Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Night. Konoha Village.

The rain poured harder, and the heavy downpour battered the rooftops and streets alike. Visibility was low, and the storm's intensity made it nearly impossible to fight properly.

After quickly scanning the Selector's system options, Naruto Uzumaki frowned, his mind racing.

Run.

That was the only viable choice.

Run now—while the Sarutobi clan's remaining ninja could still hold Kisame off.

The murderous aura radiating from Hoshigaki Kisame was overwhelming. Even with Naruto standing between him and the others, Hazuki and Konohamaru's minds were faltering. The killing intent alone was enough to make seasoned shinobi tremble. For civilians and children? It was paralyzing.

One couldn't even use chakra, and the other didn't have the training to defend his mind—both were sitting ducks. They were liabilities in this kind of battle.

But for Naruto, they were also the perfect excuse to retreat.

"Ma'am, it's too dangerous here. I'll get you and Konohamaru somewhere safe first—then I'll come back for them!"

Without hesitation, Naruto turned, scooped up a dazed Hazuki and a terrified Konohamaru, and sprinted into the night rain.

Behind him, the clash of steel and water jutsu echoed as the Sarutobi ninja engaged Kisame. Naruto didn't look back.

He ran full speed for nearly two hundred meters—away from Kisame's range, away from that choking pressure.

Once they were far enough, Hazuki began to regain consciousness. Her weak frame, soaked by the cold rain, shivered. Her already pale complexion had turned ghostly white.

"Cough, cough..."

She coughed several times, then rasped hoarsely, "Naruto… go to the Hokage Building. Jiraiya-sama's there—he can protect us."

"Understood! Ma'am, hold on tight—I'm going full speed now!"

Hazuki instinctively wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck. As he leapt across rooftops, their bodies pressed close together, and her soft cheek brushed against his.

A faint blush crept up Hazuki's pale face. She couldn't help but think: If I hadn't been injured before... would I really be in this pathetic state now, needing to be carried by a child?

But Hazuki wasn't ignorant—she recognized their attacker. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Hoshigaki Kisame.

A man who shouldn't be anywhere near Konoha.

Why would such a terrifying man come after me?

Was he working with the thief who snuck into the Sarutobi residence the other night?

Just as these thoughts swirled in her head, Naruto's thighs suddenly clamped tightly around hers during a midair leap.

"Na–Naruto, what are you doing?" she asked, breath catching in her throat.

"I'm about to jump again. Gotta hold you steady," Naruto replied seriously.

And with that, he vaulted onto the next rooftop. His speed increased dramatically as he shifted to rooftop travel. But the higher elevation and wind chill made things worse for Hazuki, and she coughed uncontrollably again.

"Hang in there! We're almost there!"

Naruto's grip was firm, one arm under Hazuki's thighs, the other under her back. Through the soaked kimono, he could feel the heat of her skin. Her breath was warm against his ear. Under other circumstances, it might have made his heart race.

But now wasn't the time.

Behind them, Kisame was closing in.

In under two minutes, he'd already defeated the Sarutobi ninja pursuing him.

Even with the Nine-Tails' chakra coursing through Naruto's body, he couldn't outrun him forever.

"Put me down, Naruto," Hazuki said weakly. "He might be after me. You can escape with Konohamaru."

Naruto scoffed silently. Lady, you're pretty, sure, but Kisame's not here to abduct some noble widow.

Running with her gave him a legitimate reason to flee—and an escape plan that allowed the Sarutobi to save face later.

More importantly, he could probably count on backup if he stayed with her. If he dropped her now, he'd become the sole target.

"Please, Naruto. Just take Konohamaru and go," she insisted.

"I already told you—I'm not leaving you," Naruto snapped.

"I'm already useless. My life doesn't matter—"

"Shut up."

"You'll run faster without me."

Maybe so, Naruto thought, but without you, the Sarutobi will scatter their forces trying to find you again. That'd only make things worse.

"I said shut up! I gave you my word, and I keep my word! That's my ninja way!"

His voice was fierce—unyielding.

Hazuki flinched.

Though she couldn't see his face, the fire in his tone stunned her.

Raised in ANBU, she'd seen too many people who put on airs of loyalty, only to flee the moment things turned ugly.

But this boy...

He barely knew her, yet here he was, holding her like his life depended on it, declaring with absolute conviction that he would protect her.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Thank you, Naruto.

—

The rain lashed harder.

It stung Naruto's face like needles. Behind him, the towering figure of Kisame loomed closer and closer. He had destroyed all opposition and was making a straight line toward them.

The Hokage Building was finally within sight.

Just a little longer. Just hang on.

Kisame saw their goal and sneered. He flung a Konoha jonin aside with a loud thud and then surged forward with a burst of speed.

He didn't want to waste more time.

Drawing the massive Samehada from his back, Kisame made a rapid sequence of hand signs.

"Water Style: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"

A massive shark-shaped projectile made entirely of water rose from the street and shot into the sky, blocking out what little moonlight remained.

This is too fast… I won't make it in time.

Naruto clenched his teeth.

Where is Itachi? Wasn't he supposed to rein Kisame in?

Where the hell is Jiraiya? Or Might Guy? Anyone?!

No one came.

And at that moment, Naruto realized something.

You can't always rely on someone else.

If he couldn't protect himself, he couldn't protect anyone.

He could feel Hazuki's shallow breathing against his back. She was soaked, feverish, and barely conscious. Konohamaru was silent, hugging her tightly.

Naruto stopped running.

Forget it.

I've lied to her enough already. I'm not going to lie again now—not when it matters most.

He gently set Hazuki and Konohamaru down, then stepped in front of them.

"Na…ru…to…" Hazuki murmured, barely able to speak. She tried to sit up, but her body gave out.

Naruto didn't look back.

His eyes were locked on the monstrous water shark bullet approaching at terrifying speed.

He inhaled slowly.

Then—

BOOM.

Red chakra exploded outward. The Nine-Tails' chakra enveloped him like a burning second skin. His eyes turned blood-red, his face twisted with fury, and four burning tails erupted from his back.

The heat from the chakra evaporated the rain around him.

The soaked street sizzled.

He raised one monstrous claw of chakra—and slashed.

CRACK.

The shark bullet was torn in half in an instant.

Rainwater exploded everywhere as the Ninetails' chakra dispersed the jutsu like it was nothing.

And standing in the storm, his body glowing like fire, was Naruto Uzumaki—protector of the Sarutobi, and Konoha's most unexpected weapon.