Konoha
The Hokage office was bathed in soft light. Sunlight filtered gently through white curtains, casting a warm glow on the plush blanket draped across the couch.
The Fifth Hokage, Senju Tsunade, was enjoying a rare nap during her lunch break, a faint smile playing on her lips.
In her dreams, she saw that blond-haired young man again. No matter how busy she was, he always found time to sneak in, sitting quietly on her desk with a smile, never saying a word.
Seriously, why does that brat Naruto still like climbing on her desk like a child, even though he's already grown up?
Tsunade couldn't figure it out, and frankly, she didn't care enough to ask.
But the more she ignored him, the more outrageous he became—even crawling under her desk.
And then… he took off her high heels.
Wait, what?
Tsunade jolted awake, sitting up abruptly—only to find Shizune's pet pig, Tonton, licking her toes.
"Get lost!"
Tsunade lazily raised her leg and kicked Tonton into the air. Shizune rushed forward and caught the pig just in time, saving its life.
"Lady Tsunade, how could you?" she cried.
Holding Tonton protectively, Shizune scolded, "She's so cute! How could you kick her?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered. "It's just a pig. If it annoys me again, I'll stew it for dinner tomorrow."
Both Shizune and Tonton backed away into a corner in fear.
They knew Tsunade well enough to believe she just might follow through.
Shizune clutched the pig tightly. "No! I won't let you hurt her. Tonton's not just a pet—she's family!"
She wasn't exaggerating. After so many years together, Tonton was more than a companion—she was part of the family.
Tsunade glanced sideways at her assistant. She had only been joking, but Shizune clearly took it seriously.
"Speaking of pets… maybe I should keep Naruto as one."
As Tsunade seriously pondered the feasibility of turning Naruto into her personal pet, a sudden knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Lady Tsunade! We have a problem!"
The flustered messenger didn't even wait to be summoned in—something serious had happened.
Tsunade frowned. "Just spit it out. Don't stand there stammering."
The war with the Land of Lightning had just ended—what now?
Was the Land of Earth or the Land of Water trying to stir up trouble again?
Of course. There's always one or two fools who think they can challenge Konoha after a major war. A quick slap usually teaches them their place.
"Uzumaki Naruto is missing!"
"…What?"
"Uzumaki Naruto disappeared on his way back to the village!"
Tsunade's face went pale, her calm shattering into alarm.
"Find him! Now!"
"Send a search team immediately!"
That day, Konoha formed a special task force to locate the missing Naruto Uzumaki. Leading the operation were three of the strongest shinobi of the new generation: Uchiha Sasuke, Nara Shikamaru, and Hyuga Neji.
After leaving the village, Sasuke attempted to use the Demon Seal to contact Naruto.
But there was no response—just a faint sense that Naruto was somewhere to the northwest.
"Sasuke, Neji," Shikamaru asked, rubbing his chin, "where do you think Naruto could've gone?"
Since graduating from the Academy, Naruto's personality had changed drastically. Shikamaru hadn't spent much time with him since, and had no idea where he might be now.
As for the possibility that Naruto was kidnapped?
Possible—but unlikely.
His combat record was unbelievable. He'd even defeated the Raikage. That kind of power was nothing short of terrifying.
"I don't know," Neji replied. He barely knew Naruto. His presence on the team was mostly due to his Byakugan—someone in the upper ranks must've thought it might come in handy.
Realistically, only Sasuke had a chance of guessing Naruto's location.
But Sasuke was anxious. Very anxious. Naruto wasn't responding.
"We should head northwest first. I have a feeling something happened to him."
Sasuke dispatched a shadow clone back to the village to inform Tsunade and request backup for that direction.
However, as soon as that clone returned to Konoha, its intel was intercepted.
Three women received the report simultaneously: Nara Yoshino, Uchiha Mikoto, and Uchiha Izumi.
At the time, they were gathered at a table, playing cards.
Upon hearing the news, Mikoto beamed proudly. "See? My son is the smartest one. He sensed danger and reported back right away."
Normally, Yoshino wouldn't let Mikoto gloat so easily.
"Don't act so smug," Yoshino huffed. "He only managed that because of the Demon Seal. If my Shikamaru had it, he'd be ten times more impressive."
"Tch, keep dreaming," Mikoto said with a smirk. "When has Shikamaru ever beaten Sasuke?"
She tilted her chin defiantly. She had a point—Shikamaru had never won against Sasuke.
Yoshino rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Your son is amazing. Just like when your other son stabbed you a few years ago."
That hit Mikoto like a knife to the heart.
And Yoshino twisted the blade.
Furious, Mikoto slammed the table and lunged.
"You little brat! Don't forget who taught you the Hundred Healing Technique! Looks like I need to remind you of your place!"
"Back off! Don't bring up the past!" Yoshino growled, rising to meet her.
"You dare challenge me?!" Mikoto sneered, reaching across the table.
Tension exploded between them.
