Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Almost instantly, the sky and earth before Naruto were swallowed in endless darkness. The entire world seemed to exude a suffocating aura—corruption, temptation, greed, and more.

A heavy black mist rose around him. It clung to Naruto's body, as though he were being absorbed into this realm. Every step he took, every sound he made, seemed to stir up even deeper negative emotions within him.

Gradually, a cold flame ignited in the distance, and a ball of soft light appeared across from him.

Its source was Haku—drawn into this strange space after her defeat.

"I emit black smoke, and she emits light... interesting," Naruto murmured, glancing down at his own form. A faint smile curved his lips.

"Abyssal corruption pulling radiant beings into darkness... yeah, that sounds about right."

"What's going on? Wasn't I just pinned under that brat's foot?"

"Why am I here all of a sudden?"

Haku looked around, utterly confused.

"Calm down, would you?" Naruto said casually.

Even he noticed that his voice had changed slightly—it carried a demonic undertone now, something alluring and dangerous all at once.

Hearing his voice, Haku finally realized she wasn't alone in this eerie place. She turned toward the sound, and in the suffocating silence and darkness, finally noticed the boy from before—the same one who had stepped on her face in battle.

This brat not only humiliated me, but now he's dragged me into some nightmare.

She clenched her fists and instinctively tried to gather chakra, ready to strike back—but nothing happened. In this unfamiliar space, her chakra had vanished completely.

What...?

Even someone as calm as Haku, who had faced death without fear, now found herself trembling before the unknown. Without her power, she felt vulnerable. Exposed.

Swallowing hard, she asked carefully, "Are you using some sort of high-level genjutsu, Konoha ninja?"

Should I tell her the truth?

Naruto thought for a moment. According to the system, if Haku didn't agree to the contract, the Devil's Contract would self-destruct. That meant all this effort would be for nothing unless she willingly signed.

So no—better not mention the contract directly.

"I don't bother with illusions," Naruto replied bluntly. "Besides, if I wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead. Why would I go through the trouble of trapping you in a genjutsu? You think you're worth that much?"

Haku frowned. As arrogant as he sounded, she had to admit—he had a point. She had underestimated him, and he still let her live. If he wanted her dead, there was nothing stopping him.

"Then what is this place? Why are we both here?"

"This is my space," Naruto replied with a grin. "You can think of me as the creator here. Or better yet—just call me the god of this world."

His voice—blended with the power of the space itself—carried a weight that made Haku's heart tremble, despite her better judgment.

Still, she dug her fingernails into her thigh, trying to keep herself grounded. "There are no gods in this world. The so-called immortals in legends are just powerful shinobi."

"I don't care whether you believe me," Naruto said, still smiling. "That's not why I brought you here."

His smile widened, becoming colder.

"I have just one question for you: Do you want Zabuza to live?"

Zabuza—her master, her guardian, her only family. The one person who took her in when the world abandoned her. He was Haku's one and only weakness.

He was still locked in battle with Kakashi right now... and she was here. Powerless. Useless.

Haku lowered her eyes for a moment, then answered, "Mr. Zabuza will not lose."

Naruto burst out laughing. Not just a chuckle, but a full, loud, mocking laugh.

Because he saw it—the fear in her eyes. The sweat on her forehead.

So, you're just pretending to be confident.

Haku looked up sharply. "Why are you laughing?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound firm.

Naruto's eyes narrowed with scorn. "Where do you get this confidence from? I could've killed you if I wanted. And now you think your arrogance is going to save Zabuza?"

She couldn't answer.

His words hit their mark. Sharp and cruel.

His voice—echoing in this realm—felt like a curse whispering directly into her ears.

Zabuza will die.

Because I was too conceited.

The thoughts repeated, hammering into her mind.

She clutched her head, trying not to think, trying to shut him out—but the words had taken root.

"I'll ask you again," Naruto said, his tone calm but forceful. "Do you want Zabuza to live? If you sign a contract with me, I can guarantee he will."

"Wait... what kind of contract?" Haku muttered. "Let me think..."

But Naruto interrupted her.

"Or," he said, tilting his head, "do you actually want him to die?"

"No!" Haku shouted, her voice cracking. "I never thought that!"

Naruto's grin widened in satisfaction.

At that moment, Haku was mentally vulnerable. Her posture even suggested surrender—bent slightly forward, completely open.

"Then sign the contract."

Naruto raised his hand, and black mist surged before her. It coalesced into a single object—a paper scroll etched in eerie red ink.

"Sign this," he said, "and become my soul servant. In return, I'll not only save Zabuza... I'll also grant you a powerful curse technique."

To save Mr. Zabuza...

Haku lowered her head, her long black hair spilling forward as she gazed at the scroll. Her luminous glow dimmed slightly in the darkness, casting her pale, beautiful face in a soft shadow.

A moment later, the light vanished completely.

The darkness faded.

And they returned to the real world.

[Ding! Servant "Haku"'s Corruption Value increased to 40%! ][Devil's Contract signed successfully!]

Meanwhile, the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza was reaching its end. Both had used up massive amounts of chakra.

After so long, they had already gauged each other's strength—and Kakashi was slightly ahead. If the fight continued, he would win.

But Zabuza suddenly began to laugh.

Loudly.

"The blonde brat's clone is gone... which means the real one is dead. Kakashi!"

"Soon, my reinforcements will arrive. All of you will die here."

Kakashi held a hand over his eye, the Sharingan throbbing painfully. His breath was shallow, his heart heavy with dread.

Did Naruto... really lose?

Had the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—his student—just died?

It was too late for regret. He never should've accepted this mission for Danzo.

From a distance, Sakura and Sasuke heard Zabuza's words and froze.

Sasuke's heart sank. Naruto... is dead?

The same Naruto who didn't even flinch when fighting Zabuza?

If he was gone, what chance did the rest of them have?

"Sensei!" Sakura cried, her lips trembling. "What he said... it's not true, right?!"

Kakashi didn't answer.

Instead, he said, "Sakura. Sasuke. Don't be afraid. I will protect you."

The unspoken truth hit them like a punch to the gut.

Kakashi believed Naruto was dead.

"Na... Naruto!" Sakura's voice broke as her knees weakened. Her face turned pale, her vision blurred.

I just realized I had feelings for you… and now you're gone?