Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Wave Country, Daimyo Residence

"You're saying the Haku and Zabuza that stayed here were just body doubles?"

When Pain heard the report from Zetsu, he clenched his fist slightly—and the nearby table shattered into pieces.

Hidan and Kakuzu had vanished without a trace, and Haku—the only person they had contact with beforehand—had blatantly provoked the organization.

That was when Pain decided to take action himself, personally traveling from the Rain Country, across the Fire Country, all the way to the Wave Country in search of Haku and Zabuza. But in the end, he had only found cleverly crafted substitutes.

"Did anyone under their command know where they were going?"

"No. They were extremely cautious. They didn't tell anyone. They just… left quietly," Zetsu replied.

His words made Konan, standing not far away, frown slightly. Her beautiful eyes showed a hint of displeasure.

She was the one who had brought Haku and Zabuza into Akatsuki. It was Haku who had come to the Rain Country to find her, proving both his strength and his financial worth, and so they had been allowed to join.

Haku had promised to donate all of his money to Akatsuki without compensation. But now that he had vanished, where could she go to demand that money?

That alone was frustrating enough, but now even the organization's top money earner—Kakuzu—had mysteriously disappeared due to Haku. Konan was getting anxious.

Most of the other Akatsuki members were stubborn and had no interest in money-making missions. Since Kakuzu's disappearance, their financial situation had been steadily declining.

If this went on, Konan might have to take missions herself just to keep the group afloat.

"I'll go find them," Konan said coldly, her red lips forming each word with precision.

Land of Sound, Otogakure

Orochimaru moved quickly through his underground lab, storing experimental equipment into space scrolls one by one.

"To think the three of us are now wanted by Akatsuki… and we don't even know who they'll send after us," Orochimaru said calmly, as though this wasn't the first time he'd dealt with something like this.

On the other side, Zabuza looked uneasy. "Everyone in that group is dangerous. If just one team comes after us, we might handle it. But if two or more show up… we're screwed."

"Especially their leader—Pain. His powers are so strange. Just based on his eyes alone, I get the feeling we'll be dead before we know it."

As he spoke, Zabuza lifted Hidan—his mouth sewn shut—and tossed him into a sealed box, hoisting it onto his back.

Orochimaru, done packing, said casually, "Don't worry. I don't know if you will survive—but I certainly will."

He'd fought Pain before. While he couldn't defeat him, Pain couldn't stop him from escaping either. When it came to slipping away, Orochimaru had only failed once—against Naruto Uzumaki.

Just thinking about that summoning contract space gave Orochimaru chills.

Not wanting to argue, Zabuza turned to Haku and asked, "Where are we headed this time?"

Haku pulled out a scroll from her sleeve, opened it to reveal a map of the ninja world, and carefully scanned it. Her finger landed on a remote region in the northwest.

"Snow Country."

"Why go somewhere so remote?"

"It's icy and snowy all year round. It's my homeland," Haku replied. "With my current chakra reserves combined with that climate, I might actually have the advantage."

Orochimaru chuckled in his hoarse voice. "Confident in your Ice Release? If they don't send Pain or Uchiha Itachi after us, we can set a trap—maybe even take one down."

Once everything was packed, Haku and Zabuza slipped out through a hidden passage while Orochimaru returned to the Sound Village's administrative office.

Inside, two young men waited. One had short yellow hair and a strong build, the other had long white hair and a thinner frame. Both sat quietly on floor mats.

When Orochimaru emerged, they stood immediately and bowed in unison.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

"Rise."

Orochimaru tossed a scroll to the white-haired boy. "Kimimaro, this scroll contains medicine I've recently developed. It should suppress your illness for a year or two."

"I'll be away for a while. From now on, you're the new Sound Shadow. Jūgo will assist you. Avoid action unless absolutely necessary."

The November air was cold and sharp. A young man who had just stepped onto the streets of Konoha shivered and decided to head back inside to grab a thicker coat.

This weather wasn't ideal for looking stylish.

But Temari was the kind of woman who insisted on grace—even when it was only eleven or twelve degrees outside. She refused to wear anything but a dress when leaving the apartment.

Naruto looked at her. Her clothing—and appearance—had changed noticeably over time, tailored to his preferences. The most obvious change? Her hairstyle.

She used to wear her hair in four buns at the back of her head, but Naruto had repeatedly teased her about how awful it looked.

So Temari switched to twin ponytails, styled similar to Tsunade's. Hers weren't as long, only reaching her shoulders.

At the moment, she frowned slightly, lips pursed like a sheltered young woman. "When will we see each other again?"

