"Sasuke... you... you're actually a rich kid?" Naruto's eyes widened, staring at the Sasuke before him in utter disbelief.
He stood before the Uchiha Residence, gazing at the magnificent architecture and exquisite courtyard, his shock beyond words.
He had originally assumed that he and Sasuke were both children from ordinary families; he never expected Sasuke to hail from such a prominent clan.
Sasuke watched Naruto's surprised expression, a complex surge of emotions rising within him.
He had initially thought Naruto would understand him, but the surprise in Naruto's eyes at this moment left him feeling somewhat dejected.
"You know I am the son of the head of the Uchiha Clan..." Sasuke took a deep breath, attempting to voice his inner thoughts. However, the status of clan head was both an honor and a burden to him.
He wanted to say something more, but the words following "clan head" stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.
He knew that as the son of the head of the Uchiha Clan, he bore heavy responsibilities and a mission.
This identity meant he had to inherit the glory and traditions of the family and strive for the revival of the Uchiha Clan.
But at this moment, the Uchiha Residence was empty...
What he had originally wanted was not to be a cold man obsessed with training, but to have a happy life in an ordinary family and the desire to become stronger. At least, he had held such thoughts before.
At this time, Liuli walked over. She blinked, looked at Naruto and Sasuke, and said with a smile, "Shh! Your teacher here is a rich woman too, the eldest daughter of the Uchiha Clan, right, Sasuke!"
Sasuke nodded without saying much. He knew Liuli was helping him out of a tight spot so he wouldn't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of his status.
At the same time, Liuli's words reminded him of that sorrowful night—the Night of the Uchiha Massacre. It was a pain that would always remain in his heart, a past he could never forget.
Liuli looked at Sasuke's silent demeanor and understood what he was thinking. She gently patted Sasuke's shoulder and said softly, "Sasuke, did I say something that made you unhappy?"
Sasuke looked up, meeting Liuli's eyes filled with concern, and the sorrow in his heart eased slightly.
He shook his head and said calmly, "No, Sister. I just remembered some things."
"Huh? Sasuke, are you a bit unhappy? Did I say something wrong?"
Naruto scratched his head, looking at Sasuke with some confusion. He wasn't someone good at reading the room, but he could feel that Sasuke's mood seemed a bit low at this moment.
Sasuke shook his head and said calmly, "No, Naruto. I was just thinking about some things."
He didn't want to make Naruto worry too much, nor did he want to pass his negative emotions on to him.
Naruto let out a sigh of relief and continued, "I just saw such a big house and felt envious. You know, I've always lived at home alone. Although I'm used to it, sometimes I feel lonely. Old Man Third comes to see me occasionally, but most of the time, it's just me."
Hearing Naruto's words, a complex emotion surged in Sasuke's heart.
He knew that Naruto had been without parents since he was young, living in loneliness and solitude.
Although Naruto always appeared optimistic and cheerful, Sasuke could feel the fragility and longing within him.
He gently patted Naruto's shoulder and said, "Naruto, I know it hasn't been easy for you. But you have to believe that no matter what difficulties we encounter, we will face them together. You aren't alone; I'm here, and Teacher Liuli is here. We will all be with you."
Naruto's eyes lit up, and he looked at Sasuke gratefully: "Thank you, Sasuke. It's really great to have you guys."
At this moment, Liuli also walked over. Having heard their conversation, she couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
She looked at Naruto's innocent gaze and Sasuke's firm expression, knowing that both children carried unknown pasts and wounds. But she also believed that as long as they supported each other, they would surely be able to walk through this difficult path.
She smiled and said, "Naruto, Sasuke, you are both good children. Although fate has been somewhat unfair to you, neither of you has given up; instead, you face it bravely. I am very gratified to see you both so strong and courageous."
Naruto and Sasuke both looked at Liuli gratefully; they knew that having a teacher who understood and supported them was their greatest stroke of luck.
Afterward, the three of them walked into the Uchiha Residence. The interior was luxuriously decorated and imposing, showcasing that the past glory of the Uchiha was still before their eyes.
The three arrived at the training grounds of the Uchiha Clan. It was a spacious and quiet open space surrounded by dense trees. A breeze blew, and the leaves rustled, as if playing a prelude for the upcoming training ceremony.
Sasuke and Naruto sat on the ground side by side, listening intently as Liuli explained training knowledge.
Liuli stood before them, her voice clear and powerful, every word filled with wisdom and strength.
