried to look away and yank her hand free again, but Naruto tightened his grip.

He wasn't letting go.

"Let me go, Naruto! What are you even saying?!"

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%. Now: 62%!]

The cold air, the stats, the reaction—it was all too much. Naruto was having the time of his life.

She's adorable.

"Nope. Not letting go."

Naruto moved in even closer, their faces now just inches apart.

He could practically hear her heartbeat—like a frantic little rabbit's.

SLIDE.

The sound of the door sliding open broke the moment.

Konohamaru, bored from waiting, stepped outside—and immediately saw his mom and Naruto holding hands, standing very close.

His little brow furrowed.

"Mom? Naruto-nii? Are you playing some kind of game?"

Hazuki's brain short-circuited.

She jerked her hand away, cheeks burning. She was about to explain—but Naruto beat her to it. Smoothly.

"I'm reading your palm," he said, casually opening her hand again and lacing their fingers once more.

He even strengthened his grip using Nine-Tails chakra, just in case she tried to pull away.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%. Now: 64%!]

You little brat! Hazuki screamed internally.

But at this point, it was the only excuse that made any sense.

She forced a smile and said, "Yes, Naruto-kun is reading Mommy's palm."

"Oh, cool." Konohamaru nodded, then asked innocently, "Is it done now?"

"Not yet," Hazuki said quickly.

"Nope, it's done," Naruto said at the same time.

Huh?

So you're not going to keep holding my hand?

Strangely, Hazuki felt a twinge of disappointment. She shook her head quickly to push the thought away.

Why was she even thinking like that? Just because she wore a dress today didn't mean she should be entertaining these ideas!

"Naruto-kun," she said, trying to sound stern, "you've read enough. Let go now."

But Naruto didn't move.

Instead, he amped up his chakra, turned on his internal 'Bad Boy' mode, and locked in:

Talent: Evil Little Blonde—activated!

Talent: Tempted Widow—activated!

Talent: Flirtatious Spirit—activated!

"Absolutely not," he growled, dragging Hazuki back toward the house. "Your palm shows heavy yin energy. You'll need someone with strong yang energy to stay by your side for the next 12 hours."

"Lucky for you, I'm exactly that."

You manipulative little—!

But Hazuki couldn't stop herself from blushing even harder.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%. Now: 66%!]

Konohamaru looked concerned.

"In that case, Mom, you'd better hold Naruto-nii's hand tightly and not let go!"

Hazuki's head spun. Naruto grinned and gave Konohamaru a thumbs up.

Good kid. Rasengan? Big Ball Rasengan? Rasenshuriken? You're getting the full Naruto package.

He pulled Hazuki into the house and sat cross-legged on the futon. She sat far more elegantly—kneeling down with a bit more distance.

"No need to explain yourself," Naruto said, sliding his hand from hers onto her thigh under the table.

He mouthed, "Any woman I like can eat whatever she wants."

Gross. Even Naruto wanted to gag at how corny he sounded.

But it worked.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%. Now: 70%!]

Hazuki's cheeks burned. She wanted to brush Naruto's hand away from her thigh.

But she didn't.

She couldn't.

Part of her didn't want to.

She just glared, picked up her chopsticks, and said, "Let's eat."

Suddenly, Konohamaru slammed the table: "Mom!"

Hazuki flinched, thinking she'd been caught.

But instead, her son shouted, "Didn't I tell you to keep holding Naruto-nii's hand?! What are you doing?!"

Hazuki: "…"

You're really my good son.

Naruto fought hard not to burst out laughing.

This kid… he's got a bright future.

He took Hazuki's hand and placed it on the table again, smiling. "Don't worry, Konohamaru. I promised to protect your mom, and I keep my promises."

"If she lets go again, I'll hold her foot instead. She's not escaping."

The words meant one thing to Konohamaru… and something very different to Hazuki.

To the boy, it was a vow of protection.

To Hazuki…

Her thoughts spiraled.

"He's such a shameless little brat. That Jiraiya must've corrupted him."

She glanced at Naruto again, then quickly looked away.

Still…

Being a little bad wasn't so bad.

Maybe.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%. Now: 72%!]