Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

It was nearly nightfall, and the sky outside the window had turned a pale grayish-blue, casting a faint, somber light through the curtains onto Uzuki Yugao's face.

"Then at least try to eat a little," Naruto said softly.

Yugao gave a faint, bitter smile, then opened the lunchbox. She picked up the chopsticks and began eating in small bites, more out of politeness than hunger. But every mouthful tasted bland and lifeless.

"Okay… I'm full," she murmured, having only taken a few bites before closing the box and setting it aside.

The hospital was overcrowded after the battle, and the gown they gave her didn't fit properly—the buttons around her chest threatened to pop with every movement. Naruto couldn't help staring, but his expression was so calm and respectful that Yugao didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

This kind of mature woman really suits me, Naruto thought to himself.

"Sister Yugao, was the food alright?" he asked, sitting at the edge of the hospital bed, his gaze gentle.

"Mhm, it wasn't bad," she nodded lightly.

Time passed slowly as the two of them sat in silence. Naruto glanced up at the ticking clock on the wall. After the second hand circled past the hundredth mark, Yugao suddenly broke the silence.

"Naruto, how do you know me?"

"We've known each other since the first time we met, haven't we?" Naruto replied casually.

"You mean… before the Chuunin Exams? But we didn't even talk. How would you know my name?"

"Not from then."

Naruto paused a moment, then said softly, "Sister Yugao, haven't you been watching over me for a long time?"

Uzuki Yugao froze. Had he realized I was the one assigned to observe him?

"And as for your name… Brother Hayate told me, right before he died."

"…What did he say to you?" Yugao's eyes trembled slightly, locking onto Naruto's face.

"He didn't say much," Naruto replied gently. "He just asked me to protect you."

That single sentence pierced right through Yugao's heart. Her lips trembled, and the tears she had been holding back for so long finally spilled over, sliding down her pale cheeks in silence.

Naruto leaned in and gently pulled her into his arms, whispering, "Even if he hadn't said anything, I still would've looked after you. You've protected me for so long. It's my turn now."

Yugao rested her chin on Naruto's small shoulder, tears soaking into his shirt.

"Go ahead and cry. You'll feel better afterward."

"…Thank you, Naruto."

After a few minutes, her sobs subsided, though her breathing was still shaky. Naruto pressed his cheek gently to hers, running his hand soothingly down her back to comfort her.

Then—

The door burst open.

A blonde girl rushed into the room, only to freeze on the spot when she saw the two of them.

Ino stared in stunned silence. Choji and Shikamaru stepped in behind her—and were just as speechless.

Naruto and Yugao turned their heads toward the doorway at the same time.

Yugao quickly pulled back, wiping her tears away with her sleeve. Her voice was quiet but composed.

"Naruto, your friends are here. Go talk to them. I'll rest for now."

Why'd they have to show up right now? Naruto thought, letting go of Yugao's soft, fragrant embrace and hopping off the bed.

He faced the trio of Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji.

"What are you doing here?"

"We came to check on you," Choji said.

"Then let's talk outside. Sister Yugao needs to rest."

Naruto led the group out into the corridor. It was packed with patients and medical staff. From the looks of it, Konoha Hospital would be overwhelmed for days to come.

Turning left at the stairwell, they climbed to the rooftop.

As usual, no one else was there. Only protagonists come to rooftops, after all.

Dark clouds still drifted across the sky. The rain had washed Konoha clean, but the smell of blood still lingered faintly in the air. Broken buildings in the distance reminded them of what had just taken place.

The news of the Third Hokage's death had already spread.

Konoha was in mourning.

It's the perfect time to do something small and subtle, Naruto thought.

Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji exchanged glances behind him. Eventually, the brave one—Ino—pushed Shikamaru forward.

"So, uh… Naruto," Shikamaru began, "who was that beautiful older sister?"

Ino pinched his arm hard, making him wince. He really didn't need to say "beautiful."

"She's ANBU. She's been guarding me for years," Naruto said plainly.

"Oh." Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at Ino, then continued. "So you guys are kind of like family, huh?"

Hopefully more than that someday, Naruto thought, but simply nodded. "Something like that."

"Huh~" Ino let out a long breath of relief.

Shikamaru caught that tone and yawned dramatically. "Anyway, we'll leave you two to talk. I heard Sasuke and Kiba are also in the hospital. Let's go check on them, Choji."

"What? Since when were you two close with them?" Ino huffed.

Shikamaru smirked. That gentle tone from Ino was something he'd never heard before—clearly, he'd made the right move.

Naruto chuckled. These three were fun in their own way.

"How'd you find me?" he asked.

"What happened to the shadow clone you left behind?" Ino replied, leaning on the railing next to him.

"Oh, that… I ran into some trouble. The clone disappeared by accident."

In truth, the Sarutobi clan's territory was too far from the Forest of Death. Naruto's current chakra control couldn't sustain a clone over such distance. It had deactivated automatically.

"Well, as long as you're safe."

Naruto turned to look at her, a teasing smile on his face. "Worried I'd get hurt? Didn't you say you'd never forgive me?"

His direct gaze made Ino's cheeks flush.

"Hmph~" She buried her face in her arms and mumbled, "I was mad. You had no right to bully me like that."

"What was that?"

"I said shut up, you jerk!" she pouted, nose scrunching adorably as she glared at him.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong." Naruto brushed a bit of dirt from her golden hair. "I'll treat all three of you to a meal to make up for it."

"What are you doing, touching me like that?" Ino swatted his hand away, cheeks burning. She turned to leave quickly, clearly flustered.

At the stairs, she stopped and looked back.

"What did you mean by 'another day'?"

Naruto smiled faintly. "How about the day after tomorrow?"

"Then I'll think about whether or not to forgive you. I'm going to find Shikamaru and Choji."

She turned away, her ponytail swaying as she hurried down the stairs. But a bright smile lingered on her face, her eyes gleaming with emotion.

After spending a few quiet moments alone on the rooftop, Naruto finally stood up and stretched.

"Guess it's time to check on Sasuke."

"I've been holding onto this demon contract for him for a while. Time to put it to use."

Meanwhile, in Room 404 of Konoha Hospital—

Sasuke sat alone, wrapped in bandages, his fists clenched tightly as he stared out at the moon.

"I couldn't beat Naruto. I couldn't beat that red-haired monster. And killing Itachi still feels like a distant fantasy."

"Mom… Dad… When will I have the power to avenge you?"

Just then, someone knocked on the door