Here you go, a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
I would appreciate your feedback, comments, and power stones. I want to read all of your comments to see if I am doing well. Please enjoy.
Thank you all for your support.
And a special thank you to those who support me here and on Patreon. I appreciate you very much, and look forward to more.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half an hour later;
"Thank you for the food, nee-san. It was very delicious." Naruto said with a grateful tone as he set his chopsticks down. The food was indeed delicious; the home-cooked meal consisted of steamed rice, Miso soup, Pork tonkatsu, grilled fish, and vegetables, along with other side dishes.
"I am glad you liked it, Naruto-kun," Mikoto replied with a smile.
"Thanks for the food, Kaa-chan. I will continue training now." Sasuke said as he stood up and dashed towards the yard.
"Don't overdo it," Mikoto called after him before turning to Itachi, who had just put his chopsticks down.
"Training?" Mikoto asked with a confused look.
"Naruto-san taught him the transformation Jutsu," Itachi replied, making Mikoto turn to Naruto and give him a questioning look.
"He wanted me to show him the great fireball jutsu so he could learn it. I told him it was too early and taught him an easy and safe jutsu to practice." Naruto said, making Mikoto nod before she started to gather the empty plate from the table.
As Mikoto cleaned the table, she gave Fugaku a look, then a quick side eye towards Naruto before looking back at him, making Fugaku sigh.
Naruto sensed the Silent conversation happening in front of him, but made no indication that he noticed.
'Kit, how long are we going to stay here? You know how I feel about the Uchiha.' Kurumi's voice appeared in Naruto's head.
'We will leave soon, Kurumi. You know I share blood with them, right?' Naruto replied
'Kit, you know that you are the only human that I see in a positive light. I hate any other human, especially my previous two Jinchuuriki and the Uchiha, the two who controlled me in particular.' Kurumi replied.
'Don't worry, Kurumi. We won't spend the whole day here. And you should know that I will never let anyone harm you or control you again.' Naruto replied
'Just make sure to leave soon.' Kurumi said before cutting the connection and going to sleep.
"Naruto," Fugaku called, making Naruto look at him
"Can I talk with you for a bit?" Fugaku asked in a blank tone
"Of course, Fugaku-san," Naruto replied while blocking the irritated muttering that he was hearing from Kurumi
"Then please follow me to my study," Fugaku said as he stood from the dinner table
"Mikoto, make some tea and join us." Fugaku requested as he walked towards his study with Naruto following him.
"Kaa-san, what is going on?" Itachi asked his mother as she finished clearing the dishes and entered the Kitchen. He looked at the now closed door of his father's study, then at his mother with a confused and intrigued expression.
"It is nothing to worry yourself with, Itachi-kun. Just a regular meeting between two Jonin." Mikoto replied from the kitchen. Unknown to Itachi, Mikoto had a tight look on her face when she said that.
The meeting between Fugaku and Naruto is anything but ordinary. You can't call a private meeting between the current Uchiha clan head and the Senju heir ordinary. Mikoto was the one who arranged the meeting, insisting that Fugaku at least sit with Naruto and Talk. The Situation between the Uchiha clan and the village has taken a bad turn. It was already bad before the time of the fourth hokage and the Kyuubi attack. But after the attack and the death of the Yondaime, the situation is turning grim for the Uchiha. They are being isolated from the village to a suffocating degree.
And the unrest that is starting to happen in the Uchiha isn't helping. The Uchiha clan is starting to split into two factions. One is trying to win the village's good grace back through negotiation and compromise, and another is trying to win back the Uchiha standing in the village by force.
With the other clans pulling away from the Uchiha, the Uchiha have no allies in the council. Seeing this situation, Mikoto suggested that Fugaku seek out Naruto to discuss the situation of the Uchiha. Fugaku refused at first, stating that an almost 12-year-old boy wouldn't know anything about what was happening or village politics. His pride wouldn't let him discuss something so sensitive with someone at the age of graduating from the ninja academy.
Mikoto argued back that the 'boy' is a Jonin and the heir of the Senju clan. His upbringing should have made him very aware of the political spectrum of the village. Him being the male heir of the Senju already made him have a heavy presence in Konoha's politics. Even with the Senju clan gone and only two members remaining, the word coming from Tsunade or Naruto has a heavy effect.
Mikoto also reminded Fugaku of what he witnessed when Tsunade returned to the village, making Fugaku go silent. How can he forget? Danzo Shimura, who in the upper echelons of Konoha doesn't know who he is. The man who was only second to the Hokage in political power and manpower. His stand against the Uchiha is very well known. Trying everything to undermine the presence of the Uchiha in the village, using every small thing they do against them.
All that prestige and power were gone the instant he meant harm to Naruto. The Senju may be mostly gone, but the two that remain hold the village's financial and military sectors by the chokehold. And with the heir attaining the Rank of Jonin at eleven years of age, that raised his standing to a very high degree in the village.
With Naruto having a good impression with the Uchiha and one of the very few who had a favourable view of them, shouldn't they maintain a good relationship with him and get his opinion on the situation?
Fugaku's final argument was that they should approach Tsunade instead. Mikoto shut that down, stating that Tsunade only had a favourable impression of her, but the rest of the clan, not so much.
Mikoto let out a sigh, hoping that something meaningful would come from this meeting. She hopes that Fugaku doesn't do something bad or let his pride take control.
Inside Fugaku's study;
Naruto looked around the dimly lit room as Fugaku closed the door behind them. Other than Fugaku's desk and the low table surrounded by four zabuton (floor seats), the room is filled with books, scrolls, and other office supplies.
Fugaku stepped towards the table and stood in front of one of the zabutons.
"Take a seat, Naruto," Fugaku said
Naruto nodded before walking towards the seat opposite to Fugaku, and both of them took their seat at the same time with the table between them.
"I hope my request to talk didn't cause any inconvenience." Fugaku started with a blank tone.
"Not at all, Fugaku-san," Naruto replied with a neutral expression.
"Before we start, I want to say I appreciate you taking the time to teach Sasuke," Fugaku said
"Think nothing of it, Fugaku-san. Sasuke is a bright boy who is easy to teach, and I see him as a little brother." Naruto replied
The conversation was halted when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Fugaku said
The door opened, revealing Mikoto carrying a tray with a tea set resting on it. She silently entered before closing the door. She then took a seat next to Fugaku and started pouring tea before presenting a cup to Naruto and Fugaku. She then poured one for herself before putting the set aside.
"Naruto," Fugaku said after taking a sip from his tea, an act mirrored by Naruto and Mikoto.
"How do you see the Uchiha?" Fugaku said with an emotionless tone as he looked at Naruto waiting for a reply.
To be continued.
Guys and Gals, show me those powerstones.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
(A/N: I apologise for not uploading the last few days. I had some issues with my Internet provider but it is resolved now. The journey continues and l hope you all continue to support me. 😊)
'100 power stones if you want an additional chapter with next week's release.'
I would appreciate feedback, comments, and power stones from you guys. I would like to read all of your comments. I would like to know if I am doing well and if you enjoy what I write.
Thank you all for your support.
1474 words
For those who wish to support;
www.patreon.com/Lord_Ashura