When it came to drinking tea, the Uchiha clan displayed a refined taste—no less elegant than the Sarutobi clan of Konoha.
Even though Naruto had already been thanked briefly in the tent, Uchiha Fugaku went further. He had his people build a temporary pavilion where he and Naruto now sat across from one another.
Between them was an exquisitely crafted purple clay teapot, its steam releasing a faint and elegant aroma into the air.
"Menma-kun," Fugaku began, kneeling solemnly, "Mikoto has told me everything you've done. I truly thank you. If not for your intervention, I may never have seen my beloved wife again."
"You're welcome," Naruto replied calmly. "As I've said, Mikoto-san is a friend. It's natural for friends to help one another."
As he spoke, he glanced at Mikoto, who was also kneeling beside Fugaku on his right. She wore a demure smile as she focused on making tea. From her graceful demeanor, one could mistake her for a perfect and distant nobleman's wife—her eyes never once lingering on Naruto.
"Hahaha, Menma-kun is absolutely right," Fugaku chuckled. "If anyone's at fault for creating distance, it's me. When we return to the village, we'll share some sake. I'll drink three cups as an apology."
With that, Fugaku lifted his teacup, bowed slightly to Naruto in a show of respect, and drank it all in one gulp.
His posture was exceptionally humble—such that even his political rivals would have felt awkward pressing him further if they'd seen it.
Naruto reciprocated by raising his own cup, though after a single sip, he paused. The tea was a bit too bitter for his taste.
Noticing this, Itachi silently pulled out a piece of sugar from the cloth pouch beside him. With careful fingers, he peeled it and gently placed it in front of Naruto.
"Uncle Menma, here's some candy."
"Thank you, Itachi-kun," Naruto said with a smile. Accepting the gift, he popped the candy into his mouth. The bitterness from the tea faded immediately.
Fugaku had clearly raised his son well.
Naruto didn't hesitate to praise, "Itachi-kun has such good manners."
A glimmer of pride shone in Fugaku's eyes.
Mikoto also looked lovingly at her son, straightened her back with poise, and blinked her large, expressive eyes—looking even more radiant than usual.
But the moment her gaze accidentally met Naruto's, she suddenly looked away, flustered, like someone caught doing something they shouldn't.
Fugaku didn't notice her strange reaction. Instead, he smiled and said proudly, "You flatter us, Menma-kun. Itachi's polite, yes, but he still has a long way to go compared to your genius."
Naruto shook his head modestly. "From what I can see, Itachi-kun will one day achieve great things."
Then, shifting the topic slightly, he added with a teasing smile, "And Sister Mikoto is also an ideal wife—gentle and capable. I truly envy your happy family, Brother Fugaku."
Clink!
Startled, Mikoto accidentally knocked over a teacup. Fortunately, she caught it quickly and cleaned up the spill with a cloth.
"Mikoto, what's going on?" Fugaku asked with a slight frown, his tone mildly critical.
"It's nothing. I didn't sleep well last night—I'm a bit drowsy," Mikoto said, stifling a dainty yawn.
[Ding! Uchiha Mikoto's favorability has increased by 2%. Current value: 92%.]
She was flustered.
Naruto offered gently, "Brother Fugaku, please don't blame Sister Mikoto. She's worked hard to prepare tea for us—it's not easy."
He then looked at Mikoto. "Mikoto, if you're tired, go get some rest. Don't wear yourself out."
Her gaze shifted to Naruto again, and she couldn't help but glance sideways at him—meeting his concerned eyes.
A flutter of joy and excitement stirred in her chest, followed quickly by another wave of anxiety.
She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and turned to face Fugaku again.
Fugaku, still unaware of her subtle inner conflict, assumed her flustered behavior was due to exhaustion from caring for him. He felt a twinge of guilt, though he didn't show it outwardly. Maintaining his image, he waved his hand with mock sternness.
"Take Itachi with you—he's always underfoot."
Mikoto's expression darkened a bit. She smiled thinly, took her son's hand, and stood up. Before leaving, she threw another glance at Naruto, who smiled warmly in return.
[Ding! Uchiha Mikoto's favorability has increased by 2%. Current value: 94%.]
Nothing highlights a person's value like comparison.
Fugaku's coldness only made Naruto's warmth stand out more.
With that advantage, Naruto and Fugaku began discussing serious matters—starting with the sneak attack from Kirigakure.
They both agreed: it was a despicable move. The growing threat from the Water Country loomed over Konoha's future.
Though Konoha had emerged strong from two previous wars, a third prolonged conflict strained its resources.
It wasn't about military strength anymore—it was economics. Once on equal footing with the Fire Daimyo's royal court, Konoha had slowly fallen into debt. As the wars dragged on, it became increasingly dependent on funding from the Fire Country's aristocracy. In exchange, the royal family seized trade routes and influence within the village.
As Fugaku spoke, Naruto began to understand why the Fire Daimyo had once dared to threaten the destruction of Konoha and the creation of a new ninja village altogether.
Much of it stemmed from the overly generous foreign policies laid down by the First Hokage—policies that hamstrung Konoha while the other villages showed no such courtesy to their own daimyos.
"If you don't fight for your place, if you don't assert control, then you're handing your economic lifeline to someone else," Fugaku muttered bitterly. "The Shodai-sama was too idealistic."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. Did Fugaku just insult the First Hokage?
Had Mikoto not told him Naruto's ANBU identity was fake?
