Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Inside the Command Tent.

Tsunade sat at the head of the table, her eyebrows furrowed in anger. Her fair skin had taken on a bluish tint from the stress, and she leaned forward, bracing herself against the table with both hands. Golden twin ponytails slid down from her shoulders over her green windbreaker and onto her chest—she made no attempt to hide her frustration.

But as the leader, there were some things she couldn't say out loud. Someone else had to voice them for her.

The role that had once belonged to Shimura Danzo now fell to Nara Shikaku.

Shikaku cast a brief glance at Naruto, then, recalling Tsunade's earlier fondness toward him, chose not to press him. Instead, he turned toward Inuzuka Hana.

"Miss Hana," he said, serious and steady, "are you certain about what you just said?"

"Of course I am," Hana replied without hesitation, unaware that she was being set up to shoulder potential blame. She repeated the negative statements the old man had made when he came to meet the transport unit.

In wartime, words carry weight. It's one thing to fear war—no one could fault someone for that. But to spread that fear, even unintentionally, was another matter entirely.

"That's enough, Miss Hana," Shikaku cut in as she continued. "Please bring that man here. We need to question him."

"Understood."

Inuzuka Hana nodded and left without question, unaware that this act might earn her the resentment of every war-weary soldier in camp. All she knew was that she had orders, and she would follow them.

Once she was gone, Tsunade dismissed Naruto as well.

The number of people in the room returned to its original count.

The fire in the central stove crackled softly, casting flickering light and warmth into the room. Tsunade stared into the flames, her expression unreadable.

"Shikaku."

"Yes, Hokage-sama?"

"Starting tomorrow—no, starting now—begin spreading news of Kumogakure's disgrace. Make it known that they attacked our supply convoy with intent, and failed. Let the world hear how they lost nine men, with only one escaping."

Her lips curved into a small, cold smile. "Let them feel the shame."

"Understood."

Shikaku bowed his head.

In the shadows, Kakashi narrowed his eyes, quietly analyzing the scene.

"They're shielding Naruto from the consequences," he murmured to himself. "Letting Hana take the heat while boosting Naruto's image. Tsunade is grooming him for something bigger... but isn't it too soon?"

Later That Night...

Naruto wandered through the base camp, asking about Uzuki Yugao's whereabouts.

But in the world of shinobi, even fame didn't guarantee visibility. Especially not for someone like Yugao, an Anbu ninja with a quiet presence and limited social ties.

After nearly an hour of asking around, he finally got a lead from a special jonin: Uzuki Yugao was on night patrol. He wouldn't be able to find her until daytime.

Disappointed, Naruto headed to the registration area, picked up a single-person tent, and found the designated space to set it up.

But he didn't sleep immediately.

He was frustrated that he hadn't been able to find Yugao, so he slipped into his sealed space to talk to Yugito Nii—known here as Yu Muren—and distract himself with more psychological games.

Inside the Sealed Space...

Naruto appeared before Yu Muren without warning. But by now, she was used to it.

She glared at him, her golden eyes full of restrained hatred.

This bastard had tricked her. Bound her soul.

"What kind of look is that?" Naruto asked coldly.

Yu Muren flinched, realizing her expression had slipped. The pain that came from violating their contract still haunted her.

Lowering her head, she whispered, "Forgive me. I didn't mean anything by it."

"Oh?" Naruto smirked, stepping closer. "So you're saying you don't even see me anymore?"

She bit her lip, then said through clenched teeth, "You're all I see."

Satisfied, Naruto observed her more closely.

As he had ordered, Yu Muren was dressed provocatively: her long hair fell over her shoulders, and she wore a tight, white cheongsam paired with flesh-colored stockings—seductive, dignified, and defeated.

Gone was the wildcat. After days of "training," she had become compliant.

"I kind of miss the old you. That fiery defiance," he said with a mock sigh. "Why not bring a little of it back?"

Her face flushed with humiliation, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "As you wish," she said bitterly.

"That's more like it."

He grabbed her hair and pulled her roughly into his arms. "Don't forget your place."

Yu Muren froze in place, shame burning through her, her body trembling as humiliation mingled with a strange, unsettling emotion.

