"Hmm?"
"Did I say something?"
Naruto was stunned for a moment.
He had originally intended to say that he still wanted to continue training.
He hadn't mentioned inviting her to eat grilled fish.
Seeing Yūgao Uzuki's resolute gaze,
Naruto could only nod.
"Alright, then I'll learn about her situation first."
"If she hasn't been brainwashed too deeply by the Will of Fire... perhaps she can be turned."
"Besides... Yūgao Uzuki also possesses rare Swordsmanship."
"She's skilled with a blade."
"After taking her in, I can also expand my influence."
"If I consider the future..."
Naruto hadn't reached that age yet, so he didn't think much about that aspect.
Moreover, he already had quite a few around him.
Looking at Naruto, who was already about 1.5 meters tall,
Yūgao Uzuki's thoughts became active.
"It's only polite; next time, I can invite Naruto."
Naruto had to pass by her house to go home; there was no way to avoid it!
"Excellent, where there's one, there'll be two..."
After more than a year of secret observation,
Yūgao Uzuki herself hadn't noticed
that she had already accepted this outcome.
Her resistance was long gone, and moreover, she didn't need to do missions, received a substantial reward every month, and could focus wholeheartedly on researching Swordsmanship.
This made her not want to go back at all.
Of course, there was one more thing she needed to confirm; if it aligned... Yūgao Uzuki would definitely launch the fiercest offensive.
"Naruto."
Yūgao Uzuki called out softly, looking at Naruto's back.
"What is it?" Naruto turned to look.
He saw Yūgao Uzuki looking at him with a serious expression.
"Do you... want to learn Swordsmanship?"
"Sure, I'm quite interested in Swordsmanship too."
Swordsmanship in Naruto's hands naturally wouldn't be simple Swordsmanship.
Naruto had also consulted Rock Lee about simple Taijutsu.
However, he eventually silently turned to Hinata.
It wasn't because it was too difficult.
Rather... what Rock Lee usually took months to master, Naruto would grasp in less than a day.
He could even extrapolate from it.
And relying on his physique, he didn't need to put in the same arduous effort as Rock Lee...
So, in order not to discourage Rock Lee, Naruto decided to turn to Hinata for guidance.
The result was... it was fine at first, but later, without the Byakugan, learning it meant relying on luck; if the attack speed was fast enough, and the enemy was also a bit foolish, standing still and letting Naruto hit them.
Senju Hashirama: Hahaha~
Senju Hashirama: I didn't expect Black-Framed Naruto to also experience the pain I once did, hahaha~
Senju Hashirama: What a pity, if that child had Wood Release, he wouldn't have to worry. He could get whatever he wanted just by clapping his hands, hmm... he could also make two hand seals to confuse enemies.
Senju Tobirama: "..."
Senju Tobirama: "Brother, not everyone is like you."
Senju Tobirama: "Also, how old is Black-Framed Naruto now?"
Uchiha Izuna: At this age, we were already on the battlefield, but indeed, most of the time, we still focused on Taijutsu and Swordsmanship.
Uchiha Madara: Black-Framed Naruto is very smart. At this stage, it's indeed best to avoid overexerting the body as much as possible.
Uchiha Madara: Twelve years old, at least wait until twelve years old.
Uchiha Madara: Hmph, that smelly monkey probably plans the same. By the time Black-Framed Naruto graduates, he'll be twelve, and he can start learning many highly Chakra-consuming Ninjutsu.
Orochimaru: "Senior Madara is right, Teacher Sarutobi must also be thinking the same."
Orochimaru: "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique... just the Shadow Clone Jutsu alone has given Naruto such a huge improvement, and that's with him deliberately holding back. If he let go of his restraint and also learned Multiple Shadow Clone Technique... good heavens~!"
Orochimaru: "Learning all the basics in one day, mastering Chakra attribute and nature transformation in two days, becoming a Jonin in three days, his combat power rivaling a Kage in four days, five days..."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Wait~!"
Uzumaki Naruto: "Orochimaru, you can boast, but don't drag my other self into it~!"
Orochimaru's statement was so exaggerated that even Naruto, who was reflecting on himself, couldn't stand it.
If Orochimaru's words were true, wouldn't he be able to conquer the entire Ninja World in less than a month?
What a load of bull!
Sasuke, beside him, was completely numb.
Having watched until now, he wasn't completely clueless anymore.
He naturally knew that although Orochimaru's statement exaggerated the facts,
if the Naruto in the black frame world really learned Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu... Gulp—
Sasuke involuntarily swallowed his saliva.
Then he glared fiercely at Naruto.
Damn it!
I actually... I actually... I actually felt fear?!
The black-framed large screen continued:
Seeing Naruto's unhesitating answer, and the genuine anticipation in his eyes,
Yūgao Uzuki's eyes lit up.
It's done!
Actually, it was understandable why Yūgao Uzuki accepted so quickly.
Most importantly, her ears were increasingly quiet, allowing her to focus on studying Swordsmanship.
That person who constantly approached her under the guise of exchanging Swordsmanship techniques
received two secret missions last year.
The first: track down the rogue ninja Orochimaru, find him, and kill him.
The second: search for the rogue ninja Uchiha Itachi, find him, and kill him.
Thus, that person left the village and hasn't returned since.
The narration on this black-framed large screen truly made many people in the Ninja World laugh aloud.
Familiar, too familiar.
Full of the taste of the Will of Fire.
Yūgao was angry, but only for a moment.
More than that, she felt helpless.
"Rotten village."
Looking at Naruto on the black-framed large screen,
Yūgao hoped he would grow up.
And then, he must turn her!
Seeing this, Anko Mitarashi and Kurenai Yuhi also quieted down.
It was better not to provoke Yūgao at this moment.
However, after a while, Anko still couldn't resist, quietly leaning into Kurenai Yuhi's ear and whispering:
"Finally, it's quiet. The consumptive ghost is gone; now we just wait to see when it's the turn of the smoking bearded man."
Kurenai Yuhi rolled her eyes at her.
"Alright, don't talk nonsense. What if Hayate isn't dead?"
Anko shrugged.
Then her big eyes darted around, "Kurenai, don't you think that bearded smoker... looks a lot like that old geezer Homura Mitokado?"
Kurenai Yuhi: "..."
While Naruto was fishing and collecting screws,
Yūgao silently practiced Swordsmanship nearby, explaining the key points as she went.
"Efficient learning means becoming a 'teacher' after memorizing."
"Once you've memorized these basic moves, explain them to me."
Yūgao quickly got into the zone.
Her blade swung faster and faster, her movements becoming more intricate and dazzling.
The clang of the blade echoed continuously.
Naruto simply had a Shadow Clone prepare lunch.
He then went to the side to observe.
Gurgle gurgle—
Unconsciously, Yūgao had demonstrated the basic Swordsmanship once, and then, lost in concentration, performed the Konoha-style Swordsmanship again.
Naruto watched with great interest.
It wasn't until the Shadow Clone had finished preparing lunch and the enticing aroma wafted over that he snapped out of it.
"Eating is the most important thing in the world, Sister Yūgao, you..."
Before he could finish, in the brief moment he turned his head, he saw the purple-haired older sister already sitting by the grilled fish.
Their eyes met.
Naruto saw the urgency in her eyes.
"Don't be pol...ite..."
Fast!
As fast as her Swordsmanship!
And then...
"Hmm!!!"