Just like in the real world, Makoto didn't hold back. His chopsticks moved in a blur across the table.
Mrs. Yukinoshita, also just like in the real world, kept piling food into his bowl, the smile on her face never once faltering.
Yukino stared, dumbstruck.
Haruno, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit surprised. If you still lived at home, she thought, you'd be used to this by now.
A few courses in, Mrs. Yukinoshita finally steered toward the point. "I'm curious, Makoto... what are your plans once you return to the real world?"
"Plans?" He swallowed the last of a drumstick. "Don't have any."
"Oh?" One elegant eyebrow rose.
He flexed his fist and let out a quiet laugh. "With the kind of power I've got, I can do whatever I want when I get back. Why would I need plans?"
Honestly, in the world of Naruto or any other alternate world, he did have to use his head.
Flattering Sarutobi Hiruzen, getting taken under the old man's wing... all of it was calculated to gain stronger abilities and bigger advantages.
But in the real world?
He'd do whatever the hell he pleased.
Yukino's brow furrowed before she could stop it.
The old her would have fired back instantly.
But sheltered as she was, raised in an ivory tower, ignorant of the world's cruelties, maybe even naive to the point of absurdity... she wasn't stupid.
She knew that if she dared speak out of turn right now, forget Makoto. Her own mother wouldn't let it slide.
Surprisingly, Mrs. Yukinoshita seemed quite pleased with his answer.
After the teleportation, she'd already spoken with her younger daughter.
From that conversation, she'd learned Yukino had mastered the Transformation Technique long ago but had never once used her new power in the real world.
The reason was simple: Yukinoshita Yukino believed that kind of power shouldn't be abused for personal gain.
Noble, in its way.
But to Mrs. Yukinoshita, also laughable.
If Makoto had turned out to be the same type, now that would have been a problem.
She pressed on. "I have no doubt you possess that kind of strength. But the real world is considerably more complicated than this place, and... surely you'd prefer not to handle every little inconvenience personally?"
His expression hovered between a smile and something sharper. "And what does Mrs. Yukinoshita have in mind?"
All pretense dropped. She lowered her head, just slightly. "If Makoto would accept it, the Yukinoshita family would offer its full support."
No one at the table looked surprised, save Yukino. The rest of the family had long since read Mrs. Yukinoshita's intentions.
Makoto rubbed his chin, studying the beautiful woman bowing before him with open amusement.
"Hmm... if I ever need something, I'll let you know."
The lack of an immediate yes made her tense. "Is there something about the Yukinoshita family that dissatisfies you?"
As she spoke, her gaze slid sideways toward her younger daughter.
That single glance sent a jolt through Yukino's chest.
A sudden, terrifying thought: if Makoto said she was the problem, would her mother actually throw her out of the family?
Fortunately, he said nothing of the sort. His tone stayed even. "It's nothing like that. I just don't lack for anything. Being the Yukinoshita family's patron... I can't think of what you'd offer me in return."
"I'm willing to give you Haruno..."
"No need."
He cut her off before she could finish.
"She's not my type."
Haruno: ???
Her mind went blank.
She'd been... rejected?
Her mother had discussed this arrangement with her since she was a girl. Haruno had never objected. Barring some miracle, her future marriage was always going to be a corporate alliance anyway.
But she'd never imagined Makoto would turn her down flat.
At Shuchiin University, she was easily among the most beautiful women on campus, surrounded by admirers at every turn.
"Is there something wrong with Haruno?" Even Mrs. Yukinoshita looked stunned.
"Tell her to take the mask off first. Then we'll talk."
With that, he stood. "Well then, I'll take my leave."
If Yukino was the type who believed she was always right, showing the world nothing but thorns, then Haruno was her polar opposite.
She preferred to hide behind a perfect facade, presenting a flawless image to everyone around her.
Only when she was toying with high schoolers like Hikigaya Hachiman did glimpses of her true self peek through... the part of her that just liked watching the chaos unfold.
Quite the pair of sisters, those two.
Frankly, Mrs. Yukinoshita had more appeal than either of them.
If he'd only been transported into the world of Oregairu, Makoto might have spared them some interest. But in this crossover free-for-all, beautiful women were everywhere. His curiosity about those two had cooled considerably.
"Makoto, let me walk you out."
Mrs. Yukinoshita hurried to her feet and escorted him to the door.
When she returned, the three remaining family members sat in silence around the table, heads bowed, not a word between them.
That alone told you everything about the hierarchy in this household.
"Useless. All of you."
She let the words land like a slap and turned toward the bedroom.
"Mother!"
Yukino shot to her feet, calling out to that retreating back. "I will become stronger. Stronger than Makoto Nishikado!"
The memory burned behind her eyes: her mother, the most formidable person she'd ever known, fawning over Makoto, practically groveling.
Fury and intense frustration churned inside her.
But she wasn't stupid.
She understood that once this wave of players returned to the real world, nothing would ever be the same. When that upheaval came, strength would dictate who held power.
So her mother's approach wasn't wrong.
Then so be it.
She would get stronger. Stronger than all of them.
Strong enough that her mother would never need to bow before a pervert like Makoto Nishikado. Strong enough to uphold the ideal of "absolute justice" she'd built her entire life around.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's only response was a faint scoff, barely audible, before she disappeared down the hall.
...
The Uchiha compound... no, that wasn't right anymore. It was the Sarutobi clan's new district now.
Makoto returned to the house he'd claimed for himself.
Akizuki Kayoko had a full dinner spread laid out and waiting. The moment he walked through the door, her face lit up. "Makoto! You're back! Come eat!"
He grinned and walked over.
The Akizuki sisters rushed him first, as always.
"You're so late tonight!" Airi pouted.
He laughed, ruffling her hair. "Training ran long."
Marina, a step behind, gently took the Leaf Village flak jacket he'd shrugged off. "I'll wash this for you later..."
"Wash it? That's what the servants are for."
The word servants landed like a brick. Yuigahama Yui and the others, just emerging from the kitchen with more dishes, froze mid-step.
They knew it was true. Hearing it out loud still stung.
Then the four of them watched as Makoto pulled one Akizuki sister under each arm and started kissing them.
Reverted to eight-year-old bodies, this was about as far as anyone could go.
Yuigahama and Miura Yumiko turned scarlet on the spot.
Even Kayoko blushed, grumbling to herself: Honestly, can't these kids show a little restraint?
Tonight... I guess I'll be relying on my little purple friend.
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*The Bonus Chapter*
T/N: We're 3 reviews short, if you're reading and enjoying, please drop one (a nice one wouldn't hurt T_T). The review section's been nothing but pain lately lol.
I know MC's been on his edgelord fugitive arc and that's rubbing people the wrong way, but it's setup — not the endgame. The crossover itself is genuinely peak, just give it time to cook.