"Uchiha Sasuke's affection for you has reached recognition, and you've obtained the 'Uchiha Fluid Technique'—a physical skill that Uchiha Jonin can master. The best among them even earns the title of 'Dancing King.'"
On the way home, Naruto grinned. His one month of hard work wasn't in vain: he'd gained Sasuke's favor and scored the flashy 'Uchiha Fluid Technique.' With this, he now possessed all the major Taijutsu styles of Konoha's two powerhouse families.
Extracting the technique into his mind, memories of training flashed across Naruto's brain—Uchiha throwing techniques included. Finally, his weaknesses in shuriken throwing were patched up. In short, as far as ninja school students went… there was no one in his league.
Unconsciously, Naruto arrived at his apartment building—and spotted the Third Hokage lingering outside.
Why was the old man here again? Naruto frowned.
The Third Hokage noticed him and smiled. "Naruto, you're finally back. If you hadn't returned, my old bones couldn't have taken it."
"Grandpa Hokage… what's the matter?" Naruto asked, leading him inside.
"It's about school…" Sandai Hokage sat on the sofa. "Mr. Iruka said you've been too withdrawn—no friends, little interaction with classmates."
Naruto blinked, puzzled. "I have friends! Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji—they're all my friends. Why should I care about the others?"
He paused, then added with a shrug: "Grandpa Hokage, I did want to make friends… but as soon as I told people I'm a demon fox, they all ran away. I'm not putting a hot face on a cold ass."
The Third Hokage choked on his pipe, then said seriously, "Naruto… you'll be a ninja one day. Some people won't look at you kindly. You'll have to accept reality eventually and take the initiative to make friends."
Naruto stayed quiet, weighing the logic.
Seeing his hesitation, the Third Hokage pulled out the big guns. "If you start talking to your classmates more and make friends, I'll increase your living expenses and get you more ninjutsu scrolls."
Naruto's eyes sparkled. After a short pause, he nodded. "I'll listen, Grandpa Hokage. I'll make more friends from now on."
The Third Hokage grinned. "Good boy! Here's next month's living expenses—don't be stingy. Buy whatever you want. No starving yourself like a pauper."
After the visit, the Third Hokage was satisfied and returned slowly to the Hokage Building.
Naruto, left alone with the extra funds, scowled. The old man didn't care if he had friends or if rumors about the demon fox were running wild. No—he only cared about control. Controlling Naruto, controlling his life… never his feelings.
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha house, Sasuke was eating dinner like he'd been starved for a week. His exhaustion made him oblivious to the cold glares of his family.
Earlier, Itachi and their father, Fugaku, had a massive fight. Itachi refused to reveal information about ANBU members and Konoha's high-level plans. Fugaku, captain of the garrison, saw it as betrayal.
Itachi didn't budge. What mattered to him was the village's well-being—family interests came second. If the Uchiha launched a rebellion, the family could be crushed and the village weakened… inviting attacks from neighboring villages.
Fugaku only saw the betrayal; he didn't consider the village. Internally, he cursed Itachi as a "white-eyed wolf," but outwardly, he maintained his strict composure. Without Itachi's intel, the clan had no defense against Konoha's higher-ups.
Caught in the middle, Mikoto stayed neutral, unable to pick between husband and son. She squeezed a smile and tried to lighten the mood.
"How's Sasuke at ninja school? Any new friends?" she asked.
Fugaku leaned in. "Sasuke, you haven't disappointed your father, right? You got first place in class?"
Sasuke froze, a forkful of vegetables paused mid-air. He avoided their gaze. "No… I didn't get first, but I did make a friend—Naruto Uzumaki. He beat me in actual combat class, so I'm number two."
Itachi looked over, eyebrows raised. Sasuke, leader of his peers, number two? That was surprising.
Mikoto comforted him. "Don't worry about first place. Number two still means there's room to improve."
Fugaku nodded stiffly. "It's fine. You may not have surpassed Itachi yet, but you're better than before. You won't defy me or the clan's orders."
Sasuke stayed silent, still chewing slowly.
Then Mikoto's eyes lit up. "Your friend… Uzumaki Naruto? The one with yellow hair and a little beard?"
Fugaku's eyes widened. "It's him!"
Sasuke looked between them, curious. "Father, Mother… you know Naruto? Isn't he the demon fox in the village?"
Mikoto hesitated, then said softly, "I've heard of him. A poor child… lost his parents young, treated like a demon fox. Sometimes… I think of adopting him."
Sasuke blinked. "Adopt Naruto?"
Fugaku shot Mikoto a warning look and said, "That's adults' business. Children don't meddle. But if your number-one rival is Naruto, that's… not bad at all."
Sasuke's curiosity about Naruto only grew, but good manners stopped him from prying too much. He asked cautiously: "Father, Mother… can I invite Naruto to our house?"
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