Layout Complete!

The relationship between Hatake Kakashi and the Uchiha clan had always been quite close.

Back then, he had visited the home of Uchiha Fugaku together with Namikaze Minato.

Later, when teams were assigned, he ended up in the same squad as Uchiha Obito.

On top of that, his left eye was currently a Sharingan belonging to the Uchiha.

Suddenly, Hatake Kakashi felt a sense of affinity toward the Uchiha Roy standing before him.

Previously, like everyone else, he had believed that the ones who caused his teacher's death were the Uchiha.

But ever since Uchiha Fugaku had told him that piece of information, Hatake Kakashi had been lost in confusion.

In the past, his teacher's relationship with the Uchiha had not been bad at all; in fact, because of the friendship between Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto, he and Uchiha Fugaku had even become close friends.

He had even begun to entrust the Uchiha with important responsibilities.

Under such circumstances, it was simply impossible for the Uchiha to have done such a thing.

"Since you're here, just enjoy the delicious food."

"This is a grand feast provided to us by Naruto."

"So, for now, don't think about anything else."

As Hatake Kakashi was lost in his wandering thoughts, Roy's voice interrupted his contemplation.

"Delicious..."

"A grand feast..."

Hatake Kakashi felt a slight lump in his throat.

Removing his mask, Hatake Kakashi began to eat quickly.

This taste could hardly be called delicious.

However, this was the best food Naruto could offer to host them.

Of course, in the corner of the house, there was also a carton of milk nearing its expiration date.

All of this was seen by Hatake Kakashi.

After quickly finishing the cup noodles, a drop of sweat slid down his face and into his eye.

"Kakashi, I'm going to take Naruto to visit the Uchiha compound next."

"If you want to come along, you're welcome to join."

Roy set down his cup noodles and looked at Hatake Kakashi.

"No, thank you."

"I still have my own mission to attend to."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Naruto. I'll be going now."

After saying this, Hatake Kakashi didn't wait for anyone to react and vanished from the spot.

"Let's go, we should head back too."

"Naruto, no need to bring clothes."

"Sasuke has already bought clothes for you; just spend the New Year at the Uchiha compound tomorrow night."

"By then, you and Sasuke can play together."

As Roy spoke, he led the two little ones away from the building.

Although Naruto felt a bit embarrassed, Roy didn't give him any chance to be reserved. [Well, in his heart, Naruto was actually very happy.]

Inside the Hokage Office.

"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Roy has already taken Uzumaki Naruto away."

"Do we need to intervene now?"

An Anbu member reported quickly.

During this period, they had been even busier than they were during the Third Shinobi World War.

The actions of the Uchiha alone were enough to keep them running around everywhere.

"Intervene?"

"At this point in time, how could we intervene?"

"Let it be for now; just let the Uchiha stir things up for a while."

Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly reviewed the village's files; tomorrow was the New Year.

There were too many things that needed to be handled.

Coupled with that previous plan, there was simply no need to provoke the Uchiha at this moment.

"But... the issue regarding Hatake Kakashi..."

"There is no need to worry about it for now."

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly, he still made the same decision.

The Anbu member said nothing more and departed immediately using the Body Flicker Technique.

Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Compound.

"Wow, is this my new outfit?"

"Thank you, Sasuke!"

Looking at the shirt with a kunai emblem printed on it, Naruto couldn't have been happier.

Furthermore, the material of the clothing was excellent.

It wasn't bulky, yet it was very warm.

"Sasuke, Naruto."

At this moment, a gentle voice drifted over.

Uchiha Mikoto appeared before them.

"Mother!"

"Auntie."

Sasuke and Naruto both walked toward Uchiha Mikoto.

Because he had already interacted with Mikoto before, Naruto didn't feel any sense of unfamiliarity.

"These are scarves I knitted for you both."

"Go ahead and play for now; I'm going to prepare dinner."

"Naruto, you can sleep with Sasuke tonight. I've already prepared a bed and clothes for you."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Thank you, Mother."

The two little ones were even happier after putting on their scarves.

Afterward, they walked off to the side to play.

"Big Brother Roy, about this afternoon's training..."

"Let them play for now."

"A ninja's life offers too few choices, and they haven't reached that point yet."

Itachi appeared on the scene at this moment.

He was carrying a few training kunai in his hand.

Upon hearing Roy's words, Itachi put the kunai away.

Late at night, both little ones were fast asleep.

Inside Uchiha Fugaku's study.

"Roy, is this your decision?"

Uchiha Fugaku looked at Roy, somewhat puzzled.

Bringing the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto, into the Uchiha clan was certainly not a good choice under the current circumstances.

"Yes."

"The Uchiha cannot be too perfect, otherwise those guys will have even more time to prepare."

"As for contact with the jinchuriki, I expect they will take action as soon as the Daimyo leaves."

Roy, who had never held any affection for the high-ranking officials of Konoha, felt absolutely no guilt in doing such a thing.

"Forcing them to act?"

"But... won't this be... for the Uchiha?"

"Clan Leader, do we have any other choice?"

Before Fugaku could finish, Roy asked in return.

The peace the Uchiha had enjoyed during this period had given Uchiha Fugaku the illusion that the Uchiha clan had already secured its footing.

However, what he didn't know was that the high-ranking officials would never give up on moving against the Uchiha clan.

"Have you already thought through what the high-ranking officials will do next?"

Uchiha Fugaku had the distinct impression that Roy had already mapped out everything that was to come.

"It will basically be the same old routine."

"They will exploit the commoners' fear of the Uchiha, as well as the long-standing grudges other clans hold against us."

"They will likely manufacture an incident where the Uchiha are at fault, and it will almost certainly involve those high-ranking officials."

"Then, frame the Uchiha with some rather heavy charges."

Roy pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

Roy had seen far too many such schemes and conspiracies.

Whether it was the death of the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, the subsequent suppression of the Uchiha, or everything Roy had encountered since his rebirth, they were all essentially the same brand of trickery.

As expected, the higher-ups in Konoha were nothing but old fogies whose thinking had become rigid.

Only blockheads like the Uchiha clan would be repeatedly manipulated by such tactics.

"Then, when we face these charges..."

"Naruto's identity!"

Roy said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku felt as if a door to a new world had suddenly been opened for him.

He stood up abruptly.

"From the very first time you planned for us to make contact with Naruto, you were already making preparations for this?"

Uchiha Fugaku wore a look of shock.

From the very beginning, every move Roy made had been part of a larger layout.

For the first time, Uchiha Fugaku somewhat believed that the art of political maneuvering was truly terrifying!