A Full Night's Sleep
As I expected, a proper night's sleep in my own bed fully restored my HP and removed all debuffs. In the morning, Yugao watched as I unwrapped my arm.
Oh, what a relief—it was so much more comfortable without the bandages!
"I'll stretch a bit and then start making breakfast. You can freshen up and wake up the two ladies in the other room, Yugao-san… And yes, I'm back." I added with a warm smile.
"Welcome home, Naruto."
Wow, Yugao actually responded just as warmly while standing up and getting dressed.
I quickly turned away.
Great. So, the first signs of hormonal mischief were starting to show.
Not that Yugao saw anyone in me in that way yet, so it wasn't like she was trying to fluster me on purpose.
Once Uzuki left the room and I regained total control over my body—successfully suppressing the hormonal rebellion—I started my training. Surprisingly, it went smoothly but only increased my agility by a single point.
That was way less than before.
Oh… right. My agility stat had already jumped up.
Yeah, turns out playing tag with the Kyūbi really makes a difference.
Still, considering how quickly my endurance and strength were growing, I had a feeling that by the time I graduated from the Academy—assuming I didn't repeat that experience (and I wouldn't, because I wasn't suicidal)—agility would once again lag behind.
---
"Good morning, Naruto. How are you? How's your arm? Wait! Why did you take off your bandages?!"
This was Hana, who I ran into after training, right at the bathroom door.
Honestly, if I hadn't bumped into her, she probably wouldn't have noticed me.
Tested and proven.
"Good morning, Hana! In order: I feel absolutely great. My arm is fully healed. And I took off the bandages because of the reason I just stated."
I spun my arm around with ease, demonstrating my point.
"But… how?"
She activated some kind of diagnostic jutsu and checked, looking completely shocked.
"Same old fairytale character, I guess. I've always been sturdy since childhood."
I grinned, waiting to see if she'd react to the lack of honorifics.
"Speaking of that fairytale… I won't ask how you know about it, but about what you did yesterday. That was stupid."
Hana shook her head.
"I know. But what else could I have done? I still don't understand why no one else stepped in!"
I answered irritably.
"You see, they—" Hana started explaining.
"I don't see, and I don't want to understand!"
Yeah, that sounded childish.
But I was a child!
"Oh, fine, we'll talk about it some other time."
She waved it off, though it sounded like if we ever discussed it again, it wouldn't be anytime soon.
"Good, Hana-nee-san (big sister)."
This time, I got an immediate reaction.
A head smack.
So, I didn't qualify as a brother, or she just wasn't lost in thought anymore.
Interesting, interesting.
And yet, throughout the entire conversation, not a single percentage point appeared—not even half—in any direction!
"Just Hana."
She said while walking away.
I don't think I understood anything anymore.
---
Breakfast felt… weird.
The only ones comfortable were Yugao and me.
Hitomi and Hana were having a silent battle of glares.
Well, that was their problem.
Uzuki, on the other hand, seemed genuinely happy.
Looked like she'd had enough of living off instant ramen.
She'd also gotten used to our company long ago, and being alone in that big apartment had probably felt uncomfortable.
Now? She was finally at ease.
As for me, the Mighty Oak Status allowed me to completely ignore my surroundings, bringing relief and helping me "not notice" the atmosphere to my left.
But my walk to the Academy?
That one was a failure from the very start.
Yugao had rushed off to report to her superiors.
Hitomi seemed to have gone as well.
And Hana… she had the most terrifying task of all—unpacking and arranging her things in her new home!
And I wasn't in any hurry to save her from it.
Barely a Few Houses Away…
I had only walked a couple of houses away from home when I sensed a familiar chakra.
...I'm screwed.
That thought flashed through my mind instantly.
Two houses later, the owner of that chakra turned a corner from a side street and fell into step beside me. Without even looking in my direction, she started speaking.
"Naruto-kun, I understand that we didn't part on the best of terms, but please hear me out now."
Tsume started.
My gut—ahem, my intuition—told me this was no coincidence.
"I'm listening, Inuzuka-san."
Oh yes, judging by her face, screaming at her would have been a better choice. That would've been childish and expected from me. But my chakra and emotions were completely indifferent.
In reality, I only felt a slight trace of fear.
But I was good at hiding that.
And the rest? It wasn't there at all.
Still, she twitched in a rather amusing way.
Not used to me calling you something other than your name, huh?
Yeah, back when I got that first heart, she allowed me to call her by name, though I changed the honorifics depending on the situation.
