"Sasuke... y-you're actually rich?" Naruto stared at Sasuke in disbelief, his eyes wide.
He stood in front of the Uchiha Residence, gazing at the magnificent building and elegant courtyard. The shock he felt was beyond words.
He had always thought that he and Sasuke came from ordinary families. He never imagined Sasuke belonged to such a prestigious clan.
Seeing Naruto's astonished expression, Sasuke couldn't help feeling conflicted.
He had thought Naruto would understand him, but the surprise in Naruto's eyes left him feeling a little disappointed.
"You know I'm the son of the Uchiha Clan head..." Sasuke took a deep breath, trying to express what was on his mind. To him, being the clan head was both an honor and a burden.
He wanted to say more, but the words that followed "clan head" caught in his throat.
He knew that as the son of the Uchiha Clan head, he carried a heavy responsibility and mission.
That identity meant he had to inherit his clan's glory and traditions, and work toward restoring the Uchiha Clan.
But at this moment, the Uchiha Residence was completely empty...
What he had wanted was not to be some cold guy who did nothing but train. He had wanted the happiness of an ordinary family and the desire to grow stronger. At least, that was what he had wanted before.
Just then, Liuli walked over. She blinked at Naruto and Sasuke, then smiled and said, "Psst! Your teacher here is rich too. I'm the Uchiha Clan's young lady, you know, Sasuke!"
Sasuke nodded without saying much. He knew Liuli was helping him out, making sure he didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable about his identity.
At the same time, Liuli's words reminded him of that sorrowful night—the Night of the Uchiha Massacre. It was a wound in his heart that would never heal, a past he could never forget.
Seeing Sasuke's silence, Liuli understood what he was thinking. She gently patted his shoulder and asked, "Sasuke, did something I said upset you?"
Sasuke looked up at the concern in Liuli's eyes, and his sadness eased a little.
He shook his head and said quietly, "No, Sister. I just remembered some things."
"Huh? Sasuke, are you a little upset? Did I say something wrong?"
Naruto scratched his head and looked at Sasuke in confusion. He wasn't good at reading people, but he could tell Sasuke seemed a little down.
Sasuke shook his head and said quietly, "No, Naruto. I'm just thinking about some things."
He didn't want Naruto to worry too much, or to pass his negative feelings on to him.
Naruto let out a sigh of relief, then continued, "I just saw how big this house is, and I felt kind of jealous. You know, I've always lived alone. I'm used to it, but sometimes I still feel lonely. Grandpa Third comes to see me now and then, but most of the time, it's just me."
Hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke couldn't help feeling conflicted.
He knew Naruto had grown up without parents, living with loneliness and isolation.
Although Naruto always seemed cheerful and optimistic, Sasuke could sense the vulnerability and longing inside him.
He gently patted Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto, I know things haven't been easy for you. But believe me, whatever difficulties we face, we'll face them together. You're not alone. I'm here, and so is Teacher Liuli. We'll be there for you."
Naruto's eyes lit up. He looked at Sasuke gratefully. "Thank you, Sasuke. I'm glad I have you guys."
Liuli walked over too. Hearing their conversation, she couldn't help feeling moved.
Looking at Naruto's innocent eyes and Sasuke's determined expression, she knew both boys had pasts and pain they kept hidden. But she also believed that as long as they supported each other, they could get through this difficult time.
She smiled and said, "Naruto, Sasuke, you're both good kids. Fate hasn't been fair to you, but you haven't given up. You've faced it bravely. I'm proud to see how strong and courageous you are."
Naruto and Sasuke both looked at Liuli gratefully. They knew that having a teacher who understood and supported them was the greatest good fortune they could ask for.
After that, the three of them entered the Uchiha Residence together. Its luxurious decor and imposing grandeur made it seem as though the Uchiha's former glory still lingered there.
The three of them arrived at the Uchiha Clan's training grounds, a broad, quiet clearing surrounded by dense trees. A breeze rustled through the leaves, as if they were playing an overture for the training about to begin.
Sasuke and Naruto sat side by side on the ground, listening intently as Liuli explained the principles of training.
Liuli stood before them, her voice clear and firm. Every word was filled with wisdom and strength.
"Sasuke, you have exceptional talent, so I've decided to teach you the Chidori."
