Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

The Next Morning

As dawn broke across the eastern sky, Naruto quietly slipped out of the daimyo's mansion. He left without disturbing the new daimyo's wife and mother, who were still fast asleep.

Love, he thought, should be reserved for good women. As for the chaotic circle of politics and concubines surrounding the daimyo, it was nothing more than a temporary amusement—nothing worth lingering over.

The capital of the Land of Fire was vast, at least two to three times the size of Konoha. It took Naruto a while just to exit the city.

"Captain, the food supplies needed for the war have all been gathered."

At the southern city gate, Hyuga Neji met Naruto and handed him a list.

The contents detailed the inventory, and to Naruto's surprise, the collected supplies had already exceeded the initial quota.

After glancing at the wagons stacked high with bags of grain and estimating their value, Naruto was satisfied—but suspicious. "Don't tell me these supplies were looted from civilians."

Neji shook his head. "No, Captain. We didn't touch the civilians' food. These came from the city's officials. Each household had quite a stockpile."

Naruto nodded. "Good. That's how it should be. We came to squeeze the rich, not starve the commoners."

If the aristocrats go without food, they suffer a little discomfort. But if civilians go hungry, people die. It was that simple.

As the wagons were loaded, Naruto turned to give one more command.

"After I leave, you and Sasuke are in charge of guarding the daimyo. Make sure you don't let his sweet talk corrupt your resolve."

With those words, Naruto had handed over the responsibility of overseeing the daimyo to Neji and Sasuke.

Sasuke frowned. "So I can't go back to Konoha? I wanted to escort Ebisu-sensei home—and maybe hit the battlefield against the Cloud Ninjas."

Naruto didn't even look at him. "If you and I both leave, who's going to manage the supplies?"

Sasuke fell silent. Aside from Naruto, only a few Chunin remained on duty here. If both he and Naruto left, even one Jonin from the enemy could wipe them out.

"Don't worry," Naruto added. "I already sent word to the village yesterday. More Jonin should arrive soon. Once they're here, you can head back."

With that, Naruto turned and walked away.

As his figure disappeared into the distance, Neji turned to Sasuke and extended a hand. "Looks like we're going to be stuck together for a while. Let's work as teammates."

"Tch," Sasuke scoffed, not even glancing at him. "Only Naruto gets to call me his teammate. You're too weak."

Neji gritted his teeth.

You arrogant little—Naruto may be stronger, but he doesn't act like you. I haven't even said anything about you sleeping with Asuma's girl, and now you're insulting me?

Still, Neji knew he wasn't Sasuke's match, so he swallowed the insult.

Trying to ease the tension, Lee stepped between them with a laugh. "Come on, don't fight! You two look so similar—it's like you're brothers!"

"Who's his brother?"

"Shut it if you don't know what you're talking about!"

They said it in unison, turning their scorn on Lee. He scratched his head, baffled.

"…That's exactly how brothers act."

The snow-covered roads made transportation difficult. The wagons often skidded, and progress was slow. Two weeks passed before Naruto, leading three hundred ninjas, successfully escorted the supplies from the Fire Country's capital back to Konoha.

It was New Year's Day.

Despite the ongoing war, the village streets were festively decorated—red lanterns, colorful ribbons, and glowing lights everywhere.

The returning ninjas were all smiles. One of them joked, "Captain Naruto, you're still young. You must be excited for the New Year."

Naruto smiled faintly but didn't respond.

Holidays had never meant anything to him—neither in this life nor the previous one. The New Year, Spring Festival, whatever it was called, it had always just been another day spent alone.

The only time that stood out was October 10th, when Uzuki Yugao had celebrated his birthday with him.

"I wonder how she's doing," Naruto thought. "Is she safe on the battlefield?"

He clasped his hands in prayer, silently asking the gods of this world to protect her. Next year, he promised himself, he'd be the one celebrating her birthday.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Hokage Building and handed the supplies over to Shizune for inspection.

Each wagon was checked one by one.

The team was then dismissed—for one day only. After that, they would either remain in Konoha or return to the frontlines with fresh supplies.

Many wouldn't come back.

"Nine hundred ninety-eight… nine hundred ninety-nine…"

Shizune counted aloud with a clipboard in hand, moving from one cart to the next in her high heels. Her long legs stepped gracefully through the snow as she made notes.

Naruto, standing beside her, seemed lost in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Shizune asked casually.

"Your legs," Naruto replied without hesitation, eyes fixed on her calves and ankles.

Shizune blinked, startled.

It was true—she was beautiful. Not as… obvious as Tsunade, perhaps, but her figure was elegant, her skin fair, her legs long and toned. At 168 cm, she stood tall in her heels, the black kimono hugging her form just enough to be modest yet flattering.

