Naruto quickly resolved his situation, wrapping things up in just ten minutes.
However, Kakuzu outdid him in speed, finishing his affair at a record pace.
"This is your payment. If there's another collaboration, I'll contact you." Kakuzu said as he handed over a wad of cash to Aoko.
"Thank you, boss. I wish you great success. Keep in touch!"
Aoko cheerfully accepted the money and walked off.
The whole process took less than a minute.
Of course, this kind of efficiency was unique to Kakuzu and Aoko. And the rest of the group was taking their time.
…
Rose Tavern.
As soon as they returned to the secret room, Hana threw herself into Hidan's arms.
Hidan, however, pulled out a list and handed it to her, "These are the things I need. Make sure they're ready by tomorrow morning. I'll pick them up then."
"What about me? Are you going to abandon me?"
Tears welled up in Hana's eyes. She had fallen for Hidan's rugged, powerful demeanor. So if he left, she didn't know what she'd do.
"If you come with us, you'll die without even knowing how. Just stay here and run your tavern. If I have time, I'll visit." Hidan replied without hesitation.
He was used to his freedom and didn't want to bring a burden with him. Leaving Hana to manage the tavern meant she could provide a steady supply of fine liquor whenever he returned, which is a much better arrangement than bringing her along.
"This... then you must visit often..."
Hearing his warning about death, Hana hesitated. She wasn't ready to throw her life away. As a savvy woman, she quickly calculated the pros and cons: staying alive meant she'd have more chances to see Hidan again. A steady relationship was better than a fleeting one.
"Wait here a moment. I'll have someone prepare everything for you. Don't leave yet."
It took her less than a minute to return, having delegated the tasks. Hana, skilled at seducing men, knew the value of playing coy. With Hidan making it clear he wouldn't take her along, she decided to cherish this one night together, savoring every moment.
This night was destined to be a battle of endurance.
…
Itachi, too, was locked in a battle of endurance.
"How is Yukihime-sama's condition?"
The bear-like man asked anxiously.
Just now, Itachi has used his Sharingan, and everything hinged on the outcome.
"Sigh…"
Itachi let out a heavy sigh.
Seeing this, the bear-like man became even more uneasy, "What happened? Is it bad?"
Itachi pondered for a moment and said, "Yukihime's condition is unusual. Her mental trauma stems from a Genjutsu experience. However, over the years, her mind should have healed naturally. Even my Sharingan didn't detect any lingering issues. Yet, her condition remains unchanged, and I can't pinpoint the cause."
"How can this be?"
The bear-like man was stunned. He had believed the Sharingan could heal Yukihime. The sudden rise and fall of hope left him wishing he had never met Itachi in the first place.
"There's nothing I can do, but you could ask Naruto-kun. He always has unique solutions to a problem and might understand her situation better." Itachi suggested.
"Then please, take me to him."
The bear-like man clung to this last glimmer of hope.
Whether it succeeded or not, he felt compelled to try.
"Come with me."
Itachi said as he led the bear-like man and Yukihime to find Naruto.
…
"Huh? Why are you back again?"
Naruto asked, taken aback.
He had assumed Itachi would handle the matter and return alone. Yet here they were, with Yukihime in tow.
'Could it be that Kisame's jesting prediction have been right? Did Itachi actually have a thing for kids?'
"Naruto-kun, Yukihime's condition is rather unique…" Itachi began, explaining the situation in detail.
Hearing this, Naruto sighed in relief, 'At least Itachi wasn't some kind of deviant.'
Based on Itachi's account, Naruto quickly reached a conclusion, "There's no real issue. Put simply, Yukihime is... autistic."
"Autistic?"
Itachi looked puzzled.
Naruto nodded and suggested, "Use Tsukuyomi. Pull both Yukihime and me into the Tsukuyomi World."
Itachi didn't hesitate and directly used Tsukuyomi.
The world spun, and when Naruto opened his eyes again, he was standing in the crimson-hued Tsukuyomi World.
"Naruto-kun, what now?"
Itachi inquired.
Naruto's voice was cold as he answered, "Kill her!"
"This…"
Itachi hesitated.
According to the agreement, he needed to save Yukihime, so he wondered why Naruto was suggesting her death.
Naruto explained, "Yukihime suffered mental trauma from a Genjutsu at a young age. To cope, she sealed her true self and created a new personality to face reality. The one you see now is merely a secondary personality. Only by eliminating her can Yukihime's true self emerge."
Naruto's reasoning stemmed from his fascination with movies about dissociative identity disorder in his past life. To him, it was clear that the secondary personality was suppressing the original one.
As for why he made such a conclusion, it was because when they were outside, he noticed Yukihime's abnormality through his Observation Haki.
Sometimes, her unintentional actions and the aura she exuded were completely different from those of the foolish and naive Yukihime, which further confirmed that Yukihime had a dual personality.
If they had more time, they could guide Yukihime's original personality back through therapy. But Naruto wasn't about to waste so much time on a stranger.
The result would be the same, which is obliterating the secondary personality, so the method didn't matter.
"Okay!"
Although Itachi was still unsure, he still trusted Naruto's judgment and began stabbing Yukihime in the Tsukuyomi World.
"That's too slow. Let me handle it."
Hearing Yukihime's screams of pain, Naruto felt it was unnecessarily cruel. The most humane solution was swift and decisive action.
Naruto waved his hand, and Yukihime's spiritual form disintegrated into nothingness.
"It's done. Let's go back."
Naruto waved his hand.
Then, the scene shifted, and when Naruto opened his eyes, they were back in the real world.
Looking at Yukihime with dazed eyes, Naruto immediately rushed forward and slapped her in the face.
"Ah!"
Yukihime cried out in pain, clutching her cheek. But her eyes regained focus, and clarity returned to her gaze.
"There is such a thing?"
Itachi looked at Yukihime in surprise. He had seen Naruto destroy Yukihime's spiritual form, yet she was now fully conscious. This shows that Naruto's theory about dual personalities is true.
"How dare you hit Yukihime-sama? I'll kill you!"
The bear-like man was furious and was about to rush towards Naruto.
"Stand down!"
At this moment, a calm, commanding voice sounded.
It was Yukihime who spoke.
The current Yukihime is completely different from before. Her icy gaze and cold aura exuded authority, silencing the surrounding.
She walked slowly to Naruto, placed her hands flat on her waist, bowed slightly, and saluted at a thirty-degree angle, "Thank you for saving me, my lord. Please forgive my subordinate's offense. If you are dissatisfied, I will have him take his own life!"
"That won't be necessary. Just back to where you came from."
Naruto replied, waving his hand.
Naruto couldn't fathom how Yukihime's main personality, which is so strong and assertive, had been suppressed by her childlike alter ego?
'Was it a case of the 'strong losing to the foolish'?'
Regardless, the issue was resolved, and Yukihime, to Naruto, was merely another passerby.
"This is a token of my gratitude. Please accept it."
Yukihime said, pulling out a jade token and presenting it to Naruto, "This represents me. If you ever come to the Land of Snow in the future, I will definitely reward you handsomely!"
After saying that, Yukihime took the bear-like man away.
As their figures disappeared, Naruto crushed the jade token into dust.
'Go to the Land of Snow?'
'What a joke!'
No matter what, Naruto had slapped Yukihime. Given the personality this girl shows, Naruto knew what awaited him there could only be trouble.