Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

The Land of Lightning lay in the colder northern reaches. While the snow in the Land of Fire was beginning to thaw, here, people still bundled up in thick cotton coats.

So, when in Rome—or in this case, the Land of Lightning—do as the locals do.

Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame, both from the warmer regions of the Land of Fire and the Land of Water respectively, added heavy cloaks to their usual Akatsuki robes.

They walked together through the bustling main city of the Land of Lightning, both wearing straw raincoats adorned with small, jingling bells.

"Mr. Itachi, what made you decide to visit the Land of Lightning?" Kisame asked casually.

"I wanted to look around. Perhaps Orochimaru is hiding here."

"Haha. I thought you'd head to the Land of the Moon and stop the war before it spread."

"You're overthinking it."

"Zetsu reported that many people recently died in Konoha. The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki from Kumogakure has been seen."

"I see," Itachi replied flatly, his calm demeanor unchanged as they turned down a quiet alleyway. A figure waited for them there.

"He's here for you. I'll stay out here," Kisame said, leaning against the wall.

Uchiha Itachi walked forward into the alley, silent and composed. He knew the man waiting there—or at least, thought he did.

A man in a black cloak, a swirling-patterned mask revealing only one eye.

When they first met, this masked man claimed to be Uchiha Madara, the most powerful of their clan.

Now, he simply went by "Tobi" and wandered freely.

"Are you planning to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning to stop the war, Itachi?" Tobi asked directly.

His lone Sharingan eye spun defensively—prepared, cautious.

He always saw Itachi as unpredictable.

"If you came just to ask that, you're overthinking things," Itachi replied calmly.

"Really? I hope so," Tobi said with a light chuckle. "Let them fight. The more chaos between the great nations, the more deaths, and the closer we come to our goal: true peace. That's what we want, right Itachi?"

Itachi gave only a noncommittal "hm."

That was all.

Tobi had come to issue a warning, nothing more. With his message delivered, he vanished.

Kisame approached after a few minutes. "How'd it go, Mr. Itachi?"

"Same as always."

"He still doesn't trust you—even though you're Uchiha."

"Let's go get some dango," Itachi deflected.

Kisame chuckled and followed. He knew Itachi liked sweets.

But as they left the alley, a sudden chill ran up Itachi's spine. A wave of danger made his hair stand on end. His heart raced.

He activated his Sharingan instinctively.

He glanced at Kisame—no threat there.

Casually, he pulled out a small mirror and angled it behind him.

There, standing some distance away, was a woman in a flowing blue dress. Slender figure. Oval face. Rosy lips. A beauty mark beneath one eye.

Itachi's breath caught.

"Izumi...!"

Kisame raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Itachi?"

But when Itachi turned around, the woman was gone. The alley was crowded, but she had vanished.

He searched, frantic.

Kisame followed, confused. "What are we even looking for?"

"No one. Just saw an old friend."

Wind rustled his cloak. The tension faded.

"It couldn't be her," he muttered.

Years ago, he had ensured her death. She was just a girl then—not the woman he'd just seen.

It must have been a hallucination. A trick of memory.

What he didn't know was that in a nearby room, Uchiha Izumi had slammed a kunai into a table, eyes blazing red.

"That was too close. I nearly lost control. I didn't expect to run into the man I hate most—here, of all places."

She clenched her fists. "Hold on, Izumi. Don't ruin Naruto's plan."

She would lie low. For now.

The Frontline: Land of Hot Springs

No one in Konoha or Kumogakure yet realized that several figures with Kage-level strength had slipped into the Land of Lightning and now surrounded the Daimyo's residence.

Back in Konoha's war camp, emotions ran high.

Tsunade and a group of senior ninja were deep in strategy talks.

Konoha had taken heavy losses. Over 1,200 ninja had died.

The Hidden Cloud had suffered losses too—just over a thousand.

But the Eight-Tails had entered the war.

And the Nine-Tails had not.

Tsunade massaged her temples. The pressure mounted.

Suddenly, a small slug climbed onto her shoulder.

"Tsunade-sama!"

"Speak."

"The support troops from the village have set off with supplies."

Relief filled the tent.

Material shortages had reached a critical point. Now there was hope.

"Give me details," Tsunade said.

The slug explained: Sarutobi Hazuki, currently in charge of Konoha, led 5,000 Chunin-level or higher ninja to protect Genin and civilians.

She also sent a thousand elite to protect the Daimyo.

Leading the supply convoy was Naruto Uzumaki himself, along with a thousand powerful shinobi.

Hazuki advised that Naruto remain at the front lines after delivery.

Tsunade frowned. She didn't want Naruto in danger.

But with Kumogakure's Jinchūriki already fighting, pulling Naruto back could damage morale.

"Shikaku, bring paper. I need to write to the Sand Village. Find out when they'll send their Jinchūriki."

She needed Gaara to replace Naruto.

But she had no idea Naruto might already be in battle.

Too late to stop him.

January 11

On the road to the Land of Hot Springs.

Naruto led his force at breakneck speed. What should have taken a month, they completed in nine days.

He even redirected reconnaissance ninja to collect food. When they complained, he beat them into obedience.

"My shadow clones do recon now," Naruto declared.

He had his reasons.

Shadow clones were faster, more perceptive thanks to Nine-Tails chakra, and...

He was looking for something. Or rather, someone.

"If Killer Bee is already at the front line, then logically, we'll be intercepted by the Two-Tails next. Perfect. Let's see how I stack up."

Naruto grinned.

"And once that's over... I want to visit Xi Yan. Make sure she's okay."

"Naruto-kun!"

He turned to see Inuzuka Hana smiling, sunlight catching her hair.

He always wondered how she and her brother Kiba were so different. She was grace and charm. He was... Kiba.

"What are you smiling at?" she asked sweetly.

"I'm not smiling."

"You were! I saw it."

"Illusion."

"Nope. You definitely smiled. Do you like me, Naruto-kun?"

"Haha," Naruto teased. "You're always talking to me, Sister Hana. Must be love."

Hana laughed but raised her hand to show she was taller. "I've always seen you as a little brother."

"Tch. You're a Chunin."

Oof.

That stung. The group fell silent. Most of them were older, taller... and Chunins.

Naruto didn't care.

"They won't hit me," he said.

But even Hana looked uncomfortable. She whispered, "If you upset your comrades, you might be alone."

Naruto leaned closer. "But Sister Hana, as long as you talk to me, how can I be lonely?"

Her breath caught. Had she really been chatting with Naruto every day lately?

Her cheeks reddened. Her heart raced.

Had she—maybe—fallen for Naruto?

No, no. He was five years younger!

"This is ridiculous..."

Naruto watched her reactions with amusement.

"You're still trying to lecture me? Better figure yourself out first."

Suddenly, one of Naruto's shadow clones returned with news:

Enemy spotted. A Cloud Ninja team, led by Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, was preparing to ambush them.

[Selector Activated!]

Situation: A team from Kumogakure, led by Yugito Nii, is preparing to ambush your convoy. What will you do?

Stay Friendly: Try to negotiate peace. Reward: Talent Upgrade (x1)

Treat Rationally: Spread your forces and capture all enemy ninja. Reward: Wind Style Ceremony

Act Recklessly: Capture and punish the enemy leaders. Reward: Devil's Contract (x)

Be Ruthless: Kill them all. Reward: Water Chakra Attribute

The show has begun!