In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

Naruto strolled down Konoha's main street, heading home. He bought a popsicle and licked it leisurely. For some reason, he felt a sense of relief. Though he had been given a second chance at life, he wasn't some immortal being trapped in a perpetual cycle.

'Growing old and dying with these people in this world didn't sound too bad.'

He took a bite of the popsicle and thought about how to tackle the mission in the Land of Rain. His head was filled with information about Pain. His plan? Just cut the head off the snake!

'What Akatsuki? Just take out Nagato, that small-time villain, and it'd be over.'

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Naruto suddenly looked up and saw a familiar figure leaning against a wall.

"Sakura? What are you doing here?"

This area was on the outskirts of Konoha, nowhere near Sakura's home. He knew that there's no way she was just passing through, and she had to be waiting for him.

"I have something to ask you." Sakura suddenly smiled, "But before that, you should think about how you're going to thank me. I've just done you a big favor."

"What?" Naruto walked up to her and stared at her for a long moment, "What favor?"

Sakura didn't respond, instead turning her head to glance at the corner of the street. She clapped her hands and said, "Come out."

Hearing this, Naruto also looked towards the corner of the street and saw a figure emerged from behind the wall. It was a beautiful woman, whose weary face could not hide her mature elegance.

Her long black hair was thick, and despite her mature appearance, she has a world-weary expression on her face.

It was none other than the long-lost Kazahana Koyuki.

"Princess Fuun!" Naruto, who usually prided himself on being calm, couldn't hold back his excitement, "You're back! (Full-level Flying Thunder God) I missed you so much."

"That…" Koyuki had a wry smile on her face.

"Princess Fuun came back to restart the Land of Snow mission, but Konoha rejected her." Sakura explained, "She was drinking alone in a tavern, and I happened to meet her on her way out."

Naruto leaned closer and caught a strong whiff of alcohol on Koyuki. But it didn't matter to him. Since Koyuki was going to restart the mission on her own initiative, it means that Naruto had the chance to get the full-level Flying Thunder God.

At that moment, in Naruto's eyes, Koyuki's whole body was emitting golden light, like the merciful goddess.

"That's right." Koyuki lowered her head and said dejectedly, "Sakura's right, Konoha didn't accept my request."

Naruto glanced at the sky, tried his best to suppress his excitement. After regaining his calm expression, he said, "This is not the place to talk. Let's talk somewhere else."

At the barbecue restaurant, Koyuki's stylish attire caught the attention of several onlookers, though their gaze quickly shifted away when they saw Sakura's forehead protector.

Civilians knew better than to get involved with Shinobi's matters.

Naruto seemed very relaxed. There weren't many people inside, and no one recognized Koyuki's true identity. Under the chandelier, he sat on the other side of the table, with Sakura and Koyuki sitting opposite him.

Koyuki placed her hands on the table, looking a little nervous. One could see the not-so-obvious blue veins on the back of her hands.

"As you know, Fujikaze Yukie is my stage name. You can call me Fuuka Kazahana Koyuki or Princess Fuun." Koyuki said nervously, "I am the former princess of the Land of Snow."

"There's no need to be so nervous. We'll help you." Sakura reassured her, noticing Koyuki's fear of rejection. She glanced at Naruto and added, "We are friends who have been through thick and thin together, right? Don't be afraid. Just speak up if you have any difficulties."

"Thank you." Koyuki replied, "I'm at my wits' end."

"My father was the Daimyo of the Land of Snow, but my uncle killed him and usurped the position. I've been in hiding ever since."

"I didn't have the courage to face my father's death, nor did I have the courage to fight my uncle. So, I became an actress, portraying the brave and fearless Princess Fuun on screen. But that version of me is not who I really am."

With a pained expression, she continued, "My acting is very good, and everyone praises me, but the more they praise me, the worse I feel. I'm not Princess Fuun, I'm just a coward."

"I'm unworthy of playing such a perfect role. Off-camera, I'm just a mess!" Koyuki became increasingly emotional, with tears welling up in her eyes.

"No matter how much I try to escape, to hide, in the end, I always think of my father's face. I lack the courage to avenge him, and I have no courage to return to my homeland."

"Konoha rejected my request because I disappeared without a word last time. Since all the people on the ship died during that mission, they said they need to investigate before they accept any request from me again."

"I know it's just an excuse. Konoha sees me as a troublesome client, even if I can afford to pay the commission."

"Then why did you run away?" Naruto asked, staring into her eyes, "Back then, we told you to wait, but you still fled. And then, there was no word from you for so long."

It was understandable why Konoha had refused Koyuki's request. The mission's difficulty wasn't the issue. It's just that, Koyuki's managaer, the one who had commissioned the mission to the Land of Snow, had concealed vital information, and even Koyuki herself had vanished afterward.

Naturally, Konoha had to consider carefully whether to accept mission from such an unstable client again.

"… I'm sorry." Koyuki lowered her head and said, "I couldn't face everything. I didn't want to drag you all into it."

"So, you never truly considered us friends." Naruto remarked, tapping his fingers on the table. This was a habit he picked up from Tsunade. It was a subtle yet authoritative gesture, and now it was his.

"I didn't…" Koyuki instinctively retorted.

"Princess Fuun, why didn't you tell us you were coming back to Konoha?" Naruto frowned and pressed again, "Sakura and I consider you a friend. I thought we were already friends."

"You saw how happy I was when I found out you returned. But even when you had nowhere else to go, you didn't come to us. If Sakura hadn't bumped into you by chance, you might have already left Konoha again by now."

"… I'm sorry." Koyuki lowered her head and said softly, "I was wrong. Please help me. I can give you anything you want."

Obviously, Koyuki regarded Naruto as her last straw, though she hadn't yet realized that he wasn't just a straw to grasp at, he was a solid tree.

"I don't need money. You don't even think to call me… cough, cough." Naruto almost let his words slip, and cleared his throat quickly. "You couldn't even admit I'm your friend." (T/N: For those who don't know, Naruto was about to say Godfather, which is a quote from Movie, the Godfather (1972).)

"I do!" Koyuki cut in immediately.

"Good." Naruto stood up and smiled, "You've asked for my help, and I'll give you justice."