"Sasuke, you have extraordinary talent, so I have decided to teach you the Chidori ninjutsu."
Liuli looked at Sasuke, her eyes flashing with admiration. "Chidori is a high-speed movement ninjutsu that requires extremely high mental concentration and physical coordination. You need to condense chakra in your palm within a short period to form a sharp current of electricity, then strike rapidly."
"Of course, this ninjutsu comes from Kakashi, and I'm just here to copy and paste it."
Sasuke nodded; he knew the importance of Chidori and understood the responsibility he bore.
He closed his eyes and began to adjust his breathing and condense his chakra according to Liuli's instructions.
On the other side, Liuli turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto, your chakra reserves are vast, but your control still needs improvement. Therefore, I have decided to teach you the Shadow Clone Technique. This is a ninjutsu that enhances combat power by creating multiple clones, but each clone consumes your chakra, so you need to learn how to distribute and control it reasonably."
Naruto scratched his head and laughed sheepishly, "Hehe, Teacher Liuli, I've always wanted to learn the Shadow Clone Technique! I'll work hard!"
Liuli smiled and nodded, beginning to explain the training methods and precautions for the Shadow Clone Technique in detail.
Naruto listened with great interest, nodding from time to time to show he understood.
Subsequently, the three began their actual training. Sasuke sat cross-legged with his hands pressed together, beginning to condense chakra.
His gaze gradually became sharp, as if a powerful force were surging within his body.
Naruto stood to the side, took a deep breath, formed hand seals, and began to attempt his first clone.
However, his movements seemed somewhat clumsy, and the flow of his chakra was not smooth enough. As a result, the clone did not manifest successfully, and instead, he felt a wave of dizziness.
"Oops, I failed!" Naruto said, feeling somewhat frustrated.
Liuli walked over and gently patted his shoulder: "It's okay, Naruto. Training in ninjutsu isn't something that happens overnight; it requires patience and perseverance. There were some issues with your movements just now; let me demonstrate it for you again."
With that, Liuli personally demonstrated the training method for the Shadow Clone Technique, letting Naruto observe and learn carefully. Naruto watched Liuli's movements with intense focus, nodding repeatedly to show he understood.
As for Sasuke, he had already successfully condensed the chakra for the Chidori, a blinding blue light flickering in his palm.
He snapped his eyes open, and a sharp streak of electricity shot out instantly, carving a long arc through the air.
"So strong!" Naruto exclaimed.
Liuli also revealed a satisfied smile. "Not bad, Sasuke. You have mastered the preliminary training for the Chidori. Next, you need to practice constantly to improve your speed and accuracy."
"Understood." Sasuke continued to practice the Chidori, while Naruto went back to the Shadow Clone Technique.
"Naruto, pay attention to the details of the clones and the application of your chakra," Liuli said earnestly to Naruto. She knew well that while Naruto possessed a massive amount of chakra, his control still needed improvement.
Therefore, she emphasized the details required for the Clone Technique, explaining every step in detail, from the hand seals to the distribution of chakra.
She hoped Naruto would listen carefully and internalize the lessons to make greater progress in his training.
The two little ones trained for several hours, and Naruto's execution of the Shadow Clone Technique gradually became more precise.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, recited the mantra in his heart, and quickly formed the hand seals.
This time, he clearly felt the flow of chakra becoming smoother, as if a powerful force was surging within his body.
When he opened his eyes, a figure flashed out from beside him—it was the clone he had successfully summoned!
This clone was identical to Naruto, moving with agility as if it were a real person.
Naruto waved his fists in excitement; he had finally grasped half the essence of the Shadow Clone Technique.
Meanwhile, Sasuke's control over his chakra while practicing the Chidori was not quite precise enough.
Sometimes, the blue electricity in his palm would be too intense, causing the surrounding trees to be scorched instantly; at other times, the current would suddenly dissipate, failing to take shape.
Liuli watched from the sidelines, understanding that Sasuke still needed more practice and tempering.
Thus, she patiently guided Sasuke to adjust his breathing and control the flow of chakra, helping him gradually find the key to mastering the Chidori.
Late at night, the moonlight was like water, spilling over the training grounds of the Uchiha Clan and illuminating the empty space as if it were broad daylight.
Liuli had been teaching Sasuke and Naruto for a long time. Their figures intertwined under the moonlight, sometimes standing still like pines, sometimes moving like the wind as they continuously honed their ninjutsu.
