Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Early morning.

As I unzipped the tent and stepped outside, a blast of cold air hit me.

Most of the ice and snow had already melted, but the temperature remained high for some reason.

Naruto hunched his shoulders against the chill and was about to start packing up the tent when he saw someone approaching—free labor.

It was Inuzuka Hana.

For some reason, every time she saw Naruto over the past few days, Hana couldn't help but recall what he had said—something along the lines of, "I like you."

It kept looping in her mind like a spell she couldn't shake off.

So, after Naruto defeated the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, she'd been avoiding him. But today, she couldn't dodge the interaction anymore.

Inuzuka Hana walked up to Naruto, her eyes avoiding his gaze.

"Naruto-kun, we've entered the Land of Hot Springs now. We'll probably reach the front lines by noon tomorrow or the day after."

Noticing she seemed hesitant, Naruto guessed she had something on her mind.

Perfect—he could assign her a task.

"Could you help me pack the tent, Sister Hana?" he asked naturally, handing her the tools. "Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

She originally intended to say, "You should handle your own chores," but Naruto's quick question caught her off guard. Hana pursed her lips, hesitating.

That's the thing about asking for favors—sometimes you have to swallow your pride.

"Well, um... I think we should send our reconnaissance squad ahead in the next couple of days. Otherwise, we might get in trouble for slacking off."

She knelt in front of the tent and bent forward to help with the bedding, not realizing how her posture—kneeling with her hips raised—was... eye-catching. Her pants hugged her curves tightly, unintentionally offering a tempting view.

Naruto suddenly felt like he was about to get a nosebleed.

He wasn't even sure if she smelled nice, but the visual was enough.

Not hearing his response, Hana glanced back nervously and said, "Naruto-kun... why are you drooling?"

"Huh? Who's drooling? Not me!"

He wiped his mouth quickly, trying to play it cool.

"I'm just... a little hungry. Craving some seafood."

Hana blinked in confusion. Her angular face scrunched slightly in suspicion. She was starting to sense something odd in the way he looked at her—almost predatory.

It reminded her of when he had jokingly confessed his feelings and given her the only flare before heading into battle.

Her cheeks flushed faintly.

"There's no seafood in the rations... We'll have to wait until we get back to the village. I'll cook some for you then, okay?"

Then she muttered shyly, "Let our recon unit start patrolling, alright? Otherwise, if someone finds out we've been inactive, we'll definitely get chewed out."

"Sure," Naruto agreed immediately.

Not because of the seafood.

He had never intended to stop them from patrolling in the first place—he just didn't want them stumbling upon the Two Yukitos before he did.

Now that Yumuren had been captured, they could do as they pleased.

"Thanks, Naruto-kun."

With his approval, Hana visibly relaxed. Her eyes sparkled as she worked harder to finish the packing.

As she moved around inside the tent, her figure swayed naturally with her movements.

Naruto watched, mesmerized, wanting to learn how to "pack" just like her.

"Your blanket smells kinda nice," Hana commented casually.

Naruto, who hated bad smells, made it a point to bathe daily and kept a sachet of mild fragrance in his tent.

The air carried a soft, pleasant aroma. As a member of the Inuzuka clan, Hana had a sharp sense of smell, and it was impossible for her not to notice.

So even boys can smell this good... she thought to herself, comparing him to her brother Kiba, who always reeked of dog and sweat.

She sighed, imagining for a moment what it would be like if Naruto were part of the Inuzuka family.

Maybe Kiba would start caring about hygiene too?

Then her thoughts hit her like a lightning bolt, and her cheeks turned crimson.

Inuzuka Hana, what on earth are you thinking? What kind of woman fantasizes about a boy your brother's age?!

Five minutes later, she finished packing the tent.

After sealing it into a scroll, she noticed it was nearly time to depart.

Naruto wanted to leave with her, but when he turned around—she was already gone.

"Was I staring too obviously? Did I scare her off?"

He scratched his head but didn't dwell on it. At exactly seven o'clock, he led the transport unit forward.

Inuzuka Hana's estimate was almost spot-on. By the second evening, they encountered the reception party.

A kindly old ninja greeted them. After checking the supplies, he smiled and led the transport unit of over a thousand people toward the camp.

On the way, he chatted about the war situation.

So far, more than 1,500 casualties. The base camp had been bombed three times. Lady Tsunade had survived hundreds of assassination attempts. Food and water were running low.

In short, the old man painted a bleak picture—Konoha was at a disadvantage.

