Konohagakure no Sato:
Nara Clan Grounds :
Seeing Shikamaru finally blowing out the candles on that massive cake, Naruto let out a long, weary sigh of relief.
The "Mother Alliance" had finally retreated to socialize amongst themselves, and he could finally breathe. It was a shame that He still hadn't been able to talk to Hinata after her spectacular exit, but the pressure had finally eased.
Looking around, Naruto saw all the Clan Heads and their families standing together in groups. A strange envy crept into his heart—the birthday, the celebration, and the families that were together.
(But my birthday is a death anniversary,)
Naruto thought darkly and bitterly
(Not just for my parents, but the day the whole village celebrates... no, they mourn that day, or at least they pretend to while celebrating the fox's imprisonment.)
After realizing the harsh reality of his existence, Naruto's mood drifted into a trance.
The subsequent events and the tail-end of the celebration went by in a distracted daze. Looking around at the lights and the laughter, Naruto had only one recurring thought.
(....I want to go home. This hustle-bustle is.... annoying.)
Despite his internal state, Naruto kept a practiced "smile" and "joy" on his face while sitting with his friends, who had finally decided to show up after leaving him to the mercy of the Matriarchs.
"You guyyysssssss...*Jiiiiiiiiii*" Naruto looked at Ino and Chōji with a long, accusatory stare.
"Sorry Naruto, but Aunt Yoshino is scary for manners especially when we are eating" Chōji apologized, rubbing the back of his head.
"Yup, and when all three are together, it's better to stay out of their line of sight," Ino added with a shrug.
"And what about me?!"
"You looked like you could handle it, Naruto-kun " Chōji said simply.
"How could the 'Greatest Hokage' shake in front of three old women?" Ino teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"They were not that scary, though," Naruto muttered, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, we saw that too, but they are not like that all the time," Chōji noted.
"Yeah, Chōji's right. Don't think they are just 'good people,'" Ino warned
Choji also added "My mom gives me lots of food, but she also works me to the bone."
"Right, and mine disrupts my plans all the time," Ino sighed.
Naruto smirked. "Ino, your mom said you talk about me at home."
" ..., WHAT DID SHE SAY "
"It's a secret," Naruto replied, his smirk returning.
"You..!!"
Looking at the red-faced Ino, Naruto felt like teasing her more for abandoning him. At this time, Chōji spoke up thoughtfully. "I have never seen my mother care for a kid like she did today."
"Me too," Ino agreed. "I've never seen my mother interact with anyone like that. Why were they so good to you?"
"Maybe because I am handsome," Naruto joked.
"Naruto-kun definitely looks good," Chōji said earnestly. Somehow, after saying that, Chōji got a little depressed, likely comparing himself.
"...Chōji, don't be like that. He is joking!" Ino yelled.
"I am joking, Chōji!" Naruto laughed.
"Really? ...thank God," Chōji sighed in relief.
"But seriously, why were they like that?" Ino pressed.
"Maybe it's because of you," Naruto suggested.
"ME..!!" Ino squeaked.
"You are the only one who talked about me at your house, after all."
".....SHUT UPP!! I didn't talk about any weird things! Chōji...!!"
"I didn't say anything weird either, Ino," Chōji replied innocently.
"Maybe they were just curious about their kids' new friend," Naruto offered, steering the conversation away from the deeper truths.
"Maybe?" Chōji wondered.
"But what about Kiba and Hinata's moms then...!!??" Ino asked, still suspicious.
"Must have come to join the fun," Naruto said. He decided to drop the "stupid adult stuff" and the mature matters.
Ino's face finally regained a healthy complexion after the teasing that had made her so embarrassed.
"Let's go eat, I am hungry," Chōji declared.
"Yeah, let's go," Ino agreed.
"Hmm," Naruto nodded.
"Naruto, you can still eat...!!! After all that?" Ino looked at him, impressed and horrified.
"Yeah, I have a good appetite."
"No wonder we are friends! Let's eat together, Naruto!" Chōji cheered.
"Yeah, let's go. ....What about Shikamaru, though?" Naruto asked, looking for the birthday boy.
"Oh, he's gonna handle 'troublesome' things today. Let's goooo!" Ino said, grabbing them both.
The three kids headed off together, totally oblivious to the surrounding stares and the heavy attention of the village elite.
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Nara Clan Meeting Hall :
"All right then. That will be all for today."
Saying his final words for the meeting, Nara Shikaku picked up some scrolls and headed out of the room with his trusted friends and fellow Alliance members, Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza.
The crowd inside was left utterly mystified at his sudden departure.
"He didn't clarify anything!"
"What does he mean, 'S-class secret,' after coming this far?"
"A new Hokage, huh..."
"I think this is good, though."
"But what about the Jinchūriki? And his parentage? He didn't give a clear answer."
"He dropped some hints, though. Nothing accurate... he wants us to investigate ourselves."
"Shimura Danzō..."
