3. The Act of Hatred

Treatment Room.

Ino vaguely sensed the knot in Haruna’s heart. Just as she was about to probe further, a knock sounded at the door.

A clear, steady voice belonging to a young man drifted in: "Excuse me, may I come in?"

Haruna’s face turned pale instantly. She recognized the caller. Her husband, Naruto Uzumaki.

The brown-haired girl subconsciously leaned forward in her seat—a posture of instinctive vigilance. Seeing her reach such a state of distress, Ino made a snap decision and called out, "Just a moment!"

She then lowered her voice, asking with concern, "Haruna, do you need me to make him leave?"

Perhaps guessing what Haruna was thinking, the young man’s voice outside the door softened, though his tone remained gentle. "You didn't bring your cane when you went out today. I’m worried."

Haruna let out a long breath, allowing her tense body to relax slightly.

"It’s alright, you can come in."

The girl’s voice was very soft, but she knew Naruto Uzumaki could hear her.

The lock clicked. Ino looked up. The young man who appeared at the doorway had bright, refreshing golden hair and handsome features, his clear, azure eyes reminiscent of summer marble soda.

At twenty-one, Naruto Uzumaki no longer wore tacky tracksuits all day, nor did he foolishly shout about becoming the Hokage. He was radiant, upright, and capable, his every gesture exuding a powerful magnetism. He was the hero who saved the world and, without question, the strongest man on the planet. The number of fans who traveled to Konoha every year just to catch a glimpse of him was countless.

Naruto held a light cane in his hands, which were wrapped in white bandages.

"How could you forget your cane?" he said to his wife, his tone carrying a trace of mild reproach.

Ino observed Naruto in silence, finding his tone and demeanor incredibly tender—a rarity even between married couples. If Sai were to speak to her in such a way, she would have been thoroughly creeped out. Yet, even this feather-light concern seemed to crush Haruna.

"I know. I'm sorry, I'll remember next time."

She grabbed the cane and immediately stood up from the sofa. Because she rose too abruptly, she lost her footing, and Naruto reached out to steady her. However, the moment he ensured she was balanced, he restrainedly pulled his hand back—without Haruna even needing to cast a look of repulsion.

"I won't disturb Ino any further. We’ll schedule another time later," the brown-haired girl said. Looking at her husband, her gaze rested only on his Adam's apple. "Let's go."

"Alright."

Naruto did not reach out to support her; instead, he followed her with his eyes, acting as a silent guardian, trailing one step behind her as they left the treatment room.

Ino watched their two figures—one dark, one light—as they departed, feeling a sense of dissonance for the first time. Naruto was much taller than Haruna, and walking side by side, the difference in their builds was stark. Especially with Haruna’s gloomy, downcast temperament contrasting against Naruto’s exceptionally bright and dominant presence, the stifling sensation of a predator and prey felt even more pronounced.

*I have a feeling Haruna will be bullied once she gets back...*

Ino thought with a trace of unease. Should she not have let Naruto take her away?

*Pah, pah, pah!*

What does "take her away" mean? They are a legally married couple, and surely she knows what kind of person Naruto is? How could he possibly bully Haruna?

"Hey, Ino."

Just then, another version of Naruto appeared at the window behind her.

Ino turned around, stunned. "A shadow clone? Since when?!"

The golden-haired young man hopped into the treatment room with ease, his expression full of concern. "Can you tell me what kind of illness Haruna has?"

Doctors and family members should communicate about a patient’s condition, but...

"Hurry up and tell me, please. I'm on a tight schedule." The great hero pressed his palms together, sighing, "After I understand the situation, I still have to rush home to buy groceries."

"Haruna is in a bad mood today, and I want to make her some cheese tofu."

Watching Naruto’s natural behavior, the sense of dissonance in Ino’s heart only grew stronger.

Something was wrong.

***

*Tap.*

The cane struck the ground, and using the momentum, she stepped forward. After three years of rehabilitation, Haruna was quite proficient at this, able to walk in a way that was almost indistinguishable from a normal person.

Her husband stayed by her side the entire time. Naruto Uzumaki was incredibly strong; with just a slight exertion, he could easily leap from one end of the street to the other. Yet, he was willing to follow her, walking slowly through the streets at a pace even slower than a child’s.

There was no escaping him.

On the way home, they encountered many people.

"Mr. Naruto, good day!"

"Big Brother Naruto!"

"Naruto-senpai, could I have your autograph?"

Haruna realized these people could help her keep Naruto at bay, and her breathing instantly grew easier.

"You should sign for them. I'll head home first," she said.

"No need."

Naruto left a shadow clone to handle the autographs and photos, apologetically explaining that he had to see his wife home first.

"Wow, what a loving couple!"

"Wuwuwu, I’m so envious!"

"Haruna-senpai looks so gentle, too. They’re such a perfect match."

Countless enthusiastic gazes fell upon her. Haruna’s breath hitched, and she forced a smile. But the smile didn't last a second before Naruto stepped in front of her, shielding her from those prying eyes.

"It’s okay, let’s go home," he said.

The sky was azure and clear, vast and encompassing, as beautiful as Naruto’s eyes. It made her feel suffocated.

"Never mind."

