"Patriarch-sama... I..."
At the Uchiha Clan compound, inside the Patriarch's house.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto knelt.
Before them, an Uchiha Clan member also knelt.
"Just in case... go."
"Don't attract anyone else's attention."
Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment.
Then, with a sigh, he said, "Be careful," slowly rose, and walked out of the study.
He glanced at his wife, leaving the remaining ideological work to her.
...
At the Ninja Academy.
"Wow~!"
"Did you see that? Naruto-kun just looked at me~!"
"I told you, he definitely has a thing for me~!"
"It's obvious he's going to pursue you~"
Naruto: "..."
Naruto, who paid attention to a balanced diet since childhood, naturally didn't look malnourished.
He also had long hair.
Coupled with his gentle and friendly nature.
Even if he was slightly less handsome than Sasuke, he was more famous than Sasuke, a prominent figure at the Ninja Academy, and even older female students would come to 'steal' glances at him.
The top student in his grade, handsome and strong, if not for his special identity, those girls would probably be even bolder.
His drawer was filled with love letters every day... This infuriated Ino, who would stake out Naruto's spot daily.
Today's class was still boring, but after Naruto noticed the strange atmosphere in the village recently, he still chose to have his main body come to the Academy.
However, he still created a Shadow Clone to cultivate in the back mountains.
He, meanwhile, intended to continue meditating at the Academy.
Once his mental energy was sufficient, he would actively enter the mental world again to meet that scummy fox.
Today's class was not much different from usual.
It was still cultural classes like lip-reading and deduction.
But Iruka suddenly announced during the break that there would be a surprise assessment today.
Both throwing techniques and simulated combat would be performed.
As expected, under such a tight schedule, for a rare change, the class ran over.
Naruto felt increasingly uneasy.
Because, starting from noon, many watchful eyes had appeared around the Ninja Academy, monitoring him.
The familiar feeling returned.
Naruto's brows furrowed tightly.
'Why would they suddenly start monitoring me again?'
'No... this number... it doesn't seem to be just monitoring me.'
Naruto looked at Sasuke, who was arguing with Inuzuka Kiba.
Sasuke naturally didn't notice the gazes from outside the Academy.
'It's because of the Uchiha, after all.'
Clearly, Naruto had never forgotten the Nine-Tails incident.
The Nine-Tails incident was related to the Uchiha.
'This period of strange atmosphere is inextricably linked to the Uchiha.'
'Is it because of the Uchiha's Bloodline Limit... are they afraid the Uchiha will come for me, and then trigger another Nine-Tails incident?'
'And Sasuke... they're even monitoring Sasuke... does this matter involve the entire Uchiha Clan or just the Uchiha elders?'
Uchiha Fugaku: "Good thing... I still left myself a way out."
Senju Tobirama: "One male and one female, is that your limit already?"
Uchiha Izuna: "Useless!"
Ōnoki: "Patriarch Fugaku must have many difficulties."
Mei Terumī: "Yes, it's clear that those willing to retreat... are almost none, that Uchiha girl, she was probably forced to come."
Uchiha Mikoto: "I hope Black-Framed Naruto can, for Sasuke's sake and these past few years... help the Uchiha's last bloodline."
Uchiha Madara: "Hmph! Again placing hope on others."
The two Uchiha ancestors started bickering.
Uchiha Fugaku naturally didn't dare to retort.
But Uchiha Mikoto was different.
She had Kushina by her side.
So.
When Uchiha Izuna was speaking enthusiastically, and Uchiha Madara came out to back his younger brother.
In the Pure Land World, Uchiha Mikoto took a deep breath, looking at her good friend who kept egging her on, she gave a wry smile, but still spoke.
Uchiha Mikoto: "Clan records state that when Patriarch Uchiha Madara left the village back then, he left openly, even looking like he was about to have a major fight with Konoha."
Uchiha Madara: "So what?"
Uchiha Mikoto: "Many clan members were already prepared to leave with you."
Uchiha Mikoto: "But some refused to follow, and to prevent the remaining clan members from being targeted to death by Konoha after they left, they naturally had to prioritize leaving quietly."
Uchiha Mikoto: "But they knew that the ancestor would never agree to flee like rats, so they planned to contact you early before you left the village, and then gather outside Konoha Village."
Uchiha Mikoto: "Unexpectedly, the ancestor not only left openly, but didn't even read the secret letter left on the table. In the end, after those radical clan members left the village, they didn't even see your shadow, which means they couldn't catch up to you at all."
Uchiha Madara: "..."
Uchiha Izuna: "..."
Senju Hashirama: "Hahaha~"
Uchiha Madara: "Shut up!"
As Naruto was pondering, Shikamaru suddenly came up to him.
"Naruto, don't get involved in the Uchiha matter."
Not just Shikamaru, but Choji, Ino, and Hinata also came.
Clearly, they knew something.
"I understand." Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly; this matter seemed to exceed his imagination.
'Could it be... that the Uchiha are dissatisfied with the current situation and want to overthrow the Old Thing's rule?'
'Yes, that's the most likely possibility!'
'I didn't realize it immediately... what a pity, I wasted an opportunity to severely damage this thieving village.'
Orochimaru: "Hahaha~"
Orochimaru: "If only my Black-Framed World self could hear my thoughts right now."
Orochimaru: "As long as I say I'm going to launch the Konoha Crush Plan, Black-framed Naruto-kun will definitely come to me on his own!"
As he spoke, Orochimaru's face flushed red.
Clearly, he had already imagined that scene and couldn't help but feel excited.
His long tongue couldn't help but extend, licking his dry lips.
On Konoha's side, hearing Black-Framed Naruto's thoughts, everyone felt a chill down their spines.
That's right, Black-Framed Naruto seemed indifferent, but in reality, he remembered everything clearly in his heart.
"Students, please be careful on your way home."
Iruka looked at the dispirited students, feeling a bit helpless.
He had also suddenly received orders this morning; this was not something he could decide.
However, such orders occasionally came, but it was tough on the students.
"Goodbye, Teacher~!"
As soon as they heard they could go home after school.
The originally dispirited students immediately sat up straight, their eyes shining.
That mental state made Iruka's eye twitch.
Watching the students leave one after another, Iruka breathed a sigh of relief.
Good thing... good thing no one came to ask him questions today.
Iruka touched his head, wiping away the non-existent cold sweat.
Suddenly, he noticed a small clump of hair in his hand.
Iruka: "..."
Oh no!
To answer Naruto's questions.
Studying hard day and night, staying up late to research... years of accumulated savings were gone, and his hair was starting to fall out?!
Iruka: "No!!!"
Uzumaki Naruto: "Hahaha~"
Uzumaki Naruto: "Iruka-sensei is so miserable~!"
Iruka Umino: "Naruto, I'll treat you to ramen later."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Really?! That's great~!"