Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

The winter sun slid westward, casting long shadows over the green bamboo forest just south of the Fire Country's capital. In this snowy season, the bamboo remained the only patch of vibrant green in sight.

A thousand Konoha ninjas, who had arrived with Naruto Uzumaki, were stationed silently among the bamboo. Their discipline was exceptional.

It had been more than two hours since Naruto, Sasuke, and Ebisu had entered the city and proceeded to the Daimyo's mansion. Not a single sound had been heard from them; the rest waited patiently, without complaint.

Finally, after another hour passed, Rock Lee—Naruto's former classmate and now a Chunin—approached Hyuga Neji. Although they weren't far apart, the stillness of the forest required them to speak in hushed tones.

"Neji, didn't you say they'd be out soon to bring us in to transport supplies? What's taking them so long?"

"I heard from the elders in my clan that the Daimyo is a difficult man. He'll scold anyone who comes near him—especially those asking for food or money. No matter who it is, they get an earful."

Rock Lee rubbed the back of his head nervously. "With Naruto and Sasuke's tempers… can they really put up with that?"

Recalling the chaos of the Chunin Exams, Lee's concern was genuine. "If they're still inside, maybe it's because they lost their patience and beat up the Daimyo."

Neji rolled his eyes and sighed. "Idiot. What are you even talking about? That's the Daimyo we're talking about."

"In the Land of Fire, he stands on equal footing with the Hokage. He controls the country's economy. Seventy percent of Konoha's funding comes from him."

"No matter how angry they get, nobody's reckless enough to lay a hand on the Daimyo."

Rock Lee nodded slowly, still looking unconvinced. "I just have a feeling they wouldn't care that much about money."

"I'm done talking to you," Neji muttered.

They resumed their silent wait, expecting a messenger to arrive at any moment.

Suddenly—

"Phewwwww~!"

A sharp sound, like an eagle's cry, echoed through the sky. A red flare shot above the city and exploded with the Konoha insignia.

Neji's eyes widened. A sinking feeling formed in his chest.

Had Lee's wild guess actually come true? Did Naruto and Sasuke attack the Daimyo?

No. It couldn't be. They'd become jonin and special jonin—responsible shinobi.

But there was no time to second-guess.

"Move out!" someone shouted.

The thousand-strong force charged toward the capital, ignoring the city's guards as they scaled the high walls and streamed into the city below.

Some of the guards tried to intercept them.

"Stop! This is a direct violation of the Daimyo's orders!"

But other soldiers pulled them back.

"Idiot! Just go report it to the Daimyo. You think you can stop a thousand Konoha shinobi? Want to die for a few hundred ryo a month?"

Grumbling, the guards relented. A few turned and sprinted toward the Daimyo's mansion.

Little did they know, everyone inside the mansion was already dead.

Even the Daimyo himself had been reduced to ashes.

They'd need the skill of identifying people by their remains if they wanted to find him now.

Inside the Daimyo's Mansion

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Ebisu expelled a huge fireball from his mouth, forcing the attacking guardian ninja to retreat. He quickly leapt into a tree for cover.

Huff… huff…

"Damn it," he muttered. "How did I end up fighting someone this strong?"

Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses, sweat dripping from his brow.

He'd exchanged more than ten attacks with the guardian ninja—and the gap in strength was obvious.

A 70-30 split.

The opponent had seven. He had three.

And it didn't take much effort for the enemy to injure him.

"Damn those two brats," Ebisu growled.

If Naruto and Sasuke hadn't confronted the Daimyo head-on, he wouldn't be in this mess.

"When we get back, I'm reporting both of them. The Jinchūriki brat and the Uchiha orphan—they'll take all the blame."

Even as he grumbled, he hoped they'd seen the signal flare and would come rescue him. Their strength was undeniable. The ninjutsu they used earlier in the hall had even left Ebisu, a seasoned special jonin, in awe.

Suddenly, footsteps crunched in the snow below.

Ebisu held his breath, pressing himself against the tree, hoping to avoid detection.

But his luck had run out.

The enemy spotted him instantly and began forming hand seals.

"Earth Style: Earth Dumpling Technique!"

The ground shook as a massive clod of dirt was ripped free and hurled at Ebisu.

He barely dodged with the Body Flicker Technique and retaliated with a barrage of Phoenix Fire Jutsu.

But it was too slow. The enemy easily evaded and even laughed mid-air.

"Haha! I thought all Konoha ninjas were strong. But you're nothing like those two monsters!"

"You're tricky, but I can still kill you."

"Earth Style: Fist Rock Technique!"

His fists coated in rock and soil, the guardian ninja charged forward.

Ebisu leapt again, but his left leg was struck. Bone cracked.

Agonizing pain exploded through him.

Hang in there… he told himself. The flare was sent. Naruto and Sasuke will come. They have to.

Ebisu hobbled away again, heart pounding, unaware that the two he was counting on were watching from nearby.

