NOVEL WEB Chapter 36: Chapter 36
"Hong, why are you standing there like a statue?"
"Teacher Kurenai, aren't you going in?"
Naruto and Anko quickly realized something was wrong with Kurenai Yuhi. They followed her to the doorway—and what they saw stunned them both.
Asuma Sarutobi was snoring loudly on his bed, wrapped up under a quilt. In his arms was a black-haired girl wearing extremely provocative clothes—the kind that adults usually call "sexy."
They couldn't see the girl's face clearly, but she was nestled tightly against Asuma. The two of them were curled up under the covers, clearly having slept the night together.
Even Anko Mitarashi was dumbfounded.
What happened to that loyal, passionate man?
Didn't he say he only had eyes for Kurenai? That he would wait forever if he had to?
She glanced nervously at Kurenai Yuhi and saw the pain welling up in her eyes.
There, lying in bed, was Asuma Sarutobi—the man who had confessed to her over and over again, promising eternal loyalty—holding a girl who looked no older than Naruto himself.
Kurenai just stared, her thoughts in turmoil. She had just started to consider accepting Asuma's feelings.
Naruto, meanwhile, could barely keep a straight face.
This is golden. I only came here to stir the pot and get some payback against the Sarutobi clan, and look what I walked in on. Sasako just happens to be in Asuma's bed?
How can I waste such a golden opportunity?
As he considered his options, a familiar ding echoed in his ears.
A golden opportunity lands in your lap.
[Active Choice Triggered!]
You've arrived at the Sarutobi estate and witnessed Asuma Sarutobi in bed with Sasako. As someone whose childhood was made miserable by the Sarutobi clan, what will you choose to do?
Option 1 — Forgive and Forget: Make excuses for Asuma and help Kurenai trust him again.Reward: Forgiveness Hat (Artifact)
Option 2 — Neutral Observer: Do nothing, let things unfold naturally.Reward: Telescope Technique
Option 3 — Take Advantage: Be brave and bold—get Kurenai out of there before she softens toward Asuma.Reward: Giant Rasengan
Option 4 — Make a Scene: Yell as loud as possible, and attract a crowd.Reward: Devil's Contract (x1)
Naruto quickly glanced through the reward list. Curious, he tapped to inspect the artifact.
Forgiveness Hat: When worn, grants the magical ability to forgive anyone, no matter how awful their actions.Note: Usable only by the host.
What kind of garbage item is this? Forgive everyone? I'd rather wear a dunce cap.
Naruto immediately eliminated Options 1–3. He hadn't come here today to give the Sarutobi family a peaceful life. This was the perfect time to go all in.
Option 4 — selected.
"Mr. Asuma! How could you betray Ms. Kurenai like this?!" Naruto yelled, charging into the room with theatric energy. "Didn't you say she was the only one for you?! Then why are you in bed with another woman?!"
His voice was loud enough to wake half the district.
Asuma, still groggy, stirred from sleep. He felt something soft in his arms and squinted down.
A head of soft black hair. Someone small and warm.
Was he dreaming?
This must be that dream with Kurenai again…
He yawned, leaned down, and kissed the top of the person's head. "I love you," he murmured… and then turned over to fall asleep again.
He was clearly drunk, exhausted, and not fully awake.
But those words—"I love you"—were the final nail in the coffin.
Kurenai inhaled sharply and lowered her head. Her expression was unreadable.
Meanwhile, Anko Mitarashi's face was burning red. She had been bragging about how great Asuma was just five minutes ago—and now this?
Her pride shattered, she stormed in after Naruto and bellowed, "Asuma Sarutobi, you goddamn scumbag! Get the hell up!"
Startled, Asuma sat up, still groggy and disoriented—pulling the figure in his arms with him.
"Anko, can't you see we're sleeping? Why are you yelling?"
He still believed he was dreaming. In his fantasy, he and Kurenai were already married, and Anko was just visiting.
…Until—
He looked toward the doorway and saw Kurenai Yuhi standing there, eyes wide in shock.
Wait. If Kurenai's over there… then who's in my arms?
Before Asuma could even look, Naruto's voice rang out again, even more dramatically than before:
"SASUKE?!"
Naruto pointed, eyes wide as saucers. "Sasuke, what are you doing?! If you're strapped for cash, I could've loaned you some! Why give yourself to this old perv?!"
Anko's face went from red to ashen. She finally got a clear look at the person in bed.
It was Sasako—the doll version of Sasuke.
Her world crumbled.
This… this is the worst thing I've ever seen.
Her face flushed with horror and shame. She thought about how confidently she had defended Asuma to Naruto. I deserve this slap in the face.
Naruto couldn't help but mock further.
"Sasuke, say something! Did this creepy uncle force you?!"
With a dramatic flourish, Naruto kicked over the lamp, casting a spotlight over the two figures.
Asuma sat there in disbelief. He reached up and slapped himself.
Ow.Not a dream.
Suddenly wide awake, he yelped and shoved the doll off. "Kurenai, please! I can explain! I have no idea what's going on!"
"Naruto! What are you shouting about now?!" came a new voice from down the hall.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with Hyuga Hiashi and Nara Shikaku, came rushing in after hearing the commotion.
But the moment they laid eyes on the scene inside—Asuma in bed, half-dressed, next to a Sasuke lookalike—they froze.
Time stopped.
The Hokage. Two clan leaders. One ruined morning.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face went pale. His jaw clenched. A vein popped on his forehead.
"Asuma… you disgrace…! I'll deal with you myself!"
With a loud poof, the Third Hokage summoned a long black staff and charged into the room swinging.
Chaos erupted.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi and Nara Shikaku backed away with synchronized precision.
They didn't even glance back.
Hiashi: "I didn't know Asuma collected… dolls."
Shikaku: "That doll was terrifyingly lifelike. I almost couldn't tell."
Hiashi: "The Sarutobi clan must have deep pockets. Those custom dolls can't be cheap… unless—"
He stopped there. What needed to be understood… was understood.
Back in the chaos, Naruto quietly slipped out the door and walked over to Kurenai Yuhi. He gently took her hand.
Kurenai turned slightly. Her eyes were red, her expression distant.
She must be wondering… How did she lose to a boy?
Naruto looked at her seriously, his voice soft and full of concern. "Teacher Kurenai, please come with me. I don't want to see you hurt anymore."
His golden hair glowed in the sunlight, and his eyes shimmered with sincerity.
His voice was calm, but his words carried weight.
Kurenai was moved.
This boy—this child she had only known for a couple of days—was standing by her side, when the man she'd known for decades had betrayed her trust.
Maybe… he's more dependable than I thought.
"…Alright. Let's go," she said with a forced smile.
She didn't want to stay in that place a second longer.