She kept telling herself that she was just enduring for now—waiting for her chance to break free. Someday, she would repay this degradation in full.

But even as she thought that, tears welled in her eyes.

Naruto lifted her chin and wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks, his fingers trailing lightly over her lips.

Ten minutes later, he looked up at the moonlit sky and sighed. Then, with unexpected gentleness, he picked up Yu Muren, whose knees were red and sore, and laid her down.

He gently raised her legs onto his shoulders and began applying medicine to the wounded skin.

Yu Muren was startled by the tenderness, and tears flowed again.

Later...

"Naruto," she said through her tears, "why are you letting me go back to the Land of Lightning?"

Naruto didn't hide his intentions. "You're more useful out there than in here. I need you to work for me."

Yu Muren blinked, stunned. "Aren't you afraid I'll betray you once I'm free?"

Naruto chuckled, brushing a finger across her lips again. "I know you won't dare."

She said nothing.

Only she understood the terrible weight of a contract that bound the soul.

Even if she wanted to rebel... even if she was thousands of miles away, she knew: he could end her life with a single thought.

At the Front Lines...

That same night, Kumogakure and Konoha clashed once more. The battle ended in a small victory for Konoha, forcing the enemy into retreat.

While Konoha's front-line units pulled back, they crossed paths with a returning patrol team—led by none other than Uzuki Yugao.

She personally escorted the wounded back to base, only turning to leave once they were safely through the protective barrier.

"Uzuki-senpai!"

The voice came out of nowhere.

"Wait! I have something important to tell you!"

It was Tomohiko Kiyono, a special jonin wrapped in bandages. His injuries were fresh, but his determination was strong.

Yugao frowned slightly. She didn't know him well, and his expression was odd.

"I... I like you!"

The camp went dead silent.

Tomohiko gathered courage and repeated it louder. "Uzuki Yugao-senpai, I like you!"

He had admired her from the first day of war—struck by her beauty, her quiet strength, and her solitude.

Thinking she was single, he'd talked to her any chance he got.

Now, wounded and perhaps emboldened by pain and adrenaline, he thought it was time to make his feelings known. Even if he failed, he wanted her to remember him.

The other ninjas stirred, drawn in by the drama.

"Did he just confess?"

"I love witnessing battlefield romances."

"Do you think she'll say yes?"

"Shut up. Let them have their moment."

"Jealous much?"

Soon, the crowd was chanting: "Say yes! Say yes!"

Yugao raised an eyebrow, then slowly smiled.

But not at him.

With grace, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, stepped back, and bowed.

"Thank you for your feelings. But I'm sorry—I already have a boyfriend."

Her words silenced the crowd.

Oddly enough, as she spoke, her thoughts didn't go to her late fiancé.

Instead, she thought of a mischievous blond boy—sometimes arrogant, sometimes gentle—who had broken into her quiet life.

I wonder if Naruto got my letter.

Has he moved into my apartment?

I hope he hasn't made a mess of the place... I still have to live there when I get back.

Her lips curled into a subtle smile.

The moonlight shone down on her, soft and luminous.

Tomohiko stood there, heartbroken and stunned. The crowd that had cheered him on now shrank away, embarrassed.

They had unknowingly encouraged a man to hit on someone already taken.

But Yugao was unmoved.

She had always been polite to Tomohiko out of professional courtesy. She hadn't expected it to be misread.

"If there's nothing else," she said with her usual calm, "I'll be going."

"U-uh... right..." Tomohiko mumbled, scratching his head.

Just as she turned to leave, someone else called her name.

She turned again, a hint of irritation on her face.

"What is it?"

The man flinched under her gaze. "N-nothing! Well—actually, yes. Earlier, a blond kid was asking around for someone named Uzuki Yugao. I just thought you should know."

Her heart skipped.

"How tall was he?"

"About 1.6 meters."

"Blue eyes? Blond hair? Fair skin?"

"Yeah, that's him!"

"Where is he now?!"

"I saw him go to the registration office."

Without another word, Yugao turned and ran toward the direction of the registration tent, her team watching in bewildered silence.