Meanwhile, Izumi quietly looked at her hand of cards and sighed. "…Was this all just a setup?"
She wasn't interested in the fight. With a mutter, she left the room and walked out into the courtyard.
"Where are you, Naruto-kun?" she murmured. "I even sent the children to find you. I really want to see how you handle them."
She looked up toward the sky.
"There's also Mabui… She vanished too, probably because she was so affected by your disappearance."
Izumi clenched her fists. She would be the one to find Mabui—for Naruto's sake.
She wanted him to understand just how much she'd done for him.
Somewhere in the Snow
"Wife, hold on tight."
Naruto trudged forward through the thick snow, Konan clinging to his back.
His hand suddenly grew warm—someone was trying to reach him. But with Konan there, he couldn't respond.
He needed to find shelter fast—and figure out who was calling him.
"Alright, I'll listen to my husband," Konan whispered happily, tightening her arms around his shoulders.
Despite being crippled, Konan felt like the luckiest woman in the world. This man hadn't left her. He still carried her—literally—on his back through the snow.
She couldn't do much in return. So she leaned down, blowing warm air into Naruto's ear.
Her breath tickled, making him twitch. She smiled and slid down into the snow to "show her appreciation."
No need to describe what happened next. Everyone's an adult here.
"Hubby," Konan whispered sweetly, "you didn't stay with me just for this, did you?"
She needed reassurance—when someone becomes a burden, they constantly seek confirmation that they're still loved.
Naruto, adjusting her leg brace, replied softly, "Of course not. I'm with you because I love you."
Konan's injuries were severe. Her leg bones had been crushed. Even with golden chakra fused with incense power, recovery would take months.
In a vast, snowy wilderness, it was a miracle Naruto had stumbled upon her at all.
Miraculous—or outrageous.
Good thing she had amnesia. Otherwise, knowing what he'd done to her… she'd definitely fight him to the death.
"You don't need to doubt my love," Naruto said. "No one in this world could love you more than I do."
Complete nonsense.
But if Nagato died, it might even be true.
Konan's heart swelled with emotion. She was a woman who valued sincerity. If someone treated her well, she'd repay them a hundredfold.
Overcome with gratitude, she leaned forward and bit Naruto's head playfully.
Embarrassing? Incredibly.
After a while, Naruto, thoroughly exhausted, lifted Konan onto his back again.
He shifted slightly, deliberately shaking her soft body against his. Her cheeks flushed.
He continued walking, slowly.
He could've moved much faster—but he was deliberately creating warm memories. Just in case her memories ever returned. Maybe then, she would forgive him.
A man who takes responsibility to the end—that's what he wanted to be.
But it wasn't easy.
"Damn… how far does this snow stretch?" he muttered.
He had a good guess.
Only the Land of Snow had constant winter like this—and its territory was huge. Almost like the Land of Lightning.
Seeing his frustration, Konan felt a mix of guilt and helplessness.
Part of her wanted to tell him to leave her behind and save himself. But instinct—the will to survive—held her back.
'I'm sorry, husband. I'm being selfish…'
She pressed her face to his shoulder, overwhelmed with affection and guilt.
After a long silence, she finally asked, "Honey, why are we in a place like this? It doesn't feel normal…"
Naruto had been expecting that question.
He wasn't the original Naruto. He didn't know whether he could persuade Nagato to surrender like the original had.
Better to get ahead of the story.
He sighed dramatically. "It's not us who came here. You were kidnapped—and I chased you all the way here to save you."
"Kidnapped? But… why?" Konan looked bewildered. "Did I offend someone?"
"We didn't offend anyone," Naruto replied calmly. "Someone wanted to offend us."
"You're beautiful. A certain man fell for you and tried to steal you away. He confessed his love, but you turned him down—you love me too much."
"So he got angry. He used his power to abduct you and brought you to this cursed place."
"I chased him down and finally drove him off."
"When I found you, you were on the verge of death."
He chuckled softly. "Good thing I made it in time. Otherwise, if you'd died… I wouldn't have wanted to live, either."
Naruto's casual tone struck Konan like a wave. Her eyes welled with tears.
So… that's what happened?
Kidnapped. Injured. Rescued. Loved.
Her heart ached. She suddenly felt unworthy of his love.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, husband…"
"It's not your fault," Naruto replied gently. "Blame the villain who did this."
He didn't mind—because he made it all up.
Konan's bones were broken. She didn't even know she'd already slept with Naruto.
She looked up, teary-eyed. "Do you remember what that villain looked like?"
"…Forget it." Naruto lowered his head, shadows in his eyes. "Don't dwell on it. He has the strongest Rinnegan in the world. We couldn't defeat him."
Konan's eyes narrowed.
Rinnegan…
She would remember that word.
She might not have her memories now, but someday, she would get revenge.
From day to night, night to day—they trudged through the snow.
Finally, when Konan's stomach growled, they spotted a town up ahead.
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