Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

"Today's my birthday?"

Naruto Uzumaki blinked in confusion.

He really hadn't noticed. After all, birthdays weren't something he'd ever celebrated, so he didn't expect anything from them.

"Come here already." Uzuki Yugao—Mao Yue Xiyan—winked playfully. Seeing that Naruto was frozen in place, she stepped forward herself, took his hand, and gently pulled him to sit beside her.

A cake sat on the table, rich with sweet-smelling cream that filled the air. Naruto wasn't a fan of cream, but even he had to admit the scent was tempting.

"Sister Xiyan... how did you know it's my birthday?"

The moment he said it, Naruto realized how dumb the question was. Of course she'd know—after all the time she'd spent looking out for him.

But Yugao didn't laugh or tease him. Instead, she stood up slightly, leaning forward to light the candle. Her white dress dipped at the neckline, revealing a hint of black lace beneath, while her toned stomach remained hidden.

She locked eyes with Naruto, her voice soft and teasing. "Make a wish."

Naruto tilted his head. "What about your wish, Sister Xiyan?"

"It's your birthday. Why are you asking me what I want?"

"My wish... is for your wish to come true."

Yugao laughed out loud, her shoulders trembling. She laughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Wiping them with her finger, she smiled. "You really want me to make the wish?"

Naruto nodded. A wish was just a wish—it didn't matter who made it. Besides, if it made her happy, then it might just make him happier too. So why not?

Under the soft candlelight, Yugao clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made her wish seriously. Naruto expected something impossible, like wishing Moonlight Gai had never died.

But instead, she opened her eyes and said softly:

"I hope Naruto grows up fast, smiles more every day, and is liked by more and more people. That's my wish."

She leaned forward and gently blew out the candle.

Then she flipped the lights back on.

"I've made my wish. You'd better make it come true soon," she said playfully, rubbing his hair.

Naruto reached up, took her hand, and held it in his small palm. "Sister Xiyan, your three wishes already came true."

"Oh?" she said, her tone gentle. "And when did that happen?"

Raising his free hand, Naruto lifted his fingers one by one.

"One—I've already grown a lot."

"Two—I've always liked to laugh."

"And three—maybe not many people like me, but… the ones that do? That's enough."

Yugao blinked, caught off guard by his honesty.

"Who likes Naruto?" she asked. "Can you tell me?"

"Sister Xiyan, you like me… don't you?"

"Of course I do," she replied without hesitation. "Or why else would I be here celebrating your birthday?"

"As long as you like me, that's enough."

Naruto stared at her, leaning in closer. Their noses gently bumped together.

Yugao froze for a moment, staring into his bright blue eyes. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

The cool autumn breeze drifted in through the open window, lifting strands of their hair, brushing across their noses and lips with a playful tickle.

If this were any ordinary pair of lovers, they'd be kissing by now.

But they weren't lovers. Yugao treated Naruto as a little brother—nothing more.

"Heh, it's not enough that I like you," she said gently, raising her hand to touch his cheek and easing him back down into his seat. "You need more friends too."

What am I even doing? she thought to herself. Am I losing my mind? I just had a fantasy about Naruto…

How can I betray Gai like this? Or take advantage of Naruto's feelings?

Naruto didn't argue. "You're right. It's not enough."

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I also want Teacher Kurenai and Lady Tsunade to like me."

"That's it?"

"Well… if I had to, I guess Ino and Hinata would be nice too. Sakura… maybe when she's older."

"No boys?"

At that, Naruto's entire body shuddered. "Ugh. I only want girls to like me. Guys can stay as far away as possible."

Yugao laughed, covering her mouth. Her eyes curved with amusement.

They chatted a while longer. Eventually, she cut him a slice of cake. Naruto wasn't interested, but Yugao insisted.

She told him she'd made the cake herself, with a lot of effort—not store-bought—so Naruto had to finish the whole thing.

Afterward, she went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Naruto flopped on the couch, flipped on the TV, and started watching the nightly entertainment show.

Island nation television was… interesting. Some of the programs were a bit much to show so openly.

Just as Yugao stepped out of the kitchen, Naruto changed the channel quickly.

"Hey, what were you watching?"

"I don't know what it was. I didn't really understand it."

He blinked his big, innocent eyes at her.

The cuteness hit Yugao right in the heart.

