Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

The black mist settled, and the pure white frost gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the figures of three people.

Haku was surprised to see Naruto return in a flash and quickly told him what she had discovered.

Naruto listened with a slightly puzzled expression.

"Does time move differently inside the contract space compared to the real world?" he murmured.

That was a question he could only explore on his own. He had no intention of letting others investigate the secrets of his golden finger.

Seeing Naruto lost in thought, Orochimaru dared not press further. He quietly pulled out a few small bottles and carefully placed the four eyeballs he'd just received inside them.

Out of the two pairs of Sharingan, Naruto had only given him one—keeping the second as a backup in case of future need.

After storing the eyes, Orochimaru bowed respectfully.

"My lord, is there anything else you need from me?"

Low EQ: "I'm leaving."

High EQ: "If there's anything else you'd like me to do, please tell me."

Naruto, still thinking, waved his hand casually. "No. Just make sure you take Kakuzu's body and Hidan with you."

"As you command."

Orochimaru glanced at Haku, who silently opened a path of exit for him. Once Orochimaru passed through, she sealed it again immediately.

"???" Naruto blinked, confused. "You're not letting me out?"

"My lord," Haku said, slowly removing her mask. Her beautiful face, no longer calm, held hesitation. "It's been so long since we last saw each other."

Naruto gave a slight nod. "Yeah. It has been."

"Then… don't you want to do anything else, my lord?" she asked hesitantly, lowering her head.

"???" Naruto frowned. "What's going on? Is there something you need to tell me?"

Haku nervously twisted her fingers together. She was lightly made-up today—peach-colored lipstick tinting her lips. She bit them slightly, eyes lowering, her whole face tinged with shy pink.

She didn't know how to begin.

It was too embarrassing.

"Ahem." Haku gave a soft cough, signaling Naruto.

Unfortunately, Naruto didn't get it. "If you don't want to say anything, then let's just go."

Instead, Haku silently reinforced the ice wall.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Naruto snapped, raising his voice.

"Huff... huff..." Haku's breathing quickened, her heartbeat speeding up.

Yes. That's the feeling. That's exactly it.

Her cheeks flushed, and she added another layer to the ice wall, despite knowing she was upsetting Naruto.

Silence fell between them.

Naruto stood frozen.

As someone who could end Haku's life in an instant, he knew she'd never dare to provoke him intentionally.

Something was off about her expression.

She didn't seem… rational.

What kind of signal was she giving him?

Looking at the girl in front of him—clearly in the throes of adolescence—Naruto, also a teenage boy, let his thoughts follow the same logic. He stepped closer.

"I really can't do anything about you," he sighed gently, walking up to her.

He raised his left hand, gently touched her cheek, and gave her a kiss as a reward.

That should be enough, right?

That was his intention.

But the next second, Haku tilted her head and softly bit his index finger.

Naruto froze in place, completely stunned.

Red spread across her cheeks. Her peach-pink lips parted slightly. Her breathing was shallow, and her brows relaxed.

A faint voice slipped from her lips. Unless you listened carefully, you wouldn't catch the words.

"My lord… I've done something wrong. Please punish me."

Naruto stood dumbfounded, her words echoing in his mind.

Is that why she wouldn't let me leave?

But… I think you did just fine?

"You… want me to punish you?"

Haku clutched the hem of her robe tighter and looked away. Saying those words had taken every ounce of her courage—she couldn't bring herself to repeat them. She simply gave a tiny nod.

Naruto looked at her, concerned.

"My No. 1 servant… is sick," he muttered.

Let's fix this.

I heard sometimes… a bit of force works miracles.

Determined to "cure" her, Naruto withdrew his bitten finger, blushed, and raised his hands to pinch Haku's cheeks—firmly.

Her pale face, fitting for someone named "Haku" (white), was like untainted snow—soft, flawless—except for the rosy color of her lips, applied just for him.

But suddenly, tears welled in her eyes. She looked like a bullied girl.

Startled, Naruto pulled back. "What… what's wrong?"

"It hurts~" Haku whimpered, holding her red cheeks and looking at him with watery eyes.

Now Naruto was even more confused.

Haku opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

What she wanted… wasn't pain.

But Lord Naruto had misunderstood.

So embarrassing…

"Lord Naruto, you're so annoying!" she pouted, full of grievance.

