Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

"The Kumogakure ambushed the escort unit, resulting in heavy casualties among our investigators. We request immediate reinforcements from the village."

It was late November when Konoha saw its first snowfall.

The report of the Cloud Village attack arrived early in the morning, sending ripples of fury throughout Konoha—from civilians to academy students. Talk of war spread like wildfire.

"Those Cloud ninjas are getting too bold. Do they think we've forgotten who leads the Five Great Nations?"

"It's about time we taught Kumogakure a lesson they won't forget!"

"When are we marching out? Let's crush Kumogakure already!"

In the Nara compound, young members of the new Ino-Shika-Cho trio gathered with their clansmen, all venting their frustration loudly. Their outrage reflected the general sentiment among Konoha's younger generation—passionate, impulsive, and unafraid.

The older generation, however, sat in the study, silently sipping tea and playing shogi. Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi listened to the noise outside with quiet sighs, their expressions composed.

They understood the true cost of war.

Akimichi Choza looked at his friends and asked, "Shikaku, do you think we'll actually go to war with Kumogakure?"

Shikaku made a move on the board, then slowly shook his head. "It's unlikely. Too many variables."

Inoichi chimed in after countering Shikaku's move. "Tsunade's position is uncertain. The Elders definitely won't want war. If someone pushes for it, they'll be the first to push back."

"But this time, Hazuki herself was attacked. Won't the Sarutobi clan demand justice?" Choza questioned.

Shikaku tapped his finger on the shogi board. "Don't forget what happened with the Hyuga clan a few years ago. If Hiashi didn't have a twin brother to serve as a substitute, he would've been forced to sacrifice himself."

Choza fell silent.

Even the head of the Hyuga clan had been made to bow to Cloud's demands. What was Hazuki to the Elders?

The Third Hokage was gone. No one feared the Sarutobi clan anymore.

Konoha wasn't what it used to be. Its current leadership was cautious—more concerned about losing what little they had left than standing their ground.

A long, heavy silence filled the study.

Hyuga Compound.

Though the news had reached every clan, the mood in the Hyuga compound was distinctly grim. Even the younger clan members appeared unusually subdued.

Hiashi Hyuga stood in the training room, watching his daughter Hanabi spar against a wooden dummy. His hand clenched the corner of his robes.

The scars of the past were still fresh.

He and his twin, Hizashi, had shared a bond not unlike Hinata and Hanabi now. And yet, when the village demanded a sacrificial lamb, Hizashi had been offered without hesitation.

Even though it had been the Cloud Ninja who tried to kidnap Hinata, it was Hiashi who was forced to bear the guilt—and his brother who paid the price.

As the painful memories swirled, Hiashi muttered to himself, "Is it happening again?"

"Can we even remain in Konoha?"

He glanced back at Hanabi, his resolve hardening. He would not let his daughters experience what he and Hizashi did.

Just then, a soft knock came from the training room door.

"Lord Hiashi," came the voice of a Hyuga Chunin from the Intelligence Division.

"Enter."

The door opened and the ninja knelt beside Hiashi with a gleam in his eye. "Good news, sir. The escort team eliminated the entire Kumogakure assault force—three hundred enemy shinobi. Not a single survivor."

Hiashi blinked in surprise.

Wasn't the situation dire just this morning? How did it turn into a complete victory?

"That's impressive. Hazuki must be far stronger than we thought," Hiashi muttered. "She's grown in power after all these years."

But the Chunin shook his head. "The majority of the credit goes to Uzumaki Naruto."

Hiashi's brows furrowed.

The Chunin continued, "According to Hazuki's letter, Naruto killed more than two hundred of the enemy himself—including all three Jonin commanders."

Hanabi, who had paused mid-punch, turned in shock.

That loudmouth blond guy?

He'd once claimed to like every pretty girl—even Hanabi. She'd always thought of him as a ridiculous pervert. But… to single-handedly defeat that many enemies?

That wasn't something an ordinary ninja could do.

Hiashi, equally stunned, muttered, "Uzumaki Naruto… the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki?"

"Yes, sir. And the information is confirmed."