She finally let go of her cane, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Take me home. Walking like this is too slow."

Naruto smiled with joy, as if he had been waiting for these very words. "Alright, let's go home!"

He scooped his wife up effortlessly, his hand tucked under her knees while he held her cane, and they sped across the rooftops of Konoha. Her long hair danced in the wind, brushing against Naruto’s face, but he didn't seem bothered; instead, he remained all smiles. Of course, he kept his gaze restrained, never looking directly at her.

His every action was restrained and gentle, but Haruna felt like she truly couldn't breathe.

*Get home quickly.*

*Put me down quickly.*

Her mind couldn't stop replaying her conversation with Ino.

If Orochimaru’s attack hadn't happened.

If Pain hadn't attacked Konoha.

If Naruto hadn't exhausted all his Yang power in the duel with Sasuke.

She could have run like a normal ninja, without the need for a cane, without his coddling and protection. She wouldn't have become this ugly version of herself, torturing him and having no need to torture herself.

Haruna had lied when she was at the clinic. In this marriage, the existence that was truly and repeatedly torturing her was never just Naruto Uzumaki.

It was herself.

To be precise, it was her ugly, fragile body, and her equally ugly and fragile heart.

So, she and Naruto did everything a married couple would do.

Except for love.

A moment ago, she had forcibly swallowed a truly vile and disgusting thought; she hadn't asked Ino: *Someone as mediocre as me... if I had chosen Shikamaru back then, would I not have ended up like this?*

But life has no "ifs," so there was no need to ask.

***

At the Chunin Exam site.

The broadcast had stopped, but everyone was stunned by the massive amount of information it had revealed.

What did it mean, "Orochimaru launches the Konoha Crush plan"?

The ninjas from the Hidden Sound and the Hidden Sand felt their hearts skip a beat—they had internal missions. *Heaven help us, this sky-screen is actually real!*

The final round of the Chunin Exams was when the Hidden Sound and Sand would launch their joint attack, but the time hadn't come yet, and the key intelligence was already exposed!

The Third Hokage said acutely, "Could the Konoha Crush plan be the start of the Fourth Shinobi World War?"

Kakashi’s gaze was sharp. "The demeanor of those Hidden Sound ninjas is off. We must seize them immediately!"

As long as they were captured and interrogated, the authenticity of the sky-screen would be confirmed. As for whether suddenly arresting foreign examinees would affect international relations—the Fourth Shinobi World War was about to break out; who would care about such small details?

The Third agreed with Kakashi’s judgment, but...

"What does that text mean?"

Naruto broke into a cold sweat, stuttering, "That strange thing wants... wants me to..."

The proctor, Hayate Gekko, couldn't bear to watch and kindly said for him: "It wants Haruna to kiss you to unlock the next part of the broadcast."

Naruto’s face turned so red he looked like he was about to faint. Haruna was equally resistant; she was about to refuse this absurd demand.

But suddenly, a light screen appeared before her eyes. The sky-screen had given her a choice.

[Accept Fate Obsession Task No. 1?]

[Obsession Resolution Judgment: Fate Deviation Value 50]

[Current Fate Deviation Value: 1]

[Resolution Reward: Health]

[Acceptance Reward: Absolute Healthy Legs Experience Card * 6 hours]

[Note: Fate tasks can be abandoned at any time.]

No one else reacted. This screen seemed visible only to her. Haruna hesitated, but considering she could abandon the task at any time... on an impulse, she tentatively clicked "Accept."

Perhaps it was because of that pale, anxious, familiar face on the sky-screen.

Or perhaps it was the strange white dress she was wearing.

Haruna had never worn such a dress, because a ninja would never wear a skirt that reached their ankles. Even if she was just a mediocre dead-last, she possessed the qualifications of a competent ninja.

*Does marriage really change a person this much?*

The moment she clicked "Accept," Haruna felt a strange change occur in her legs. The Fate Deviation Value changed to 5 in an instant.

The girl was quite astonished.

*Just by accepting the task and getting that experience card, my fate has already changed?*

"Haruna-san..." Naruto’s whispered reminder came from beside her.

Haruna realized she had missed something while deep in thought; everyone was staring fixedly at the two of them. Well, she found she was becoming desensitized to being the center of attention.

"What did I miss?" she whispered.

Naruto looked embarrassed, unable to say it out loud.

"I said earlier that in order to protect the stability of Konoha and uncover enemy intelligence, you two can, um, have a little kiss," the Third Hokage coughed, his expression upright and serious. "This is a sacrificial act in line with the Will of Fire!"

*Huh?*

Haruna was dumbfounded. What did he mean by "a little kiss"?

In the silent Chunin Exam arena, two voices spoke up one after another.

Shikamaru said calmly, "The sky-screen doesn't specify the degree of the act."

Naruto pointed out loudly, "Grandfather Third, you shouldn't force Haruna-san!"

... ?

The two boys locked eyes.

Then, Shikamaru continued his analysis: "Just kissing the back of a hand, or even doing it through a barrier, is something we could try. Besides, the target isn't necessarily just Naruto; it could be Ino, too."

Ino: ???

*No, what does this have to do with me?!*

*It was so hard to shift everyone’s focus away, don't drag me into this, you idiot Shikamaru!*