See you tomorrow, kid

As they watched Uchiha Satoru smiling as though nothing had happened, everyone's gaze grew more intense.

Uchiha Fugaku even snorted through his nose.

Hmph. You've got some nerve, brat.

Just wait until we get home!

That thought wasn't just running through Uchiha Fugaku's mind. Every last person there was thinking the same thing.

If I don't make you shed a few tears, I don't deserve the name Uchiha-or Hatake!

"Haha, if young Satoru hadn't arranged all this, how would I have gotten to see such a lively contest today?" The old Third Hokage smiled as he twisted the knife.

"Haha." Uchiha Satoru's smile instantly froze.

You just had to bring that up now, didn't you? Thanks a lot.

This old man is downright devious!

Under a barrage of stares that nearly set him on fire, Uchiha Satoru's lips twitched.

"All the credit goes to Teuchi."

Uchiha Satoru forced himself to spin a story about how Teuchi had spent day after day quietly perfecting his ramen to fulfill a promise from his youth. He had finally succeeded, leading to this shop and today's contest.

"So Teuchi opened this shop and held this event all because of a promise he made to someone back then?"

"Sniff, sniff..."

Little Naruto's eyes brimmed with tears.

He'd had no idea Teuchi had a past like that.

"Hmph." Sasuke let out a snort.

Idiot. Haven't you noticed you're the only one here buying this?

One corner of Kakashi's mouth stretched almost to his ear. Looking at Uchiha Satoru, he truly didn't know what to say.

Making things up right in front of the Third Hokage? You really don't have a care in the world...

The Third Hokage's expression remained unchanged, though he shook his head discreetly.

He had originally thought this child might serve as a catalyst.

A catalyst that would help Konoha and the Uchiha gradually untangle their grievances, perhaps even turn back the tide of unrest within the village.

But from what he could see now, the boy's temperament was as elusive as the wind. He didn't seem like someone who could set aside his own interests and put the village first.

He would wait and see. The boy was still young, after all.

"By the way, Satoru is about old enough to start school, isn't he?" The Third Hokage turned to Fugaku, his tone casual.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." Fugaku's face tightened. He immediately understood what the Hokage meant.

"He still needs to learn what he ought to learn. We can't neglect his education."

"Good. Send him to the academy in a few days, then. That will line up nicely with the Konoha Academy's enrollment period."

Having delivered those words with a smile, the Third Hokage left through the front door with Torifu and Kakashi, one after another.

Once they were gone, Fugaku let out a long breath.

Given the current situation, he really hated the idea of sending Satoru to the Konoha Academy.

Konoha had raised Itachi to be too soft, too kindhearted.

That didn't suit the Uchiha as they were now.

He certainly didn't want Satoru, whom he had only just come to appreciate, turning out the same way.

Fugaku gathered his thoughts and glared at Uchiha Satoru, who wore an innocent expression.

When all was said and done, this little brat had brought it on himself!

Go one day without a beating, and you start getting itchy for one!

"Move." Fugaku cast Uchiha Satoru a glance and uttered that single icy word.

Faced with Fugaku's crushing stare, everyone obediently shut their mouths and quietly followed him outside.

Dear second brother, you're on your own.

A disobedient little brother could certainly use a lesson.

What a satisfying turn of events!

Those were everyone's most heartfelt thoughts.

"Big brother, are you leaving?" Naruto saw that the place, packed with people only moments earlier, had suddenly emptied out. With his big brother about to be taken home by his family too, he couldn't help asking.

"Yeah, afraid so. What can I do? Your big brother is just too popular. They get restless if I'm out of their sight for even a little while."

"But you can come find me whenever you want. This little separation is just so we can be together every day later on."

"See you tomorrow, kid." His words were half sincere, half teasing.

"See you tomorrow, big brother," Naruto replied dutifully.

The scene shifted to the Hokage Office Building.

"From what I've seen, the Uchiha's encounter with Naruto Uzumaki was purely coincidental."

"A few days ago, Uchiha Satoru helped Naruto Uzumaki out of some trouble on the street. That was how they became acquainted."

"Later, they ran into each other on the way and went to the contest together."

Kakashi gave the Third Hokage a full account of everything.

"What do you think of Uchiha Satoru?" the Third Hokage suddenly asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Uchiha Satoru?"

Kakashi paused for half a second.

"He's different from the other Uchiha. An odd one."

"He prefers interacting with people."

"But his talent might be somewhat lacking."

"The Uchiha rely on their Sharingan, but he always keeps his eyes covered. There might be something wrong with them. He may not be able to see."

"He's probably a ninja with particularly outstanding sensory abilities."