Dinner

The series of developments triggered by Shisui had not gone unnoticed by Konoha's upper ranks.

Just three days after Shisui began making moves, Danzo sought out the Third Hokage.

"Hiruzen, do you intend to just stand by and watch the Uchiha Clan's actions?"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, showed no expression, merely glancing at Danzo.

Seeing that the Third Hokage remained unmoved, Danzo said angrily, "Uchiha Yushu visits families of every size in Konoha every day. Even Ino–Shika–Cho has joined forces with the Uchiha. His shadow clones take Uchiha Shisui around the village every day to sway the villagers. Quite a few have already been won over and no longer view the Uchiha with hostility."

After hearing him out, the Third Hokage said, "Isn't that a good thing? If the Uchiha Clan can willingly integrate into Konoha, it will benefit the village."

Danzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief. "After all these years of investment, all the effort we have put in, we are finally about to reap the rewards. Can you really bear to let go? That is the power of the Sharingan."

"Enough, Danzo. As long as the Uchiha Clan is willing to integrate into Konoha, the Sharingan is Konoha's power. We do not seek to destroy the Uchiha Clan, but to control it. All we need to do is observe the results. Put away your petty schemes."

"Hiruzen, I refuse to believe you cannot see that Uchiha Yushu brat's ambition. The Uchiha Clan is evil. You cannot control them!"

"That is a matter for the Fifth Hokage to worry about. We only need to do our own jobs."

The reason Hiruzen Sarutobi had been hostile toward the Uchiha Clan and deliberately allowed Danzo to suppress them was that the clan kept to itself while also being Konoha's strongest shinobi clan. If left unchecked, they would sooner or later pose a tremendous threat to Konoha.

Yushu's series of actions showed Hiruzen Sarutobi an opportunity for the village to peacefully bring the Uchiha Clan into its fold. Moreover, after so many years of suppression, the Uchiha Clan's strength had greatly declined, so Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to wait and see.

Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that years of prejudice could not be erased so easily. By the time the Uchiha Clan had fully integrated into the village, he would likely be long gone, and the Fifth Hokage could deal with the Uchiha problem then.

All he needed to do was ensure Konoha's stability for now, so he had little interest in Danzo's proposal. Besides, Danzo had always been the main force behind the campaign against the Uchiha over the years. Hiruzen did not care if he gave that up now.

Root was also growing increasingly beyond his control. He might as well let Danzo test the Uchiha's strength on his own.

"Hiruzen! You have gone soft again. Konoha will be destroyed by your cowardice sooner or later!"

"Enough, Danzo. I am the Hokage, the Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. You have overstepped yourself!"

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

After returning to Root, Danzo was furious at Hiruzen's unreliability.

Just as I thought, Hiruzen. Only I can protect Konoha!

Danzo began making his own arrangements as well.

Having just returned home from work, Yushu was quite surprised to see Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha.

It had to be said that Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha were both adorable as children. But when he saw the restrained Naruto, Yushu found himself with a headache.

Recently, he had been stirring up trouble like mad while carefully ensuring that the upper ranks could not get any dirt on him.

Yet now this freshly minted, six-year-old jinchuriki had come straight to his home. Even Yushu himself would not believe anyone who claimed the boy had nothing to do with him.

He knew about Natsuri and Naruto, but he had not interfered. He knew well that Naruto's personality would gradually come to resemble Asura's due to Asura's chakra.

It was beneficial for Natsuri to have a good relationship with Naruto. After all, the grown-up Naruto would be even stronger than Yushu was now. Natsuri had become acquainted with Naruto through no calculation of his; it was purely her own stroke of fortune.

Yushu had always treated his family sincerely. Though he was also a siscon, he would not manipulate Natsuri's future the way Itachi Uchiha manipulated his little brother's.

Naruto, who had initially received a warm welcome from Takuma and Nami, became cautious after seeing Natsuri's brother fall silent upon spotting him.

Naruto put the fried chicken drumstick he had taken a bite out of back onto the plate. It was the first time he had eaten something so delicious, even better than the Ichiraku Ramen he had always dreamed of.

At this point, Naruto had not yet been deeply influenced by Asura's chakra and was not as thick-skinned as he would become in the future. Having been bullied and despised since childhood, he was extremely sensitive inside.

From Natsuri and Sasuke Uchiha, he had gathered that Yushu held a very important position in this family. Naruto keenly caught the slight frown that appeared on Yushu's face.

Looks like Natsuri's brother doesn't like me either.

Naruto began worrying about his relationship with Natsuri.

Seeing her brother standing frozen in the doorway, Natsuri ran over, grabbed him, and dragged him toward the dining table. "Brother, why are you just standing there?"

Pulled along by Natsuri, Yushu came back to his senses and shook his head, dispersing his wild thoughts.

Whatever came, he would deal with it. Soldiers against soldiers, earth against water. The Uchiha Clan's hardest days were already behind them.

In the end, this shinobi world spoke through strength. As long as Might Guy did not unleash that kick, Yushu could modestly claim second place, and no one would dare claim first.

It seems that after getting used to scheming against those old monsters these days, I have become somewhat indecisive as well.

Yushu reflected inwardly.

After taking his seat, Yushu looked at Naruto and asked, "Natsuri, is this the new friend you made?"

"Of course. This is Naruto. Brother, you haven't forgotten what you said at the start of school, have you?" Natsuri said, pulling Naruto over.

"No. Natsuri, how about I start teaching you the Great Fireball Technique tomorrow night?"

"Is that the ninjutsu Uncle Xuanyue used when he beat up those bad guys last time?" Natsuri asked excitedly.

"Of course. It's a very powerful Fire Release technique."

"Ah! Brother, don't worry. I'll bring even more friends home."

"Mhm, Natsuri. Next time you bring friends over, remember to tell me beforehand. I haven't even prepared a gift. Here, Natsuri, go to my room and get the third scroll from the right above my bedside."

"Okay, Brother." Natsuri hurried into Yushu's room.

Yushu then looked at Naruto. "Naruto, right? Did Natsuri beat you up and force you to be her friend?"

"No, Natsuri's brother. When people bullied me, Boss Natsuri helped chase them away. Boss Natsuri is very good to me."

Naruto answered timidly as he watched Yushu's expression at every moment.

Seeing Naruto before him, who was no different from the seasoned office workers from his past life who constantly read their boss's mood, along with that scrawny frame so ill-suited to his age, Yushu sighed inwardly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, look at the mess you have made. A child so young already knows how to read people's faces.

Yushu smiled and gently ruffled Naruto's golden hair. "That's good, then. Get along well with Natsuri, okay? Natsuri can have quite a temper sometimes."

"Brother, you're talking bad about me again! Naruto, don't listen to him."

With that, she angrily hurled the scroll in her hand at Yushu.

Yushu effortlessly caught it and winked at Naruto. "See that, Naruto?"

Naruto watched the siblings interact with great envy. During their brief exchange, he had realized that Yushu bore him no ill will either. He was no longer so restrained and broke into a happy smile.

"Naruto, you still dare laugh? Do you have any respect for me as your boss?"

"Ah! No, Boss Natsuri, I wasn't laughing at you."

Sasuke Uchiha, who had been sitting quietly to the side and appeared very well-mannered, also laughed happily when he saw Naruto get put in his place.

Takuma and Mina watched the children's playful squabbling with smiles throughout.