Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Late at night.

Shizune and Jiraiya sat quietly in the hallway of the small inn they had booked on Tansho Street. The dim lanterns outside barely illuminated the corridor, casting long shadows. Both looked uneasy.

Jiraiya's face was especially grim. He had been confident—perhaps too confident—that Tsunade and Naruto wouldn't be able to catch up to Orochimaru. He had even held back from following them himself.

He'd done it on purpose.

To give Orochimaru a chance to escape.

But when Tsunade came back drenched in blood and carrying Naruto, his confidence shattered into stunned silence.

He hadn't expected this.

"How could this happen…" Jiraiya muttered, clenching the edge of his robe tightly. "With Naruto's strength, he shouldn't have been hurt so badly just fighting Orochimaru's subordinate…"

Shizune sighed from across the hall. She'd heard Tsunade speak about Naruto countless times—always with admiration for his kindness and mercy.

That kindness was his greatest strength… and sometimes, his greatest weakness.

It was exactly that kindness that extended even toward someone like Orochimaru—someone who didn't deserve it. And sometimes, that kindness came back around… like a blade cutting the ones closest to him.

A few moments later, the sound of high heels clicking echoed softly from one of the rooms.

Shizune and Jiraiya both stood immediately.

Tsunade stepped out, still wearing her bloodstained clothes. Her young face, usually radiant, looked drained in the dim light.

"Naruto's okay," she said as she brushed a damp strand of hair behind her ear. "He passed out from exhaustion. His right hand's a bit more serious—many of the meridians below the elbow were severed. I've healed them already. He should recover in a week or two."

Jiraiya let out a long breath of relief, the tension visibly lifting from his body.

"That's good. That's all that matters."

He clutched his chest with relief. If something had really happened to Naruto while he was watching over him, he wouldn't have been able to face Minato and Kushina in the afterlife.

But… was everything really okay?

Tsunade's gaze met Jiraiya's. This old friend… he was so much like her grandfather, Hashirama. Always acting on impulse. Always risking too much.

But today… she had been wrong too. So wrong that she had no right to scold him.

She exhaled quietly, then turned toward Shizune. "Get me some hot water and a change of clothes. I need to shower."

"I'll prepare it right away," Shizune replied, walking off quickly, her long legs stepping smoothly across the corridor.

Tsunade turned to Jiraiya. "Don't disturb Naruto. Let him rest."

Without another word, she followed Shizune.

There was no more conversation between her and Jiraiya.

"…Tsunade hates me again," Jiraiya muttered with a bitter smile. It felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat—uncomfortable, aching.

After all these years, she'd never once shown him a warm smile.

Meanwhile, deep in the quiet of his spirit world, Naruto Uzumaki was inspecting the newly upgraded storage space.

The space had expanded from its original 10 square meters to a full 100 square meters—ten times the size. Much more room, but aside from that, no other new functions.

A simple expansion.

"Not bad," Naruto nodded to himself. "This alone makes it worthwhile. I can store a lot more now."

Yawning lazily, Naruto decided to leave the spiritual space and let his consciousness return to his body.

To avoid arousing Tsunade's suspicion, he had chosen to feign sleep during the upgrade process.

He had no idea what the situation was like outside now.

Moonlight spilled into the room through the open window, casting the shadow of a blossoming plum tree across the wooden floor.

Just as Naruto was about to open his eyes, the door creaked open.

Tsunade, now dressed in a short, off-white nightgown, stepped in quietly and sat at the edge of the bed.

She reached out and gently brushed Naruto's cheek, her mind drifting back to memories from long ago.

Her hand felt cool—still slightly damp from her recent bath.

In the moonlight, Naruto squinted at her. Her long golden hair was still damp, strands clinging to her shoulders. Her skin glowed rosy and soft—like a blooming daffodil. Alluring and radiant.

"When did you wake up?" she asked softly, poking his forehead gently.

"Just now… I didn't expect Lady Tsunade to notice."

Naruto sat up, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. His shoulder-length blond hair slipped down his face, a few locks clinging to his lips, making him look almost ethereal under the moonlight.

He looked like he had stepped out of a painting.

Honestly, Tsunade thought, he looks more like a little brother than Nawaki ever did. And he even resembles me a little.

She reached out, using her slender fingers to brush the strands from the corner of Naruto's lips.

"Did I wake you up?" she asked, her voice unusually gentle—so different from when she yelled at Jiraiya earlier.

Hearing that soft tone, something stirred in Naruto's heart. Lowering his gaze in embarrassment, he murmured, "No… I was just scared. I woke up from a nightmare."