"Aren't we going to be together for a while?" Naruto replied. He'd cuffed her hands himself and was now leading her out of Konoha.

The trees lining the street were bare, yellow leaves rustling in the autumn wind.

Temari's gaze held a trace of sorrow. It wasn't just Konoha she was reluctant to leave—it was Naruto.

"Naruto, will you miss me when I'm gone?"

"If I'm counting right, this is the thirteenth time you've asked that today."

"Just answer the question."

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll think about you morning, noon, and night—even when I go to sleep."

That was the thirteenth time Naruto gave her the same answer. Still, it was good to leave her with a warm memory.

Temari smiled and looked into his eyes. Stepping closer, she whispered, "When you cuddle other girls at night… cover their heads and pretend it's me."

Naruto: "…"

That… was outrageous.

"You're so damn flirty!" he blurted.

"???"

"What kind of nonsense is that?!"

Temari snapped back, "I learned from you! You're worse!"

Naruto reached out and flicked her forehead. "Who do you think you are? You're a prisoner—you think you can talk back to me?"

"Sorry, honey!"

"Don't call me that. We're in public."

"Fine, then I won't," Temari huffed, shooting him a playful glare.

Just then, Naruto's grip on the handcuffs shifted. He gently took her hands in his.

Temari smiled shyly and held on tighter.

Outside Konoha's main gates, hundreds of shinobi had gathered. The mission was simple: escort Sunagakure prisoners to the border of the Fire and Wind Countries for transfer.

In this group, there were only two high-profile prisoners: Gaara, the One-Tail Jinchūriki, and his sister Temari. Everyone else was just background.

As such, the accommodations varied. Regular prisoners were packed three to five per transport cart.

Gaara had his own.

When Naruto arrived with Temari, she received the same treatment—her own cart.

She made a request to the captain, Hazuki Sarutobi, asking that Naruto personally be assigned to watch over her. She claimed that, if he did, she'd be more inclined to support Konoha upon her return.

Hazuki looked at Naruto meaningfully. "You sure you're okay with guarding her?"

After her last talk with Lady Tsunade, Hazuki had learned a thing or two. Naruto Uzumaki wasn't just some reckless kid—according to Tsunade, he'd already picked up some bad habits from Jiraiya.

He was a little pervert in training.

And the way this Sunagakure girl acted around him? Suspicious.

"Sure, whatever," Naruto said casually, scratching his head.

That gesture set Temari off again. She gripped the bars of the transport cage and pouted, glaring at him.

Hazuki sighed. Yep—Tsunade was probably right. She remembered Naruto's… bold behavior at her place and gave him a subtle warning as she patted his shoulder.

"Alright. I'll leave her in your care, Naruto-kun. But try to restrain yourself."

As mission commander, she had plenty to handle and couldn't keep an eye on them. Not that she wanted to. Honestly, she'd been avoiding Naruto.

Because lately… she'd been feeling strange.

Ever since she suspected that Naruto had acted on purpose that day, she hadn't been angry.

In fact… she'd been a little happy.

"What's wrong with me?" Hazuki thought. "Am I just lonely?"

No. No way. She couldn't give in to temptation.

Sarutobi Hazuki, you're a mother. You can't be having thoughts like this. Think about Konohamaru.

For Konohamaru's sake, you must control yourself.

Meanwhile, in the Sarutobi clan estate, Konohamaru lay collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily.

After practicing the Rasengan all day, he was utterly exhausted.

"Yo, Konohamaru. Still at it, huh?" Asuma passed by, grinning. "Need your uncle's help?"

"No!" Konohamaru stood up stubbornly. "Naruto-nii already taught me. I'm going to train using his method."

"Tch. Suit yourself." Asuma lit a cigarette and walked off.

He'd heard from Kakashi just how hard it was to master the Rasengan. He didn't think a little squirt like Konohamaru had a shot.

But Konohamaru stared after him, then turned back to training.

"I'll learn it. And if I can't, I'll become Naruto-nii's assistant when he's Hokage!"

When kids are at their lowest, they often cling to someone as their guiding light.

To Konohamaru, Naruto had become that person.

The day he heard about his grandfather's death, Konohamaru had been devastated. He'd never known his father, and his grandfather had raised him. In that moment, he had asked Naruto—could he protect him?

Naruto said yes. And he had—protecting Konohamaru and his mother when the shark monster attacked.

Konohamaru remembered it all clearly. It was stronger, more vivid than the time Naruto had saved him from Kankuro.

Since then, Naruto Uzumaki had quietly become the father figure he never had.