The rest of the sparring session was rather uneventful. After the intense battle between Naruto and Satsuki, which was comparable to a ninja exam, the other children's fights seemed like child's play—a push here, a trip there. It was more like roughhousing than ninja training.
Satsuki stood on the sidelines, watching with a cold expression, silently calculating that if she were in the ring, these kids probably wouldn't last a single round.
The only ones who looked somewhat decent were Shino and Kiba. Shino's fighting style was calm and precise. Although still very young, every move he made was just right. Kiba was the complete opposite, charging in recklessly and flailing about like an excited puppy.
When it was Shikamaru's turn, he just yawned and lazily raised his hand to surrender. "Ah—what a drag. I give up."
Choji followed his example, also surrendering, his reason being that he didn't want to hurt anyone.
And so, the afternoon class ended in a flurry of playful antics. After school, the children swarmed out of the classroom and were quickly picked up by their waiting parents.
Naruto, on the other hand, packed his things alone. He didn't have the luxury of being picked up by a parent. After all, he was the protagonist.
After making a dark joke at his own expense, Naruto was about to head to Ichiraku for some ramen before going home when he noticed two figures blocking his path.
In the setting sun, Satsuki was looking down, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, a faint blush on her fair cheeks.
The tall man standing beside her was particularly eye-catching—short, neatly combed black hair, a Jonin vest worn crisply, and most notably, the red and white clan crest embroidered on both shoulders of the vest.
It was the same as the one on the back of Satsuki's uniform, shaped like a ping-pong paddle, but it was actually a hand fan, the symbol of the Uchiha clan.
"You must be Naruto."
The stern voice snapped Naruto back to reality. He instinctively stood up straight, his gaze shifting between Satsuki and the man. "Yes... may I ask..."
Satsuki quietly tugged on her father's sleeve, muttering something. Seeing the usually proud heiress now fidgeting like a quail, Naruto asked, "Are... are you Satsuki's father?"
"Mhm." Fugaku nodded slightly, his stern face showing no emotion. "Satsuki has mentioned you many times."
It was much more than "many times."
Fugaku sighed inwardly. Ever since his daughter had met Naruto, their conversations always revolved around "what Naruto did today." From taijutsu duels to the flavor of his bento, she could go on for half a day about every single one of the blond boy's actions.
"Satsuki said you've been training with her," Fugaku's tone unconsciously softened. "She's been in your care."
Naruto quickly waved his hands. "No, no! You're too kind!" He stole a glance at Satsuki, who looked like she was about to start steaming. "Actually, Satsuki has helped me a lot with my training. I'm lucky to have a friend like her."
Fugaku looked at the little blond boy before him, a complex emotion in his eyes. He knew, of course, Naruto's true identity.
The orphan of his late friend, Minato Namikaze, and at the same time, Konoha's most important weapon of war deterrence, the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.
In the past, his wife, Mikoto, had been as close as sisters with Kushina Uzumaki, and he had bet all of the Uchiha clan's political capital on Minato Namikaze, fully supporting his bid for the position of Hokage.
When Minato had actually donned the Hokage's hat, Fugaku had naively thought that the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha was finally about to take a turn for the better.
But fate was always so cruel.
On the night of Kushina's delivery, the Nine-Tails had suddenly broken its seal and attacked Konoha. What had shocked Fugaku the most was that in the beast's crimson pupils, a Sharingan was clearly reflected—undeniable proof that an Uchiha had controlled the Nine-Tails.
After that day... Fugaku recalled with a bitter heart.
The Fourth Hokage he had supported had died, his wife's best friend Kushina was gone, and during that time, Mikoto's eyes were always red. What was worse, the Konoha leadership began to suspect that there was a traitor within the Uchiha clan.
No matter how Fugaku argued, the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes was irrefutable evidence. In the end, the entire Uchiha clan was forced to move to the edge of the village.
The proud ninja of the clan grew increasingly dissatisfied, the hawkish faction gradually gained power, and they even began to plot a military coup. As the clan head, Fugaku had to do his best to appease these radical members at every clan meeting, while desperately waiting for a chance for the Uchiha to return to the center of Konoha.
Originally, he had placed his hopes on his exceptionally talented eldest daughter, Itachi Uchiha, hoping that she could join the ANBU, which was directly under the Hokage's command, and gain a voice for the Uchiha.
But fate seemed to love playing jokes—now, the turning point had appeared in his second daughter, Satsuki, a child whose talent, while high, was not on par with her sister's.
That afternoon a few years ago was still fresh in Fugaku's memory.
When he was summoned by the Third Hokage and stepped into the Hokage's office alone, Hiruzen Sarutobi's first words had sent a chill down his spine—
"Fugaku, I hear your second daughter has recently been in contact with the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails."
Fugaku's back had instantly stiffened. In private, Mikoto had mentioned more than once that she wanted to take her late friend's son into their home and have Naruto call her his godmother.
But that thought could only ever be an unspoken wish. In the Uchiha clan's sensitive situation, it was a topic that could not even be touched.
Just as Fugaku thought the Third was about to reprimand him, the old man's next words had been unbelievable—if Fugaku had no objections, he would support Naruto and Satsuki's interactions to build a bond.
But on the condition that Fugaku could not interfere with their interactions, and no other Uchiha clan members were allowed to approach Naruto.
Fugaku had immediately understood the hidden meaning.
This was Konoha's chance for the Uchiha! As the orphan of the Fourth and the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto was destined to enter the core of the Hokage's faction in the future.
If Satsuki could establish a deep bond with him... wouldn't this be the Uchiha clan's chance?!
The original plan had been so perfect—to have Satsuki befriend this future core member of the Hokage's faction and pave the way for the Uchiha clan. But now, looking at his daughter's blushing, downcast face, had that "friendship" turned into something else?
This discovery should have made Fugaku ecstatic. For the Uchiha clan now, being able to establish such a close relationship with the future Hokage's faction was a godsend.
But as a father, the thought of using his daughter's feelings to gain political advantage still made him a bit uncomfortable.
Just then, Satsuki's fingers gently tugged on Fugaku's sleeve, her dark eyes now holding a sense of urgency. Fugaku looked down and saw his daughter signaling him to get to the point.
So, why had Fugaku specifically come to find Naruto? It turned out that just as school was letting out, Satsuki had noticed Naruto walking alone towards the gate.
The other children were all holding their parents' hands and leaving happily, but the blond boy stood alone at the school gate. The sight had inexplicably tugged at Satsuki's heart, a pang of sympathy rising in her chest.
That's right, Satsuki wanted to walk home with Naruto. But she just couldn't bring herself to say the simple invitation.
After much deliberation, she had to ask her father for help. But as proud as she was, she naturally wouldn't admit her good intentions directly. Satsuki had specifically instructed her father not to say that she wanted to walk Naruto home, but to say that it was to deepen their friendship, and that he, as her father, was suggesting she walk him home.
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