Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

When it comes to the name "Samui," nearly everyone in the Hidden Cloud Village's ninja circle knows who she is.

With her beautiful face, curvaceous figure, bold outfit, impressive sword skills, and status as an elite jonin, she's admired by most of the male ninja in the village.

Because of that, many recognize her instantly—even by voice alone. So when faint murmurs echoed from the forest ahead, those listening immediately identified the speaker.

It was Samui—the pride and beauty of the Hidden Cloud.

"Uzumaki Naruto… I'm going to kill you."

Before she could finish her sentence, another voice—a man's—cut in.

"Can you try saying something new for once? You've been chasing me the entire way just to kill me. Do you even think you can succeed?"

"I wasn't interested in you to begin with," he continued, "but you just had to come looking for trouble."

"There's a road to heaven you refuse to take, yet you barge through the gates of hell. That's what we call karma."

As he spoke, Naruto did something unclear, and suddenly Samui cried out in pain—her voice soft, delicate, and weak, like a puff of cotton floating in the wind.

The surrounding ninja, hidden nearby, covered their faces in discomfort and embarrassment. Their expressions turned awkward.

This… this was not what they expected to see.

Some felt frustrated. They had followed Naruto here at someone else's urging, only to witness a scene like this. The situation left them speechless.

Meanwhile, the other Hidden Cloud ninjas began to murmur among themselves, expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief.

"Lady Samui… has she always been this bold?"

"Since when has Samui been seeing someone? Why didn't anyone hear about this?"

"Who is Uzumaki Naruto? How did he get so lucky to end up with Lady Samui?!"

"Wait, that name sounds familiar…"

"Idiots! Don't you remember?! That's not her boyfriend! That's Uzumaki Naruto—the one Lord Raikage ordered us to kill!"

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!!"

Then it hit them. Samui had been separated from her unit while pursuing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki alongside Darui.

And now—Darui was tied up, and Samui was clearly in trouble.

Two elite Cloud ninjas against one—and they still lost? How powerful was this Jinchuriki really?

Those who had been eager to rush in and rescue their comrades now hesitated. They looked at each other, unsure of who would move first.

They were filled with righteous fury… but also with fear.

Just then, Yugito—known as the "Wooden Man"—spoke, analyzing the situation.

"Don't be reckless," she said. "Samui is restrained. If you charge in carelessly, you might hurt her."

"And besides, Samui's appearance is probably… compromised. If you storm in now, it could only humiliate her further."

The others fell silent. Her words made sense. They turned toward Yugito, silently asking what they should do next.

Without another word, Yugito stepped forward. She pulled a kunai from her pouch and cut Darui free.

All eyes turned toward the dark-skinned ninja who had been tied up for so long—most of them filled with disappointment and scorn.

Darui—once one of their strongest—had failed to protect his comrade and ended up bound to a tree.

Feeling the weight of their judgment, Darui lowered his head in shame.

Yugito stepped up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't lose heart, Darui. Stay here and protect the others. I'll go and bring Samui back."

The moonlight lit up her pale face, casting a soft, ethereal glow that made her look like a divine figure.

Yugito's lips curved into a gentle smile as she tried to reassure him. In that moment, Darui looked at her in awe—as if seeing an angel descend from heaven.

He quickly lowered his gaze again, not out of shame this time—but because he couldn't meet her eyes.

His coal-dark cheeks blushed red.

His feelings for Yugito were… different. Unlike his shallow admiration for Samui's looks, what he felt now was genuine affection.

Why was Yugito suddenly so kind to him? She had never paid him much attention before.

Darui didn't know that Yugito's gentle attitude was part of her mission—orders from her master.

And now, Yugito was preparing to meet that master.

Suddenly, a beast's roar tore through the night.

Yugito transformed into her half-beast form and charged into the forest.

Back in the woods, Naruto and Samui had already noticed the disturbance. When Samui saw Yugito approaching, hope lit up in her weary eyes.

She remembered Yugito once saying that Naruto was no match for her.

"Yugito! Help me!" she cried out.

The moment she did, Naruto hoisted her onto his shoulders and bolted deeper into the forest.

"…!"

The sight was beyond anyone's understanding.

Samui's expression was one of pure disbelief.

Yugito felt both pity and fury—ashamed on Samui's behalf, but furious at Naruto. She gave chase.

"Stop right there, you shameless thief! Let Samui go and apologize, or you'll die right here and now!"

Naruto turned and stuck out his tongue. "You think I'm stupid? I know I can't beat you—so of course I'm going to run. Lululu!"

The chase continued, their bickering echoing through the forest. Samui, unfortunately, was caught in the middle.

She could only sob and roll her eyes, her voice breaking whenever she tried to speak.

She prayed desperately for rescue.

"I'm going to end you today!" Yugito shouted, her aura suddenly surging. Her body pulsed with demonic chakra—both her seal and the power of the Two-Tails blazing to life.

