Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

[Talent: 100% Illusion Resistance – No matter how powerful the illusion, it will be ineffective against you.]

In the messy room, clothes and socks were strewn everywhere.

Naruto lay sprawled on the white but wrinkled mattress, staring at an interface only he could see, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

From now on, even if he failed to stop Black Zetsu from reviving his mother, he no longer had to worry about the Infinite Tsukuyomi. One less burden to carry.

His eyes moved to the corruption stats, and with a thought, he opened the interface to check:

Servant: Haku – Corruption Value: 40%

Friend: Yamanaka Ino – Corruption Value: 70%

Wife: Sarutobi Hazuki – Corruption Value: 100%

Currently, only these three had visible corruption values. Haku had been first, but with little interaction lately, her progress had stalled.

Ino had started at 70%, though how that happened was still a mystery. Her value hadn't risen since.

Only Hazuki—Ye Yue—had received dedicated talents and attention, allowing Naruto to guide her steadily. In less than a day, her corruption score had gone from just above fifty to a perfect 100%.

And the system had updated her title from "friend" to "wife." That change came naturally when feelings grew strong enough.

Though Naruto did wonder why she was still listed as "Sarutobi Hazuki." Based on local customs, shouldn't she have taken his surname?

["She has not officially married you yet, so the surname remains unchanged."]

"Huh? So I actually need to get married to change it?"

Naruto didn't really care. The name change could come whenever. He had already gained the benefits.

Turning his head, he glanced at Ye Yue, who lay in his arms, her delicate face tired but peaceful. She curled against him like a sleepy kitten—though if you lifted the blanket, you'd see she was actually hugging all of Naruto's body, except his head.

In that sense… maybe he was the kitten.

A particularly naughty one.

"Heh."

Naruto chuckled and slid one hand under her neck, the other brushing across her soft cheek to rest on a shoulder peppered with love marks. His enhanced senses picked up the irregular rhythm of her heartbeat. She was pretending to sleep.

Seriously, what era was this?

Who goes to sleep this early?

Time for round two.

Just as he moved, a soft gasp escaped her, and she pinched Naruto's cheek firmly.

"You brat! It's late—go to sleep already."

"It hurts, it hurts—let go, let go!"

"Then you let go first!"

"Woman, you're playing with fire. You've successfully provoked me!"

…

In the end, Ye Yue gave in first. She released his cheek with a mix of exasperation and lingering blush.

The faint fragrance of her skin drifted between them, her body pressing gently against his as the room's temperature climbed.

"You little demon… you love tormenting people."

This time, Ye Yue took the initiative. She pulled Naruto closer, gazing at him with affection before pressing her spring-soft lips to his.

Naruto blinked, stunned by her boldness.

…

Much later, Naruto had the urge to smoke—but Ye Yue didn't keep cigarettes. And even if she did, she certainly wouldn't give one to him.

"Why are you trying to smoke? You're just a kid!" she scolded.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You sure I'm a kid?"

"Pft. Shameless."

Ye Yue rolled her eyes and turned away. "Leave me alone, I'm sleepy."

"Why say I'm bothering you?" Naruto grinned, sliding his arm around her waist. "You never told me what you wanted to talk about earlier. I thought you forgot."

"When did I ever ask for help…"

Ye Yue stiffened, her sleepiness vanishing in an instant.

She remembered—Hinata Mari had sent her here for something important. But…

Naruto had been too strong, too… persuasive.

She'd given in. Completely.

Looking outside, dawn was already breaking. Panic settled in her chest. She bolted upright and pulled Naruto out of bed.

"Don't sleep anymore! If we don't move fast, our little secret's going to be the talk of the village!"

"Huh?"

Naruto rubbed his eyes. "How would that happen?"

"No time to explain!" Ye Yue grabbed his wrist and dragged him out while hastily throwing on her clothes.

Once they stepped into the yard, Naruto asked again, "Can you at least tell me what's going on?"

"Think of it as a gift."

She pointed at a guest room across the yard. "Go in and rest. Someone's coming. I'll cover for you. Now go!"

Naruto tilted his head. "Wait… you said 'someone'? As in more than one person?"

Ye Yue ignored him and practically shoved him into the guest room before slamming the door shut.

Inside, Naruto froze.

A woman lay quietly on the bed.

Dim morning light filtered through the window, outlining her elegant features. Her skin was pale, her profile soft and refined—she was every bit as beautiful as Ye Yue.

It was the Hyuga woman Naruto had seen last night.

"Why did Ye Yue… send me here?"

Naruto's brain was numb. He couldn't make sense of her logic.

Women truly were mysterious.

