Chapter 14
Under the living room light, Uchiha Fugaku sat cross-legged with his arms crossed: "This child..."
He had already heard about what happened during the day from his subordinates.
On the bustling Shopping Street, Sako stood up for that sensitive young man. This scene was witnessed by many Villagers and Ninja.
"It's Uzumaki Naruto..."
When this name came out of her husband's mouth, Mikoto was slightly startled.
Last time, she vaguely felt that the blonde peer Sako mentioned might be that child.
Now it seems, it probably... is indeed the case.
"Kushina's... child..."
For Mikoto.
The young Uzumaki Naruto was the orphan left behind by her best friend.
But for her husband Fugaku, and even the entire Uchiha Clan, Uzumaki Naruto's identity was that of the highly sensitive Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The Uchiha Clan was in a difficult situation because of the Nine-Tailed Demon Foxs Attack.
And the order given by the Konoha higher-ups at the time, to "keep the Uchiha Clan stationed in place and forbid them from approaching the Nine-Tailed," became a thorn in the Uchiha Clan's side.
Originally, this distrust was only hidden in the darkness.
The night of the Nine-Tailed Demon Foxs Attack, however, brought this matter to the surface.
Coupled with the widespread rumors that "the Uchiha brought the Nine-Tailed," the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the Village became very delicate... Therefore.
Uchiha Fugaku usually repeatedly warned his clansmen not to approach Uzumaki Naruto.
The clansmen mostly did the same, basically treating Naruto as if he were air.
But now, his daughter had taken the initiative to interact with the Nine-Tailed... This kind of thing... "Fugaku, should I go talk to Sako about it...?"
Mikoto looked at her husband and said gently.
Although Uzumaki Naruto was her best friend's child, considering the political situation of the Uchiha Clan, it would probably still be necessary to actively make Sako stay away from Naruto.
"No."
Uchiha Fugaku reached out, indicating there was no need to stop her.
His gaze looked towards the courtyard.
The sky outside the courtyard had already completely darkened.
"You mean..." Mikoto instantly understood.
Recently, the relationship between the Uchiha Clanand the higher-ups, and even the Village, had become increasingly tense.
The dissatisfaction of the clansmen was also growing stronger.
Among them, the radical faction was gradually gaining the upper hand.
In the future... it was very possible that the Uchiha Clan would revolt because of this.
If Sako made contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchurikiin advance, it could also be an opportunity.
The Uchiha Clan... might have a day when they could make use of the Nine-Tailed...
"..."
Mikoto, who followed her husband's lead, immediately fell silent.
Completely subservient to her husband, her obedience to him was no less than Hinata's attitude towards Naruto.
After slowly kneeling down, Mikoto nodded.
However, would the higher-ups just stand by and do nothing?
In the backyard.
The siblings were practicing Ninja tool throwing.
The whistling sound of Kunai rang out, and with the dull thudding sounds, Itachi's throws all hit the bullseye.
Sako, who was slightly off target, pouted. Indeed... there was still a big gap between her and her older brother.
"Did you make a friend?" Itachi looked at his cute younger sister and naturally brought up the topic.
"They're not friends yet... Although they've passed my initial assessment, there's still a lot of scrutiny to come... Only by passing all of it will they be qualified to be my friend~!"
Sako loudly replied to her older brother.
Seeing her younger sister's apparent disdain, yet an uncontrollable smile on her lips, Itachi became curious about the "friend" his younger sister spoke of.
Who could it be?
A boy or a girl?
—Preferably a girl.
Itachi, a doting older brother, subconsciously thought so...
Time slowly passed.
In a flash, most shops were nearing closing time.
As Konoha's most popular ramen shop, Ichiraku Ramen usually stayed open very late.
This was to allow Ninja returning from missions to eat hot food.
Today.
Teuchi welcomed a regular customer.
"It's Naruto..."
Seeing Naruto standing alone in the cold wind, Teuchi couldn't help but smile.
Since some unknown day, Teuchi had become interested in Naruto, who often loitered in front of the shop.
Naruto usually came very, very late to eat a bowl of ramen.
This was because other customers did not welcome Naruto's presence.
So Naruto always arrived at this time.
Although Teuchi insisted, against all objections, that Naruto should come at a normal time, Narutostill maintained his old habit.
He glanced at the clock.
It was already very late.
Outside on the street, even the barking of dogs had become very rare.
Teuchi immediately called Naruto in and began to cook the noodles.
"Naruto, aren't you cold?"
Teuchi's daughter, the signboard girl Ayame, looked at Naruto, who was still wearing a short-sleeved shirt in the cold winter, and couldn't help but ask.
"..."
Naruto shook his head, looking inside the counter, waiting for a steaming bowl of ramen.
Before long, the ramen was served.
The father and daughter stood behind the counter, smiling as they watched Naruto finish a large bowl of ramen.
Finally... even the broth was drunk dry.
"Owner~, thank you for the meal."
Naruto paid and jumped down from his seat.
"It's dark, be careful on your way!" Teuchi leaned out, not forgetting to remind Naruto to go home early but to watch his step.
As Naruto stepped into the darkness, the dimness of the night enveloped him, and on the entire street, only the lights of Ichiraku Ramen and a few other shops were still shining.
"A dark and windy night..."
Naruto looked up at the clouds in the sky, which suddenly accelerated.
The wind was picking up... Wiping his mouth, Naruto's goofy expression gradually disappeared, becoming calm.
You have to eat to have the energy to work, don't you?
Nine-Tailed: "Kid, what exactly are you..."
Watching Naruto wait for a long time and then come to eat ramen, the Nine-Tailed was very puzzled.
It only knew... the sewer where it was imprisoned was becoming darker and more decayed...
"Woof woof!"
As the last dog bark stopped, the sound of the rolling shutter echoed.
This also signaled the end of the day.
Almost the entire Shopping Street was dim, with only the distant, dim streetlights barely illuminating the shadows of the buildings.
As a single person, the Mask Shop Owner usually operated very, very late.
After all, there was nothing to do if he closed early.
As he lowered the rolling shutter and was about to lock up, footsteps suddenly came from behind him.
"Hmm?"
He turned his head and saw a familiar figure.
"Stop!"
His mood was already bad today, and after spotting that fox-brat, his mood got even worse.
"Hey! I'm talking to you... Kid, stop right there!"
"..."
Naruto turned his head and met the gaze of the crouching Mask Shop Owner.
"Mr. Mask Shop Owner, is there something you called me for?"
Naruto didn't know the other party's name, so he used a respectful address.
I'm so polite, Naruto thought.
However, the other party was not so polite.
Especially when he saw Naruto still wearing a mask from his own shop on his head, his mood got even worse!
Naruto, wearing a mask, had his eyes squinted into a line at this time, and was still wearing that orange short-sleeved tracksuit.
His pants were grass-green long pants, clearly cheap goods.
This outfit was very eye-catching in this cold winter... gaudily eye-catching.
"..."
The Mask Shop Owner immediately showed a ferocious expression, his eyes glaring at Naruto, almost spitting fire.
Naruto, on the other hand, tilted his head slightly, looking behind him... which was the shop's rolling shutter.
"Mr. Owner, do you still have masks to give me in your shop? I have a few friends..."
This sentence directly infuriated the other party.
"Damn brat! Don't think that the Uchiha Clan will back you up! Those red-eyed people just happened to be passing by and were meddling!"