A/N: Just wanted to clarify that the little girl "Lynn" is the newbie Succubus, and that is not the name I decided for her. It's just the cover name Dust gave her.

Revised as of 3/18/2024.

By the time they left the café, dusk was beginning to draw near. Down the temperature dropped as what little warmth the winter sun gave faded away.

Because of how chilly it was at night during the winter, most of the townsfolk were indoors. The only people that could be seen walking down the dimly lit streets were Naruto, Lynn, and the occasional drunken adventurer stumbling on their way home.

The two were now entering the park. The small field was covered by a thin layer of snow, and with the numerous lights of the nearby lanterns, it almost looked like it was glowing.

On their way over, the two talked about a couple more of Naruto's past pranks. It seemed that Lynn was very interested in the various tricks he had pulled on people, and Naruto was more than happy to share.

"I still can't believe Naruto-sama replaced that priest's soap with paint. Did you get in trouble for going into the woman's bathhouse?"

Lynn asked while stifling her laughter.

"You can't get in trouble if they don't catch you!"

Naruto responded with a smirk, and the two shared a laugh. While Lynn wasn't looking, he glanced around their surroundings. He wasn't sure why, but he was still sensing a Succubus. It was small, so they were probably keeping their distance. He'd have to keep a watchful eye out, for Lynn's sake.

But before that…

"Hey, do you mind dropping the 'sama'? It's really awkward having someone calling me that."

"Oh, no! I couldn't possibly refer to Naruto-sama so… So… Achoo!"

Lynn said in a panicked state before sneezing softly.

Naruto almost smacked himself upside the side when saw this. Of course the girl was cold! It was winter, and her shoulders were showing in that blouse of hers!

Leading the girl to a nearby bench, he brushed off the snow before pulling out the scroll that contained his precious orange jacket from his ninja pouch. In a poof of smoke, he now held the jacket and draped it over the girl's shoulders.

"Here, you can use this. I'll lend it to you until we get you home."

Since he had only just returned from the Snow Sprites quest earlier, he was still in his adventuring getup, and it wasn't like he could lend this little girl a flack jacket full of weapons.

"T-thank you…"

Lynn mumbled as she gripped the jacket tightly, a growing blush staining her cheeks.

"Be sure to take good care of that thing. It's really precious to me."

Naruto said in a mock-serious tone. He meant it as a joke, but the girl seemed to take it seriously as her expression hardened.

"Naruto-sama's precious… I will defend it with my life!"

Lynn stated with determination, causing Naruto to laugh awkwardly.

"You don't have to take it that far… Oh? Is that who I think it is?"

Naruto said when something, or rather someone caught his attention.

Just behind them, a shadowed figure could be seen stumbling down the street. But as the figure passed a nearby lantern, an all too familiar color blue was revealed.

A sly grin formed on Naruto's face.

"Perfect timing… Hey, wanna see something funny?"

He asked, and after receiving a small nod from his female company, he created a single clone.

Lynn almost yelped at the sight of a second Naruto appearing out of thin air, but she managed to cover her mouth to muffle her surprise.

As soon as the clone was formed, Naruto fished something out of his back pocket and handed it to his doppelganger. After sharing a look, the clone then took off into the night without making so much as a sound.

Lynn poked her head over the bench to get a better look, her eyes following the clone as it nimbly snuck its way towards the stumbling figure.

Wait… She recognized that person. It was the crazed Axis Cultist who was always claiming to be a goddess. Any cultist who worshiped the gods was an enemy to a devil, but all lesser devils avoided this cult in particular like the plague.

Despite their bad reputation of having a few screws loose, the Axis Cultists were formidable opponents. A lone Succubus, especially a fletching like her, wouldn't stand a chance.

Lynn looked over to the original Naruto, who was now looking over the bench beside her.

"What are you going to do, Naruto-sama?"

"Watch and find out… The show is about to start."

Naruto said with a wink before looking back at the drunken Aqua, who looked like she was about to sit down on a bench.

"…Hic! That damn HikiNEET! Why isn't he working his butt off to… hic! Spoil me! I'm a goddess! I deserved to be spoiled-Woah!"

Aqua, in the midst of her drunken rant, almost tripped on her own two feet. Luckily, she managed to catch herself by using a nearby bench as leverage.

"That was close… Fufufu… As if the great Aqua-sama would fall after drinking twenty rounds on Kazuma's tab!"

