Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

At the small dining table in the Sarutobi household.

Naruto Uzumaki gently caressed the soft hand resting in his palm. As the familiar notification sound echoed in his mind, he could hardly hold back his laughter.

He turned to glance at Madam Ye Yue. Her composed, almost solemn expression was so serious that it nearly brought tears to Naruto's eyes.

The corruption value was now at 72%—just 28% short of the full reward—and it had only been half an hour.

There was still plenty of time before the twelve-hour mission deadline. If the corruption value kept increasing steadily—two points every few minutes—it would hit the full 100% in just three to five hours.

Assuming, of course, there were no odd fluctuations or unexpected hurdles later.

If things continued like this, Naruto would not only gain the coveted "100% Illusion Resistance" but might even win himself a beautiful companion along the way.

A grin tugged at the corners of Naruto's lips. He could barely suppress the joy bubbling in his chest.

"Hehehe—"

Suddenly, a sharp pain in his palm wiped the smirk right off his face.

Naruto flinched. "Ow! Madam, what are you doing?!"

Ye Yue narrowed her eyes. "Don't laugh like that while we're eating. It's unsettling."

A hint of pink colored her pretty cheeks—partly from the warmth of holding hands while eating and partly out of embarrassment. She had meant to say "perverted," but in an effort to preserve her dignity, she opted for the more polite "unpleasant."

Naruto was stunned. You wicked woman, you actually pinched me! He had been planning to give her some dignity in front of Konohamaru.

But now? You were unkind first—don't blame me for what happens next.

Smirking, Naruto let his gaze linger on Hazuki's lips, which were slightly smudged from her lipstick. Combined with the faint sheen of oil from the food, it gave them an irresistible allure.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%, now at 74%!]

Ye Yue noticed his gaze and grew more flustered. She rolled her eyes at Naruto and snapped, "Is the scenery outside really that interesting? Eat your food!"

Trying to change the subject? That's not going to work.

Naruto raised his left hand and turned to Konohamaru, who was focused on his meal across the table. "Konohamaru, can you eat with your left hand?"

Konohamaru swallowed and shook his head. "Nope. I can only use my right hand."

"Exactly."

Naruto turned back to Ye Yue and raised their interlocked hands. "Since I have to protect my wife, I can't use my right hand to eat. What do you suggest we do, Konohamaru?"

"???"

Ye Yue blinked, alarm bells going off in her head. Is he planning something again?

Before she could say anything, Konohamaru spoke up, smiling brightly. "Then Mom can feed Naruto-nii-san!"

Ye Yue's expression instantly stiffened. "Konohamaru! Your mom needs to eat too!"

"Mom, you're being unreasonable again," Konohamaru said, knocking on the table. "Didn't you always teach me to be grateful? Brother Naruto helped us so much—can't you at least feed him dinner?"

He looked genuinely serious.

Ye Yue: "…"

Naruto: "(｀▽´)"

Out of the mouths of babes…

Indeed, Ye Yue had once told Konohamaru to appreciate others' help. It was meant to foster his friendship with Naruto, not land her in this position.

Damn Naruto, using my own son against me. But… he's been good to Konohamaru. Feeding him once won't kill me.

Under Konohamaru's earnest gaze, Ye Yue hesitated, then picked up a piece of tofu with the same chopsticks she'd been using and moved them toward Naruto.

Just as she brought the tofu near his lips, Naruto cheekily tickled her palm. Ye Yue's body trembled—she nearly dropped the chopsticks.

"Hehe, why are you hesitating, Madam?" Naruto teased.

Ye Yue's face darkened. She shoved the tofu into his mouth. "Just eat it!"

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%, now at 76%!]

With the rising tone of his system alert, Naruto's joy only deepened. This might've been the most delicious tofu he'd ever eaten.

Ye Yue stared at him in disbelief. Was it really that good?

She was too embarrassed to ask. Instead, she said, "You're overreacting."

Naruto shrugged and replied, "I've never been fed before. This is the first time. Of course I'm happy."

If Shizune had heard that, she would've smacked him for being shameless. Kurenai Yuhi probably would've cracked his head open.

But Ye Yue didn't know about his escapades with the other women. Naruto never brought up his private affairs with them when talking to her.

She just sat there, stunned.

She knew about Naruto's painful upbringing—alone, friendless, hated by the villagers. And all because of the demon her own clan had sealed inside him.

