Chapter 80 – Arrangements for Naruto
"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, the flames will burn brightly. The fire will continue to illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout."
This philosophy, spoken by the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, emphasized that the older generation must protect and nurture the younger one—even at the cost of their own lives.
Tobirama Senju embodied this ideal perfectly, sacrificing himself to cover the retreat of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.
But if Tobirama had known that Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo would one day twist the village into such a state… would he still have chosen to sacrifice himself?
Given his personality, he might have purged the village instead.
The thought made Fugaku Uchiha chuckle to himself.
His teacher's teacher, Tobirama, upheld the Will of Fire until death. But how did Hiruzen act as his successor?
During the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha was in a desperate situation. At Kikyō Pass, the enemy was practically at their gates. With manpower stretched thin, even Academy students were rushed to the battlefield as Genin and Chūnin.
And yet, Hiruzen himself sat comfortably in Konoha, directing from the rear, refusing to fight on the front lines.
Was this the Will of Fire? The older generation protecting the younger? Children went to die while he stayed behind. Shouldn't a Hokage have personally led his shinobi into battle?
Look at the Third Raikage and the Third Tsuchikage—both fought on the front lines. They were all "Thirds," but the difference was clear.
"Husband, are you listening to me?"
Mikoto's gentle voice broke into Fugaku's thoughts.
"Ah—yes, yes, I'm listening. What is it?"
He sat up slightly.
Smiling, Mikoto continued her massage. "I was saying… what should we do about Naruto? He's falling far behind his peers."
Fugaku was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Naruto has talent. His parents were extraordinary."
Mikoto agreed at once. His father, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Rasengan, the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu, and even Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode. His title—Yellow Flash—was feared across the shinobi world.
His mother, Kushina Uzumaki, possessed immense chakra reserves and vitality. Her skill in sealing jutsu, especially the Adamantine Sealing Chains, could even restrain a tailed beast. In sealing arts, none in Konoha could rival her.
With such parents, the saying was true: a tiger father does not beget a dog son. Naruto surely carried their potential.
And besides… the Nine-Tails was sealed inside him.
Mikoto's mood lightened. Naruto was only seven years old. There was still time to guide him properly. From now on, she and her husband would be his strongest support.
"How about this—when Itachi comes back, he won't need to leave again. Teaching one or two children makes no difference. He can guide both Sasuke and Naruto."
Mikoto's tone was filled with pride. Her eldest son, Itachi Uchiha, was a rare genius. She had seen it with her own eyes—his intelligence, his ability to learn anything instantly, his insight.
Like father, like son.
In fact, when Fugaku himself was young, the clan had praised him as a once-in-decades genius as well. Truly, a tiger father begets no dog son.
"When will Itachi return?" Mikoto asked softly.
Fugaku considered. "If all goes well, within a week."
"That's not too long," Mikoto said with a small smile. "Until then, I'll teach Naruto some basics—tree climbing, water walking."
"Do as you like," Fugaku replied casually.
Just then, the door slid open.
"We're home," Sasuke said at a normal volume.
"I'm home!!" Naruto shouted loudly.
"Welcome back, little ones," Mikoto greeted warmly.
Both boys were drenched in sweat.
"Are you hungry? There's fresh rice in the cooker. The side dishes just need heating in the microwave."
Naruto's eyes lit up, but before he could speak, Sasuke said, "I'll shower first, then eat."
Naruto hesitated. He wanted to keep training with Sasuke, so he quickly changed his mind. "Then I'll shower too—Sasuke, let's go together."
Sasuke froze, face twisting. He blocked the doorway. "I refuse. I'll shower first. You can wait." With that, he slammed the bathroom door shut.
Naruto puffed his cheeks. "Fine! You don't want me? Then I'll eat first."
He dashed happily into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl, and piled it high with steaming rice.
Seeing this, Mikoto rose to warm the dishes.
"Wow, Aunt Mikoto! This looks amazing!" Naruto's eyes sparkled at the food in the microwave.
"Yes," Mikoto said kindly. "I made your favorite dishes. Next time, how about you eat first before going back to train?"
Naruto almost nodded immediately, but then remembered his promise to train with Sasuke and wavered.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Eating well is important. Only with proper nutrition will you have the strength to train."
"…Okay, Auntie. I got it!"
"That's my good boy."
She placed the dishes on the table, and Naruto dug in with gusto.
Sitting beside him, Mikoto asked, "Naruto, who did you lose to in today's training match?"
Naruto swallowed a mouthful of rice. "It was that guy—Inuzuka Kiba. You know, the one with the little dog on his head."
Mikoto chuckled gently, listening as Naruto described his classmate with wild gestures, rice still clinging to his cheeks.
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