She let it slide, pulled her skirt straight, and sat beside Naruto, holding his hand.

"I've seen this one," she said after a few minutes. "It's Princess Gale. The main actress is Fuji Fubuki. Isn't she beautiful?"

"She is," Naruto nodded. "But not as pretty as Sister Xiyan."

Yugao giggled and Naruto laughed with her, then leaned down and lay his head on her lap.

Her legs weren't slim—they had a soft, gentle plumpness to them that made them perfect as a pillow.

"You're joking," Yugao said, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "I'd have to be gorgeous to be an actress."

"If you ever decide to be one," Naruto said dreamily, "you'll be the best there is."

"You're such a sweet-talker."

To Yugao, Naruto felt like a ray of sunlight—youthful, warm, full of life. For a while, she could forget about Moonlight Gai's death, forget her sadness, and just… smile.

The moon rose high in the sky, clouds drifting like silent ghosts.

Somewhere on Southeast Street in Konoha…

A courtyard surrounded by cherry trees stood quiet. The blossoms were withered, their petals floating down through cracks in the roof tiles, landing softly inside one room.

Two women stood inside, facing each other.

Yuhi Kurenai, Konoha's genjutsu specialist and Jonin, stared down at a girl tied to a chair.

Temari.

"You'd better tell me everything you know," Kurenai said coldly. "Otherwise, even if Sunagakure begs us for your release, it won't happen."

"I already told you… everything," Temari whispered, eyes glossy with unshed tears. "I don't know anything else…"

Her bindings were firm and unyielding—standard Konoha technique.

She'd been knocked unconscious by Naruto during the Chunin Exams in the Forest of Death, then captured and held here ever since. Over a month had passed.

Interrogators had taken turns.

There was the snake guy, who terrified her.

Then that brutal examiner who nearly killed her a few times.

Now it was this calm, icy woman who attacked her mind instead.

Temari was near collapse.

She had been part of the Konoha invasion plan, yes—but she was just a Genin. Even if she was the daughter of the Kazekage, how much did she really know?

Her main mission had been to monitor Gaara. Nothing more.

Kurenai sighed, massaging her temple. She really might not know anything. If I push too much more, we'll get nowhere.

Sunagakure needed their Genin back soon. It was getting harder to justify keeping her.

"I'll give you time to reconsider," Kurenai said. "But if you don't talk, I can't promise you won't suffer."

With that, she left the room, closing the door with a bang.

She couldn't help but think: I wonder how Naruto's birthday party with Yugao is going… It's a shame I couldn't be there.

Inside the room, Temari's silent tears finally spilled.

If she could go back in time—before the Chunin Exams—she'd have begged Gaara and Kankuro not to join the invasion.

Kankuro had been knocked out by Naruto early on. He was probably fine.

But Gaara…

Temari remembered the last thing she saw before losing consciousness: Naruto Uzumaki heading off to confront Gaara alone.

"I hope… nothing happened to him."

Moonlight flowed like water, pouring across Naruto's bed.

Two bodies lay tangled beneath the blanket, curled up together.

After the movie ended, Yugao had gotten up to leave—but Naruto blocked the door, insisting it was too dangerous to walk home at night.

And somehow, shameless as always, he convinced her to stay.

He's just a child, Yugao had told herself. It's fine.

But once she lay down, she realized how small Naruto's bed really was. There was barely space for one person, let alone two.

They had no choice but to sleep close.

And since Naruto had no extra pajamas for her, she lay under the covers in nothing but her underwear.

The situation was… awkward.

Fortunately, Naruto was a child. As long as she kept that in mind, everything would be fine.

"Good night, Naruto," she whispered.

"Good night, Sister Xiyan."

Naruto curled up against her, inhaling her soft feminine scent. Her skin was fair, her figure curvy. She was beautiful—any man would think so.

And Naruto, despite his age, was definitely feeling something.

Unfortunately for him, Yugao didn't see him that way at all.

Still a long road to walk, he thought, sighing.

Then he wrapped himself around her warmth and fell asleep.

[The host has fallen asleep. Graduation Certificate now activating…]

[Creating independent space…]

[Pulling female targets with strong affection: "Uzuki Yugao" pulled successfully.]

[Pulling female targets with negative impression: "Temari" pulled successfully.]

(P.S. Hehehe... haha.)