"This one, give me two."
"And this one too, two of each."
"All of these, take two and pack them separately."
When Natsuki returned to Eighth Street, Sasuke was inside a clothing shop buying clothes.
Naruto was already holding several bags in his hands, stuffed with shoes, pants, and other items.
Sasuke waved his money around, directing the shop clerks to run here and there.
Since this was a Uchiha-owned store, there was no way they wouldn't recognize Sasuke, the young clan head.
The service was naturally meticulous. Not to mention, Sasuke was generous—he never bargained, just bought whatever he fancied.
Bonk! Natsuki smacked Sasuke on the head.
"You brat, this isn't how you buy things."
Sasuke pouted unhappily, but then quickly handed his purchases to Naruto, happily chattering away with him.
It wasn't that Natsuki cared about the money—the Uchiha clan was wealthy enough that no amount of clothes could bankrupt them.
But he couldn't allow Sasuke to develop a bossy, spoiled habit.
Naruto, on the other hand, looked at the pile of clothing with sparkling eyes. These were things he normally wouldn't even dare dream of. Yet he also felt a little embarrassed.
"Natsuki-senpai, all this…"
Natsuki waved his hand dismissively. "You're Sasuke's friend. That's all that matters."
Naruto's eyes welled up with emotion, and he nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
"Lord Natsuki." Besides the clerks, two Uchiha police officers were also standing nearby.
"Looks like you two are awfully idle." Natsuki remarked.
The two Uchiha laughed awkwardly. How could they leave Sasuke or Naruto unsupervised, given how special their identities were?
Natsuki understood right away.
He glanced at the sky—it was already getting late.
From the corners of rooftops along the street, several ANBU were also stationed.
"It's late. Sasuke, let's go home. Naruto, you should head back too."
"Oh… then can I come play with Sasuke tomorrow?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"Sasuke has things to do these next two days, so he can't come out and play."
Naruto looked a little disappointed.
Natsuki smiled. "School starts in a couple of days. You'll see each other then, won't you?"
"Heh, yeah, school's starting soon." Naruto grinned foolishly.
"Remember to wear your new clothes to registration. A new beginning deserves a fresh start."
"Mm-hmm!" Naruto thought this was the happiest, most wonderful day he'd ever had.
Natsuki beckoned. "Uchiha Kenichi, escort Naruto home."
"Yes!" Kenichi stood at attention.
"Natsuki-senpai, no need to trouble anyone. I can find my way home," Naruto said shyly.
Natsuki ruffled his hair. "Be good. Go on."
"Oh, hehe." Naruto grinned again, hugging the clothes tightly. Even when Kenichi tried to carry them for him, Naruto refused.
"Then I'll be going! Bye, Natsuki-senpai! Bye, Sasuke! See you at school!" Naruto, arms full, waved energetically.
Natsuki waved back. "Go on."
Sasuke also waved. He had never seen Naruto so happy before.
"Let's go. Time to head back."
"Uchiha Natsuki said that he owed Uzumaki Kushina a debt of gratitude, and he just wanted Naruto to eat and dress better, and to be good friends with Sasuke."
"According to ANBU surveillance along the way, Natsuki made no other suspicious remarks or actions."
The Third Hokage took a long drag from his pipe, frowning. He did not believe Natsuki could be so kindhearted.
As for Kushina's supposed favor, that was from so many years ago—who knew if it was even true?
Kakashi hesitated, then said, "Natsuki also said, if one day Naruto thinks the Uchiha are better, then that's Naruto's decision."
The Third frowned deeply. At present, the Uchiha as a whole had grown increasingly estranged from Konoha. According to the mission center's statistics, the number of missions they undertook had plummeted.
Not only were there fewer Uchiha shinobi, those who still accepted missions had grown extremely conservative.
They downgraded their mission ranks collectively, refusing to take on dangerous assignments.
When forced into missions, they simply filed for leave. And the Third could do little about it—after all, people had their own homes to rebuild. He couldn't force them to abandon even their residences just to serve the village.
Now with Natsuki suddenly reaching out to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, the Third grew highly alert. Was the Uchiha preparing for rebellion, perhaps even trying to abduct Naruto?
"Lord Hokage, Naruto has indeed had a hard life all these years," Kakashi said cautiously, seeing the Hokage deep in thought.
The Third took another puff and asked, "Kakashi… are you blaming this old man for failing to look after Naruto properly?"
"Uh…" Though the Hokage's tone wasn't harsh, Kakashi still bowed his head. "No, Hokage-sama surely has his own considerations."
The Third nodded. Kakashi needed to be kept steady.
With a heavy tone, the Hokage explained, "Kakashi, you don't know the half of it. After the Fourth died, the village was in ruins. Many ambitious men had differing opinions on how to deal with the jinchūriki. Some even wanted Naruto locked away."
"It was only after much struggle on my part that Naruto wasn't imprisoned permanently."
"But then, someone leaked the fact that Naruto was a jinchūriki. I had no choice but to spread the story that he was the child of the demon fox, to confuse the public."
"Many villagers lost family during the Nine-Tails' rampage, so Naruto became the target of their resentment."
"As for his true identity as the Fourth's son, that absolutely cannot be revealed. The child of a Hokage, and a jinchūriki at that—he would be coveted by too many."
"Still, I often visited him over the years, trying to make up for my failings."
By the end, the Third's voice was heavy with grief.
Hearing this, Kakashi was filled with guilt. "I'm deeply sorry, Hokage-sama. I didn't understand the circumstances, yet I dared to question you."
The Hokage waved with feigned magnanimity. "Since Naruto is your teacher's son, it's only natural you care for him."
"How about this: Naruto's life has indeed been too bitter. Now that the Uchiha are drawing close to him for unknown reasons, you should watch over Naruto from now on."
"Stay with him except when he's at school. That way, we can prevent Uchiha Natsuki from hatching any schemes. With you guarding him, I can rest easy."
Kakashi's heart leapt with joy. After hearing Natsuki's words earlier, he had been uneasy. Now, if he could stay close and protect Naruto, he would no longer have to worry about him being bullied.
"Then Hokage-sama, should I protect him in secret or…?"
The Third pondered. "Find an opportunity to approach him directly. It would be best if you became his teacher."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Kakashi thought this was the Hokage doing him a favor, arranging such a meaningful role.
After Kakashi left, the Third sighed. Sending Kakashi to watch Naruto was a last resort.
Since the Uchiha had already approached Naruto in this manner, if he didn't send someone, the boy really might get taken away.
And among the possible candidates, Kakashi was perfect—firmly loyal to the Hokage's faction, strong in ability, and suitably positioned.
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