Chapter 163 - 29

Chapter 29: The "Sleeping Beauty" in the Bushes, Don't Be Too Rigid About GenderDeep in the forest.Naruto was moving rapidly through the branches and leaves.The nonchalance on his face had long since vanished.Replacing it was the excitement of a hunter spotting prey.[Ding! Target "Haku" detected.][Distance: 500 meters.][Status: Gathering herbs.]Naruto stopped on a tree branch.His nose twitched slightly.The unique, icy aura in the air was growing stronger.It was the scent peculiar to Ice Style Chakra.Crisp.Pure.It even carried a faint hint of herbal fragrance."Found you."Naruto licked his lips.He raised his hand and looked at his palm.The delicate sensation from yesterday seemed to still linger on his fingertips."It's such a nice day, it would be a shame not to fall in love.""Since you're gathering herbs, you must need a helpful passerby to assist, right?"Naruto adjusted his collar.He pulled a mirror from the system space and checked his reflection.His golden hair was dazzling, his features handsome.Especially those deep blue eyes; as long as he reined in that roguish air, he looked exactly like a prince who had walked out of a fairy tale."Perfect."Naruto put away the mirror.He kicked off with his feet.His entire body transformed into a golden streak of light, darting toward the source of the fragrance.Meanwhile, at the training ground behind him, Sasuke fell from a tree once again.He was covered in mud.But he didn't pause; without even a second to catch his breath, he immediately climbed back up.He looked in the direction Naruto had left.That retreating figure was like a massive mountain pressing down on his heart."Just you wait..."Sasuke's voice was hoarse, carrying the scent of blood."I will absolutely... absolutely slaughter you, you bastard."At that moment, deep within his black pupils, amidst the original ink-black darkness, a hint of crimson was faintly and frantically brewing, as if it were about to burst forth in the next second....The mist in the forest hadn't yet dissipated, and the sunlight was filtered through layers of leaves into dappled spots of light.Naruto stopped in a clearing filled with the fresh scent of herbs.[System radar display: Target will pass through this location in thirty seconds.]"Thirty seconds."Naruto looked around and chose a patch of grass warmed by the sun.Since it was an encounter, he had to make it look realistic.He untied his headband, tossed it aside, and lay down on the grass in a spread-eagled position, striking an extremely flamboyant side-lying pose.He even deliberately pulled his collar down a bit to reveal his collarbone.[Ding! Host detected performing "entrapment".][Beauty bonus activated. Current status: The "Sleeping Beauty" in the forest (male version).]It must be said, Minato Namikaze's genes combined with the constitution of the Uzumaki Clan—this face certainly had the potential to be a pretty boy.Rustle.The sound of soft footsteps approached.Very light.If not for the hearing enhanced by the system, he wouldn't have heard it at all.The person stopped five meters away.Haku was carrying a bamboo basket, wearing that iconic pink kimono, with long hair draped casually over his shoulders.He looked at the defenseless golden-haired youth on the grass, his body instantly tensing.It was that Konoha Ninja.The monster who caught the kubikiribōchō with his bare hands and beat Mr. Zabuza until he was completely helpless.Kill him.As long as he killed him now, there would be no obstacles to Mr. Zabuza's plan.Haku set down the basket, and two senbon slid silently into his fingertips.He aimed at Naruto's carotid artery.Just one strike.But.Haku looked at the youth's sleeping face.No killing intent, no defenses, and there was even a faint, elusive smile at the corner of his mouth.He looked just like a boy next door taking a lazy afternoon break.Did he really want to kill such a defenseless person?As a tool, there shouldn't be hesitation.But as a human, Haku couldn't bring himself to do it."Whew..."Haku put away the senbon and picked up the bamboo basket from the ground.Since he was asleep, he'd just pretend he hadn't seen him.Just as he was about to detour and leave, the golden-haired youth suddenly turned over and muttered in his sleep."Ramen... want more..."Haku paused, unable to help but smile.So he was just an idiot who dreamed about food.The tension from just a moment ago instantly dissipated.Haku walked over, crouched down, and reached out to gently nudge Naruto's shoulder."Hey, wake up.""You'll catch a cold if you sleep here."Naruto's eyelashes fluttered.[Ding! Target has touched the host.][Interaction options triggered.][Option A: Rise up and kill, destroying a flower. Reward: "Steel Straight Man" title (Destined to be single).][Option B: Panic, scream "harassment". Reward: Passive skill "Victim Constitution".][Option C: Ignore status, go with the flow, forcibly flirt. Reward: Haku's Favorability/Shame gift package.]Did he even need to choose?Naruto opened his eyes wide.There was not a shred of post-sleep confusion in his deep blue eyes; instead, they were frighteningly bright.He reached back and grabbed the hand Haku hadn't yet had time to retract.With a hard pull, Haku lost his balance, let out a cry of surprise, and lunged forward.Fortunately, Haku reacted quickly and braced himself on the grass with his other hand, preventing him from falling directly onto Naruto.But their faces were less than ten centimeters apart.Naruto held Haku's hand, his thumb rubbing brazenly against the back of it twice.Smooth.Tender.Were these the hands of someone who didn't have to wash dishes?"Where did this fairy sister come from?"Naruto stared at Haku's face, his tone exaggerated like a male lead in a third-rate idol drama."Did you descend from the heavens to kiss me awake because you saw how handsome I am?"Haku's face turned bright red in a flash.Not because of shyness.It was because of this overwhelming air of a rogue."Please... please let go!"Haku pulled his hand back forcefully, stood up in a panic, and retreated two steps."I am not any fairy."Haku adjusted his slightly disheveled kimono collar, struggling to maintain his composure."Besides, I am a man."This was his trump card.In the past, whenever he said this, those who had ulterior motives toward him would show an expression like they had eaten a fly.However.Naruto simply propped up his upper body, rested his chin on one hand, and changed into a more comfortable position to admire Haku's embarrassment."A man?"Naruto looked him up and down.His Adam's apple wasn't prominent, his frame was slender, and his skin was better than a woman's."A man is even better."Naruto said something shocking."What?"Haku thought he had misheard."I said, a man is even better."Naruto gave a thumbs up, looking serious."No pregnancy, no worries.""And as long as you look cute, isn't something like gender just an accessory?""We have to look past the surface to see the essence."[Ding! God-tier absurd argument!][Haku's shame +50.][Current status: Worldview severely impacted, CPU overloading.]Haku had his mouth open, unable to say a word for a long time.This guy... was he sick?He was definitely sick!"Um... I have things to do, I'm leaving now."Haku grabbed the basket and turned to leave.If he stayed any longer, he felt he would be led astray by this golden-haired youth's logic."Why the rush to leave?"The tone from behind him had changed.It was no longer the frivolous teasing from just before.Instead, it was a cold, metallic statement."You haven't gathered enough herbs yet, have you? You, the Hunter Ninja of the Hidden Mist Village."Haku's feet were instantly rooted to the spot.The surrounding air seemed to freeze.The chirping of birds vanished.There was only the rustling of wind through the leaves.Haku stood with his back to Naruto, his hand reaching once again for the senbon in his sleeve."What are you talking about? I'm just an ordinary herb gatherer."