"A nightmare?" Tsunade leaned closer, concerned. "Was it because of the fight? Your injury?"

Naruto shook his head. His eyes dimmed with sorrow. "No. I just dreamed about… myself."

Tsunade frowned slightly. "How can dreaming of yourself be a nightmare?"

Naruto's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to talk about it… it's all in the past."

Tsunade froze. A dark premonition crept up in her mind.

She knew how most countries treated their Jinchūriki—discrimination, isolation, hatred.

But… surely not Konoha.

After all, both Kushina and her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, had been Jinchūriki. They had never been treated poorly by the villagers.

"It helps to talk about what's on your mind," Tsunade said gently, placing her soft palm on Naruto's head, ruffling his hair tenderly.

Under her gentle encouragement, Naruto began to tell his story—but more exaggerated than truth.

He told her he'd had nothing to eat, that he'd been so starved his bones were visible. He'd been beaten regularly, cursed by neighbors as a monster, told he should just die.

The more he spoke, the more emotional he became. Eventually, he threw himself into Tsunade's arms, burying his face against her chest and sobbing.

He cried softly, and with each tear, it was as if he relived his painful past.

"…Thank you for working so hard," Tsunade whispered, hugging him tightly.

She stroked his back gently, comforting him like a mother would a frightened child—tender and warm.

She didn't expect the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to have been so cruel.

In order to protect a fragile peace, he had allowed Naruto to endure so much. Was it really worth it?

Must human ambition always come at such a cost?

She couldn't understand it.

And the worst part? This same boy—this wounded, pitiful child—had still rushed to save her from Orochimaru, like a divine savior descending from the heavens.

She remembered something.

She had wanted to ask Naruto: why did he chase after Orochimaru?

Could it really have been just to avenge her?

Somehow, it felt like there was more to it. But now wasn't the time to ask.

Naruto was still grieving. She'd ask another day.

After a long silence, Tsunade slowly released Naruto and whispered, "Get some sleep. I should rest too."

"…Wait."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Tsunade-sama… can you hold me while I sleep?"

His voice was soft—almost pleading. It was filled with need and a strange sense of comfort.

Tsunade lowered her gaze, hesitant. "Didn't you tell me before that you weren't a kid anymore? Why do you still need someone to hold you?"

Because it feels amazing!

Like living in a dream.

Naruto nuzzled into her neck, resting his head on her shoulder. "I'm just scared I'll have another nightmare. But when you hold me… I feel safe."

"…Fine," she said, feigning reluctance. "Think of this as a reward for saving my life."

She laid down beside him, tucked the quilt around them both, and gently pulled Naruto into her arms.

They lay face to face. Her warm breath tickled his lips.

"Now sleep," Tsunade said, closing her eyes.

Naruto wrapped his arms around her snow-white neck, yawned, and peacefully drifted off.

The next morning.

The early fog faded and golden sunlight streamed in.

Miss Shizune, her long pale legs striding briskly, cradled a drowsy little pig in her arms as she headed toward Tsunade's room.

But to her surprise… Tsunade wasn't there.

After what had happened yesterday, Shizune immediately feared the worst—that Tsunade had gone after Orochimaru again.

Panicking, she rushed to Jiraiya's room and pounded on the door.

Jiraiya opened it, and when she explained, he too believed it was possible.

So they both headed straight for Naruto's room to bring him along.

But the moment they opened the door—

They froze in place.

Naruto and Tsunade were sleeping under the same blanket, completely tangled in each other's arms, fast asleep.

Jiraiya's jaw dropped. His face turned pale.

"…Damn brat! I knew he'd use that baby face to seduce women again!"

Hearing the noise, Tsunade stirred. She rubbed her eyes, blinked sleepily, and then spotted the two of them staring in shock at the door.

"…What are you looking at? Get out!"

Naruto, who had already woken up, nearly burst into laughter at her fiery reaction.

Around nine o'clock, Tsunade changed back into her previous outfit, packed up, and got ready to return to Konoha with Naruto and Jiraiya.

After all… the Hokage's seat awaited her.

And I, Uzumaki Naruto, will be the Hokage one day.

Naruto leaned out the window, plucked a nearby dandelion, and turned to Tsunade.

Before it scattered, it was full and round—its fluffy white surface looking like a winter rice dumpling.

"Lady Tsunade," he said with a smile, "this dandelion is for you."

"You blow it for me. I'm busy."

Tsunade was rummaging through her suitcase, and pulled out an old portrait of a red-haired woman.

It was her grandmother—Uzumaki Mito.

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