Chapter 117: Points
9,050 points.
This was a number that left even Naruto himself feeling somewhat dazed and even apprehensive. This represented all the system points he had accumulated after experiencing the Uchiha massacre incident. The vast majority came from Uchiha Satsuki's skyrocketing bond level—one that had even broken through the system's upper limits...
However, the point accumulation hadn't stopped. Even as Naruto occasionally wondered whether he should round it to a nice even number during these peaceful days, the steady stream of bond points continued flowing into his "account" through daily companionship and interactions.
The first to bring change were those whose fates of death he had forcibly altered—Satsuki's parents, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.
As life gradually returned to normal and time slowly healed their grief, Satsuki began inviting Naruto to visit her home with increasing frequency.
This would have been completely unimaginable before, as the underlying risk of a coup and Danzo's lurking surveillance would never have allowed the "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" to frequently enter the Uchiha core district.
But now, with the Uchiha hawks completely eliminated and Danzo dead, all their worries had vanished like smoke. Naruto could enter this area—once a "forbidden zone" for him—without any burden.
The first time he officially entered the Uchiha clan head's residence as a "guest," Uchiha Mikoto's attitude toward him was exceptionally warm. This warmth stemmed not only from gratitude for Naruto caring for Satsuki while they were unconscious.
It seemed to contain another, more complex emotion—perhaps a kind of affection born from seeing, through him, traces of a dear friend who had long since passed away.
During that visit, after Mikoto prepared an exquisite traditional meal for Naruto and smiled at him gently, that familiar system notification chimed clearly in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Initial bond established with original character "Uchiha Mikoto"! (Level 1)]
[Reward Points Earned: 100 points!]
In subtle contrast to the enthusiastic Aunt Mikoto was Uchiha Fugaku's attitude.
Naruto could always sense that this former clan head looked at him with... some indescribable "reservations"?
Though Fugaku never said anything harsh or accusatory to Naruto, maintaining basic politeness and courtesy in his words and actions, there was definitely an underlying displeasure—as if his carefully tended cabbage was being eyed by someone—along with emotions of scrutiny and internal conflict.
After all, any father seeing his daughter constantly orbiting another boy, her eyes practically overflowing with dependence, would feel somewhat uncomfortable...
Especially when that boy had "corrupted" his daughter so she no longer resembled the proud Uchiha princess she once was.
From Fugaku's perspective, developing such complex and contradictory emotions toward Naruto was perfectly normal.
However, after a period of frequent visits and interactions, despite Fugaku's attitude remaining somewhat ambiguous, that familiar system notification eventually sounded.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Initial bond established with original character "Uchiha Fugaku"! (Level 1)]
[Reward Points Earned: 150 points!]
This seemed to indicate that despite harboring that particular "displeasure" common to protective fathers, deep down Fugaku had begun to acknowledge and accept Naruto's presence in their lives.
In the days that followed, Naruto's relationship with Satsuki's family became increasingly intimate and natural. The dinner table no longer carried that initially somewhat formal atmosphere.
Aunt Mikoto's gaze toward Naruto grew increasingly loving, and she once again considered approaching the Third Hokage with a formal proposal—she wanted to care for her deceased friend's orphan and have Naruto acknowledge her as his godmother.
With political concerns now eliminated and the greatest obstacle, Danzo, dead, Fugaku ultimately couldn't withstand his wife's persistence and determination. He reluctantly approached the Third Hokage to delicately express this desire.
The final result was that the Third Hokage didn't immediately agree to this somewhat sensitive proposal, but neither did he clearly refuse. He simply responded with his characteristic, slightly evasive attitude: "Give me some more time to think it over..."
However, for Naruto, these formal matters no longer mattered. He had completely bid farewell to loneliness.
Except for the time he spent sleeping in his small apartment at night, he could hardly find any moments of being "alone."
At the ninja academy, Satsuki's field of vision could be crudely divided into two categories: Naruto and everyone else.
Her clingy behavior started even earlier—before school. Every morning, usually while Naruto was still drowsy and struggling with whether to get out of bed, someone would knock "thump thump thump" on his small apartment door.
Satsuki was no longer satisfied with just meeting at school. She would run to Naruto's door first thing in the morning to "report for duty," sticking together from the very start of each day, then going out for breakfast together before heading to school.
In the evenings, if Naruto wasn't visiting the Uchiha district, then after school Satsuki would insist on walking him all the way home step by step—this journey required her personal "escort" for peace of mind.
Every time they reached the bottom of Naruto's building, she would seem reluctant to part, repeatedly confirming the time they'd meet the next morning before slowly turning to leave.
Naruto also tried reversing this arrangement, walking Satsuki back to the Uchiha district on Konoha's outskirts first, then returning home himself.
But every single time he set foot in the district, almost without exception, he would be "forcibly" pulled inside by Mikoto or occasionally by Fugaku for a visit.
"Since you've come all this way, stay and have dinner with us!" "I made a lot of food today, Naruto-kun should join us too!"... Such reasons were endless, always resulting in Naruto staying for dinner, sometimes even being kept very late before being allowed to be escorted home by Satsuki.
Through this daily interaction and companionship, Uchiha Mikoto's fondness for Naruto grew steadily. That affection born from gratitude, transferred emotions, and appreciation for his character deepened their bond step by step.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Bond with original character "Uchiha Mikoto" upgraded to Level 4!]
[Reward Points Earned: 300 points!]
The system notification sounded again, adding a substantial sum to Naruto's "treasury."
However, in stark contrast, Uchiha Fugaku's bond level remained stubbornly stuck at the initial Level 1, showing no signs of budging.
It seemed that truly earning this former clan head and protective father's heartfelt, comprehensive approval—breaking through that barrier named "daughter"—remained a long and arduous road.
Nevertheless, Naruto's current life was already sufficiently fulfilling and happy. During the day at the ninja academy, he was no longer the isolated "demon fox," but rather spent time with his group of good friends—Nara Shikamaru, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, and others—attending classes, training, and of course, being with his inseparable childhood friend Uchiha Satsuki.
In the evenings, he would sometimes visit the Uchiha district to enjoy Mikoto's hearty dinners and family warmth.
Other times he would host the Third Hokage in his small apartment when the old man occasionally came to check on his living situation, sharing simple dinners and conversations.
This stable and warm lifestyle also allowed Naruto's bonds with other companions to quietly grow.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Bond with original character "Nara Shikamaru" upgraded to Level 4!]
[Reward Points Earned: 100 points!]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Bond with original character "Aburame Shino" upgraded to Level 4!]
[Reward Points Earned: 100 points!]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Bond with original character "Inuzuka Kiba" upgraded to Level 5!]
[Reward Points Earned: 100 points!]
Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—this old man who had witnessed Naruto's growth and harbored complex guilt—unexpectedly saw his bond with Naruto improve.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Bond with original character "Hiruzen Sarutobi" upgraded to Level 3!]
[Reward Points Earned: 150 points!]
Finally, when all these steady streams of points had been deposited, Naruto looked at that seemingly glowing number in his consciousness, feeling both fulfilled and somewhat dreamlike.
[Total Points: 10,050]