Chapter 16: Hello Everyone, I'm Shuyu
Afternoon.
The weather was cool.
Konoha Ninja Academy.
"Hello everyone, my name is Shuyu."
Standing before the class, the 13-year-old reincarnated Uchiha Itachi gave a brief self-introduction.
"Shuyu, could you tell us a bit more about yourself? It'll help your classmates get to know you better. Go on, don't be shy."
Anko Mitarashi, standing next to Uchiha Itachi and radiating with a 1000% charm buff, encouraged him warmly.
Itachi glanced sideways at the Anko Mitarashi beside him, unable to reconcile her current image with the one from his memories.
He did know who Anko was—a former student of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.
"No, that's all," Itachi replied calmly.
Upon hearing his answer, Shunhi—who was monitoring him via the [Clone Tool Management Log]—grew anxious.
Before Itachi's words had fully faded, Shunhi abruptly seized control of his body.
"...My dad is Shunhi, the owner of the second branch of Ichiraku Ramen in Konoha. If you've got time, be sure to stop by and try my dad's ramen!"
After using Itachi's body to promote his ramen shop to a group of kids, Shunhi returned control to Itachi.
"..."
Taking back his body, Itachi wore a serious expression and fell silent, deep in thought. He didn't even register the voice of Anko standing beside him.
To him, Shunhi taking over his body wasn't about some trivial advertisement—it was a warning not to pull any tricks.
Becoming Sarada's classmate meant he would gain her trust, perhaps even get close to her. But if Shunhi were to take over at such a moment, he could very well use him to launch a fatal attack on Sarada before Sasuke could react.
"Shuyu... Shuyu..."
Seeing that Itachi was lost in thought with a furrowed brow, Anko helplessly called his name softly.
"Ah—yes, teacher?"
Snapping back to reality, Itachi responded immediately.
"Geez, were you just worrying about your school life? Don't worry, the students in our class are very friendly."
"Oh, and Shuyu, your seat is right next to Sarada."
That arrangement had been made deliberately by Naruto.
After all, Shunhi had created Shuyu's persona as a 13-year-old Uchiha boy—of the same clan and generation as Sarada.
Sarada happily waved at Itachi.
He walked over toward her.
Though being near Sarada would make it easier for Shunhi to use his body to harm her, it also meant he could better protect his little brother's daughter.
Even as Itachi maintained his cold demeanor, the gentle look in his eyes when he glanced at Sarada was unmistakable.
It was even gentler than the way he had once looked at Sasuke.
"Alright everyone, class is starting."
Anko clapped the blackboard to get their attention.
At that moment, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Iruka were all squeezed into the rear doorway, peeking through the classroom window to observe Itachi.
"Yeah, we can rest easy now. Even though Shuyu keeps a cold expression, I could never mistake the look in his eyes when he sees Sarada."
"That's the gentle gaze of someone looking at a fellow clansman. Shuyu has already acknowledged himself as an Uchiha. The reason he didn't use the Uchiha name in his self-introduction is probably out of consideration for his father."
Naruto spoke with certainty. Having both the Nine Tails' chakra and Sage Mode, he was especially attuned to others' emotions.
"Let's go. I should resume my investigation anyway."
Sasuke's fleeting smile disappeared as he spoke.
He was genuinely happy—happy to have found a surviving clansman, and happy that his daughter had a peer from their bloodline.
"Iruka-sensei, I'm counting on you to look after the school," Naruto said, then quickly chased after Sasuke, who was already walking away. "Hey, Sasuke! Don't leave the village so soon. You finally came back—why not spend some time with Sarada and Sakura?"
Since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Iruka had been promoted from a humble teacher to the principal of the academy.
Think that had nothing to do with Naruto?
Well, Shunhi certainly didn't buy that.
"I can't. Ever since S.H.I.E.L.D. appeared, the ninja world has become even more dangerous. Besides, I know that even without me, Sakura will take good care of Sarada."
Sasuke walked toward the village gates as he spoke.
Another reason he was in such a rush to leave—aside from concerns about the world's future—was that he simply wasn't good at dealing with farewells. More accurately, Sasuke didn't know how to express emotions to his family.
"Wait up, Sasuke."
Naruto grabbed his arm.
"What is it, Naruto?"
Sasuke stopped, visibly impatient.
"...Since we've finally found a surviving clansman, why don't we find some time to invite Uncle Shunhi and Shuyu over for dinner at your place?"
"Besides, Sakura hasn't met your two clansmen yet, right?"
Naruto made the suggestion earnestly.
He just wanted Sasuke to spend a bit more time with Sakura and Sarada.
"Fine. Tonight, then. I'll leave the village tomorrow."
Understanding Naruto all too well, Sasuke knew that if he didn't agree, Naruto would keep coming up with excuses to block his departure.
"...Alright then."
"I should head back to the Hokage's office too. Sasuke, go find Sakura. I'll bring Hinata, Boruto, and Himawari over later."
Though he wanted Sasuke to stay a little longer, Naruto couldn't push anymore now that Sasuke had compromised. Besides, Sasuke was leaving for the sake of the village and the ninja world.
With that, Naruto headed off toward the Hokage building.
Even though he'd only rested a short while, he could already imagine the mountain of paperwork awaiting him in the Hokage office—enough to bury him alive.
Why was Naruto, living in a time of peace, busier than the Third Hokage during wartime?
It wasn't because Naruto lacked political talent...
Okay, maybe he did fall a little short compared to the Third and Second Hokage. But at least he was more politically competent than the First Hokage, Hashirama, who had a gambling problem.
Despite his shortcomings, Naruto believed in the principle that quantity breeds quality.
He was also the Hokage who most frequently used Shadow Clones to help with administrative work.
Ultimately, Naruto just didn't want to see anyone like Danzō rise to power again in Konoha's leadership. So nearly every matter—big or small—had to pass through him. Even with trusted allies helping, it was never enough.
That's why he was always dog-tired—and why Boruto ended up taking most of the brunt of a father's absence.