Sometimes, I even went as far as "-dono," just to fake being offended.
In truth, I just enjoyed annoying her a little bit more that way.
Just a tiny bit.
But now?
This tone, this form of address—it was like I was talking to a total stranger, though with a hint of respect.
Well, what did she expect? That I'd look at her the same way as before?
"That argument we had… It really was my mistake, my inability to accept the truth. A very strong refusal to accept a very shocking truth."
"Our clan's reputation has been filled with stories for ages—not as dark as the Uchiha's, perhaps, but not all of it is untrue."
"So, thank you for stopping me back then."
"You're welcome to visit our clan's territory again. If you want, I can even issue an official apology in front of witnesses. I'll also speak with my daughter today."
"As for the whole moving-in situation… That decision is yours alone. I understand that even if I haven't completely lost your trust, I've shaken it badly. So once again, I apologize for my temper."
"If you'd like, I can continue teaching you. And you wouldn't even need to return to our clan for that."
She was still trying not to look at me, and I could tell those words didn't come easily.
Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to do what she was doing—swallowing my pride and apologizing to a child, stepping over my principles, my pride as a clan head, and probably ten other things just to make amends.
I actually respected her a little for that.
But why was she suddenly being so positive toward me…?
---
Quest "Taming the Lone Wolf" Completed!
The final event will unlock in four years.
Relationship with Inuzuka Tsume: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Upon graduating from the Academy, you will have the option to adopt a double surname.
15,000 Reputation with the Inuzuka Clan.
20% Affection with Inuzuka Hana. Status gained: "Burning Jealousy." May lead to family conflicts. This can be resolved by reaching four or more hearts with Inuzuka Hana.
2,000 Reputation with the Elders.
Upon passing the final Academy exams, you will receive a ninken.
For 24 hours, all female characters with more than one heart of affection will gain the Jealousy debuff, making interactions difficult and possibly leading to a loss of affection points.
If you wait until after successfully passing the Chunin Exams to "claim your reward":
5,000 Reputation with all Konoha factions.
♥ with Inuzuka Tsume under the same conditions.
No debuffs with the other female characters.
Unlocks the possibility of obtaining the "Defying Canon" achievement if you reach Chunin rank and break free from the "Eternal Genin" fate.
---
...I'm so screwed.
But where did she get so many hearts?!
And when did I even…?
Well, I had a general idea, but still.
It was terrifying.
Just like the fact that I could only get those juicy bonuses after passing the Chunin Exam—an exam I might not even pass on my first try.
And until then, I'd have to use every trick in the book to resist a stunning woman from dragging me into the "adult path of life."
Damn, that's frustrating!
I feel like a damn paladin.
But how long is it from graduation to the exam again? Six months? A year?
Not too long.
If I put in the effort, it might actually turn out well.
And at least the abstinence period wouldn't last forever.
And if I couldn't be with her, well… There were other options, right?
---
New Status Gained: "Possessiveness."
If Inuzuka Tsume cheats on you, you'll know immediately.
If you cheat on Inuzuka Tsume (before your first time with her), she'll know immediately.
In both cases, the quest "Taming the Lone Wolf" will be considered failed.
This status unlocks the final stage of the Taming questline—if you can "tame" your partner in a bedroom battle, she will willingly grant you the right to (varies depending on partner satisfaction and your own dissatisfaction… up to including allies in an uneven fight).
Reward: Varies. Possible acquisition of unique statuses: "Lothario" and "Alpha of the Pack."
Penalty for Refusal/Failure:
Gain the status "Eternal Virgin of Konoha."
Or the status "Failed Womanizer."
Accept?
Yes / No
---
Of course, I accepted.
What choice did I have?
It's not like I had a problem spending most of my life avoiding this terrifying mess of relationships, carefully building something serious with just one woman while crawling out of a deep negative status hole.
But my main quest wouldn't let me do that.
And meeting Kaguya with those humiliating statuses?
That would be a one-way ticket to a restart!
---
"I got carried away too, Tsume-san. I'll keep your offers and invitations in mind. Goodbye!"
Putting on the signature grin of a canonical idiot—ahem, I mean Naruto—I sped up, heading straight for the Academy.
Did I just let the questline push me around?
Or was I really that impressed by Tsume's actions?
Who knows?
Probably both.
And honestly?
There was a bit of recklessness in me.
I was actually curious to see if I could handle this mess and what I'd get in the end.
But one thing I was absolutely sure of— I was a hardcore masochist!
…Not that my status disagreed.