Chapter 376: Living Together
Over the following days, Naruto was forced to live a secretive life.
Uchiha Satsuki initially proposed simply having her step forward, directly confronting those most fanatic people, then mercilessly scolding them to make them back off. But Naruto thought about it and shook his head in refusal.
"...Most people just have good intentions, though their methods are a bit excessive." Naruto seemed somewhat helpless. Good temperament was one thing Satsuki couldn't do anything about with him.
However, Satsuki immediately switched her thinking, even beginning to secretly hope this "enthusiasm" could continue even longer.
The reason was simple. As long as Naruto still lived at his own home, those pervasive fans would continuously block the entrance demanding autographs, photos, leaving behind massive piles of gifts Naruto simply couldn't use.
Thus, under Uchiha Mikoto's enthusiastic invitation, Naruto "temporarily" moved from his new home, residing in the Uchiha Clan's territory.
More precisely, he moved directly into a guest room of the Uchiha Clan Head's residence.
The new daily routine was thus established: on days not requiring mission execution, he'd be awakened at dawn by punctual knocking from Satsuki.
Then using Flying Thunder God Technique, he'd bring over his mother and Zacian from his own home. Then together with Kushina and Mikoto, they'd prepare three meals daily for both families.
Afterward, Naruto and Satsuki would either train at the secluded training grounds within Uchiha territory, or directly use Flying Thunder God to find some deep mountain forest far from the village for less disturbed combat practice.
Satsuki's mood—from initially barely suppressing the corner-lift of her mouth, to one month later finally reluctantly containing that "nearby tower gets the moon first" elation into more normalized calm.
But her action capacity deserved full marks, emotional value also maxed out. She agreed to almost any suggestion Naruto made, obedient beyond belief. Even every evening, she'd "naturally" come find Naruto to chat.
But one thing made Naruto feel somewhat strange. When he entered Satsuki's room, though Satsuki wouldn't refuse, she always acted abnormally "vigilant."
She'd tightly watch Naruto's every move... somewhat like a child who'd done something wrong fearing discovery?
This naturally wasn't Naruto's illusion.
Before Naruto moved in, Satsuki had already conducted a major cleanup. That special computer playing Naruto's real-time footage twenty-four hours, that life-sized custom Naruto body pillow, those secretly photographed and carefully preserved photos, and clothing collected through various "legitimate reasons"...
All items that could be called "dangerous" had been hidden away by her.
Even so, she remained on edge. What if she'd missed something, what if some corner still retained a bit of "evidence" that Naruto accidentally discovered... That scenario—just imagining it was enough to cause social death—made her spine stiffen with tension every time she faced Naruto stepping into her domain.
The first month passed. Outside enthusiasm didn't weaken. One late night, Naruto truly missed the taste of Ichiraku Ramen, so taking advantage of moonlight, he used Flying Thunder God to secretly slip near Ichiraku Ramen.
However, what he saw was the tightly closed shop door and already extinguished lights.
Inquiring the next day, he learned that after Naruto's identity exposure, quite a few Ichiraku Ramen regular customers excitedly discussed how this was "the shop the Hero's Son most frequently visited."
Honest Teuchi-oji also just honestly admitted that Naruto was indeed a regular customer from very young, practically watched him grow up.
As a result, people coming specifically to glimpse "the seat the hero sat in," to taste "the ramen the hero loved most" explosively increased, forming long queues.
The massive customer flow and accompanying attention left Teuchi-oji unable to bear the burden. He ultimately collapsed from exhaustion, forced to close shop for quite a while before recovering.
The second month, circumstances changed somewhat. Gift quantities delivered to Naruto's new home remained massive, but frequency seemed stabilized. At least Kushina no longer needed to daily act like a mover, sending batches of unusable gifts to the village welfare home.
Simultaneously, some well-dressed, merchant-looking people began visiting. They weren't seeking autographs, but carrying formal business proposals, respectfully presenting Naruto with a request he'd never considered—would he authorize using his likeness?
"I refuse! This kind of thing, can it be bought with money? What I did wasn't so people would worship me!"
Naruto initially instinctively resisted, feeling this behavior seemed like celebrity worship, or was it Bandai behavior?
But when he carefully looked at the amount marked on that contract draft and the profit-sharing ratio behind it... and they even promised every product launched would pass through Naruto's personal review.
Naruto originally very much wanted to righteously denounce the other party, but they were giving way too much.
For so-called "face," abandon so many resources within easy reach? He still led a not-small organization underneath with absolutely not-small expenses. If Kakuzu learned he'd refused such income that could greatly enrich the organization's coffers and his personal treasury because of "embarrassment."