Liuli looked at Sasuke, admiration shining in her eyes. "The Chidori is a high-speed technique that requires intense concentration and excellent coordination. You need to gather chakra in your palm in a short time, form a sharp current of electricity, and then thrust it out quickly."
"Of course, this technique came from Kakashi. I'm just copying and pasting it here."
Sasuke nodded. He knew how important the Chidori was and understood the responsibility he carried.
He closed his eyes and began adjusting his breathing according to Liuli's instructions, gathering his chakra.
Meanwhile, Liuli turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto, you have a huge amount of chakra, but your control still needs work. So I've decided to teach you the Shadow Clone Technique. It's a technique that lets you create multiple clones to increase your fighting strength, but each clone consumes your chakra. You'll need to learn how to distribute and control it properly."
Naruto scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. "Hehe, Teacher Liuli, I've always wanted to learn the Shadow Clone Technique! I'll do my best!"
Liuli smiled and nodded, then began explaining the Shadow Clone Technique's method of practice and what to watch out for.
Naruto listened with great interest, nodding from time to time to show he understood.
Then the three of them began training in earnest. Sasuke sat cross-legged with his hands together and started gathering chakra.
His gaze gradually sharpened, as if a powerful force were welling up inside him.
Naruto stood nearby. He took a deep breath, formed Hand Seals, and tried to create his first clone.
However, his movements seemed clumsy, and his chakra didn't flow smoothly. The clone failed to appear, leaving him dizzy instead.
"Aw, I failed!" Naruto said, discouraged.
Liuli walked over and gently patted his shoulder. "It's okay, Naruto. Learning a jutsu doesn't happen overnight. It takes patience and perseverance. There was a problem with your movements just now. Let me demonstrate it again."
With that, Liuli demonstrated how to practice the Shadow Clone Technique, letting Naruto watch closely and learn. Naruto focused on her movements and nodded repeatedly to show he understood.
Meanwhile, Sasuke had already managed to gather the chakra for the Chidori. A dazzling blue light flashed in his palm.
He suddenly opened his eyes. A tiny, sharp bolt of electricity shot out, drawing a long arc through the air.
"That's amazing!" Naruto exclaimed.
Liuli smiled with satisfaction too. "Not bad, Sasuke. You've grasped the basics of how to perform the Chidori. From here, you'll need to keep practicing and improve your speed and accuracy."
"Okay, I understand." Sasuke continued practicing the Chidori, while Naruto continued practicing the Shadow Clone Technique.
"Naruto, pay attention to the details of your clones and how you use your chakra," Liuli said seriously. She knew that while Naruto had a huge amount of chakra, his control still needed work.
So she stressed the details he needed to pay attention to when using the Clone Technique. She explained every step in detail, from forming the hand signs to distributing his chakra.
She hoped Naruto would listen carefully and think through what she taught him, so he could make greater progress in his training.
The two little ones trained for several hours, and Naruto gradually became more precise in his use of the Shadow Clone Technique.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, silently recited the incantation, and quickly formed Hand Seals.
This time, he could clearly feel his chakra flowing more smoothly, as if a powerful force were welling up inside him.
When he opened his eyes, a figure appeared beside him. It was the clone he had successfully summoned!
The clone looked exactly like Naruto and moved with the ease of a real person.
Naruto excitedly pumped his fist. He had finally grasped a bit of the Shadow Clone Technique's essence.
As for Sasuke, he still couldn't control his chakra precisely while practicing the Chidori.
Sometimes, the blue current in his palm grew too powerful and instantly scorched the trees around him. Other times, it suddenly dissipated and wouldn't take shape.
Liuli watched, understanding that Sasuke still needed more practice and refinement.
So she patiently guided him in adjusting his breathing and controlling the flow of his chakra, helping him gradually discover the key to mastering the Chidori.
It was late at night. Moonlight spilled like water over the Uchiha Clan's training grounds, illuminating the open space as brightly as day.
Liuli had been teaching Sasuke and Naruto for a long time. Their figures moved beneath the moonlight, sometimes still as pines, sometimes swift as the wind, as they continued to hone their jutsu.
Training was grueling, especially late at night, when both body and will were prone to exhaustion.
