The beauty pageant ended on a perfect note, becoming one of Naruto's most satisfying game designs to date.
After the event, everyone decided to relax at the hot springs.
Noticing Kisame's conflicted expression, Naruto couldn't help but ask, "What's with your expression that looks more uncomfortable than eating shit? Hidan is not even that upset."
Kisame sighed and said, "It would be fine if I were like Hidan. I heard the woman he found, Sister Hana, is just a frivolous type, so it doesn't matter how he treats her. But my Nana... she's a good girl. I..."
"Oh, look at you! Hoshigaki Kisame, the infamous member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, actually falling in love? Are you serious?" Naruto teased, unable to contain himself.
In his opinion, whether it is Kisame or the others, they are all Missing-nin who joined the Akatsuki. Logically speaking, they are all cold-blooded and unfeeling.
Because of that, the idea of someone like Kisame falling for someone seemed utterly laughable.
Kisame waved his hand and said, "She's a good girl."
"Uh…"
Hearing him repeat the sentiment, Naruto was completely stunned.
'This is real!'
'I never expected that Kisame would be serious.'
Itachi, who is on the side, spoke in his usual indifferent tone, "For people like us, emotional attachments shouldn't exist. But ever since we started following Naruto-kun, I suppose we've all been... influenced."
Hearing this vague comment, Naruto fell into deep thought.
'Indeed, after following me, these people all had been thriving, and their strength had grown exponentially, even doubling in some cases.'
'It's human nature to desire more once basic needs are met. For these guys, who had long suppressed their feelings and endured solitude, it made sense that they would begin to seek something deeper.'
After thinking it through, Naruto said solemnly, "Kisame, I don't want to stop you from pursuing happiness, but staying with us is definitely not safe."
Kisame waved his hand and said, "Don't listen to Itachi's nonsense. I think he has a crush on that Yukihime. I said Nana is a good girl only because she helped me before and has no family left. She needs me now, and it's only right for me to help her. It's not about romantic feelings."
"You're the one with romantic feelings. Yukihime has the intelligence of an eight-year-old. I'm not into kids." Itachi retorted coldly.
Watching the two of them bicker, Naruto shook his head helplessly.
'Judging by Kisame's explanation, it seemed Kisame wasn't the issue. Instead, Itachi might be the one with a problem.'
"Stop arguing, both of you. There are still two others eavesdropping here. I don't care what you two are thinking. Take the night to sort it out and give me an answer tomorrow morning. Then I'll make a decision."
After saying that, Naruto disappeared from the hot spring in a flash.
He stood outside, enjoying the cool night breeze.
Putting aside his subordinates' issues, he also had his own matters to deal with… namely Yukari.
After waiting for a while, several pairs of people emerged from the hot spring.
The hot spring was situated at a crossroads with four paths. Kisame and Nana headed east, Itachi and Yukihime went west, Kakuzu and Aoko went south, and Hidan and Hana went north.
Finally, Yukari hesitantly walked out.
With his subordinates all preoccupied in different directions, Naruto found himself at a loss for where to go.
After some thought, Naruto asked, "Yukari, what do you think about flying?"
Yukari's eyes lit up with longing expression, "I've always dreamed of soaring freely in the sky ever since I was little. But it's always been just a dream."
"If that's what you want, then I can make it happen," Naruto said with a smirk, then stepped forward to gently wrap his arms around Yukari's waist from behind.
In the next instant, Naruto used the Sky Dance Technique, taking Yukari into the air with him.
"Wow!!!"
Yukari let out a loud scream, uncertain whether it was from excitement or fear. It took her a while to regain her composure.
Once she did, her face lit up with joy, "This feeling is so amazing! I feel like a bird… so free!"
Naruto replied with a wistful tone, "It's a pity that I can't be your wings forever."
"Why not? Am I not good enough?" Yukari frowned slightly.
Naruto shook his head and said, "It's time you knew the truth. You've been with us, playing games and looking for the most beautiful girls. But there's something you don't know… I'm not what I appear to be."
"Are you ugly or something? I don't mind that." Yukari said, waving her hand dismissively.
She had already seen Naruto's strength. In an era where battles could erupt at any moment, having a strong protector was more than enough for her.
Naruto took a deep breath, savoring the softness of Yukari's form and the fragrance of her hair. This was his first and likely his last time being this close with her. And to not take advantage even slightly wasn't in his nature.
After finally satisfied, Naruto revealed the truth, "Actually, I'm just a kid."
He gently returned Yukari to the ground, then released his Transformation Technique, reverting to his original appearance.
As white smoke enveloped the area, Yukari coughed, waving her hands to clear the air.
When the smoke dissipated, she froze in shock.
She had imagined that perhaps Naruto looked unattractive, which could explain why he transformed into a tall and handsome figure. But she never expected Naruto to actually be a 148 cm boy with golden, shoulder-length hair, lively blue eyes, and the appearance of a porcelain doll… like a charming British princess.
"So cute!"
Yukari's eyes were shining, her face flushed, and her breath started quickening.
"F*ck, it turns out the real pedophile is you!"
Naruto was frightened Yukari's reaction and stepped back repeatedly.
Yukari, with an almost obsessive look, struggled to control herself, "I don't know why I feel this way, but you're so beautiful! I want to buy you little dresses and personally dress you up."
"Hey, hey, what do you take me for?" Naruto continued backing away, thoroughly unnerved retreat.
He had never encountered a woman with such intensity. It was so terrifying.
A perverted smile appeared on Yukari's beautiful face, "Flying was my childhood dream, but as I grew up, my dream became having a cute daughter and dress her up in various styles every day. Naruto-kun, you're perfect! Let me touch you!"
"Geez, you're a real creep!"
Naruto backed away rapidly, fumbling as he pulled out a Sharingan contact lens and immediately cast a Genjutsu.
After Yukari was hit by the Genjutsu, her eyes became dazed for a moment and she stood there without moving.
Naruto finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had joined this game purely for fun, and didn't expect such bizarre outcomes. Although Yukari was beautiful, no one could compare to Hinata in his heart.
Moreover, he has seen Boruto, who is from the future. He is a little silly, but also a very smart child. There was no way he'd risk erasing Boruto's existence by marrying someone else.
In the past, he also thought that Boruto was trash, but now that he was his own son, Naruto figured he could let the kid be as reckless as he wanted… as he'd always have his father to back him up!
"Ah, it's out of my hands now." Naruto sighed.
He initially hoped to part ways with Yukari on good terms. However, judging by her unsettling behavior, using a Genjutsu to make her believe this entire encounter was just a dream seemed like the safest option.
As for the spectators who saw the Goddess of Life, Naruto had already asked Itachi to cast a Genjutsu to blur their memory of Yukari's specific features before leaving the venue.
Rustle!
Naruto quietly placed some money into Ziyu's hands as compensation for her performance. After setting a delay on the Genjutsu's release, he departed swiftly.
'Some people are destined to be mere passersby in life...'