Feeling guilty, Ye Yue quietly picked up more food and placed it in Naruto's bowl.

But despite her tenderness, Naruto noticed something: the corruption value didn't go up.

So sympathy doesn't count. That alone won't help.

Apparently, it had to be actions that stirred her emotions.

Time to ramp up the heat.

After another bite, Naruto suddenly let go of Ye Yue's hand, slid closer to her side, and boldly wrapped his arm around her waist, stroking her gently.

Ye Yue, ready to feed him again, rolled her eyes. That moment of sympathy vanished instantly.

"What are you doing?!"

Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he leaned closer to her ear, breathing in the faint mix of perfume and body scent. Then he exhaled a warm puff of air.

Ye Yue shivered involuntarily and pinched his waist in frustration.

Naruto didn't flinch. He whispered, half-mocking, half-serious: "My woman, the food you feed me is delicious. But it would be even better if you fed me mouth-to-mouth."

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 4%, now at 80%!]

Four points at once?! Jackpot! The domineering route is definitely the way to go.

Grinning, Naruto hugged her tighter. "You hurt me when you pinched me, woman."

Ye Yue glanced at him flirtatiously and purred, "Then stay away. I won't hurt you if you behave."

"Stay away? Never. You're mine." Naruto's tone was firm and possessive.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%, now at 82%!]

It was now ten o'clock.

Only 18 points to go until full illusion immunity.

Naruto's heart was pounding.

Konohamaru watched from across the table, his eyes sparkling.

Finally, things weren't so awkward between his mom and Naruto-brother anymore.

To him, they were the two people he loved most. Seeing them close made him feel safe.

Good thing I told Mom to feed him. Otherwise, she would've forgotten to thank Naruto-nii properly.

Konohamaru couldn't hear what they were whispering about, but seeing Naruto lean close to his mother's face, he figured it must be something too mature for a child.

Better stay quiet. Brother Naruto knows best.

What Konohamaru didn't see was what was happening under the table.

Naruto gave a sly smile as his hand slid back onto Ye Yue's smooth thigh.

Her skin felt like freshly steamed mochi—soft, silky, and warm.

When he gently pinched her, his fingers sank into the plush flesh.

"You're insane," Ye Yue hissed, trying to pull his hand away.

But her resistance was weak—almost nonexistent.

It was as if she didn't really want him to stop.

Why am I letting him do this? Have I… fallen for this perverted brat?

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%, now at 84%!]

Naruto was thrilled. Only 16 more points to go.

He slid his hand down to her ankle, gently pulling at her high heels.

"No resisting now," he whispered.

A soft gasp escaped Ye Yue's lips. She stepped back, finally showing a hint of resistance—but even that was faint.

Naruto hesitated for a moment. Had he pushed too far?

But then the prompt chimed again.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased by 2%, now at 86%!]

The room fell silent, the flickering lights casting warm shadows. It had grown dark outside.

Naruto thought about calling Konohamaru again to break the tension, but Ye Yue beat him to it.

She cleared her throat, adjusted her skirt, and said, "Konohamaru, it's late. Go to your room. I need to talk with Naruto-nii in private."

Konohamaru looked confused but nodded. "Okay. But don't stay up too late, Mom, Naruto-nii!"

Her cheeks flushed at his words, Ye Yue bit her lip and closed the door behind him.

She turned toward Naruto with narrowed eyes.

"You're hiding something from me," she said, crossing her arms. "You get one chance to come clean."

She pulled the futon close and sat across from him, her face stern.

Naruto blinked. What's she talking about?

If she had asked why he flirted with her, or why he hugged her, he could explain.

But this?

"Hiding what, exactly?"

"Don't play dumb," Ye Yue said, brushing her hair behind her ear, her tone cold. "You've been acting strange. This is your last chance."

Naruto felt a chill. Maybe she really did know something.

But what?

Kumogakure's planned attack?

Unlikely.

He shook his head. "I'm not hiding anything."

"You really won't confess?"

"I don't even know what you're accusing me of."

"If that's how it is…" she said darkly.

Naruto tensed. If talking wouldn't get him the reward, he'd have to go all in. If necessary, he could bring her into his spiritual dimension and—

Suddenly, several female voices echoed from the front yard of the Sarutobi compound.

"Mrs. Sarutobi, we brought you some tea!"

"Ye Yue! We're coming in!"