Speaking with Fists: Naruto-Style Interview

He roughly covered those points.

Looking at the silent Sasuke, Hiruzen Sarutobi said no more. He was waiting for Sasuke's decision, or perhaps a dissenting opinion.

Having an opinion was good, but considering Sasuke's age, it could be set aside.

That was what Hiruzen Sarutobi thought.

Naruto also watched Sasuke. After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, he had a lot on his mind as well.

After several minutes, Sasuke, still as calm as water, finally spoke. "Thank you, Third Hokage, for helping collect my clan's bodies. As for the inheritance, I agree with your suggestion. But regarding where I'll stay next... I don't think I'll be returning to live at the Uchiha Clan Grounds for the time being."

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief.

Naruto also understood Sasuke's thoughts.

For one thing, Sasuke was truly too weak right now. Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision was not something he could overturn. For another, the tragedy had taken place at the Uchiha Clan Grounds. Going back to live there would only remind him of the scene and bring him more grief.

As for where Sasuke would go afterward, Naruto could just invite him to stay at his place. One more person meant a little more life and liveliness.

"Sasuke, focus on recovering. Don't burden yourself with too many thoughts. Remember, Konoha will always have your back."

After offering Sasuke that comfort, Hiruzen Sarutobi got up to take his leave.

After all, he was not some idle Old Man. He was still Konoha's Hokage, and he had to worry day and night over Konoha's development.

Naruto saw Hiruzen Sarutobi out.

When he returned to the ward, Naruto took an apple from the fruit basket beside him. As he peeled it, he said to Sasuke, "Sasuke, once you're discharged, come live at my place. Living alone is way too boring, so just keep me company."

Looking at Naruto, Sasuke truly felt that Naruto was an incredibly considerate friend. He was also exceptionally tactful with his words.

Clearly, Sasuke was the one with nowhere to go. He was the one who needed someone beside him to get through this hardest period. Yet Naruto made it sound as though he himself was too bored and needed company.

With that phrasing, the meaning completely changed. Sasuke did not feel as though he was burdening Naruto, nor did he feel any psychological pressure.

"Mm."

Sasuke understood Naruto's goodwill perfectly. He truly had not thought of anywhere else to go, so he could only agree.

"Oh, right. I have some suspicions I want to tell you about, Sasuke."

As he spoke, Naruto placed the peeled apple in Sasuke's hand. Once Sasuke took it, Naruto pulled his stool closer, leaned his whole body forward, and moved close to Sasuke.

"Listen, Sasuke. When you hear my suspicions, don't be surprised. Keep a blank expression."

Sasuke did not know why Naruto had suddenly become so serious, but he nodded earnestly.

After all, Naruto had risked his life to save him from Itachi. There was no way Naruto would harm him now.

"Before the Uchiha upheaval, I sensed the aura of a great battle on the Back Mountain. It was incredibly intense—I could sense it even from so far away. Just when I wanted to leave the Back Mountain and head to the Uchiha Clan Grounds, an Anbu Ninja appeared and stopped me. They didn't want me going there."

"At that time, I think you were on your way home."

As Sasuke listened to Naruto's account, his gaze darkened. Clearly, he was also considering the implications of Naruto's words.

"Someone obviously knew long beforehand that a huge change would happen to the Uchiha. That was why an Anbu Ninja appeared to stop me. After I shook off that Anbu Ninja and arrived at the Uchiha Clan Grounds, you know what happened."

"But after you passed out, Itachi and I..." Naruto knew that mentioning Itachi now would upset Sasuke, so he stopped referring to him as Sasuke's brother and simply used his name.

"Itachi and I exchanged a few moves. He must have sensed someone approaching, so he ran."

"Sure enough, less than a minute later, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with a whole group of ninjas. Their timing was perfect, wasn't it? Even I could sense that the Uchiha were fighting from the Back Mountain, so why hadn't they sensed anything? Why did they only arrive after the battle was over?"

Naruto stared straight at Sasuke.

Of course, Naruto did not say that the Nine-Tails had sensed the malice coming from the Uchiha Clan Grounds. He simply attributed it to himself.

"You mean..." Sasuke struggled to contain his rage, but his chest still heaved violently.

"That's right."

Naruto nodded. "I think the Uchiha upheaval was a conspiracy arranged in advance. By my instincts, Hiruzen Sarutobi was definitely involved."

"Huff... huff..." Sasuke panted shallowly. "I'm going to ask him..."

Naruto held Sasuke down. "Calm down, Sasuke. Do you think they'll admit they're the masterminds if you go ask them? No. They'll say you've gone mad because you lost your family."

"Then..." Sasuke felt utterly lost for a moment.

"Sasuke, in the end, we're just too weak. If we were strong enough, we could charge straight into the Hokage Building and beat them until they admitted it. That's right—speaking with your fists is the truth of this world, Sasuke."

Naruto held out his fist, his face brimming with excitement.

Sasuke had no choice but to accept Naruto's words. Yes, he was too weak. If he had been strong enough, he could have killed Itachi Uchiha that day and avenged his parents.

"Sasuke, recover quickly. Then we'll train hard and grow stronger. Under iron fists, who would dare refuse to speak the truth?"

"As for these suspicions, keep them buried for now. Once we become strong enough, we'll demand an explanation."

Naruto spoke earnestly.

"Mm, I understand, Naruto." Sasuke nodded, then looked up at the ceiling as he lay quietly in bed.

During Sasuke's hospitalization, quite a few classmates came to visit him from time to time. Among them, Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, and Hinata Hyuga visited the most often.

Every time, Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno would stay in the ward and talk with Sasuke for a long time. Although Sasuke was cold, he was not someone who failed to appreciate kindness. He did not show any impatience, instead quietly listening to the two girls, occasionally chiming in.

Sakura and Ino were immediately encouraged, and began visiting even more frequently.

After all, Sasuke was willing to chat with them calmly. Today was a small step; tomorrow, perhaps they would have even named their children. The two of them fantasized dreamily.

What puzzled Naruto was Hinata Hyuga.

Wasn't this Byakugan girl here to visit Sasuke? Why was it that every time, after greeting Sasuke and asking about his condition, she would go sit on the chairs outside the ward and chat endlessly with Naruto?

And she talked about everything in great detail. What she had eaten that day, what her family had said to her—she told Naruto all of it.

Only when Naruto said he needed to help Sasuke to the restroom, or had some other important matter, would Hinata reluctantly say goodbye.

Watching the Byakugan girl leave the hospital unwillingly,

Naruto was completely baffled. He really wanted to say, "Hey, little sister, you came to visit Sasuke, not me."

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