[Ding! Reward Acquired: Dongguan Massage Techniques(Mastery enhances recovery, relieves fatigue, and improves chakra circulation)(Beginner 1/10)]
Massage techniques?
Naruto stared at the system notification with a blank expression.
What am I supposed to do with this?
I'm a high-quality, independent shinobi. I don't need to learn flattery skills to survive.
He sighed inwardly. Fine. A skill is still a skill.
"Thank you this time, Shisui-san."
Naruto spoke sincerely, glancing at the young ANBU beside him. Uchiha Shisui stood with relaxed confidence, a short, bandage-wrapped ninjatō strapped across his back. His presence was calm, steady, reassuring.
"I think of you as a younger brother," Shisui said warmly. "If anything happens, you can come to the Uchiha district."
His smile was bright—like winter sunlight.
A true believer in the Will of Fire.
Naruto didn't dislike Shisui. In fact, compared to people like Uchiha Obito or even Uchiha Itachi, Shisui was almost painfully straightforward.
Too straightforward.
That honesty left him caught between clan and village, unable to fully choose either side.
If Shisui had been more decisive—more ruthless—the political landscape of Konoha might have been very different.
Naruto suppressed the thought.
Konoha was filled with brilliant shinobi—Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, Minato, Shisui, Itachi—yet the village's internal contradictions strangled its own potential.
Sometimes it wasn't a lack of strength that ruined a nation.
It was politics.
Shisui reached out to pat Naruto's head.
Naruto shifted slightly, avoiding the gesture.
He wasn't Sasuke. And Shisui definitely wasn't a big sister.
Shisui paused, then laughed softly.
"Naruto-kun… Root acts recklessly, but they're still shinobi of the village."
He hesitated before continuing.
"I'm not blaming you. It was self-defense."
"But if possible… try to subdue rather than kill."
"Violence alone doesn't bring peace."
Naruto's expression remained neutral.
"Shisui-san… what if Root wasn't targeting me?"
"What if next time they target the Uchiha clan?"
Shisui stiffened.
For a brief moment, worry clouded his dark eyes.
Then resolve returned.
"I believe in the Third Hokage-sama."
"If something like that happened, Hokage-sama would intervene."
"He would protect both the Uchiha and the village."
Naruto didn't argue.
He simply stored that answer away.
Uchiha Clan District
In Konoha's southwestern corner stood the Uchiha district.
Unlike the elegant austerity of the Hyūga compound, the Uchiha homes bore proud emblems of the red-and-white fan crest. Wooden structures, shrine pillars, and street signs all reflected the clan's heritage.
Pride.
Isolation.
Legacy.
Inside the Uchiha residence—
"Itachi."
Uchiha Mikoto looked at her eldest son with quiet concern.
"You don't have to shoulder everything alone. You can talk to your father and me."
Uchiha Itachi paused.
After a moment, he turned and offered a gentle smile.
"Don't worry, Mother."
"I'll handle the conflict between the clan and the village."
His tone was calm, almost too calm.
He reached for his gear.
Mikoto quickly stepped away and returned with neatly wrapped bento.
"You've been busy lately. At least take this."
"I included your favorite dango."
Itachi accepted it silently.
A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.
Mother… your world is too small.
He loved his family. But his gaze extended beyond it—to the entire village.
The tension between clan and leadership was worsening.
The old balance was cracking.
And yet—his parents still viewed everything from within the Uchiha walls.
He said nothing more.
Evening – Uchiha Household
Only two sat at the dinner table: Mikoto and Sasuke.
"Hmph! Nii-san promised to spend time with me!"
Sasuke puffed out his cheeks.
"He broke his promise again."
Mikoto smiled gently and ruffled his hair.
"Sasuke still has me. Isn't that enough?"
Sasuke flushed immediately.
"It's not like that! I didn't mean—!"
He turned away awkwardly.
Mikoto's smile widened.
"How was your first day at the Academy?"
"Did you meet any new friends?"
Sasuke hesitated, then answered stiffly.
"…There's someone."
He briefly explained how he had encountered Uzumaki Naruto and declared him a rival.
Mikoto froze.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Kushina's son.
A faint ache rose in her chest.
After Kushina's death, the village's politics and the clan's isolation had consumed her attention. She had never properly checked on the child her friend left behind.
Guilt settled quietly in her heart.
Perhaps… she could make amends.
"Sasuke," she said softly, "if you get the chance, invite Naruto-kun over."
Sasuke blinked.
"…Why?"
Mikoto smiled gently.
"Because it's the right thing to do."
Sasuke frowned faintly.
Why did everyone speak so highly of that blond idiot?
An unfamiliar irritation flickered in his chest.
Hyūga Clan Compound
The Hyūga residence stood dignified and imposing, corridors winding through carefully arranged gardens.
Hyūga Hinata walked softly along the hallway, branch-family attendant Hyūga Natsu following respectfully behind.
Inside, Hyūga Hiashi sat behind a low lacquered table, posture perfectly straight.
Hinata bowed deeply.
"Father…"
Hiashi's gaze sharpened.
"Hinata. Where is Naruto-kun?"
Hinata's shoulders trembled slightly.
"F-Father… Naruto-kun intended to come, but Iruka-sensei needed him urgently…"
Hiashi's brows knit together.
"Iruka?"
"An Academy instructor?"
Hinata nodded timidly.
"He is kind… and a good teacher."
Hiashi's displeasure deepened—not solely at Naruto's absence, but at Hinata's hesitant tone.
Before he could continue, a branch member entered quietly and whispered something in his ear.
Hiashi's expression shifted—first surprise, then contemplation.
"Tsunade has returned…"
The timing was curious.
Hiruzen had summoned him.
Naruto had been mentioned.
Now Tsunade returned as well.
His gaze shifted to Hinata.
After a long pause, he spoke unexpectedly.
"Hinata."
"That Naruto Uzumaki… he is a capable child."
"Next time, invite him again."
"And… you may spend more time with him."
Hinata froze.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
"Y-Yes, Father."
Hyūga Natsu nearly betrayed her surprise.
Moments ago, Hiashi had been displeased.
Now—
Something was clearly moving beneath the surface of Konoha's politics.