He'd probably hurt so much he'd enter sustained low-pressure depression. Can't let down his subordinates—Naruto convinced himself this way.
Besides, worst case after receiving the share, he and the organization could do more practical things, or return portions of proceeds more covertly to people needing help. This would count as taking from "enthusiasm," using for "good deeds."
Thus, within this "guest residence" life in Uchiha territory and the continuously fermenting "hero worship" craze outside, several months quietly passed.
---
Morning sunlight spilled into the Uchiha Clan Head residence's spacious Japanese-style dining room. The air filled with food's warm fragrance.
The dining table was laden with abundant breakfast—still Naruto and both mothers' collaborative result.
Satsuki's family of three plus Naruto and his mother—five people sat together, enjoying family-style breakfast time.
"Naruto, this thing you prepared today... what's it called again?"
Kushina picked up a strip of food fried crispy outside, tender inside, golden in color, curiously asking. Recently, Naruto almost daily varied breakfast with dishes she'd never seen—just breakfast had included steamed buns, flower rolls, shumai, various noodle soups, etc. Today's was another new variety.
"This is called 'youtiao,' goes great with soy milk or plain congee. Try it." Naruto smiled in response, also picking up one himself.
"Of course I know that," Kushina bit down, eyes slightly brightening, then carrying some small pride saying, "Not just shinobi talent—even in cooking... Naruto having such good skills is entirely inheriting my strengths!"
Namikaze Minato in Naruto's inner world merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing—or rather, even if he spoke, everyone couldn't hear.
"That's right."
Uchiha Mikoto gently smiled, continuing the conversation, tone carrying relief and a trace of teasing. "Looks like Satsuki's future life will certainly be very happy. However, in this aspect, Satsuki probably can't become a 'fully qualified' wife. She'll need to work harder in other areas."
Both Naruto and Satsuki simultaneously lowered their heads somewhat embarrassedly.
Uchiha Fugaku silently ate, maintaining composure and silence. Though later, his own daughter actually became the pursuing party, he had to admit—this blond brat before him... truly had no faults to pick.
Good temperament, strong ability, attentive and considerate, appearance counted as sunny and handsome, cooking skills were beyond words. Most rare was that loyalty.
Fugaku clearly understood that with Naruto's currently sky-high prestige and popularity in Konoha, how many young girls admired him. Gifts and love letters basically never stopped. Yet this kid never once acknowledged those advances. Only asked his mother to refuse them.
Not to mention his terrifyingly illustrious background—Fourth Hokage's son, Fifth Hokage's direct student, Konoha's publicly recognized next-generation leader... If he still stubbornly grumbled a few words because of "father-in-law's dignity," probably before Naruto reacted, his nearby wife and daughter would first express displeasure with their eyes.
"Excuse me, is anyone home?"
Just then, knocking came from outside the door, accompanied by a familiar voice that though hearty, clearly carried some exhaustion.
"Oh my, it's Fifth Hokage-sama." Uchiha Mikoto opened the door, face carrying an appropriately courteous smile. "What a rare guest. Please come in, come in."
Standing outside was Jiraiya wearing the white Hokage ceremonial robe. Though he maintained that casual, smiling appearance, his brow carried a layer of lingering weariness.
"Visiting at this time truly disturbs you." Jiraiya spoke while naturally stepping inside, gaze sweeping toward the dining room. "That Naruto brat... should be here, right?"
"Mm, as expected you came for Naruto." Mikoto stepped aside to lead the way, gently inviting. "However, since you're here, won't you sit and have breakfast together first? We were just about to start."
"...Then I'll trouble you." Jiraiya didn't stand on ceremony, following Mikoto into the dining room. He immediately spotted Naruto sitting at the table, instantly sighing somewhat helplessly, directly speaking.
"Naruto! Why are you still hiding here? It's been several months already. Outside has quieted down quite a bit—is there really need to hide this thoroughly?"
"Well..."
Naruto's expression was somewhat subtle. What could he say? Should he say he'd actually tried suggesting several times "shouldn't I move back," only to be kept by various "outside still isn't safe/convenient/might as well stay longer" reasons?
He changed topics. "Jiraiya-sensei, what business do you have with me?"
Jiraiya pulled out an empty chair and sat, accepting the bowl and chopsticks Mikoto handed over. "After finishing breakfast, come with me."
"Come with you? Where to?"
"To Mount Myoboku."
Jiraiya picked up a youtiao, bit down, eyes brightening. But when discussing serious matters his tone became serious. "Remember what I told you before becoming my student? I still have one ultimate technique at the bottom of my box I haven't taught you. Now, we can formally begin learning that."
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