Shisui Uchiha was thrown out of Naruto's inner world with a bewildered look on his face, returning to reality.
Why was she so practical?!
Back in the real world, Shisui Uchiha sensed someone approaching. When he discovered it was Mikoto Uchiha, he turned around in confusion—only for a strip of cloth to be tied over his eyes.
"???"
Several question marks seemed to pop up over Shisui Uchiha's head. Just as he was about to tear the cloth off, he heard Mikoto Uchiha speak.
"Naruto isn't wearing anything right now! If you dare take that cloth off, I'll gouge your eyes out!"
Hearing Mikoto Uchiha's vicious words, Shisui Uchiha was so frightened that he did not dare move.
Big sis! You used to be as gentle as water! How did you become so brutal now?!
Shisui Uchiha recalled the times he had gone to Itachi Uchiha's house for meals. Back then, Mikoto Uchiha had been gentle and considerate, the very picture of a model wife. How could she be as terrifyingly fierce as she was now? She was practically a shrew!
After kicking Shisui Uchiha out, Naruto came before the Nine-Tails.
"Nine-Tails, I caused you trouble."
"Tch, you never listen." The Nine-Tails patted Naruto's head, not looking particularly angry.
"When I saw the people of Kusagakure treating Karin's mother's corpse like that, and thought about what Karin and her mother went through, I really couldn't endure it..." Naruto lowered his head, her golden hair concealing her face and making her seem deeply dejected.
"Wasn't making a scene pretty good? Just as you said, Naruto, this world is one where the strong prey on the weak." Seeing Naruto so dejected, the Nine-Tails awkwardly comforted him.
"That's right! This world is just like that! Karin is from my Uzumaki Clan, yet they dared bully her like this. Destroying Kusagakure was letting them off easy! If they provoke me again, I'll wipe the Land of Grass off the map!"
Naruto suddenly clenched his fists, his emotions surging. There was an unprecedented brilliance in his azure eyes.
The Nine-Tails blinked. It somehow felt as though Naruto had led it by the nose.
Seeing Naruto's innocent and adorable appearance, the Nine-Tails shook its head.
How could that be? I must be overthinking it!
While the Nine-Tails was not paying attention, Naruto revealed a sly smile and rubbed against its paw.
Only after helping Naruto get dressed did Mikoto Uchiha allow Shisui Uchiha to remove the cloth over his eyes. Looking at Naruto's expensive-looking dress, he thought of Naruto's former tomboyish outfit.
Shisui Uchiha understood a little why Naruto had wanted him to bring Mikoto Uchiha back.
Naruto, in Mikoto Uchiha's arms, slowly opened his eyes. His azure gaze was slightly unfocused as he looked around.
"Naruto, are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Mikoto, the wound on your shoulder... I caused it..." Naruto saw the blood seeping through Mikoto Uchiha's clothes. Rolling up her sleeve, he saw the wound on her shoulder.
"I bumped into something by accident. It's nothing!" Mikoto Uchiha acted as if nothing was wrong, but when Naruto pressed a finger against the wound, the pain made her expression change slightly.
"And you call that nothing?"
Naruto rolled his eyes at Mikoto Uchiha.
"Nonō, help her treat it."
"Mm."
Yakushi Nonō nodded, walked over to Mikoto Uchiha, and used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat the wound on her shoulder.
Naruto got up from Mikoto Uchiha's arms and had barely taken two steps when he tripped over the cumbersome dress and fell face-first onto the ground. His cheeks slightly red, he climbed back up and dusted himself off.
When Shisui Uchiha saw the awakened Naruto trip over his skirt and fall, he covered his mouth and laughed.
"You seem to be having a lot of fun, Shisui!"
Hearing Naruto's voice, Shisui Uchiha realized something was wrong. Just as he was about to step back, an intense pain shot through his foot. His joy had turned to sorrow.
"Hmph! Serves you right!"
Naruto walked over and looked at the enormous crater left behind by the Kusagakure he had destroyed. He felt not the slightest guilt. Then he turned toward Karin and opened his arms.
"The Kusagakure that caused your mother's death has completely disappeared. So, are you happy?"
Karin shook her head without speaking. Naruto merely shrugged indifferently.
"Later, we'll find a place to give your mother's body a proper burial."
"Mm."
Karin looked at where Kusagakure had once stood and silently nodded.
Before leaving, Shisui Uchiha asked Mikoto Uchiha whether she would return with him to the Uchiha Clan village on Crow Mountain. He also told her that her children and Fugaku Uchiha missed her very much.
"No, I won't be going back for now." Mikoto Uchiha refused Shisui Uchiha's invitation. She could not return with Shisui yet.
She looked tenderly at Naruto, who was staring at his dress with a disgusted expression.
"Naruto saved my life. I want to stay by his side for now and take care of him."
"Hey! I don't need you taking care of me! Hurry up and find me a pair of pants! This dress is such a pain!" Hearing Mikoto Uchiha's words, Naruto instantly bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, glaring furiously at Mikoto Uchiha.
"All right, I understand. I'll tell the clan head that you're alive. After all, he has always blamed himself for your death."
"He blames himself... I understand him. Everything he did was for the Uchiha Clan..."
Mikoto Uchiha smiled gently. Under the warm sunlight, her smile was so dazzling and radiant.
It Was All Calculation
After a brief conversation with Mikoto Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha looked at Naruto before leaving.
"What are you planning to do now?"
"Nothing in particular. I plan to leave the Land of Grass first and find a safe place to increase my strength." The Akatsuki Organization was still in its recruitment phase. This was a good opportunity to improve his strength, so he would not be left unable to fight back when they came looking for him.
Sage Mode from the original story... Sure enough, compared to toads, I prefer snakes more... I wonder if I'll have a chance to go to Ryūchi Cave and learn Sage Mode.
"Do you want to go..."
Before you continue