She boasted while giggling to herself. But as soon as that boy's name escaped her lips, her mood turned sour again.

"Grr… When I get home, I'm gonna… Hic! I'm gonna pull that loner out of his bed and force him to make me happy!"

Tap!

"Hm?"

Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Aqua whirled around. Only no one was there. She blinked a couple times to get the blurriness out.

Odd. She could have sworn someone just tapped on her shoulder.

Shrugging it off, Aqua sighed and sat down on the bench. Just a quick break before she would continue-

Ffffrttt!

Aqua's face turned bright red as the sound of air escaping rubber filled her ears. Snapping her neck from side to side to make sure no one was around, she jumped to her feet to find a whoopie cushion on the bench.

"Who dared… Eep!"

The goddess yelped when she felt a gentle tap on her spine, one that caused shivers to go through her entire body. When she recovered, she whirled around with a glowing fist.

"Y-you!?"

But when she turned around to give the person responsible for her harassment a God Blow to the face, she found that there was no one to be found.

"S-Show yourself! To mess with a goddess is heresy!"

Aqua shouted to the empty streets, but no one answered her.

"T-that man… I'll get you one day, Naruto!"

With that said, Aqua ran off. But unknown to her drunken self, a piece of paper had been stuck to her back.

"Hahahaha! Messing with Aqua when she's drunk is priceless!"

"Mufufufu… She's so drunk she didn't even notice the paper Naruto-sama placed on her… Ah! She tripped!"

The two broke out into a laughing fit when they saw the priestess tumble to the ground.

"Aw… Poor little Aqua-chan… That girl just never learns."

Naruto said while shaking his head in amusement. For as much trouble as that girl was worth, Aqua really was the prime target for pranks. If only dyes didn't turn into water when they touched her… He really wanted to turn Aqua's hair orange.

Lynn, after watching the dreadful goddess scamper away, looked at Naruto with eyes full of admiration.

"Naruto-sama! Can you please teach this inexperienced child in the ways of stealth?"

"Eh? Teach you? Why do you want to be…!"

Naruto's eyes widened when he felt multiple demonic beings drawing closer. The Succubi must be making their move now!

"Naruto-sama?"

Lynn squeaked when Naruto suddenly stood in front of her defensively. At the same time, multiple dark figures stepped out of the shadows.

About ten Succubi now surrounded the two, all clad in various lingerie that left little to the imagination.

The most familiar one to Naruto, the receptionist at the café, reached her hand out seductively.

"Naruto-sama, come with us… Give in to your desires, so that we may awaken your true form!"

The mature woman said all while moving her hands up and down her body suggestively.

"N-no! I won't let you get to me or any other person in this town!"

Naruto shouted defiantly, a dribble of blood threatening to leak from his nose. He probably would have looked a lot cooler if his face wasn't so red… But who would be able to remain calm in a situation like this!? Weren't they cold!?

"All the other men in this town can't amount to your power… But if you won't come with us willingly, then it seems we'll have to try a different kind of play… Get him, girls!"

The receptionist Succubus said, and they all moved to pounce on the shinobi.

"Hang on to me!"

"Wha-Kyah!"

Lynn screamed when Naruto suddenly picked her up bridal style. When she saw him crouch down, her instincts told her to hang on for dear life. She was glad she did, because her vision blurred and a split second later they were in up the air and falling towards a nearby rooftop.

Running along the tops of the buildings, Naruto looked back to see the Succubus had sprouted wings and were flying after them.

"Tch… Looks like we'll have to try something else."

Naruto said and looked at his cargo. Lynn was clutching onto his flack jacket for dear life. She must be terrified… He had to protect her.

Brining his fingers together while still managing to hold the little girl, Naruto molded some chakra.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

In a series of poofs, multiple clones, all carrying a Lynn of their own, appeared by his side.

"Disperse!"

"!"

The Succubi stopped mid-flight when the group of Naruto's scattered in different directions.

Seeing her fellow Succubi panic, the receptionist Succubus moved in front of them to take command.

"Spread out! Don't let a single Naruto-sama escape!"

"They caught half of my clones already… Those devils sure are persistent."

Naruto said and poked his head outside of an alleyway to check if the coast was clear.

Lynn's mind was racing in three different directions at once. Naruto holding her like a maiden, as if he was claiming her as his own!

He was-

"!"

