Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

"Drawing a talisman?"

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hazuki frowned. There were indeed many types of talismans in the ninja world, but most were used for deadly techniques. Drawing one on someone's feet? That was a first.

"Ma'am, I know you don't trust me—but can't you trust Lord Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Three? I learned this technique from him while we were looking for Lady Tsunade," Naruto explained earnestly.

Hazuki remained silent. To be honest, I actually trust you a lot, Naruto… but because you said you learned it from Lord Jiraiya, I'm not so sure.

After all, Jiraiya—while undeniably powerful—didn't have the best reputation.

He flirted shamelessly with women in public, spied on bathhouses, and even once dragged his student—the Fourth Hokage—to peep with him. That stunt earned him a scolding from his own apprentice.

If not for his sheer strength, most women in Konoha wouldn't have had any patience for him.

So Hazuki was naturally suspicious. What could Naruto have possibly learned from him that was actually useful?

"Ma'am, I swear you can trust Lord Jiraiya," Naruto said, eyes sparkling with sincerity, clearly believing every word.

"…Alright, give it a try," Hazuki finally said after some hesitation.

Seeing that she agreed, Naruto moved closer, gently lifting her feet and placing them on his lap. Then he pressed his palms down on them with both hands.

Her toes were soft and plump—almost like a cat's paw pads.

After pressing for three to five minutes, Hazuki was taken aback. She hadn't expected it to feel… pleasant. Comfortable, even. This isn't talisman drawing, she thought. It's basically a foot massage.

Huh. I didn't know Lord Jiraiya could give a good massage. Apparently, the techniques he passed on to Naruto were surprisingly effective.

"By the way, Naruto-kun, did Lady Tsunade tell you I'll be leading the team escorting the Sunagakure prisoners to the border?" Hazuki asked while enjoying the massage.

The Land of Fire was vast, so if you were traveling alone, you could move fast. But when moving a whole unit—especially with prisoners in tow—the pace would slow drastically. The round trip might take over a month.

And during that time, anything could happen.

Kumogakure and Iwagakure, who never got along, might stir up trouble to fracture the alliance between the Wind and Fire countries.

Or Sunagakure could disguise their own forces as foreign ninjas to snatch back their prisoners—just to avoid paying reparations.

Naruto had already figured he wouldn't be assigned to lead such a crucial mission. If he were Hokage, he wouldn't have given that responsibility to someone who'd only just become a Jonin.

But still, he was surprised that the mission would be led by Hazuki. After all, he'd defeated her easily not long ago.

Even if her injuries had fully healed, Naruto still had his doubts.

"Isn't this mission a bit too dangerous for you, ma'am?" Naruto asked cautiously.

"Heh. Naruto-kun, are you saying you don't believe in my abilities?"

Hazuki let out a small, relaxed sigh, clearly enjoying the massage. "I was an elite Anbu, you know. Your Kakashi-sensei used to serve under me."

Naruto was caught off guard by that. She has that kind of background?

"I don't distrust you," Naruto replied. "I just mean—I'll protect you."

"Thank you, Naruto-kun," Hazuki said warmly. She looked up with a gentle smile. He's such a sweet child, she thought. So pure.

She reached out to pat his head, but before she could, Naruto spoke again.

"Ma'am, please lean back. I need to take the final step."

"Alright," Hazuki said as she leaned back and lay down on the floor, gazing up at the ceiling.

By now, she was sure of one thing: this wasn't really about drawing talismans. It was a formal massage disguised under a silly name. Just like Lord Jiraiya to twist something proper into something ridiculous.

Thankfully, Naruto hadn't spent much time around him yet, so the massage techniques still felt… innocent.

Wait.

What is this feeling?

Suddenly, Hazuki felt something different. Naruto had changed his technique.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing Option 1. Reward: 100,000 taels has been issued.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing Option 2. Reward: 3% Nine-Tails control issued.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing Option 4. Reward: 30% of Sarutobi Hazuki's Corruption Value issued.]

Three system notifications echoed in Naruto's mind. Just before the rewards were distributed, he could feel Hazuki starting to pull away. But once the rewards hit, she froze in place.

Perfect timing, Naruto thought. (●''●) Lucky!

More than ten minutes later, Naruto gently set down Hazuki's smooth feet and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Taking advantage of someone isn't easy… I'm exhausted.

[Friend "Sarutobi Hazuki"'s corruption value increased to 33%.]

"Are you not going to keep… painting?" Hazuki asked, her eyes still closed, cheeks flushed. Her voice was soft and laced with something difficult to describe.

Naruto gave her a modest smile. "That's enough for today, ma'am. I'll help you again next time. I've got other things to take care of."