[Ding! Talent: 100% resistance to illusions. Successfully blocked ocular technique: True Word.]
Naruto blinked, noticing Fugaku's eyes had changed—his Mangekyō Sharingan had been activated.
The trees rustled softly in the breeze outside the pavilion. The illusion-type eye technique had begun.
You old fox, Naruto thought. I save your life, and this is how you repay me? Trying to mind-read me with a genjutsu?
He wasn't sure how this compared to Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, but Naruto played along.
"Yes," Naruto said, sighing, "if only we had revised the First Hokage's rules, maybe Konoha wouldn't be so vulnerable."
"They're the strongest village, yet they're always on the defensive."
Fugaku nodded gravely, then continued probing—asking veiled questions about Naruto's ANBU background.
Naruto, guessing where this was headed, made up a batch of convincing nonsense based loosely on what he'd observed from Uzuki Yugao's job.
Fugaku's face alternated between doubt and belief.
Naruto suspected Fugaku had cross-examined other ANBU members and was using this opportunity to verify inconsistencies.
Eventually, Fugaku changed the subject.
"Menma-kun," he said, "I've noticed some... subtle tension between you and Mikoto. May I ask directly—what exactly is going on between you two?"
Naruto paused. Oh? So you noticed after all. I thought you were blind.
Now he had a good idea what Fugaku's technique did. From the name True Word, it likely compelled truth-telling.
Naruto smiled innocently.
"Brother Fugaku, I like Mikoto-san."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "You like her? She's married—and a good, loyal wife."
"What are you talking about?" Naruto feigned confusion. "I like her like an older sister. Like family."
"Older sister?"
Naruto chuckled softly. "Yes. She's warm and kind, and her cooking reminds me of the mother I never had. I've lived in ANBU for so long, with no family or affection. When I'm around Mikoto-san, I feel safe—like I'm home."
Fugaku blinked in surprise. "So you only see her as a sister?"
Naruto gave him a puzzled look. "What else could it be?"
Fugaku looked uncertain. "Not even the slightest romantic feeling?"
"Brother Fugaku, your mind is really in the gutter," Naruto said righteously. "I already have Yoshino—how could I possibly think that way about Sister Mikoto?"
Fugaku flushed in embarrassment.
"But Yoshino is Shikaku's wife. Mikoto is mine. She's more beautiful. Why would you love Yoshino instead?"
"Yoshino is Yoshino. Mikoto is Mikoto," Naruto replied smoothly. "Yoshino and Shikaku have no love between them. What she and I share is real."
He continued, "But Mikoto? Her heart belongs to you. When we first met, she panicked just from touching my hand."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow. That did sound like Mikoto.
He began wondering if he was the one misjudging everything.
"Brother Fugaku," Naruto added, his tone softening, "you don't understand what it's like to grow up with no family, no warmth. Maybe I've grown too attached to Mikoto-san—but it's the kind of joy a boy feels when he finds the sister he never had."
It was complete nonsense.
Even Mikoto herself would've been confused listening to this.
But Fugaku had used a Sharingan eye technique.
He might not believe Naruto's words entirely—but he would believe the results of his own jutsu.
"I'm sorry, Menma-kun," Fugaku said seriously. "I misjudged you."
Even though Naruto wouldn't remember the illusion's content, Fugaku still apologized sincerely.
Naruto waved it off. "Don't worry about it, Brother Fugaku. You've suffered a great loss—it's natural to be cautious."
Fugaku's expression darkened. The reminder of his Kun-Kun still stung.
Naruto smiled slyly.
Fugaku's now celibate, but Mikoto isn't. Desires are hard to suppress, and no one can say for sure they'll remain faithful forever. As long as I gain Fugaku's trust, I'll have the space I need to move forward—and restore Sasuke's timeline.
"Menma-kun, if you can't keep your mouth shut," Fugaku snapped, "you may as well not speak at all."
"I understand," Naruto replied kindly. "After all, no man wants to lose everything."
Fugaku's expression grew darker still. He quickly changed the subject.
"How do you plan to resolve things with Yoshino?"
"I'll handle it however it needs to be handled."
"Be careful. Shikaku may not care for Yoshino, but if he learns of your affair, he'll come after you."
Naruto waved it off. "What's there to be afraid of? Haven't you seen my strength?"
Fugaku didn't reply. He had.
Naruto had single-handedly wiped out hundreds of Mist Ninjas.
The sunlight filtered through the leaves above. The mist in the air slowly dissipated.
After a while, seeing that he had gained no valuable intel, Fugaku deactivated his Sharingan, stood, and said,
"Menma-kun, if you can't resolve things with Yoshino, feel free to ask me for help."
Naruto waited a beat, then stood slowly.
Now it was time to visit his dear "sister."
He was confident Fugaku wouldn't object.
Noon.
On a mountaintop, Zhiming stared at the blue sky, her heart oddly unsettled.
"What's going on?" Izumi asked, sitting nearby and catching cicadas.
As the one with heightened senses, Zhiming had monitored Naruto and Fugaku's conversation—something Izumi hadn't been privy to.
If she had, she would've instantly realized Naruto was spouting total nonsense.
But Zhiming had believed every word.
When she heard Naruto say he had no parents... that he longed for love... her eyes had turned red with emotion.
Izumi tilted her head. "Well? What happened?"
Zhiming took a long breath, then smiled softly. "It's nothing. I just decided... I should be nicer to Naruto. And stop yelling at him."
Izumi blinked. "???"
When did you ever dare scold him to his face?
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