"You mean ham?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope."

Shizune had already received word from Lady Tsunade that Naruto had done a commendable job stabilizing the situation with the daimyo. Tsunade had even said that Naruto could ask for anything reasonable upon his return.

That's why Shizune had asked—but she hadn't expected Naruto to be so blunt.

"I was thinking about a beautiful woman's legs," Naruto said dreamily. "If I had a pair of perfect queenly legs to play with, I could stay happy for a whole year. No, make that ten years."

Shizune's face flushed. She glanced at her own legs, suddenly self-conscious.

"You little brat. Just because Lady Tsunade lets you get away with stuff doesn't mean I will."

Naruto shrugged.

"What, you think you're the only beautiful woman around? Get over yourself. I was talking about Tsunade-sama, not you."

"What did you just say?! Uzumaki Naruto, stop right there!"

But Naruto didn't even turn around. He waved her off and walked away.

New Year's Day, he thought, time to go home and catch up on some sleep.

Meanwhile…

In the Hidden Cloud Village's camp, Raikage entered the temporary war room with a letter in hand.

Gathered around the strategy table were all of Kumo's top fighters: Killer Bee, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki Yugito Nii, Samui, Darui, and dozens of elite Jonin.

The room, though busy, was far less crowded than it had been at the start of the war.

"In just one month, we've already lost six Jonin," Killer Bee muttered with a frown.

He didn't enjoy fighting. If he had his way, he'd rather hang out with fellow Jinchūriki from other nations than be here.

But his older brother—the Raikage—was driven by ambition, and Bee had no choice but to follow him.

Yugito, the Two-Tails host, stepped forward. Her beige hair was tied back into a long ponytail, and her combat suit clung to her figure. Her bust strained against the fabric, and even Samui couldn't outmatch her in pure allure.

"Don't lose heart, Bee," she said calmly. "Konoha lost six Jonin too. And even more Chunin. Overall, we're ahead."

"Yeah, but even if we win, what's the point? Our comrades are still dead," Bee snapped.

"Enough!" Raikage barked. "We're fighting for the people—to give them a better life."

Bee said nothing, closing his eyes and sinking into thought.

Raikage ignored him and laid the letter down on the table, his expression brightening.

"We've finally received the first piece of intelligence from our inside source. This could be the turning point."

The others perked up.

A month ago, Raikage had mentioned an informant, but no news had come—until now.

Darui read the letter aloud: "Around New Year's, Konoha will send more than 1,000 ninjas to the Land of Hot Springs with supplies. They'll travel by land, escorted by one Jonin and two Special Jonin."

Everyone's breathing quickened.

If they could intercept that convoy—especially on water—they could crush Konoha's supply line. The Hot Springs Country didn't have enough resources to resupply them. Konoha would be stranded.

Raikage looked around. "Who wants to lead the interception mission?"

He hoped Killer Bee or Yugito would volunteer. As Jinchūriki, they were second only to him in power.

Killer Bee didn't respond. So Yugito stepped forward.

"I'll go."

"Good. Take three Jonin and six Special Jonin. Attack from sea. Don't try to kill them all—just destroy the supplies and retreat immediately. Your safety comes first."

This was how Raikage led—with power and humanity. Even in war, he gave his soldiers room to choose life over suicide missions.

"Yes, sir!" Yugito replied.

Within thirty minutes, her team was selected and en route to the docks.

Back in Konoha, Naruto's team hadn't even finished unloading the supplies.

Naruto, with nothing else to do, visited the Sarutobi clan.

Konohamaru had finally learned the Rasengan and proudly demonstrated it for him. The swirling blue sphere exploded on contact, leaving a crater the size of Konohamaru himself.

Naruto patted his head. "Good job. Keep practicing. When you've mastered it, I'll teach you something even more powerful."

"Yes, Naruto-nii is the best!"

Just then, Konohamaru's mother, Hazuki, called from the door.

"Dinner's ready, boys! Come eat together."

Her voice was soft and rich, with the allure of aged wine. Naruto turned and was struck speechless.

Hazuki wasn't wearing her usual kimono. Instead, she wore a fitted white dress that hugged her curves. Her hair was done up, and high heels clicked against the floor.

"Coming, Naruto-kun?"

She smiled sweetly, eyes sparkling with playfulness.

Naruto's heart skipped a beat.

If I max out this woman's corruption meter… what kind of reward would I get then?

[Ding! Passive Choice Triggered!]

[Sarutobi Hazuki, who hasn't dressed up in years, just wore lipstick and a form-fitting dress after seeing you. She's clearly tempting you. Are you sure you don't want to do something? What will you choose?]

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