Lynn flinched when Naruto's grip around her tightened, and she looked up to see Naruto's determined expression as he watched the skies about them. At the same time, a Succubus fly over their heads.

He was… Protecting her.

It was at that moment, Lynn felt a mass of shame. Naruto was so kind… A person that protected someone they only just met, even a fledgling like her. Someone like that was a person you rarely found in this world. It was a kindness she had rarely ever experienced.

She couldn't keep lying to him.

Naruto let out a sigh as he felt the presence of the Succubi begin to fade. They must have finally given up.

But if that was the case, then why could he still sense-

"!"

Naruto's eyes widened when Lynn suddenly kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for protecting me, Naruto-sama."

Lynn said with a bashful smile adorning her lips. But her smile quickly dropped when she continued.

"But… There's something I have to tell you."

"…Wha-?"

Naruto mumbled with a dumb look on his face, but he wasn't answered. Instead, Lynn moved out of his now loose grip and stepped away from him. The shinobi's eyes widened even further when the little girl took off the orange jacket, and two devil-like wings sprouted from her back.

"You were… A succubus?"

"You must not have realized I was a Succubus since I give off such a pitiful demonic presence."

Lynn said while smiling sadly.

Naruto's expression turned somber. So this girl had been lying to him? The whole time?

"Then does that mean…?"

"Yes… When Dust-san said Naruto-sama was looking for a girlfriend and offered me a chance to meet you, the Succubi gathered together and formed a plan. I would meet with you and gain your trust. Then, if all went well, I would become your girlfriend and…"

Lynn started before looking away bashfully.

"…Awaken you."

When she said that while looking at him so shyly, Naruto gulped. This little girl was trying to seduce him? The Succubus were a dangerous bunch…

"Ah! But I wasn't lying the whole time! I genuinely enjoyed talking with you! But… You probably never want to see me again now that you know the truth."

Lynn said while looking down dejectedly. But she knew what she was getting herself into. Even if Naruto grew to hate her, it would be better than taking advantage of the kindness he had shown her. The other Succubus might be angry with her, but she was already known to be a screwup, so they'd probably forgive her.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head as he tried to make terms with all of this information.

'So, Dust was behind this one, huh? I still can't believe that guy tried to set me up with this kid… I need to have a serious conversation with that guy.'

The ninja thought before letting out a deep sigh. He couldn't bare to see this child so depressed anything longer.

"Look, it's not like you did anything particularly wrong. Besides…"

Naruto started before he looked away and scratched at his whisker marks awkwardly.

"I enjoyed talking with you too…"

"Then…!"

Lynn's eyes flashed with hope.

"But! I can't take you as my girlfriend. You're… Too young."

Naruto said with a firm nod and crossed arms. Judging by her looks, Lynn seemed to be around Yunyun and Megumin's age. He couldn't date a girl that was the same age as the girl he considered his little sister.

"Oh, if age is the problem then that's okay. I may look like this, but I'm actually seventy-four years old! That may be old in human years, but to a devil it's actually quite young!"

Lynn chirped, catching Naruto flatfooted.

"…Heh?"

Naruto cocked his head to the side. What nonsense was this girl saying? Seventy-four years old? Who did she think she was? Tsunade?

"Wait wait wait! Even if you're telling the truth, I still can't date you!"

"Eh? But… Why not? Is it because I'm so small?"

Lynn asked while gesturing to her body, her expression falling.

Naruto almost felt his heart break when he saw the sad look in the girl's eyes. He felt like he had just crushed this kid's-wait, not actually a kid… He felt like he just crushed this girl's dreams.

But despite it all, he had to hold firm! Tsunade Succubus or not, there were principles that had to be followed god damn it!

"No, that's not the reason… I just see you… as… a sister! I think of you like my cute little sister!"

Naruto found himself spouting out when he thought of Yunyun.

Lynn's eyes lit up upon hearing this. It wasn't his girlfriend, but a little sister was the next best thing! She heard there were some men out there who were into that sort of play, so she still had a chance!

Seeing the girl's expression lift, Naruto couldn't help but smile. Now all that was left was to stop the Succubus and their plans to take over the town.

"I'm glad we got this straightened out. But make sure you tell your friends that they'll have to get through me if they want to take over this town."

"What are you talking about, Naruto-sama? We Succubus don't want to hurt humans."

"Huh? Wait, so you guys aren't planning on taking over the town?"