Even the ninja behind her felt the terrifying pressure.

Darui clenched his fists, his worry deepening. He thought back to what had happened to Samui—and feared Yugito might suffer the same fate.

He wanted to help her, but his chakra was completely drained.

"Does anyone have any soldier pills? Give me some! I need to recover and go after them!" he cried.

Samui had already been violated. Darui couldn't bear the idea of losing Yugito too—especially after her kind words earlier.

But poor Darui didn't know… the fireball barrage that stopped their pursuit just now?

It hadn't come from Naruto.

It came from Yugito.

"Uzumaki Naruto, stop!"

"No!"

"Please—stop!"

Naruto and Yugito raced through the forest, their speeds so fast only afterimages were visible. Sometimes Naruto surged ahead, other times Yugito nearly caught up.

Being carried like that, Samui's emotions fluctuated wildly. Relief when Yugito got close, terror when she fell behind.

It wasn't just emotional—it was physical torture too.

It was still early spring. The freezing night wind would normally knock someone out in minutes—but Naruto kept her awake, feeding her tailed beast chakra to constantly heal and revive her.

It was deliberate. He was tormenting her.

Samui was drained, body and spirit. At this point, she didn't even care about revenge.

She just wanted to get away from Uzumaki Naruto.

But reality doesn't bend to wishes.

Eventually, Naruto reached the edge of a cliff. In front of him—an abyss. Behind him—Yugito, closing in.

He stopped.

Samui, finally able to breathe, sagged in his arms. Her tense body went limp. If Naruto hadn't been holding her, she might've fallen off.

She stared up at the stars, catching her breath. They'd reached a dead end.

"Uzumaki Naruto… please. Please let me go."

She begged, her voice hoarse. "If you release me, I promise I'll ask Yugito to let you go too. I'll speak on your behalf, I swear."

Naruto didn't answer. He just kept holding her.

What a night.

An unforgettable experience.

"Let me go… it's pointless to keep holding me like this," she said. "Even if you don't believe I'll help you, you should at least run. Why carry me, slowing you down?"

Naruto didn't flinch. Instead, he released one hand and slapped her thigh hard.

A red handprint appeared on her pale skin.

"Ow!" she gasped. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Naruto glared. "You think I'll just let you go? Keep dreaming. Even if I die today, you're going down with me."

Just then, the crunch of branches underfoot signaled Yugito's arrival.

"Don't come any closer," Naruto warned. "Take one more step, and I'll throw her off."

He held Samui high, threatening to drop her.

Yugito's expression flickered.

She didn't want to see this.

Still, she extended a hand and tried to reason with him. "Wait—don't hurt Samui. Let's talk about this."

Seeing her again, Samui cried out, "Yugito, help me!"

Naruto tightened his grip, acting like he'd throw her any second.

"Don't do it!" Yugito said again. "Let's talk. As long as you don't harm Samui, I'll listen to whatever you have to say."

"Talk? What's there to talk about?" Naruto snapped. "There are hundreds of ninja in your village. She's just one of them. You think you'll spare me because of her?"

Samui froze.

He was right.

Why would Yugito risk everything for her?

Samui's heart shattered. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Kill me," she whispered. "My reputation's ruined anyway. Might as well die."

She laughed—and then cried.

Naruto glanced at her warily. Had he pushed her too far?

Well, too late to stop now. The act had to continue.

He exchanged a look with Yugito, who took a deep breath.

"Samui isn't just anyone," she said firmly. "She's my closest friend. If you let her go, I'll agree to any terms you name."

"Liar. That's just talk."

"Then test me," she replied. "Try asking something."

"Fine. Kill everyone else in your village."

Yugito fell silent.

Samui's heart sank.

So this was what friendship meant… nothing.

But then Yugito spoke again.

"No. I won't betray the village. But anything else—I'm willing to give. Even my life."

To prove it, she dispelled her Two-Tails chakra and removed her gear.

"I'm the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails. My life is more valuable than hers."

Samui's eyes went wide. Her mind couldn't process it.

Naruto voiced her confusion. "Why? Why would you do that for her?"

Yugito smiled softly. "Didn't I say? She's like family."

The moonlight was too cruel.

Samui's eyes filled with tears again.

She never saw this coming.

She'd never taken their friendship seriously.

Now… she understood.

Too late.

"Don't save me," Samui sobbed. "Just kill him. I'm not worth it."

Naruto and Yugito both saw it clearly—Samui had broken.

She would now be loyal to Yugito. A perfect assistant in the Hidden Cloud.

Naruto gave the final push.

"If you want her alive," he said, pressing a kunai to Samui's throat, "you'll have to take her place."

Samui tried to protest, but he gripped her throat—silencing her.

Yugito met her eyes and smiled reassuringly.

Then, she stepped forward.

"I'll trade myself for her."