"Why didn't you stop Ebisu from sending the flare?" Sasuke asked, standing beside Naruto in the snow.

Naruto casually dusted off his clothes. "Because we want them to see it. If we just killed him, it'd be faster, sure—but they wouldn't understand."

Sasuke frowned. "You want to be seen?"

Naruto smiled faintly.

"Hearing is one thing. Seeing is believing. Most people only believe what they see."

"If the others outside didn't witness Ebisu being killed, we'd have to work twice as hard to convince them that the Daimyo was the traitor."

"I don't have the patience for long explanations. Let them come to their own conclusions."

Sasuke went quiet. Then, nervously, he asked, "You're not planning to turn on me someday, are you?"

"Will you betray me?" Naruto asked in return.

"Of course not!"

The words came instantly—before Sasuke even thought them through.

And yet, he realized… he meant them.

Naruto had never hidden anything from him—not the Demon Seal, not Uchiha Izumi, not even the killing of Ebisu.

How could he betray someone who trusted him that much?

Naruto remained expressionless. He hadn't doubted Sasuke even once. He had no reason to. Thanks to the devil's contract, he could sense even the slightest hint of betrayal from Sasuke, Haku, or Orochimaru.

And if they ever did betray him, he could crush their souls instantly.

Absolute control meant there was no need for paranoia.

Back in the mansion, Ebisu's body was nearly at its limit.

The enemy's Fist Rock strikes had beaten him within an inch of death. Blood poured from his mouth, and his chakra reserves were almost gone.

He staggered backward, barely able to stand.

Meanwhile, the guardian ninja licked his lips, preparing for the finishing blow.

"Why are you still here?" Ebisu shouted. "I already sent a flare. You can still escape!"

The guardian ninja laughed. "That just means I have to kill you faster!"

Ebisu gritted his teeth and formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The enemy leapt over the flames. When he looked down, Ebisu was gone—he'd escaped into another courtyard.

"Tch. Damn Konoha ninja."

The chase resumed.

Ebisu limped as fast as he could, praying someone would save him. Anyone.

His heart filled with resentment.

Why haven't those two bastards come yet? Is it because I didn't take their side before?

Once I'm safe, I'll make sure the whole village knows about their crimes! Let the Hokage throw them both in jail!

He drew two kunai and prepared for a final stand.

But just as the enemy struck, Ebisu vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Substitution Jutsu!" the enemy roared. "Damn rat!"

He chased again.

Ebisu was out of options. He could barely breathe, let alone fight.

Please… someone… save me…

And like an answer from the heavens, Naruto appeared before him—calm, emotionless, his clothes fluttering in the wind.

Ebisu's face lit up.

"Hahaha, I'm saved!"

But before he could take another breath—

A sudden shove from behind sent him flying forward.

The guardian ninja's fist connected, piercing his chest.

Blood gushed out.

Ebisu's eyes widened in disbelief.

No… I'm the one dying?

His vision dimmed.

He tried to look back at Naruto.

But his body refused to move.

His last sight was a blur of white snow as he collapsed.

The guardian ninja grinned.

It was done.

But then—

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A dozen Konoha ninjas surrounded him, eyes burning with fury.

"You dare kill a Konoha special jonin?!"

"You're dead meat!"

Sasuke and Naruto were among them.

The guardian ninja's heart sank.

You… You promised you'd let me go!

He opened his mouth to speak—but Sasuke didn't give him a chance.

"Ebisu! My friend! Nooo!"

Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, blood dripping from his eyes.

"Amaterasu!"

Black flames engulfed the guardian ninja and Ebisu's corpse.

Naruto followed up with a kunai to the neck—ensuring silence.

Then another.

And another.

"Bastard…"

"Die!"

Sasuke wept bitterly, playing the grieving friend to perfection.

Lee hugged him from behind.

"Sasuke, please stop crying. I know Ebisu wouldn't want this."

"You don't understand! He talked to me about my family… comforted me… He was the only one!"

Chunin around them murmured in sympathy.

Neji pulled Naruto aside. "You're the captain. Calm down. You can't lose control."

Naruto took a deep breath and nodded.

He explained that the Daimyo had betrayed them, colluding with foreign forces.

Ebisu was negotiating when the attack happened.

They were ambushed and separated. Naruto and Sasuke fought their way through—only to find Ebisu too late.

"I should've come earlier," Naruto said, gripping his hair.

Neji patted his shoulder.

"I believe in you," he said quietly.

The other Chunin demanded vengeance.

"Let's kill the Daimyo!"

"Let's find the traitors!"

Naruto shook his head.

"The Daimyo must be reported to Lady Tsunade. Arrest, not execute. Understood?"

"Yes, Captain!"

Amaterasu's flames consumed the last of Ebisu's remains.

Sasuke cried harder.

"Ebisu… you didn't even leave ashes behind…"

No one dared stop him.

They believed he was mourning deeply.

But only Sasuke knew the truth.

Damn it… that chili water Naruto gave me is way too spicy… no wonder my eyes are so red.