Naruto asked, finding himself stumped for the umpteenth time that day.

"Of course not! We Succubus don't want to fight with humans, rather, we choose to coexist with them in this town. Also, that café is just a figurehead for our real shop! You should come visit us! I'm sure Onee-sama and the others would be very happy!"

Lynn chirped before she pulled something out of her pocket and handed him a ticket of some sorts.

"Here, take this coupon. With this, Naruto-sama can receive a free service! Oh, but make sure you keep our existence a secret from the woman of this town."

"Free service…? Ah, wait a second! Lynn!"

Naruto shouted when the little girl lifted herself off the ground with her wings.

"Oh, and one more thing. My real name is Maria. Goodnight, Naruto-sama! Thank you for the fun date!"

The now dubbed Maria said with a wink, and with one final wave she took off into the night.

Naruto just stood there, staring at the sky where his new friend had flown off to.

Then, he was quick to realize he was missing something…

"Ah! She took my jacket!"

A/N: Next Time: A Conclusion to this Dreadful Bet!

See you all in the next one!

Interlude: Divine Retribution for this Delinquent Adventurer

It was getting late, and Dust and Yunyun were still looking for their missing party member.

"Achoo!"

"Oh, what's this? Is Yunyun-chan catching a cold? After spending so many nights sleeping outside, I've gotten used to the cold. I could-"

"Please stay away from me."

Was Yunyun's immediate response.

Honestly, she wanted nothing more than to leave this man behind. Not two minutes had passed since Naruto left and Dust had immediately started acting chummy with her.

What a troublesome fellow.

Then there was the task of finding Cecily, the other troublesome member of their party. Even with the use of her Clairvoyance spell, she couldn't locate that crazy nun. Why were her party members so difficult to find!?

"If it isn't Yunyun and… Ah, I knew Yunyun would fall prey to a deviant who promised to be her friend."

"Please don't make such unpleasant jokes! This man will take them seriously!"

Yunyun instantly replied when she heard someone speaking such blasphemous things, but her eyes went wide when she turned to find her rival smirking at her.

"M-Megumin!? What are you doing out this late?"

"I'm looking for Aqua. She hasn't come home yet and it's past her curfew."

Megumin said while shaking her head like a parent talking about their problem child.

'What are you, her mom?'

Yunyun thought with a bead of sweat trailing down her face.

Dust suddenly walked up to Megumin.

"Oh, if it isn't the little miss! I'm sorry to inform you, but Boss Naruto won't be spending a lot of time with you or that crazy priestess in your party from now on."

"I don't really care what that man does with his free time, so long as it doesn't get in the way of our Explosion showdowns. Elaborate."

Megumin said while pointing her staff at Dust, whose response was a snort.

"Hah! Sorry little one, but the only way you'd be able to get me to talk is with booze or money. If you were a mature woman like Yunyun-chan, then maybe you'd be able to-"

"You know, I'm the same age as Megumin."

Yunyun cut in with a deadpanned expression.

"…What?"

Dust felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand straight.

"Hey, tell me. What exactly sets Yunyun and I apart? Huh? Tell me! I'd really like to know!"

Megumin demanded, her eyes flashing a brilliant red as if to showcase her growing anger. But her words fell unto deaf ears as Dust stared at Yunyun with bulging eyes.

"Wait wait wait! You mean to tell me that despite having that voluptuous figure, you're just a brat!? I was just wasting my time!?"

"Ah! You just call me a brat!"

Yunyun shouted before puffing her cheeks out in frustration.

"Let's blow this insufferable man to smithereens! You don't mind, right Yunyun? Right?"

Megumin said as she smacked her staff into her palm menacingly, and she was quickly joined by her fellow Crimson Magic Clansman.

"Of course. I don't mind one bit."

Yunyun said while pulling out her own silver staff.

"N-now wait a second! This is all just a big misunderstanding! You should be angry with Boss Naruto for misguiding me with his Lolicon ways!"

Dust stuttered while backing away from the two angry, and very dangerous lolitas.

Bump!

The delinquent stiffened when he backed into something. But this presence wasn't a wall…

"I'm sorry, but my what?"

Naruto asked with a twitching eyebrow.

"…Oh, hai Boss…"

Dust greeted meekly and flinched when his fellow blonde started cracking his knuckles.

"H-HELLP MEEE!"