In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

The room was dimly lit. Naruto glanced around and felt like something was off.

"This dress is way too big... No, wait, something's weird. Let me take another look." He muttered, then shook his head and looked at it again.

As his mind gradually cleared, the blurry figure before him became more distinct. Naruto also recognized that the other party is Yugito. After all, she was the only other person in the apartment.

However, as Yugito stepped closer, Naruto's expression grew increasingly strange, and he immediately sat up in bed.

"What are you doing?"

Hearing this, Yugito paused for a moment and looked down at herself, thinking to herself, 'Since I'm already like this, isn't my purpose obvious?'

"I'm just done hesitating. I don't want to be torn between choices anymore." Yugito said, "People have to learn to accept reality instead of deceiving themselves."

The night passed without further words.

…

The next day.

When Naruto woke up, it was already noon. He glanced at Yugito, scanned the room, then got up and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up. As he brushed his teeth, he found his expression growing more and more peculiar.

No matter how he had questioned her last night, she refused to say anything, 'She wouldn't explain, no matter what. What was this supposed to be? A pledge of loyalty?'

"She's such a grown-up, but you're still acting so shy like that." He said vaguely while brushing his teeth, "Though, I guess being shy isn't that bad."

After washing up, he was about to get something to eat when Yugito suddenly stepped out of the room. She glanced at him, then quickly hurried into the bathroom.

For the first time in her life, she felt embarrassed to face someone.

Even though this was a pledge, she couldn't shake off a sense of loss. She just couldn't quite figure out what else she had given away besides her chastity.

Yugito had been raised from birth to be Nibi's Jinchuriki. No matter how hard she worked and how well she excels, no matter how much respect she wins from the villagers of Kumogakure, her purpose was always tied to the Biju.

All her efforts had been to gain Nibi's trust, to serve Kumogakure, and to improve her own position… But at least compared to other Jinchuriki, she was rarely treated with open hostility.

Luckily, she was born beautiful. With her outstanding appearance, a warm yet reserved personality, and formidable strength, she successfully carved out a place for herself in the village.

If not for that fateful, nightmarish day, her life might have continued that way. Yet, when she thought about it deeply, she found it hard to hate what had happened… with just lingering frustration in her heart.

And after last night, even that frustration had faded somewhat.

In the bathroom, Yugito stared at herself in the mirror as she brushed her teeth, taking in her softened features and the traces of warmth in her eyes. In that moment, she suddenly understood why she felt so empty.

She had made her pledge, but she had skipped the process of building a bond. Even then, she didn't dwell on it, as she was just trying to find an answer.

When Yugito finally emerged from the bathroom after finishing her bath, Naruto had already left a breakfast for her on the table. She glanced at it, then sat down silently.

The living room was quiet except for the sound of utensils clinking against the plate. She was a little confused, but she managed to remain calm.

"You took so long to come out?" The door opened with a rustle, and Naruto looked at her with a little confusion.

"You're still here?" Yugito looked even more surprised.

Hearing this, Naruto casually pointed to the plate on the table and spoke.

"How can I leave if I don't see you finish eating?"

Yugito was speechless. She didn't know what to say, so she just focused on eating her now-cold breakfast. Her mind wandered as she ate, and she suddenly realized that some sayings weren't baseless after all.

Ten minutes later.

Yugito placed her chopsticks down properly, then she slowly raised her heads, looked at him and said, "I'm done."

Naruto, who had been leaning against the doorframe, immediately moved. He took a few steps toward the window before turning back and saying, "Alright, I'm heading out. Make sure you wash the dishes."

With a click, the door shut behind him

After Naruto left, the living room fell silent again. Yugito hesitated for a moment, then picked up her chopsticks and continued eating.

Once she was satisfied, she got up to wash the dishes.

Noon.

In Kumogakure's administrative building, Yugito stood at the rooftop, staring into the distance, lost in thought.

Suddenly, she heard a noise from behind, and she turned around to see Samui walking towards her.

The two of them had never been particularly close, speaking only on occasion.

But now that they have both become traitors, perhaps because of the same fate, their relationship had grown significantly closer. In comparison, Mabui was always too busy with work and cannot be as leisurely as these two.

"Why do you keep following me?" Yugito asked as she turned back to the view.

"The higher-ups in Kumogakure don't trust you, they think you're a traitor." Samui walked up to Yugito's side with calm, steady steps. She narrowed her eyes at the blonde-haired cat woman and asked, "Guess who they sent to keep an eye on you?"

"Another traitor?" Yugito replied.

"That's right, but I don't like the way it is said." Samui put her hands on her hips naturally, her expression indifferent, her pupils reflecting the lush trees in the distance.

"Not cool at all." She added before suddenly saying, "By the way, I noticed something earlier. When you walked up the stairs, your movements seemed a bit off. Did you get injured?"

"No injuries. Just sore."

"Oh, that's good then. As long as you're not hurt…" Samui said in a calm tone. After two or three seconds of silence, she suddenly turned her head and looked at Yugito with a stunned expression.

"…What did you just say?"

Yugito shot her a glance but didn't respond.

The path to happiness was never a straight line. She had already decided, and there was no turning back. She would embrace the villain's side.

Even if it meant becoming a traitor, she would see it through. As long as she became the Raikage, Kumogakure could continue to exist peacefully. Even if she was misunderstood, she would still protect the village.

"This is too much. You…!" Samui was both shocked and concerned. Her mind immediately jumped to a terrifying realization, "If you did this... does that mean Mabui and I have to do it too?!"

"I don't know about that. Anyway, that kind of thing is not that uncomfortable." Yugito said, "Besides, the choice is in your hands. You don't have to make the same decision as me."

As the breeze blew, the two wooden men looked at the clouds in the distance and murmured.

"I can never go back."