Since Hozuki Castle housed only the most dangerous criminals, the prisoners weren't assigned labor, as these guys were too much trouble, so giving them tools would just invite more chaos.
Even if they couldn't escape, they'd stir up trouble inside. To avoid complications, the only activities outside their cells were exercise periods and meals.
Some even deliberately ate the paralyzing white berries of the hozuki plant to get themselves sent to the infirmary for a break.
"Why does it feel like there aren't many people out here?" Naruto scanned the exercise yard, noticing how the other prisoners kept their distance, as if he were some kind of plague.
"Probably because of what you did the other day. Nobody wants to mess with you." Ryuzetsu coughed lightly before adding, "When Shinobi lose their Chakra, relying on pure physical strength alone is..."
Recalling the scene from before, even Ryuzetsu broke into a cold sweat, 'What kind of person can do something like that? What was he fed growing up?'
"Oh, that? That was all thanks to my hard work." Naruto turned and patted Ryuzetsu on the shoulder, "Keep working hard."
"Working hard can get you to that level?" She blurted out before she could stop herself.
"No. You're missing one thing… a deep blue upgrade."
"What?"
"Nothing, let's not talk about this for now." Naruto pulled Ryuzetsu closer and asked in a low voice, "You must have a mission for sneaking in here, right? Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I don't have any mission!" Ryuzetsu hesitated for a second before snapping back.
"Really? The way you look at the warden says otherwise. That kind of hatred doesn't come from nothing."
As he spoke, a sly grin appeared on his face and Naruto suddenly wrapped an arm around Ryuzetsu's shoulders, pulling her in tight.
"I didn't! Besides, this is my private matter. I don't need to report to you!" Ryuzetsu struggled, but no matter how hard she pushed, she couldn't break free… she'd completely forgotten just how absurd Naruto's physical strength was.
In the distance, a group of hardened criminals stared at the two figures tugging and pulling in the recreation yard, their eyes filled with malice.
"Damn it, he got released so quickly?!"
"Well, what can we do? He didn't resist in front of the warden, so locking him up for just one day makes sense."
"We're no match for him. Should we try to team up and take him down? Otherwise, he'll just keep pushing us around."
"Forget that for now. Look! Does that guy have some kind of weird preference?"
"Seriously, is he groping that pretty boy?"
"I knew that bastard looked suspicious… no way someone with that face is one of us!"
"What do we do? We can't beat him. What if he forces himself on us? Then we'd..."
"Ugh, don't say such unlucky things! Besides, only someone as soft-skinned as you would be targeted. Look, that bastard's clearly only interested in pretty boys like the one he's messing with."
The onlookers kept speculating, but Naruto paid no attention and continued pressuring Ryuzetsu.
"Really? I heard Mui used to be a Jonin from Kusagakure and had a son." He said with a grin, "He was probably around your age, but he went missing later."
"What's his name… Muku?"
"Enough! Muku didn't go missing… he was killed by his own father!" Ryuzetsu finally snapped, gritting her teeth.
"That bastard! He doesn't deserve to be called a father!"
"Then do you know where the Box of Ultimate Bliss is?" Naruto asked.
"What?" Ryuzetsu instantly sobered up, frowning slightly as she grew wary, "I don't know anything about some Box of Ultimate Bliss. You've got the wrong person."
"Oh? I happen to know a thing or two. Muku was killed by that thing, wasn't he?"
"H-how do you know that?!"
"A guess. I also know Mui is currently connected to Kusagakure's higher-ups, and they're hiding inside Hozuki Castle right now." Naruto flashed an inscrutable smile.
"I think it's fate that we ended up in neighboring cells. How about we make a deal?"
"What kind of deal?" Ryuzetsu asked cautiously.
"Don't be so guarded. Would I ever harm you?" Naruto looked a little awkward as he pulled Ryuzetsu closer again, "It's a deal you'll definitely be interested in. Do you want to hear it?"
"...I'm not interested."
"Really? Even if the deal involves resurrecting Muku?" Naruto's smile deepened.
"You can bring Muku back to life?" Ryuzetsu froze, staring at him.
"Me? Of course not. Don't be ridiculous." Naruto released her and waved his hand dismissively.
"Then why did you just say..."
"Just because I can't do it doesn't mean others can't. Like Muui, for example." Naruto snapped his fingers, "Muku is his son, after all. His only son."
"So what?" Ryuzetsu asked.
"Muui and the others are after the Box of Ultimate Bliss too, right? I've heard that if you open it, it grants one wish." He wagged his finger.
"That Box of Ultimate Bliss..." Ryuzetsu's gaze wavered. She was starting to hesitate.
'If that box really could bring Muku back… But what could I do now? My mission was to prevent the box from being opened.'
"Don't worry. I have a way to make Mui wish for Muku's resurrection using the Box of Ultimate Bliss," Naruto shamelessly declared.
In truth, Mui was once a Jonin of Kusagakure, and under the influence of Kusagakure's Grass-Reality, he had become a fanatic. But after his son Muku died, and all he got from the higher-ups was a dismissive 'Not enough Chakra', he changed.
Now, Mui appeared to still serve Kusagakure's Grass-Reality, doing everything to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss and strengthen Kusagakure.
But in reality, the man was a master of patience. He did want to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss, however… it's not for the Land of Grass, but to resurrect his dead son.
This secret was known only to Mui. Even Ryuzetsu, standing before Naruto now, was in the dark.
"Resurrect… Muku?" Ryuzetsu took a step back, her eyes locked onto him, "Y-you're really sure about this?"
"Ninety-nine percent!" He nodded.
"Then… what do I need to do?" Ryuzetsu finally gave in, looking up at him.
"Sign a contract… an agreement to serve me." Naruto smiled, revealing his true intent, "Of course, I won't force you. You're free to refuse."
"But let me be honest… you're no match for Mui. He'll find a way to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss. And with your faction, Kusagakure's Grass Flower, lurking in the shadows, how confident are you that you can stop him?"
"Don't end up failing your mission and walking away with nothing."
"Who are you, really?" Ryuzetsu bit her lip, her gaze sharpening, "How could an outsider know so much about our village's secrets?"
"Your village?" Naruto scoffed, glancing at her dismissively. "It's already fallen apart. Capture someone slightly important, gather some intel, and you'll find out everything."
"The reason why no other Shinobi Villages is interested in Kusagakure is just because it is too chaotic. That's your only advantage."
"You… you really…" Ryuzetsu hesitated, "If I agree, can you really guarantee Muku's resurrection?"
"Of course, I, Uchiha Uzumaki Naruto, always keep my word." He patted his chest, then paused for a moment before slapping his hand against her chest instead.
Snap.
The Heavenly Flame Seal on Ryuzetsu was effortlessly undone.
"Is this enough sincerity for you?" Naruto asked, "There are some things and opportunities in a person's life that will never appear again once they appear, so you must grasp them well."
"Don't you want to see Muku again?"
Naruto's words were like a devil's whisper, coaxing and tempting, his smile widening.
"I'll ask you one last time, do you accept this deal?"
"...Fine. I accept." Ryuzetsu clenched her teeth and nodded, "Remember what you promised. If you don't keep your word, I'll never let you go!"
"Deal!" Naruto grinned, genuinely pleased.