Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame had remained in the capital city of the Land of Lightning for quite some time.

During this period, Kisame repeatedly questioned Itachi about their purpose there, and each time, Itachi used Orochimaru as an excuse to deflect the question.

To gain Kisame's trust, Itachi frequently cast genjutsu on him without his knowledge. As a result, the man who also acted as a spy for the masked man came to believe him without suspicion.

Whether Kisame was truly oblivious or simply pretending to be, he never questioned whether he had fallen under Itachi's illusion.

It wasn't until the end of the month, when news of Hidden Cloud Village's defeat spread across the Land of Lightning, that Itachi finally stopped using genjutsu on Kisame every few days.

"Now that the village is no longer in danger, it's about time I left."

Sitting in a small teahouse on the roadside, Itachi quietly enjoyed his breakfast alone. Konoha's victory had lifted the weight on his mind, and his appetite had improved.

After finishing his meal and paying the bill, he stepped outside and saw his partner, Hoshigaki Kisame, waiting for him.

"Mr. Itachi, are you sure you don't want to keep searching for Orochimaru?" Kisame asked.

"There's no point. We've looked for so long and still found nothing. I'm guessing he's already run off."

Itachi made up the excuse without concern. Whether Kisame believed him or not didn't matter—it didn't change anything.

Right now, the only things Itachi cared about were Konoha and his younger brother.

He was painfully aware that his body wouldn't last much longer.

"Kisame, just take on any mission for now. We'll search while we complete them."

"No, Mr. Itachi. We still have business to attend to in the Land of Lightning."

Kisame smiled and explained, "Zetsu passed on a message not long ago. There's an important mission waiting for us."

The two returned to their rented home and, after confirming the area was free of surveillance, Kisame shared what he'd learned.

"Madara plans to cooperate with Konoha and use the opportunity to capture both the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails."

"What about the Nine-Tails?" Itachi asked calmly, as expected.

Just as Jue predicted, Kisame noted. He'd been told that if Itachi didn't ask about the Nine-Tails, he should bring it up himself. But if he did ask, then all he needed to do was explain.

Sigh.

It's not that I don't trust you, Mr. Itachi. Orders are orders.

Kisame replied, "The Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki won't be moving for the time being. The higher-ups said that if the organization ends up fighting two major villages at once, it could be a losing battle."

"So, this time, our targets are only the tailed beasts from Hidden Cloud Village."

Itachi nodded slightly. "That's the correct decision. If two great villages unite, we'll likely lose."

Lose?

Kisame didn't believe that. But he didn't voice his disagreement.

Itachi usually took the lead in their duo, and as long as he didn't make any serious errors, Kisame didn't argue.

As long as Itachi obeyed Akatsuki's orders and remained in the Land of Lightning, he was still "Mr. Itachi."

Otherwise, he'd become an enemy.

"Kisame, get ready. Since we have a mission, let's move out."

"Understood."

The two of them walked down the main road of the capital, slowly fading into the distance.

Unbeknownst to them, someone was watching from a private room on the second floor of the teahouse behind them.

"They're finally gone."

Uchiha Izumi opened the window and stared after Itachi, hatred burning in her eyes. Only after he completely disappeared did she shift her gaze toward the Daimyo's mansion.

"Hidden Cloud has been defeated. Even the ninja who were guarding the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning have been pulled to the front lines. The Akatsuki have also left. Right now, the power around the Daimyo's mansion is at its weakest."

"This is the perfect time to complete the mission."

All that's needed now is something to control the Daimyo.

Izumi smiled coolly. Didn't Itachi possess exactly what she needed?

Kotoamatsukami.

Shisui's Sharingan—capable of altering a person's thoughts.

A treasure like that didn't belong in the hands of a beast like Uchiha Itachi.

Without hesitation, Izumi left the teahouse and headed straight out of the city. She was eager to see Itachi's expression when he died at the hands of a former friend.

Someone who could murder his own parents for the sake of twisted ideals didn't deserve to feel sorrow.

Early February.

The red sun dipped behind the mountains, casting a gloomy haze over the land. The retreating forces of Hidden Cloud were cloaked in dusk and silence.

Everyone moved cautiously. The only voices came from a small gathering: the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki Yugito, Kirabi, Darui, and Samui, quietly discussing among themselves.

With the Raikage dead, the four of them now held command over Kumogakure's forces.

Before them lay a grim report of casualties.

Out of the 9,000 Cloud ninjas who participated in the war—nearly three-quarters of the entire village's forces—over 3,000 had died. More than 2,000 were injured and unable to fight.

Another thousand were missing—presumed dead, lost, or deserted.

Only a little over 3,000 soldiers remained combat-capable, and they now had to escort 2,000 wounded as they made the long journey back to the Hidden Cloud Village.

The four leaders sat in silence, weighed down by regret.

From Darui to Samui and Kirabi, each of them wished they had never gone to war.

Darui regretted witnessing someone he cared for be humiliated.

Samui regretted her own shame, her brother's death, and the pain Yugito had suffered.

