Chapter 8

Her long, golden hair fluttered in the wind. A few droplets of water slid from her forehead, trailing over her delicate, radiant face. Her moist, translucent skin glowed with a blush under the hazy moonlight. The contours of her figure shimmered faintly—so alluring it defied description.

Whoosh!

Blood sprayed from the Third Hokage's nose, and he collapsed backward like a puppet with its strings cut, eyes wide and soul practically leaving his body.

"Seduction Technique—cancel."

Naruto's voice dripped with sarcasm as he walked up slowly to the stunned Third Hokage, now crumpled on the grass. He sneered, "You old pervert. A pathetic excuse for a Hokage. You should just step down already and let someone better take your place."

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing Goal #2. Reward (Rasengan) has been issued successfully.]

Some Time Later...

The Third Hokage sat dazed on the grass, dabbing the blood from his nose with a handkerchief. "Naruto, you little brat... You're still wasting your time on that obscene Seduction Technique?"

"You're one to talk," Naruto scoffed. "You passed out in under two seconds. Don't act like you weren't impressed."

"Enough. Shut your mouth." The old man tried to sound stern, but deep down he was... oddly relieved.

Despite Naruto's earlier provocations, this cheeky, irreverent kid was still the Naruto he knew. Using perverted, ridiculous jutsu to get his way? Classic Naruto. Trying to overthrow the Hokage in the most unorthodox way possible? Still very much him.

What surprised him most was how effective Naruto's upgraded technique had become. It wasn't just visual anymore—it had actually clouded his judgment. Even powerful genjutsu rarely managed that level of mental interference.

But... given the technique's nature, the Third didn't even know how to classify it, let alone report it.

"Alright, enough fooling around. Let's talk seriously now."

He tucked his handkerchief into his robe and looked at Naruto with quiet intensity.

"What happened to you over the past few days?"

Around them, the forest stirred with the soft rustling of leaves and distant birdsong. The lake reflected the silvery glow of the full moon overhead. Everything felt still.

Naruto's eyes lowered.

"I saw the Fourth Hokage."

His voice was calm, but the emotion on his face said otherwise. He slowly extended his hand. Chakra began to swirl at his palm. A glowing blue sphere began to form.

"Rasengan."

The Third Hokage's jaw tightened in shock. Impossible. He had assumed Naruto was bluffing, but now...

If Naruto could perform the Rasengan—Minato's signature technique—then something extraordinary must have happened.

Could it be some sealed memory or chakra imprint left behind by the Uzumaki bloodline...?

"What did the Fourth Hokage say to you?" he asked cautiously.

Naruto shook his head. "He hasn't said anything to me."

The Third let out a subtle sigh of relief. He had raised Naruto himself and could usually tell when the boy was lying—his emotions were always written all over his face.

Minato, as someone who also bore the Will of Fire, I hope you understand my decisions...

"I think maybe he doesn't like me," Naruto murmured, eyes fixed on the stars. "Maybe I'm too slow. I've been trying really hard, but maybe it's not enough."

The Third bent down and picked up a leaf from the grass, holding it up to the light.

"Don't think that way, Naruto. He didn't give you those techniques just to discourage you. He wanted you to inherit his will and protect Konoha."

Naruto said nothing, eyes still searching the night sky.

Dealing with this old man is exhausting, he thought. He's like a cult leader—every conversation becomes a speech about the Will of Fire.

You let Naruto suffer for years in silence. Now you want him to protect the village for you? Naruto wants to ask: where were your two arms when he needed you?

Not wrecking Konoha yourself doesn't mean you're a good person.

The Third mistook Naruto's silence for sadness and gently patted his shoulder.

"Come on now. Cheer up. You always said you wanted to become Hokage, didn't you? Then do it. Work hard and become strong—make the Fourth proud."

Can this old geezer stop with the inspirational speeches already? Naruto thought grimly.

The Next Morning

Naruto groggily pulled on his clothes and tied his forehead protector around his arm. He stifled a yawn.

Last night, he'd been stuck listening to the Third's "Will of Fire" lecture for two straight hours. He'd barely made it home before passing out from exhaustion.

As he ambled toward the ninja academy, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, a familiar figure blocked his path.

Correction: she didn't just block it—she ambushed it.

Ino Yamanaka.

Naruto tried stepping left. She moved to block him. He dodged right. She mirrored him again.

"Ino? What are you—?"

"Uzumaki Naruto!" she snapped. "Where the hell did you go yesterday? I waited all night for you, and you didn't even show up!"

Ino was visibly furious. Not only had she almost caught a cold while waiting for him, but she'd also gotten chewed out by her parents for coming home late.

"You jerk!"

Naruto: "???"

Another two-armed lunatic?

He blinked at her, baffled by her intensity. Why is she acting like I ghosted her after a date? What's even happening here?

Nearby, a few passing villagers whispered:

"Isn't that the Yamanaka girl?"

"What's she doing with him?"

"You mean that cute blond kid? I think they look good together."

"Cute? That's the Nine-Tails demon."

"Wait, really? That's him?"

"Yep. I saw him come out of that house myself yesterday."

"Then... did the Yamanaka girl really spend the night waiting for him?"

"Oh no. Don't tell me she's been... corrupted."

Ino's face went pale as she realized what she'd just implied. She tried to backpedal and explain it had nothing to do with Naruto—but the gossip had already taken root.

Naruto just yawned and walked past her like it was nothing.

Let 'em talk. Dogs bark. Who cares?

But before he could take more than a few steps, Ino dashed ahead and blocked his path again.

"You're not going anywhere!"

She stood with her arms wide, determined not to let him pass.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You've got issues. Seriously, if something's wrong with your brain, the hospital's that way. Don't block my way like some weirdo."

"You absolute bastard!" Ino's nose crinkled, her face turning crimson. "First you humiliate me yesterday, now you call me mentally ill? I swear to Kami, I'm going to kick your ass!"

Yesterday...?

Naruto suddenly remembered: during one of the selector tasks, he had said something wildly inappropriate to her.

Just as he was about to offer a half-hearted apology, Ino clapped her hands together.

It was the Yamanaka Clan's secret seal—the one for her signature mind-control technique.

[Passive Selection Triggered!]

Yamanaka Ino has lingering resentment toward you and is trying to teach you a lesson for yesterday's insult. What will you do?

[Choice 1 – Friendly]: Dodge the attack and humiliate her with words again. Tell her to wait for you tonight.Reward: 36 Ways to Tie Someone Up

[Choice 2 – Rational]: Beat her down. Teach her why flowers are red.Reward: 1% Nine-Tails Control

[Choice 3 – Reckless]: She raised a hand against you. Defeat her here and now, on the street.Reward: Mind Transfer Technique

[Choice 4 – Ruthless]: Kill her.Reward: 10% Nine-Tails Control

Tch. These are the easiest choices I've had in days.

Before Ino could complete the technique, Naruto side-stepped, blurred behind her, and—