Before he could think further, the system activated on its own:

[Ding! Passive selection triggered!]

[Sarutobi Hazuki, under threat from her friend Hinata Mari, has delivered you to Mari, who has lived as a widow for years. What will you do?]

Choice 1: The Coward's Path – For Ye Yue's sake, go along with it. Reward: 150,000 Ryo

Choice 2: Betrayed by Hazuki – Cut ties with her for handing you over. Reward: Hazuki's Regret

Choice 3: The Bold Stand – Refuse Mari and remain pure. Reward: [Talent: Chastity Arch – You will be immune to all women except Hazuki.]

Choice 4: Ruthless – Kill them all. Reward: [Pure Heart, Few Desires]

Naruto's eyes narrowed. This was bad.

He had thought his bond with Hazuki was real after reaching 100%. But now, even she had passed him on like a commodity.

Was this his fate? To be passed from woman to woman?

Unbelievable.

Just then, the woman on the bed stirred.

Mari Hyuga sat up slowly, her expression soft and teasing.

"My, are you shy, little brother?"

Bathed in soft morning light, her expression was dreamy and seductive. Her initial shyness faded as she looked at Naruto more closely.

"Ye Yue found herself a real treasure," she murmured, amused. "Didn't think you'd be this cute."

She reached for Naruto's hand and placed it in hers, her grip warm and gentle. "Your hands are freezing. Come, Auntie will warm you up."

Her flushed cheeks glowed with color, making her look even more alluring.

In the end, Naruto chose to compromise for Ye Yue's sake.

He lowered his head, cheeks tinged red. "Please be gentle with me, Madam."

Mari pulled him into a tight embrace, whispering, "I didn't sleep all night waiting for you…"

Just as Naruto opened his mouth to speak, she silenced him with a kiss.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing Option 1. Reward of 150,000 Ryo delivered.]

…

At sunrise, the servants returned to the estate—only to be dismissed again by Hazuki at the gate.

No one knew why she barred entry, not even the guards or staff. But an order was an order, and most were just grateful for another paid day off.

Inside, Hazuki paced the courtyard, chakra flaring faintly. She could hear faint sounds—music, laughter—from the guest room.

Her heart ached.

"It's been over three hours…"

"What's taking so long?"

She pressed her fingers to her throbbing temple. Despite enhancing her body with chakra, she was starting to worry about her friend Hinata Mari.

Just then, Konohamaru stepped out into the yard, rubbing his eyes.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"Just… soaking in the morning sun," she replied, flustered.

"Oh. Has Naruto-nii-san woken up yet?"

Wait… how does he know Naruto slept here?

Hazuki looked embarrassed but smiled weakly.

After a pause, she asked, "Konohamaru… what do you think of your brother Naruto?"

"He's the coolest and most awesome guy ever!" Konohamaru said proudly. "That's why I want him to be Hokage!"

Hazuki hesitated. "And what if, just what if, our family became very close to him?"

"Of course I'd love that! I'd do anything to support him!"

She smiled and ruffled his hair.

So… maybe Naruto was serious last night. Maybe he really would take them both in.

Or maybe… he'd still end up choosing the younger girls—like Ino, or Hanabi.

Whatever happens, she thought, as long as he doesn't forget me… as long as he comes to visit me once in a while before I grow old…

That would be enough.

…

By noon, the snow in the yard had melted. The early spring air drifted into the house, making Naruto shiver slightly.

Fortunately, he had managed to swipe a cigarette from Mari's pocket.

Unlike Ye Yue, Mari didn't scold him. In fact, she giggled and leaned close.

"Sweetheart, give Auntie one too."

Naruto blushed as he handed her one and lit it with a flick of his finger, like a magician.

Mari took a drag, then exhaled smoothly—clearly a seasoned smoker.

"You're the first woman I've seen smoking in Konoha," Naruto remarked.

Mari chuckled, brushing ash from her lip. "I've had a hard life. A cigarette's nothing. Better than breaking the law, right?"

She leaned against him. "Besides, after what we did… I might already be a criminal."

Naruto hesitated. "Can I ask… what's your story?"

She took another slow drag.

"Not much to tell. Just a Hyuga woman, marked with a caged bird seal, and left a widow too young. That's all you need to know."

Naruto stayed silent.

He understood. No wonder she had asked Ye Yue to help her—after years of suppressing everything inside.

"I've talked enough," Mari said. "What's your name, darling? You look familiar."

Naruto gave it straight: "Uzumaki Naruto. I'm the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. And… if everything goes well, I'm the future Hokage."

Mari froze.

She knew exactly who he was—and also remembered that her sister and brother-in-law had long been planning to marry Hinata Hanabi off to him.

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