Time rewound to the night the clan meeting concluded.
Naraku returned home with Fugaku, and after bidding him farewell at the door, he quickly walked into the gate of his own small courtyard.
"Kakashi, you're back?"
As soon as Naraku entered the house, he saw Kakashi holding a bowl of cold curry rice, spoon in hand, about to eat it directly. He quickly snatched it away, reheating the meal while grumbling and nagging.
"Eating cold food is bad for your body. Can't you heat it yourself? If I hadn't come back just now, you'd really be eating a belly full of cold rice..."
Kakashi stood there, silent for a long time.
After Naraku finished his tasks, he saw that Kakashi seemed a bit dispirited and wondered, "What's wrong? Is developing a new Ninjutsu not going well?"
When they were training outside the Village, Jiraiya had seen Kakashi developing new Ninjutsu in his spare time and greatly encouraged this idea.
Now, being confined to the Village by Tsunade was truly boring, so he brought up the matter again, pulling the rarely free Minato along to guide Kakashi.
With these two providing personal instruction, the Chidori was close to completion, a critical stage that couldn't be interrupted.
So, these past few days, Kakashi had been busy training, leaving after breakfast and only returning home for dinner and rest in the evening, covered in dust and sweat, his steps unsteady.
Compared to Kakashi's busy schedule, Naraku was a bit miserable. Tsunade had placed multiple Healing Seals on him, ordering him to rest at home for a month, during which he was not allowed to perform high-intensity training or combat, only a certain degree of physical exercise.
Mikoto would also come over with her child for no particular reason, watching him to ensure he didn't show even the slightest sign of disobeying medical advice.
Naraku felt like he was becoming a potted plant kept indoors, spending his days sunbathing, eating, and sleeping.
If Tsunade knew about his use of the Mangekyo at the clan meeting earlier, he would definitely be in for a scolding.
Perhaps even his right to visit Sakumo at fixed times every day would be revoked. How then could he maintain his father's health?
Just thinking about it sent shivers down Naraku's spine. Fortunately, Tsunade definitely wouldn't know... She shouldn't know, right?
"It's not that the Ninjutsu isn't going well."
Kakashi slumped dejectedly at the table, his voice muffled: "Minato-senpai said that the Village has a new rule: I can no longer act alone and must be assigned to a squad."
Reorganization?
Naraku understood instantly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was beginning to prepare for war.
It must be said, that old geezer's instincts were quite sharp, far superior to those blockheads from the Sand Ninja.
Naraku gently comforted him, "Isn't that great, Kakashi? You'll have fixed teammates for missions from now on."
..."Mm."
Kakashi stewed for a long time, only letting out a dejected hum.
--But then I won't be able to be with you.
The thought that he would have to act with others in a squad, follow the Jonin's arrangements for any mission, find it hard to rest when he wanted, and be unable to stay in the Village with Naraku and his father for long periods, prevented him from feeling happy.
Naraku, on the other hand, was wondering if Kakashi could still be in the same squad as Obito and Rin under the current circumstances. Logically, there shouldn't be a problem, as those two were graduating soon... Lost in thought, he got his hand scalded by the steam when he lifted the pot lid.
"Hiss--"
"What's wrong?"
Kakashi quickly came over, saw Naraku's reddened finger, and immediately pulled him to the sink to rinse it with cold water.
"Idiot, how can you always be so clumsy? You even get burned reheating food?"
--Hey, you stinky Kakashi, who am I doing all this for?
--My good intentions are being taken for granted.
Naraku pouted, listening to Kakashi nag him with a wronged expression, silently chanting, "I'm not listening, I'm not listening, you're just babbling..."
He suddenly remembered that the stove was still on.
"Kakashi, the water's about to dry, and the fire's still on!"
...Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was spring.
The exchange between the Uchiha and other Ninja Clans was progressing steadily.
Not all Uchiha members dismissed by Fugaku could obtain positions in Konoha's functional departments. After assessment, about half of the nearly one hundred dismissed individuals qualified to join various departments.
However, it was a very good start.
Now that the Uchiha had obtained qualifications, they would eventually be able to increase the number of people in these positions.
The Uchiha who lost their Police Force positions but couldn't enter other departments also had avenues.
Some who had long wanted to retire from Ninja life and go into business were now completely unleashed, and their weapons business was flourishing.
The remaining, slightly weaker ones joined Ninja squads, performing daily missions like everyone else, and were warmly welcomed by many Ninja lacking teammates.
For the stronger Uchiha who had no interest in business and were reluctant to serve Konoha, Naraku also arranged suitable placements for them... "Greetings, Lord Matsukata."
Uchiha Fūyō knelt on one knee, bowing his head to the new head of the Matsukata Family.
"These are the guards our Clan Head selected for you; they have all awakened at least the Two-Tomoe Sharingan."
"With them, you and your esteemed family will surely be protected from any harm."
The young clan head looked up at the dozen or so Uchiha kneeling behind him. Even with one knee on the ground, their inherent sharpness could not be concealed. Their spirit and demeanor were vastly different from the ordinary Ninja employed by the Matsukata Family.
--As expected of the Uchiha, naturally excellent blades.
"I presume Uchiha Naraku has already briefed you on certain matters?"
Hearing the other party casually mention Naraku's name, Fūyō's eyelids twitched, but his body remained still, and his tone remained steady and strong: "The Clan Head did give orders when I came: the Uchiha are only to defend and must not attack without authorization."
"Hmph, quite cautious indeed."
Matsukata Seigou chuckled, waving his hand to signal the other to retreat.
When only he remained in the room, Ishikawa's figure emerged from the corner.
"My lord, every one of them is a good fighter capable of taking on two opponents. The Uchiha are quite generous."
"Uchiha Naraku is more capable than I imagined; he has already resolved most of the issues, leaving me with one less reason to manipulate him."
Matsukata Seigou's expression was complex, with admiration and praise in his eyes, as well as a hint of regret.
"If this continues, within ten years, the Uchiha's position in Konoha will be as solid as a rock."
"Unfortunately, he probably won't live to see that day."
As a great noble of the Land of Fire, Matsukata naturally had his own intelligence channels. For him, it was very easy to inquire about major events in Konoha.
"I wonder if that Clan Head will be able to maintain this achievement after his death."
"Probably?" Ishikawa casually waved his arm. "Didn't you say he changed his personality drastically after that?"
Matsukata Seigou sneered, "Turning from a dove to a hawk doesn't mean his brain got smarter. Just wait and see."
...