Outside the door, the sound of footsteps echoed, along with two familiar voices.

"Hahaha! Uncle Asuma's such an idiot!"

"You little brat—just wait until I catch you!"

The wooden floor creaked under their steps.

Hazuki pursed her lips. "…Alright, then. Go ahead."

"Goodbye, ma'am!"

Naruto didn't linger. He opened the door and left swiftly.

After he was gone, Hazuki let out a quiet sigh. She sat up, cheeks still flushed, and stared at her bare feet.

How could I let myself go like that?

She bit her lower lip. Her lips, once pink and soft, turned pale from the pressure.

It's all Jiraiya's fault. He must've taught Naruto these awful things.

Or maybe Naruto doesn't even know what he's doing. He probably just copied what he saw from Lord Jiraiya…

"I have to report this to Lady Tsunade. Jiraiya can't be allowed near Naruto anymore. If this keeps up, Naruto's going to turn into a bad influence."

She stood up, took off her kimono, and changed into a standard ninja uniform. She tossed her tabi socks aside and slipped on her shinobi sandals. Then, with her usual sharp determination, she stepped out the door.

Right as she did, she saw Konohamaru wrapped around Naruto's leg, begging him to teach him new techniques.

That technique… He really shouldn't be learning it, Hazuki thought.

She frowned. "Konohamaru! Stop fooling around!"

But Konohamaru was fearless. When he wasn't being hit, he had nothing but admiration for his big brother, Naruto.

He remembered, even through his hazy memories of the battle with Kisame, that it was Naruto who had stepped up to protect both him and his mother.

"Naruto-nii—ow!"

Hazuki smacked him lightly on the head to shut him up.

Naruto looked at her calmly. Hazuki turned her head, suddenly shy.

She had pretended to know nothing. Pretended not to notice what Naruto was doing.

Now that she thought about it, the whole thing was incredibly embarrassing.

Asuma, noticing the change in Hazuki's attire, asked, "Sister-in-law, where are you headed?"

"I'm going to report the situation to Lady Tsunade. Asuma, please keep an eye on Konohamaru."

And with that, she vanished—like she couldn't wait to get away.

Only Naruto knew the real reason she left in such a hurry.

But he said nothing.

This "Corruption Value" reward had only appeared so far with Shiro and Hazuki. From what he'd observed, it seemed to increase naturally as things progressed.

So once you unlocked it with someone, you could keep building it up to 100%.

This system… has some serious potential.

Naruto imagined what might happen if Kaguya's corruption value ever appeared in a selection.

Would he be able to punch the Ten-Tails into submission? Step on Sage Mode like it was nothing? With the exception of the Sage of Six Paths himself, no one would be a match for him.

Sounds way too OP. Better not get my hopes up.

He kind of regretted not picking this reward option the last time.

Konohamaru, now that his mother had left, was bouncing with energy again.

"Naruto-nii, teach me how to read feet!"

"You definitely shouldn't learn that," Naruto said with a smirk, patting Konohamaru on the shoulder. "But if you're serious, I can teach you real ninjutsu."

"Really?"

"Really," Naruto nodded. "But I'll only teach it once. Whether you learn it or not is up to you."

Konohamaru's eyes lit up. "Yes! I promise I'll try my best!"

Naruto smiled, pleased with his enthusiasm. Just as he was about to show the Rasengan, Konohamaru stopped him.

"What now?" Naruto asked.

Konohamaru pointed dramatically at Asuma, who was watching from the side.

"Uncle Asuma! Why are you here? You can't eavesdrop on my training! This is top-secret ninjutsu from Naruto-nii!"

"…." Asuma took a deep drag from his cigarette, his eye twitching.

He used to think Naruto was the most annoying kid around. Now? Konohamaru took that crown with ease.

You little traitor. You're really something.

"Don't come asking me for training again, brat," Asuma growled.

Konohamaru shrugged. "Why would I? I've got Naruto-nii. That's all I need."

Asuma, on the verge of losing his temper, stormed out of the Sarutobi house.

Time to go find Kakashi and see if he has any advice for getting back with Kurenai…

Meanwhile, Naruto was dead serious about teaching ninjutsu. Unlike in the original story, where he just tossed out a "duang" and the Rasengan magically worked, he actually explained the basics here.

To his credit, Konohamaru was pretty talented. In the original, he basically mastered Rasengan on his own. With Naruto's help now, who knows how far he could go?

If he was obedient and smart enough, maybe Konohamaru really could become the next head of the Sarutobi Clan.

After walking Konohamaru through the principles of chakra rotation and the Rasengan's structure, Naruto finally left the Sarutobi compound.