Kirabi regretted losing the brother who had always protected him.

Why had they ever started this war? Why hadn't they advised caution?

Regret.

"Everyone, pull yourselves together," Yugito said firmly. "We still have the village, and many people waiting for us to return."

"You wouldn't want to disappoint the Raikage, would you? What we need to do now is get home and rebuild."

Darui remained silent, his spirit crushed after days of defeat.

Even Kirabi, once jovial and full of song, now sat in a heavy silence.

Only Samui took Yugito's words to heart. She remembered the kindness Yugito had shown her—how much she had sacrificed.

Samui stood and addressed the group. "Senior Darui, Sensei… I believe Yugito is right. I support her decision. I hope you can rise up again. I'd be disappointed if you didn't."

She spoke as a junior and a student.

Darui and Kirabi, both proud men, couldn't allow themselves to look weak.

Darui bowed his head to Yugito. "I also support your decisions."

With him won over, all eyes turned to Kirabi.

He frowned, then spoke softly. "No matter what, I will find a chance to kill Uzumaki Naruto and avenge my brother. But other than that, you have my full support."

Yugito nodded.

With their backing, her power now rivaled the former Raikage's. Only the title was missing.

And she was confident that once they returned to the village, she would claim that title.

Only she and Kirabi still possessed the strength to lead. If she ensured Kirabi didn't contest her, no one else could rival her.

Naruto's mission was now complete.

Maybe his influence had rubbed off on her, because Yugito found herself growing a little wicked.

She even began to wonder what expressions her supporters would make when they learned she'd always belonged to the enemy.

It might even be… fun.

But for now, the act must continue.

"Of course we'll avenge Lord Raikage," Yugito said solemnly. "But the safety of the village must come first. Revenge comes second. I hope you understand, Kirabi."

Her words appeared to criticize Kirabi, but in truth, they reflected his own inner conflict.

He cared for the village. He wanted revenge, but not at the cost of dragging the village into more war.

And because of her constant expression of loyalty, Kirabi decided to support her.

Sigh. My brother left no heirs.

If Yugito isn't faking, then once we're back, I'll support her for Raikage. That job's too much for me anyway.

Looking at the sunset, Kirabi suddenly felt sleepy.

What was happening?

"Enemy attack!"

The scream came from the distance, and the Cloud forces were thrown into chaos.

"Who is it this time?" Kirabi stood up alertly.

Yugito immediately took command. "Samui, take your troops and remain on standby—be ready to assist!"

"Darui, scout both flanks. If there's any sign of movement, report immediately!"

"The rest of you, break into squads of ten. Maintain visual contact with other groups and follow Kirabi as we continue the retreat."

Yugito's voice was sharp and confident—she had become accustomed to command.

But Kirabi frowned. Something felt off.

"Yugito, what about you?"

"Me?" Yugito chuckled. "I'll stay and cover the retreat."

"No!" the three of them shouted.

Samui stepped forward. "You're our pillar of strength—we can't let you take that risk."

Kirabi nodded. "You lead. I'll stay behind."

But Yugito didn't back down. Her expression darkened.

"It's not the time to argue! You said you'd follow my lead. Then shut up and follow my orders!"

With that, she turned and ran toward the disturbance, never once looking back.

The others watched her go in silence.

Samui sighed. "She cares too much about us—and the village."

Darui nodded. "Yeah… she's just too kind."

Kirabi said nothing. But deep down, he thought—

If she had been the Raikage, this war might never have started.

What none of them realized was that the kind-hearted Yukito, once out of sight, immediately rushed to meet their mortal enemy.

Uzumaki Naruto.

She knelt before him and took deep drags from the large cigar he handed her.

Puff. Puff.

Cough! Cough!

She choked on the smoke, coughing several times.

"That's my good girl," Naruto said, stroking her golden hair like a pet.

Yugito looked up at him, her voice soft. "Sir, it's almost time. Should we go?"

"Almost." Naruto patted her cheek gently.

Yugito, fully attuned to Naruto's body language now, stood up.

"Sir, how many members of Akatsuki are coming? Can we fight them?"

Her expression was tinged with worry.

She'd heard how powerful each Akatsuki member was. If five or six arrived, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Seeing her concern, Naruto smiled and pulled her close. "Don't worry. I never make a move unless I'm sure of victory."

Bai had reported that Konan was in the Land of Snow with two new members, searching for her and Zabuza.

Deidara and Sasori had appeared in the Land of Iron yesterday and were currently tied up by Orochimaru.

Which meant…

Only a few Akatsuki could come.

Probably old acquaintances.

"Tsk. I wonder how strong Zetsu is," Naruto muttered. "The guy who stabbed Madara must be no joke."

With a smirk, Naruto walked away with Yugito at his side.

That idiot Obito had gifted Konoha a golden opportunity and still hoped to take something from both Konoha and Kumogakure.

Too bad.

This time, he'd walk away empty-handed.

"Izumi and Sasuke should have arrived by now," Naruto said.

"This time, I'll settle the score with Hoshigaki Kisame for beating me last time."