"Don't worry, old man," a young Chūnin in the group grinned with confidence. "We'll win for sure."

The old ninja smiled but said nothing. He thought to himself, Young people have no idea how cruel war really is.

Naruto caught the subtle expression and filed it away mentally.

By the time they reached Konoha's base camp, night had fallen and fog had rolled in.

The Land of Hot Springs bordered the sea, and the damp coastal air soaked everything.

Though there was no rain or snow, their hair and clothes became damp just from walking.

They arrived at the base hidden in the forest—no lights, no noise, not even a whisper.

While others handled the supply handover, Naruto led a dozen squad leaders, including Hana, into the temporary meeting room.

Inside, it was slightly brighter thanks to a campfire.

Seated there were elite jōnin, including Hatake Kakashi, and the one and only Lady Tsunade.

As stunning as ever.

Naruto felt a bit dizzy standing in her presence. The sight was overwhelming.

"Lord Hokage!"

Naruto and the others bowed respectfully.

Tsunade's face lit up with joy. She stood up and, to everyone's astonishment, pulled Naruto into a warm, affectionate hug.

She pinched his cheeks playfully.

Everyone else in the tent stood frozen.

Kakashi: "I knew they were close, but this is excessive."

Hiashi: "She really dotes on him... I made the right call backing him."

Inoichi: "This little brat... playing with my daughter!"

Hana: "Not happy."

Other ninjas: "We want hugs from Lady Tsunade too!"

Resentment +1 +1 +1...

Naruto didn't care what they were thinking. Neither did Tsunade.

Naruto's mind was spinning: "So soft... I could melt in her embrace."

Tsunade thought: "He's gotten taller and cuter. Must pinch face more."

After a long while, she finally let him go.

"How's the situation?" she asked. "Have the supplies arrived safely?"

Naruto nodded. "Enough for 10,000 people for three months. Plenty of clothing and bedding too."

Everyone looked visibly relieved.

They had been preparing to beg the Land of Hot Springs for emergency supplies.

Hana added, "If not for Naruto, we wouldn't have made it. He saved us."

"Oh?" Tsunade's tone shifted. "What happened?"

The squad leaders, led by Hana, recounted the attack from the Hidden Cloud team.

"If Naruto hadn't fought off the Two-Tails Jinchūriki alone, we might've lost everything."

Silence fell over the tent.

Shock.

Naruto defeated an elite team led by a Jinchūriki? Alone?

And more than shock—there was shame.

The jōnin lowered their heads.

They had failed to detect such a major threat. Outsiders would laugh at Konoha's incompetence.

Tsunade trembled with rage.

Her gaze locked onto Naruto.

"Were you hurt?"

Still in her embrace, Naruto nodded against her chest.

"A little. I'm fine now."

Only kids who act spoiled get special treatment, he thought.

Tsunade pulled him even tighter. "Be more careful next time."

Her scolding tone was gentle—like a mother comforting a child.

Everyone else was numb.

Kakashi: "Where's this gentleness when she scolds us?"

Guy: "Feels like a genjutsu."

Inoichi: "Curse you, Naruto!"

Tsunade ruffled Naruto's hair, then asked, "How many enemies were there?"

"Ten. All dead except the Jinchūriki who escaped. We didn't get a chance to ask how they found us."

Tsunade returned to her seat. "Sounds like we've got a traitor."

"Someone gave the enemy our location, the front line's weakness, and the exact timing."

She glanced around. "I can't guess who."

Everyone's faces darkened.

Could it be someone here?

Hinata Hiashi stepped forward first: "I was seriously injured during the first battle. I haven't been to the front lines since. I couldn't have passed information."

Tsunade nodded.

Nara Shikaku followed. "I've been under your eye constantly, strategizing. No chance I could be the traitor."

Again, Tsunade nodded.

Now everyone wanted to clear their name.

Voices echoed:

"Hokage-sama, you know me."

"Hokage-sama, you know me."

"You know I'm loyal!"

Over and over—like annoying summer mosquitoes.

Tsunade's expression darkened.

With a slam of her palm on the table, the room fell silent.

"I get it—you're all loyal. Looks like I must be the traitor."

...

No one dared speak.

"Ahem," Naruto broke the silence, "I think what matters most now is finding the actual traitor, not arguing."

He added, "When we arrived, the ninja who greeted us kept saying negative things—almost like he was trying to convince us to retreat."

Hana chimed in: "Yes, he made it sound like Konoha was doomed."

"Maybe he's not the traitor, but we should question him. He could be the breakthrough we need."