Naruto scowled, bewildered. "I was trying to help, and now I'm annoying?!"

Unbelievable.

He glared at her. "You're like a mute—saying nothing, making me guess everything. How am I supposed to know what you're thinking? Am I a god?"

Thump. Thump.

Haku's heart pounded wildly. A dazed smile crossed her lips.

That commanding tone—yes, just like when they first met.

[Servant "Haku" Corruption Level increased to 41%!]

"This just proves you don't understand me at all!" she shot back.

"Say another word and I'll slap you," Naruto warned. "Now open the ice wall. I'm leaving."

I'm so happy I could burst!

Yes. That's the feeling!

Instead, Haku reinforced the wall again.

"???"

Naruto's head was spinning. He'd never met anyone this hard to figure out.

Her cheeks flushed unnaturally. He narrowed his eyes.

Just to test the waters, he barked: "Open it. Now. You hear me?"

[Servant "Haku" Corruption Level increased to 42%!]

Her eyes gleamed. "No."

Naruto upped the pressure. "Idiot. I'm giving you three seconds."

She shook her head excitedly.

[Servant "Haku" Corruption Level increased to 43%!]

So this woman… liked being yelled at?

Naruto was numb. What kind of strange trait was this?

"Last warning. I'm not negotiating. That was an order," Naruto said coldly, looking at her like she was worthless.

"Huff… huff…" Haku collapsed to the ground, starry-eyed.

[Servant "Haku" Corruption Level increased to 45%!]

"In that case… as you command, I'll open it right away."

I can never refuse Naruto-sama…

With a hand seal, she dropped the ice wall. As the cold mist faded, she quickly put her mask back on and stood up tall.

To the outside world, she returned to her cold, composed self.

As Lord Naruto's loyal servant, Haku only ever showed her true self to him—never to anyone else.

Outside, Orochimaru had been obedient. He'd already taken Kakuzu's body and the endlessly ranting Hidan.

Naruto hadn't even mentioned Kabuto—and hadn't touched his body at all.

Kabuto Yakushi, the delusional dream-chaser, lay motionless on the ground.

The only one near him was Zabuza.

When Haku stepped out, Zabuza immediately asked, "What did you two talk about? Why'd it take so long?"

"That's none of your concern," Haku replied coldly. "And I'll say it again—don't be disrespectful to Naruto-sama."

Damn it!

Zabuza clenched his fists, wanting to lash out. But Haku would never let him touch Naruto.

Frustrated, he slung his sword over his back and walked away grimly.

Before leaving, Haku and Naruto exchanged one last glance. Behind her mask, a blush bloomed on her cheeks.

They didn't want to part, but they both knew it was time. Konoha's search party would arrive soon.

He didn't step on me this time… what a pity. I'll make up for it next time—twice over.

"My lord, I'll be going now," Haku said, waving.

Naruto now knew how to speak her language. Without hesitation, he growled, "Get lost."

Haku gasped slightly and bowed. "As you command, I'll get lost immediately!"

[Servant "Haku" Corruption Level increased to 46%!]

After six back-to-back increases in her corruption value, Naruto simply shrugged.

He used a Rasengan to deal with Kabuto Yakushi's head, then lay down on the ground, waiting for rescue.

Now that he had Orochimaru—an intelligent monster—under his control, he was more confident about facing the lunatics in the Uchiha clan.

There was the simp who wanted to destroy the world for love.

The extremist who sought "true peace" via the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

And Black Zetsu, who just wanted to revive his mom.

If Naruto wanted a peaceful life, those three psychos had to die.

His strength still wasn't enough. He needed to work harder.

Now—

The moonlight was bright, and the stars twinkled above.

"Naruto!"

Thudding footsteps echoed as a massive silhouette entered Naruto's vision, blocking out the moonlight.

As he looked up, a stunning face came into view.

Despite her true age, Tsunade looked no older than 27 or 28. Dressed boldly, with a voluptuous figure, flawless skin, and delicate features, she cut a breathtaking figure—even if her skin was stained with blood.

Her face, framed by moonlight, was filled with worry.

Naruto stared up at her, captivated. Then, with great effort, he raised his finger and pointed toward Kabuto's corpse. His eyelids drooped, heavy with exhaustion.

"Lady Tsunade… I've avenged you."

With those words, his hand fell, and his eyes closed.

Tsunade's eyes widened.

Tears immediately welled up.