Kurotsuchi stared at the tiny, powerless Nine Tails resting in Luna's arms, her entire worldview shattering before her eyes.
Is this really a tailed beast?
She had always believed that these creatures were the pinnacle of power, capable of leveling entire villages. And yet, here was the mighty Nine Tails, reduced to an obedient pet.
Luna, on the other hand, was delighted with her new companion, playing with the tiny fox-like it was a plush toy. Seeing her so happy, Naruto couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
But his expression soon turned cold as he shifted his gaze toward Kurotsuchi.
Feeling the intensity of his stare, Kurotsuchi's heart skipped a beat. She quickly raised her hands, waving them in surrender.
"Don't worry! I won't try to run away again," she promised. "With your chakra seal on me, I wouldn't even survive an encounter with a wild animal, let alone escape successfully."
Hearing her response, Naruto relaxed slightly, though he kept his guard up. Then, without another word, he returned to studying the First Hokage's ninjutsu scroll.
A Failed Escape
By midday, Luna came rushing to Naruto in a panic.
"Naruto, we have a problem! That girl—she escaped!"
Naruto blinked, entirely unfazed.
"If she manages to escape and report us, we'll be in serious trouble," Luna continued, her face filled with worry.
Naruto, however, remained calm. "She won't get far," he assured her.
Closing his eyes, Naruto activated Kagura's Mind Eye, expanding his perception across a vast area of the Earth Country. Within moments, he located Kurotsuchi.
She was standing on a road, frantically waving down a merchant for help.
Naruto smirked. With a flicker, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Kurotsuchi felt a sudden chill run down her spine. Instinctively, she turned around, only to find Naruto standing there, arms crossed, looking unimpressed.
"I..." She froze, her heart pounding in her chest.
I'm so dead.
In a last-ditch effort, Kurotsuchi bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "I'm sorry! It was my mistake! I won't do it again!"
Naruto said nothing. Instead, he grabbed her by the collar and turned his attention toward the merchant, who was still watching the scene unfold.
The merchant's face paled as he forced a stiff smile. "N-Ninja-sama, I…I don't know anything."
Naruto wasn't the type to kill needlessly, but he also couldn't allow this man to inform Iwagakure. Instead, he reached into his storage space and pulled out a stack of silver coins.
"Don't say a word for seven days," Naruto instructed, tossing the money forward.
The merchant's eyes sparkled with greed. He took the silver with both hands and nodded eagerly. "Of course! I won't breathe a word of this!"
Satisfied, Naruto vanished, taking Kurotsuchi with him.
The merchant stood there, blinking in shock.
He had just experienced something straight out of a ghost story.
A Captive Once More
This time, Naruto didn't take any chances. Kurotsuchi was bound tightly and locked inside a room.
That night, as he and Luna were about to rest, Naruto suddenly remembered their prisoner.
Grabbing a couple of rice balls and a bottle of water, he walked into Kurotsuchi's room.
The moment he entered, she perked up. She hadn't eaten all day, and hunger was making her lightheaded. She eyed the rice balls in Naruto's hands, swallowing hard.
Naruto moved to feed her, but Kurotsuchi wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Untie me," she demanded. "I can eat by myself—"
Before she could finish, Naruto shoved a rice ball into her mouth.
Kurotsuchi choked and glared at him, her face turning red with anger.
"If you spit it out," Naruto warned, his voice calm, "you won't be eating for the next three days."
Her expression darkened, but she reluctantly chewed, imagining she was biting into Naruto himself.
Naruto handed her some water before leaving the room.
A Dangerous Proposition
Back in their bedroom, Luna lay on the bed, watching Naruto with a sly grin.
Lifting the blanket, she patted the empty space beside her. "Naruto-kun, come here~"
Naruto sighed.
Despite everything that had already happened between them, Luna still found new ways to test his limits.
As he hesitated, Luna suddenly sat up, forming a hand seal.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
With a puff of white smoke, Luna was gone—replaced by a nearly identical version of Kurotsuchi, wearing an outfit that left little to the imagination.
Naruto's breath hitched.
"What is this…?"
"Roleplay~" Luna—now Kurotsuchi—giggled. "I found a book among your things. Thought we could try something new."
Naruto gulped, his hands twitching at his sides.
System, forgive me… today's mission can wait.
An Unwanted Audience
In the next room, Kurotsuchi gritted her teeth.
Those perverts!
She had no choice but to listen to their ridiculous conversation.
But just as she was about to yell in frustration, she noticed something.
The air around her rippled subtly, like heat waves distorting the surroundings.
Her heart leaped.
That technique… could it be…?!
If she wasn't mistaken, this was the work of Iwagakure's best tracking ninja—the one known as Moon Shadow!
Moon Shadow was infamous for his abilities to remain invisible and mask his chakra. If he was here, that meant Iwagakure had finally sent someone to rescue her!
Excitement surged through Kurotsuchi.
She was finally saved!
But then…
Moon Shadow's head tilted slightly as he listened in on the other room.
Kurotsuchi's expression darkened.
He's getting distracted by their nonsense?!
She wanted to scream.
Trouble on the Horizon
Meanwhile, back in Iwagakure, Kurotsuchi's prolonged absence had raised serious concerns.
Ohnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, had personally ordered a search team to find her.
Alongside Moon Shadow, several elite Anbu were scouring the country for any trace of her whereabouts.
The situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.
Naruto's time in Iwagakure was coming to an end, whether he liked it or not.
But for now, all he could do was indulge in the present.
A Moment of Realization
The next morning, Naruto woke up feeling… different.
Something was off.
His body felt heavier, and his energy levels were lower than usual.
Frowning, he tried to analyze what had changed.
Then it hit him.
His combat ability… had weakened?
Is it because of all the… distractions?
Naruto fell into deep thought.
No more slacking.
He had a mission to complete.
But as he got up, Luna was already watching him with a mischievous grin.
"Naruto-kun~ Do you want to play again?"
Naruto groaned, rubbing his temples.
This woman was going to be the death of him.
To be continued…
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