Hiashi's disbelief was slowly giving way to realization. Naruto was the same age as Hinata—yet he'd killed three Jonin and more than two hundred enemy shinobi?

Kumogakure's Jonin weren't exactly pushovers…

The Chunin added, "Naruto is not to be underestimated. In the last Chunin Exams, he single-handedly eliminated everyone else in the Forest of Death. He's already recognized as the most powerful of his generation."

Hiashi was silent for a long moment, then finally nodded.

The Third Hokage was gone. Naruto was not just the jinchūriki—he was now a prodigy with growing fame and the protection of Jiraiya. Anyone who tried to scapegoat him now would be accused of treason.

Knowing Kumogakure's pride, they'd surely demand Naruto's life to avenge this loss.

But this time, Hiashi would stand his ground.

He owed Hizashi that much.

"Send word to the clan heads. Tell them I request a meeting with Lady Tsunade."

After the Chunin departed, Hiashi looked toward the sky and murmured, "I have to thank Uzumaki Naruto. If it were anyone else, the higher-ups would've buried this incident."

"Father, that guy Naruto's a pervert. Don't get involved with him."

Hanabi had quietly approached.

Hiashi blinked. "You know Uzumaki Naruto? Why do you say that?"

"He's weird," Hanabi muttered, wiping her forehead. "He says he likes little girls. Total creep."

Hiashi's expression shifted.

Little girls? His gaze dropped to Hanabi's innocent face. A horrifying thought crossed his mind.

Could she be the "little girl" Naruto was talking about?

"Wait… are you saying Naruto likes you?"

"Ew! I didn't say that! Just thinking about it grosses me out!"

Hanabi didn't deny it.

Hiashi stared at his daughter for a moment, then glanced at a family portrait. The wheels in his mind turned.

A political alliance with the jinchūriki… could it be arranged?

Meanwhile, at the Yamanaka household…

Yamanaka Inoichi had just brought his daughter home.

As she plopped into a chair, she asked, "What's going on, Dad? I thought I was training with Shikamaru and Choji today."

Inoichi didn't answer right away. His thoughts were still on Naruto's astonishing feat.

At this point, even the Fourth Hokage hadn't achieved such things at Naruto's age.

He finally said, "Ino, you like Naruto, don't you?"

Ino blushed immediately. "Who said that?! I—I don't like him! Maybe he likes me… and I guess I like him a little, maybe..."

Her voice trailed off as she buried her face in her hands.

Inoichi smiled.

"Ino, you don't need to hide anything from me. If you want to be with Naruto, I won't stop you anymore."

"Dad! What are you even saying?! Ugh, you're so embarrassing!"

She ran off to her room, heart pounding.

Outside, the snowflakes fell softly. Inside, Ino hugged her pillow with a bright grin.

Her father had always warned her to stay away from Naruto. But now, he'd given his blessing.

Maybe now she could openly pursue him.

Tsunade sat in the Hokage office, rereading Hazuki's letter.

She chuckled to herself. "That little liar…"

Naruto had played her.

She remembered how he faked being near death after killing Kabuto. At the time, she'd been furious at herself for not arriving sooner.

Now it was obvious: Naruto had faked it to draw her sympathy.

"Tch…" She rubbed her temple, torn between amusement and exasperation. "He's just like Jiraiya."

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

Kakashi and Guy stepped in. "Lady Tsunade, the rescue team is ready."

They had prepared a large-scale operation—twenty Special Jonin, 500 Chunin—but with Hazuki's team en route home, it was no longer necessary.

Still, Tsunade wasn't satisfied.

"It's not enough. Kakashi, summon the major clans. Assemble 5,000 Chunin and above. I'm going to Hidden Cloud myself."

"This won't end with words."

"If we keep acting like tame cats, they'll treat us like prey."

Just then, Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, and other clan heads entered, all clad in combat gear.

"Lady Tsunade," Hiashi said solemnly, "The Hyuga clan is ready to fight for Konoha."

One by one, they echoed his words.

"The Nara clan will fight for Konoha."

"The Yamanaka clan will fight for Konoha."

"The Akimichi clan will fight for Konoha."

"The Inuzuka clan will fight for Konoha."

...