Yet Sasuke and Naruto didn't complain. They knew that only through constant effort and training could they grow stronger and protect themselves and those they loved.
At that moment, Liuli looked at the two of them, drenched in sweat.
"Are you both hungry?" Liuli suddenly asked.
Sasuke and Naruto stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Liuli. Their faces showed signs of fatigue, but their eyes still gleamed with determination.
"Grr~" Just then, Sasuke's stomach let out a loud growl, breaking the night's silence.
Sasuke's cheeks immediately flushed. He rubbed his stomach and smiled sheepishly.
Seeing this, Naruto couldn't help laughing too.
His stomach growled as well, as if it were trying to compete with Sasuke's.
The two of them looked at each other and laughed, and the awkwardness quickly faded.
Liuli watched them and couldn't help laughing out loud. She knew the two boys hadn't eaten in a long time and must be starving.
So she clapped her hands and said, "All right, that's enough for today. You're both hungry, so go get something to eat."
After the three of them finished eating, night had fallen. Stars dotted the quiet sky, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves with a soft rustle. Sasuke's home was deep within the Uchiha Clan's district.
Everything around them was silent, disturbed only by the occasional chirp of insects and a dog barking in the distance.
However, the three of them now faced a tricky problem.
Naruto looked out at the night and scratched his head awkwardly. He knew it would be inconvenient, and unsafe, to go home so late.
So he tentatively asked Sasuke, "Sasuke, can I sleep with you?"
Sasuke had just finished eating and was still savoring how delicious his sister's cooking had been when Naruto's question caught him off guard.
He stared at Naruto with wide eyes, as if he'd heard something unbelievable. As far as he knew, Naruto had always been a carefree guy who rarely made requests like that.
Besides, they were friends, but they were both boys. Sleeping together seemed a little inappropriate.
Liuli saw their reactions and understood. She smiled, walked over, and gently patted them both on the shoulder. "Naruto, if you can't get home, you can stay at Sasuke's for the night. But you can't sleep together, okay?"
Hearing this, Naruto lowered his head, disappointed. He knew Liuli was right. They were both boys, so sleeping together really wasn't appropriate.
But he didn't want to sleep alone in an unfamiliar room, and he couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.
Seeing how disappointed Naruto looked, Sasuke felt sorry for him. He knew Naruto was kind and innocent, and wouldn't have any bad intentions.
Besides, they were good friends and should help each other. So he thought for a moment, then said, "Naruto, you can sleep in my room. I'll sleep on the sofa in the living room."
At that, Naruto immediately looked up, gratitude shining in his eyes.
He looked at Sasuke gratefully and said, "Thanks, Sasuke!"
"Just don't mess around in my room. Other than that, do whatever you want." Sasuke sounded relaxed and casual, as if he didn't much care about the arrangement.
He waved his hand indifferently, as if telling Naruto that this was his home and he could do whatever he wanted there.
Seeing Sasuke act like that, Naruto nodded excitedly.
Naruto looked at Liuli with a hint of hope in his eyes. "Then can I come visit your house often, Teacher Liuli?"
His words carried a note of hesitation and pleading. He was clearly very interested in Liuli's home and in his gentle, big-sister-like teacher.
Sasuke stood nearby, listening, and couldn't help staring. He'd only said that Naruto could stay somewhere for the night. He hadn't expected Naruto to take it so seriously.
He stared at Naruto and thought to himself, Why are you actually taking me up on it? I was just saying it casually.
Seeing the hopeful look in Naruto's eyes, Liuli felt a warmth in her heart. She smiled and nodded. "Of course you can, Naruto. You can call me Big Sister, too!"
Her voice was warm and kind, like a spring breeze brushing through Naruto's heart.
At that, Naruto's face lit up. He cried out excitedly, "Okay! Big Sister Liuli!" His voice brimmed with happiness and affection, as if he'd found a new member of his family.
Watching this, Sasuke couldn't help feeling a little helpless. He'd thought Naruto was a carefree guy, but he hadn't expected him to be so obedient and affectionate around Big Sister Liuli.
He stood there with his mouth open, wanting to say something, but feeling like he didn't belong in the moment.
It feels like I'm the only one who got hurt here... Still, Naruto's having such a good time. And it's nice to have one more person in the house.
Before you continue