Sasuke's Invitation, Naruto's Excitement

Uzumaki Naruto's eyes lit up.

"Hooray!"

"But Naruto, you need to study hard these past few days. Grandpa will check your progress then," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile.

"Mhm, don't worry, Hokage Grandpa!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. This way, Naruto wouldn't have time to be with Jinghuo Uchiha.

Uchiha Clan Land.

Uchiha Sasuke, on his way to school, looked at Jinghuo Uchiha blocking his path. His mouth opened and closed, then closed and opened again.

Finally, he let out a tsundere "Hmph."

Jinghuo Uchiha spoke, "Bring Uzumaki Naruto to the Uchiha Clan Land, and I can help you with a small favor."

Uchiha Sasuke was tsundere.

Especially since Jinghuo Uchiha was now a cripple.

But he desperately wanted to know one thing. The eyes from that day had left a profound impression on him.

Even though nearly a year had passed, he still dreamt of them occasionally.

So, he coldly nodded in agreement and went to school, passing by Jinghuo Uchiha.

This scene was witnessed by Uchiha Itachi, who was monitoring the Uchiha Clan Land. His expression turned pained.

"Is this forcing me to choose a side? Shisui..."

Police Force.

"I can't take it anymore!"

"Coup! We must coup!"

"To think I believed Shisui was on our side!"

"If this continues, the Uchiha will be destroyed sooner or later!"

"Minister Fugaku! Say something!"

"Yeah! We can't go on like this!"

The Uchiha Hawks gathered, their atmosphere filled with indignation and intensity.

Yesterday, they arrested two drunkards, and the villagers blew it out of proportion, spreading rumors of violent enforcement. They were guilty and scared.

Once or twice was fine, but how many times had this happened over the years?

Are they expecting us to bow and apologize with "Sumimasen" if someone insults the Uchiha?

Even the Conservatives wouldn't stand for such a humiliating situation.

Everyone urged Fugaku Uchiha to take a stance.

Fugaku Uchiha closed his eyes as if he heard nothing.

A year ago, Uchiha Shisui had visited, saying he wanted to become the Uchiha Clan Head.

At the time, Fugaku Uchiha, the current Clan Head, certainly wouldn't agree. He was a Mangekyo Sharingan user, after all.

Currently, he was the most suitable person in the Uchiha Clan.

But after Uchiha Shisui revealed that his Mangekyo Sharingan possessed Kotoamatsukami, Fugaku Uchiha knew he wasn't the most suitable.

Furthermore, Uchiha Shisui told him that the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the villagers was being instigated by someone in the higher-ups and tacitly approved by someone else.

Fugaku Uchiha, who trusted Sarutobi Hiruzen, naturally opposed this fiercely.

Uchiha Shisui did not argue with him.

Uchiha Shisui's visit this time was for only one thing—to become the Uchiha Clan Head.

Fugaku Uchiha agreed.

The effect was evident. Even the near-coup attempt by the Uchiha Clan last time was forcefully stopped by a single step Shisui took outside.

But as Shisui had said, "I want deterrence, not threats."

Such an action was acceptable once.

It hadn't even been a year yet. If it were used again, it would likely become a real threat.

The Uchiha... it was time for another moment of life and death.

"Minister Fugaku! Say something!"

"Minister Fugaku! Let's coup!"

"Minister Fugaku! We can't go on like this!"

"Minister Fugaku..."

"Director Fugaku..."

Fugaku Uchiha, who had stepped down from the position of Clan Head and become the Director of the Police Force, closed his eyes.

A few seconds later, he spoke.

"The time is not right yet, let's wait a little longer."

The clan members exchanged glances upon hearing this.

But they were still appeased by his words.

At least, Fugaku Uchiha seemed to support their coup.

"Alright."

"Okay."

"Then we'll endure a little longer."

Afternoon.

It was time for school to end at the Ninja Academy.

Uzumaki Naruto glanced at Uchiha Sasuke, who was surrounded by a group of girls, grunted, and walked outside alone.

"Wait!" Uzumaki Naruto felt like the person was calling him, so he turned his head.

He was taken aback when he saw who it was.

Sasuke Uchiha, the top student in their grade, was actually coming to find him?

This made Uzumaki Naruto a little excited.

He had developed a crush on Sakura Haruno, a pink-haired girl who was always clinging to Uchiha Sasuke, but he wasn't sure himself if it was love or self-deception.

Because there was no specific reason why he fell for Sakura Haruno.

He just suddenly liked her.

Regardless, the person he paid the most attention to was still Uchiha Sasuke.

He wanted to be friends with Uchiha Sasuke.

But Sasuke Uchiha's usual arrogant demeanor always annoyed him.

Now, Uchiha Sasuke was actually initiating a conversation with him!

Uzumaki Naruto was overjoyed and couldn't help but act a little pretentious, trying to hide his happiness.

"Yo yo yo, the busy bee of the class is actually coming to find me, the great Uzumaki Naruto!"

His triumphant expression was about to burst.

Veins bulged on Uchiha Sasuke's forehead.

He didn't want to find Uzumaki Naruto, this loser.

If he didn't need something from Jinghuo Uchiha, he would never have spoken a word to this loser in his life.

"Come to my house today." His words were like a command.

But Uzumaki Naruto ignored the tone and only heard the barely audible invitation in his words.

"Are you inviting me?" He opened his mouth wide, his eyes wide, and pointed at himself in disbelief.

"Yeah! Are you coming or not!" Uchiha Sasuke said impatiently.

"I'm coming!" Uzumaki Naruto grinned like an idiot.

With his hands behind his head, he followed behind Uchiha Sasuke.

Whenever he saw someone, he would say: "Sasuke invited me to his house to play!"

At first, Uchiha Sasuke felt embarrassed.

But after a while, when he realized how genuinely happy Uzumaki Naruto was, he fell silent.

The two headed towards the Uchiha Clan Land.

However, as they were about to enter the clan land, they were stopped.

Uzumaki Naruto didn't expect them to stop him, and excitedly boasted, "Anbu's long-haired big brother! Sasuke invited me to his house to play!"

"(⊙o⊙)..." The Anbu member who had been looking after Naruto felt a pang of reluctance to shatter Uzumaki Naruto's excitement.

"Anbu's long-haired big brother?" Uzumaki Naruto was confused.

Uchiha Sasuke glanced at him and then pulled Uzumaki Naruto, intending to go in from the side.

He was eager to ask Jinghuo Uchiha his questions.

But in the next second, he was stopped by the Anbu member again.

Uzumaki Naruto became even more confused.

"Anbu's long-haired big brother, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

"..." The Anbu finally sighed and said, "Naruto, you can't go in here."

The Anbu's sudden appearance on the street surprised the Uchiha clan members, who looked at them with cold expressions.

Seeing the Anbu now appear just to stop a child from entering the clan land, their faces grew even uglier.

This place is called the Uchiha Clan Land, right?

What? Now even entering our clan land requires your Anbu's approval?

Uzumaki Naruto asked with innocent confusion, "Why?"

"Because Grandpa wants to play with Naruto." A kind voice came from behind.

"Lord Hokage." The Anbu breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly.