NOVEL WEB Chapter 103: Overdid
Temari's momentum surged again, seemingly reminded of something infuriating. "Beg for mercy? There's no way I'd beg for mercy! You're a total pervert!"
"This is just a standard ninja method," Naruto replied calmly, lying effortlessly. "Interrogating enemies on the battlefield is perfectly reasonable. I'd do the same to anyone."
"You're lying," Temari said, glaring at him, her past humiliation seared into her memory.
"I'm not lying. You weren't even the first person I interrogated. During the Chūnin Exams—"
"Stop! I don't want to hear your perverted monologue!" Temari took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Interrogation? You didn't ask me anything back then! You were just indulging your twisted desires!" she shouted, her voice trembling with rage.
Naruto smirked. "What would I even ask? 'How many people did you send to invade Konoha?' That doesn't concern me."
"You're the princess of Sunagakure. I couldn't kill you, and you refused to surrender. What else could I do besides interrogate you? Honestly, I went easy on you. It's not like we're in the era of basic ninja techniques anymore."
Temari clenched her fists, realizing she had no strong argument.
"My fan…" she muttered.
"That depends on your behavior," Naruto said, stepping closer to her.
"What… what are you doing?" Temari panicked, her fear evident. "Stop! Don't come any closer!"
"What are you so afraid of?" Naruto asked, stopping two meters from her.
"Nothing," she replied, shaking her head.
"Are you afraid of me?" Naruto loomed over her, his tone cold.
Temari tried to stand but was immediately stopped.
"Sit."
"I'm not afraid," she said, her muscles tense. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Since you walked in, your emotions have been out of control. You clearly hate me, but…" Naruto continued, "You know you're in the wrong, so you're trying to mask your fear with anger. Your body remembers the pain and has bred fear. Tell me, am I right, Princess?"
Temari's nails dug into her palms as she remained silent.
The room was filled with tension until her trembling shoulders gave way, and she finally shouted, "What the hell do you want from me?!"
"The next Kazekage is going to be Gaara, right?" Naruto abruptly changed the topic.
Temari froze.
"Why are you asking that?"
"Wars between jinchūriki are inevitable. I need a chance to beat him up," Naruto said casually. "Even with some treaty in place, finding loopholes is my specialty."
"Why would you do that?" Temari yelled. "It's just a fan, and you—"
"Why?" Naruto's eyes turned icy as he leaned closer to Temari. "Why should I give you the fan?
"I won it. Why should I hand it over just because of some vague village interests?
"You don't seem to understand. I am me, and the village is the village."
"I'm the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. My personal authority is practically on par with the village's. Unless I go too far, no one can stop me."
"I…" Temari stammered, completely intimidated.
Knowing that even with the fan she couldn't defeat him, Temari felt utterly lost for the first time.
"You haven't respected me since you walked in here," Naruto said, leaning in, his gaze piercing. "What do you think I am?
"Three months ago, I was nothing in Konoha. But now, even if I **** you right here, no one would dare kill me for it."
"Did you think I'd apologize just because you acted spoiled? That I'd pretend to be a kind, naïve boy?
"I could kill you back then. I can kill you now. And I'll be able to kill you in the future."
Naruto's voice grew louder, nearly a roar, his crimson eyes taking on an eerie, shifting shape. He towered over her, the air thick with killing intent.
"I told you: you lucked out being born into privilege, but don't think everyone has to bow to you. This isn't some feel-good ninja game. I can kill you and your brothers anytime."
"Now, tell me—what are you going to do?"
Temari, overwhelmed by fear, finally broke down, her voice trembling as she muttered, "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Tears streamed down her face like a flood, her composure completely shattered. Her fair skin gleamed under the streaks of tears, giving her a fragile appearance.
Seeing her like this, Naruto thought to himself, I think I've scared her enough. This should be enough to report back to Tsunade.
He had no intention of seriously damaging relations between Konoha and Sunagakure. This whole act was just to restore Konoha's standing. Making Temari cry was more symbolic than anything.
With his goal achieved, Naruto softened his tone.
"Alright, alright. Since you've realized your mistake, and since Lady Tsunade repeatedly told me to stay calm…" Naruto glanced at her tear-streaked face.
"Stop crying. I'll give you back your fan."
"Waaah…"
"I said stop crying. It's yours again."
"Waaaahhh…"
The more Naruto tried to console her, the harder Temari cried. Her sobs grew uncontrollable, echoing through the room.
"If you keep crying, I'll have to do something." Naruto reached out and awkwardly patted her head, trying to calm her. "Alright, stop crying. What's there to cry about?"
"You're… a… pervert! Waaah!" Temari clung to him, her pent-up frustrations finally bursting forth as she cried into his chest.
Naruto froze, his clothes soaking with her tears.
I've overdone it this time, he thought. He realized he'd inadvertently pushed Temari too far, breaking her resolve completely.
Eventually, her sobs subsided, but for some reason, she still didn't let go.
"I need to go now," Naruto said coldly.
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