"I am definitely supporting this."
"Me too."
The seeds had been planted. The leaders of the smaller clans and the civilian shinobi began to filter out, their minds buzzing with the implications of what they had seen in the courtyard and heard in the hall.
Uzumaki Apartment :
After getting back from the party, Naruto finally felt relaxed in his safe house. His thoughts drifted back to the battle against the Mother Alliance.
(That just made things easier.... I hope.)
Getting surrounded by the mothers of his friends was definitely troublesome, but it served its purpose.
(I thought Kushina was only friends with Mikoto... but I guess not.)
Their eagerness and care about his well-being didn't seem to be an act. And even if it was—(as long as it works, anyway.)
He also remembered meeting Kiba's mother. That one was definitely feral. She had introduced Kiba, and the meeting was awkward, but not overly so. He and Kiba used to prank together, but it wasn't a deep friendship then. Now, after his "change," they sparred weekly.
(His face was hilarious when Akamaru settled on my lap,) Naruto chuckled.
He had been eager to meet Hinata, but then he met her mother. Hitomi Hyūga was a storm.
When she tried to introduce Hinata, the girl had fainted with a face so red it looked like a tomato. Hitomi had been seriously worried, and Naruto found himself worried too.
(Just how did Hinata even give birth with that kind of personality?)
Yet Hinata had arrived like a storm, dragging Shikamaru's mother away and giving Naruto space to breathe. Before she left, Hitomi had asked him to "take care of Hinata" at the Academy.
(Should I approach Hinata with this excuse?)
Shikamaru's mother had talked about discipline. Ino's mother had talked about flowers. Chōji's mother had talked about nutrition. And Kiba's mother had talked about her dogs. He hadn't seen Shino's mom, though.
Naruto got up and started taking his clothes off. His eyes drifted to another invitation near his bed.
(Tomorrow evening is Ino's Birthday party. She said to dress casually because it will be just us friends and not some formal event.)
Naruto decided to take a shower.
(Did Grandpa really allow all this to happen? .......but I Bet The Hokage definitely shouldn't have expected me to dress like this today.)
Thinking of the Third Hokage, Naruto's mood grew complicated. His success today would definitely give the old man a headache.
(I hope he takes care of his health,) Naruto thought with a twinge of guilt. He finished his bath and decided to take a nap to relax.
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Yamanaka Clan Grounds: The Next Evening
"Naruto..!!"
Seeing Ino near her house gate, Naruto walked up and handed her a small gift. "Happy Birthday, Ino."
"Yayyyy! Can I open it? Hehehe!"
"Ino-chan... aren't you going to invite Naruto-kun inside?" a soft voice drifted over. Ino shivered without even looking back.
"Yes, Mom... Naruto, let's go."
Naruto followed Ino inside, laughing silently at her reaction. But the laugh died when he saw the "Mother Alliance" already gathered inside.
"Ara, look everyone! Naruto-chan is here!" "Oh, finally!" "Looking good, Naruto."
Once again, he felt the fear of being surrounded, though they seemed less intense today. At this moment, Shikaku Nara stepped in.
"Alright, why don't you women let me take care of Naruto for a bit? Go check on the other things."
"Hmm. Well, let's check everything again then."
Following Shikaku, Naruto felt a bit nervous but curious.
(Without this man, yesterday wouldn't have been possible.)
Naruto noticed there were far fewer guests today—less than 10% of yesterday's crowd. No Hyūga or even Inuzuka in sight. (Is it only those closest to them?)
In another room, he saw Inoichi and Chōza. They greeted him warmly, engaging in "normal dad talk" about studies and life, before sending him off to join the other kids.
"Yo," Naruto said, finding the group.
"Naruto, you're here," Shikamaru sighed.
"Didn't Ino tell you?"
"Nope."
"Where is she?"
"No idea. She disappeared a while ago."
"What happened, Shika?"
"Tired...!!! From yesterday. Ugh, my back."
"Want some chips?" Chōji offered.
"Yeah."
"Me too."
The evening passed simply. They ate, they chatted, and for a few hours, Naruto felt like a normal kid. Not a Jinchūriki, not a "legacy"—just Naruto. He departed after dinner, bidding farewell to his friends.
Uzumaki Apartment
Walking back, Naruto remembered his previous life's parties. They were mostly the same.
(Being normal actually felt good.)
Back at home, he checked his progress.
[Sharp Mind (Passive)] – Makes the mind sharp, connecting dots with wisdom. [Mind Hub (Active) - Lv. 0 (2/10)] – A hub for mental activities.
His thoughts were clearer than ever. Even in just an hour, the skill was gaining experience.
(Is it gaining EXP by just thinking?)
He knew skills usually showed their true value at Level 1. He looked at the clock. It was approaching 9:00 PM.
(Will this skill gain EXP even while I'm sleeping?)
To test it, Naruto decided to sleep early. He pulled the covers up, letting his mind settle into the rhythm of the Hub.