Training is arduous, especially late at night when both the body and the will are prone to exhaustion.
However, Sasuke and Naruto had no complaints; they knew that only through constant effort and training could they become stronger and protect themselves and those they loved.
At this moment, Liuli looked at the two of them, drenched in sweat.
"You're both hungry, aren't you?" Liuli suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Sasuke and Naruto stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Liuli. Their faces carried a hint of fatigue, but their eyes shone with a firm light.
"Grumble~" Just then, Sasuke's stomach let out a loud growl, breaking the silence of the night.
Sasuke's face turned red instantly; he rubbed his stomach and gave an embarrassed smile.
Seeing this, Naruto couldn't help but laugh.
His own stomach followed suit, as if it were competing with Sasuke's.
The two looked at each other and laughed, and the awkward atmosphere dissipated quite a bit.
Liuli watched them and couldn't help but chuckle. She knew these two children hadn't eaten for a long time and must be starving.
So, she clapped her hands and said, "Alright, let's call it a day. You're both hungry, so go get something to eat first."
After the three of them finished their meal, the night had deepened. The silent night sky was dotted with stars, and a gentle breeze brushed against the leaves, making a rustling sound. Sasuke's home was located deep within the Uchiha Clan compound.
The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects and the barking of dogs in the distance breaking the stillness.
However, the three of them now faced a headache-inducing problem.
Naruto looked at the night outside the window and scratched his head in embarrassment. He knew it wasn't convenient to go back so late, and it wasn't safe either.
So, he tentatively asked Sasuke, "Sasuke, can I sleep with you?"
Sasuke had just finished his meal and was still savoring the deliciousness of the food his sister had made. Hearing Naruto's question out of the blue, he was stunned.
He widened his eyes and stared at Naruto, as if he had heard something incredible. In his impression, Naruto had always been a boisterous guy and rarely made such requests.
Moreover, although they were friends, they were boys after all, and sleeping together seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Liuli watched their reactions and understood a little. She smiled, walked over to them, and gently patted their shoulders. "Naruto, if you can't go back, you can stay at Sasuke's place for the night. However, you cannot sleep together."
Hearing this, Naruto lowered his head in disappointment. He knew Liuli was right; they were boys, and sleeping together was indeed improper.
But he didn't want to sleep alone in a strange room, and he couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.
Sasuke looked at Naruto's dejected appearance and couldn't bear it. He knew Naruto was a kind, simple guy who wouldn't have any bad intentions.
Besides, they were good friends and should help each other. So, after thinking for a moment, he said, "Naruto, you can sleep in my room, and I'll sleep on the sofa in the living room."
Naruto looked up immediately, his eyes shining with gratitude.
He looked at Sasuke gratefully and said, "Sasuke, thank you!"
"Just don't mess around in my room, and you can do whatever else you want." Sasuke's words revealed a sense of ease and casualness, as if he didn't care much about the arrangement.
He waved his hand dismissively, as if telling Naruto that this was his home and he could move about freely.
Naruto looked at Sasuke's expression and nodded excitedly.
Naruto's gaze held a hint of anticipation as he looked at Liuli: "Then can I come visit Liuli-sensei's home often in the future?"
His words carried a trace of probing and pleading; clearly, he had developed a keen interest in Liuli's home and this teacher who embodied the image of a gentle big sister.
Sasuke, listening from the side, couldn't help but be stunned. He had only said it offhandedly, wanting Naruto to have a temporary place to stay, never expecting Naruto to take it so seriously.
He widened his eyes, staring at Naruto, muttering to himself: Why are you actually being so polite? I was just saying that.
Liuli looked at Naruto's expectant eyes, a warmth spreading through her heart. She smiled and nodded, saying: "Of course you can, Naruto. You can also call me sister!"
Her voice was gentle and kind, like a spring breeze brushing across Naruto's heart.
Hearing this, Naruto's joy was immediately written all over his face. He shouted excitedly: "Great! Liuli-sister!" His voice was filled with joy and a sense of closeness, as if he had found a new family member.
Sasuke watched this scene, feeling somewhat helpless. He had originally thought Naruto was a boisterous guy; he hadn't expected him to become so well-behaved and affectionate when facing Liuli-sister.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but felt that he was somewhat redundant at this moment.
It felt like the world was injured, leaving only himself... but this guy Naruto is smiling very happily, and it's not bad to have one more person at home.