"Hahahaha~"
The scene on the black-framed giant screen
made many people burst into laughter.
Especially those familiar with Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku—
the visual impact was simply overwhelming.
Senju Tobirama: These two will probably reach a consensus.
Senju Tobirama: Good! This is the best outcome!
Senju Tobirama: The two clans secretly investing in Black-Frame Naruto is ideal!
Ōnoki: "What a pity. I was hoping Black-Frame Naruto would abandon the darkness and defect from Konoha!"
Terumī Mei: "You shouldn't say that for sure, right? What if Black-Frame Naruto gets the real historical records, then turns around and comes to Kirigakure—and I just happen to accept him?"
Fourth Raikage: "Yeah! That possibility isn't small at all!"
["Huff—"]
[Four eyes met, and the two remained silent for a long time.]
[After a moment, Hyūga Hiashi sat cross-legged on the ground, folded his arms, closed his eyes, and said solemnly,]
["The training method for this new jutsu is quite special."]
[Uchiha Fugaku froze for a long while.]
[Then, just like Hiashi, he sat cross-legged, folded his arms, and closed his eyes.]
[His voice was low. "I didn't expect you to have obtained that jutsu's training method as well."]
[The awkward atmosphere seemed to be blown away.]
Everyone watching was stunned.
Yamanaka Ino: "That works?!"
Tenten: "Oh my god—why does this feel like Guy-sensei and Lee all over again?!"
Hyūga Hiashi's ears reddened slightly.
His posture matched exactly what was on the black-framed screen.
Uchiha Fugaku simply went silent, letting others tease him freely.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, the embarrassment belonged to everyone else.
["You're the Uzumaki Naruto they were talking about?" Sasuke crossed his arms.]
[The moment he saw little Naruto, his temper flared.]
[Little Naruto frowned slightly.]
[Looking at Sasuke, he couldn't understand why—this was their first meeting, yet the sight of him felt so irritating.]
[The more he looked, the more he wanted to punch him until he cried on the ground.]
['No—that feeling… are the whispers back again?' little Naruto reacted instantly.]
[The whispers in the depths of his mind had disappeared for a long time. Why did they reappear upon seeing Uchiha Sasuke?]
[By the time little Naruto regained his senses, Sasuke was already standing in front of him, chin raised, looking down his nose.]
[Crack—]
[Little Naruto clenched his fist.]
[So punchable!]
[No—calm down. I absolutely can't act according to the whispers!]
["Yes, I'm Uzumaki Naruto. And you must be the Uchiha clan's genius—Uchiha Sasuke, right?"]
[Little Naruto put on a friendly smile and extended his hand.]
[Sasuke froze.]
[Seeing the smile on Naruto's face, he hesitated for a moment, then reached out and shook it.]
[After all, you don't strike a smiling face—especially when the other party calls you a genius of the Uchiha.]
[Little Naruto glanced at Shikamaru. Seeing him nod, Naruto patted his backpack, signaling that the item was secured.]
[Only then did he say to Sasuke,]
["Welcome to join us."]
["Hmph~!"]
["Just so you know—don't cry when I surpass you!"]
[Sasuke turned his head away.]
[Ino rolled her eyes. Even Sakura couldn't help twitching at the corner of her eye.]
[Handsome, yes—but way too showy.]
["Let's go. We'll head home first, welcome our new member, then continue training in the afternoon."]
["Yes~" As soon as training was mentioned, the four kids immediately drooped.]
[In the bushes nearby, Hyūga Hiashi opened his eyes.]
["I should leave."]
[Four eyes met again.]
["Coincidence. Want to go together?"]
["Fine."]
["Let's go."]
[The two followed the children from a distance, remaining silent.]
[As long as neither spoke first or tore open that final layer, the matter wouldn't become serious.]
[Thus, lunchtime arrived.]
[Uchiha Fugaku accepted the lunchbox Hyūga Hiashi handed him.]
["Thank you."]
["Mm."]
[After a long pause, Fugaku spoke.]
["Does the Nara clan know about this?"]
["I didn't see them," Hiashi replied.]
["Did you notice anyone else?" Fugaku asked again after a moment.]
[Hiashi naturally understood the implication—'anyone else' meant Konoha's higher-ups.]
["No."]
[Their conversation was dry and sparse.]
[From upstairs came the occasional sound of children's laughter.]
[Finally, Hiashi took a deep breath and decided to break the last layer.]
["Fugaku-dono… have you placed your bet?"]
[Hearing that, Fugaku's gaze sharpened slightly.]
[But it quickly returned to calm.]
["Not yet."]
["I only handed over a fragmentary excerpt."]
["Oh?" Hiashi narrowed his eyes slightly.]
[Fugaku smiled faintly. "No need to guess—it's that book we were forced to study back then."]
[""The Second Shinobi World War, Under the Wise Leadership of the Third Hokage!""]
[Seeing Fugaku show such sincerity, Hiashi no longer hesitated.]
[He said solemnly,]
["Fugaku-dono, would you like to increase your stake?"]
[Fugaku smiled without answering.]
[Hiashi looked toward the door of little Naruto's house.]
["Hinata should also start learning some history—about the great deeds of our predecessors."]
["Don't you agree, Fugaku-dono?"]
["Yes, that's reasonable. Thank you for the reminder," Fugaku replied, tugging at the corner of his mouth.]
["However, these matters are confidential. It's best not to let others know."]
["Ideally, only the people involved."]
Senju Tobirama: I told you—they'd reach a consensus.
Ōnoki: "That's a pretty big bet. If it leaks even a little, these two clans… wait! Is there another possibility?"
Terumī Mei: "They're trying to drag the Ino–Shika–Chō into this!"
Nara Shikamaru: "Dad would say it's just kids' business—they're not involved."
Nara Shikaku: "But that doesn't mean we won't hedge our bets."
Nara Shikaku: "The Ino–Shika–Chō aren't like the Hyūga or Uchiha. Playing it safe is the right choice—though a little risk, if affordable, isn't impossible."
[In a flash, the sun set in the west.]
[Sasuke collapsed on the ground, chest heaving rapidly.]
[His face was flushed, fists clenched tightly.]
["Damn it!"]
[Bang—]
[He slammed his fist into the ground.]
[He glanced into the distance—]
[at little Naruto, wobbling as he walked along the tree trunk.]
[He felt deeply unwilling to accept it.]
["Yo, yo, yo~!"]
["Young Master Uchiha, what's wrong?"]
[Suddenly, Ino's voice came from a nearby tree.]
[Sasuke closed his eyes.]
[Out of sight, out of mind.]
["Wow~ Hinata, you're amazing!"]
["You can already take more than five steps in just one afternoon!" Sakura exclaimed.]
[Then Ino delivered another blow.]
["Hinata's incredible~ unlike some people who love bragging."]
[Pfft—]
[Sasuke's mentality shattered on the spot. He sat up abruptly and glared fiercely at Ino.]
[Then he turned and ran toward the tree again.]
[Bang—]
[His mindset unstable, his chakra hadn't even attached to the soles of his feet yet.]
[One step—down.]
["Hahahaha~!"]
[Ino's unrestrained laughter rang out.]
[Even Sakura couldn't help laughing.]
[Uchiha Fugaku's face darkened completely.]
[Beside him, Hyūga Hiashi nodded with great satisfaction.]
[But soon, both of their attention was drawn back to little Naruto.]
["Did you notice it?"]
["Yes. He's doing it on purpose?"]
["His chakra output is very stable—there's no reason he should be wobbling like that… wait!"]
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