Uchiha Ryōsuke was very satisfied with Yakushi Nonō's answer.
She knew how to conduct herself.
"I still need to discuss this matter with the Clan Head, but it will definitely succeed. I will send you the money tomorrow."
"Actually, I will give you a sum of money right now. Since you mentioned the children in the orphanage are hungry, use this to buy them some good food."
He then took out ten thousand ryo from a small box and handed it to Yakushi Nonō.
This was his private stash. Although he didn't need to work at the Konoha Military Police Force, he still held a position there, so naturally, he received a salary.
Yakushi Nonō did not hesitate and decisively accepted the money. This was not the time to be hesitant or worry about saving face.
The children in the orphanage were still starving. She felt even more grateful to him now; he had even thought of this detail.
Seeing that it was getting late, she spoke up.
"Lord Ryōsuke, I will head back first. I want to buy some groceries while the shops are still open to feed the children."
Ryōsuke did not refuse.
"Go ahead."
Yakushi Nonō, blushing, picked up her clothes from the ground and put them back on piece by piece.
Ryōsuke watched her intently. When the last piece of clothing was back in place, he felt a bit regretful. Such a scenic view was now tightly covered by clothes; it was truly a pity.
After Yakushi Nonō left, he realized it was getting late. He decided to wait until tomorrow morning to find Uchiha Fugaku to discuss matters. When the time came, he would take the money and send it to the orphanage all at once.
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage had already received Hatake Kakashi's report. He was furious inside, and his expression changed.
That fellow, Uchiha Ryōsuke, had not only publicized Naruto's identity but had even taken Naruto back to the Uchiha Clan.
Damn it, wasn't this snatching away his chess piece?
Whoever raised the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki would naturally be the one the Jinchūriki became close to.
He had originally intended to show his benevolence to Naruto, but that had already been ruined by Uchiha Ryōsuke once before.
Now, Ryōsuke had directly taken the boy away, completely destroying his plans.
He looked up at Kakashi standing before him.
"Kakashi, did you not stop him? You just let him take the boy away?"
Kakashi noticed that the Third Hokage's expression was a bit off. After all, he knew the value of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
He hurriedly explained.
"I spoke up to stop him, but Uchiha Ryōsuke ignored me. Considering the gap in strength between us, I didn't dare to forcibly intercept him."
The Third Hokage sighed helplessly. There was nothing to be done. Even he wasn't a match for that madman, let alone Kakashi.
The current situation was becoming increasingly critical. Although the village appeared calm on the surface.
The Uchiha Clan showed no signs of forcefully forcing him to abdicate, but every step the Uchiha Clan took was targeted at him.
Taking the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki back to their clan grounds.
This would undoubtedly greatly enhance the Uchiha Clan's reputation. When other clans learned that the Uchiha even controlled the Nine-Tails, would they still dare to oppose the Uchiha Clan?
Definitely not. They wouldn't even dare to think about it.
Following this, the opponent's prestige in the village would only grow higher.
Their power would become greater and greater, and there was no hope of him holding onto his position as Hokage.
Jiraiya, who could have provided him with support, could not be found.
Even Tsunade was unwilling to return.
Perhaps he was truly finished.
Kakashi also noticed that the Third Hokage seemed dispirited. He estimated that the Hokage had been severely struck by this incident.
He spoke up.
"Lord Hokage, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."
The Third Hokage waved his hand weakly, letting Kakashi leave. Taking his anger out on Kakashi now would be useless.
Early the next morning, Uchiha Ryōsuke arrived at Fugaku's home.
He wanted to discuss funding the orphanage with him. Although this was something he could resolve alone, it was better to discuss it with the Clan Head. Moreover, he hadn't received that sum of money yet; it was all stored with the clan.
Of course, it wasn't that he didn't have ideas about it, he just hadn't had the opportunity yet. Now should be the time to acquire his share.
However, Fugaku was not at home. Only the Clan Head's wife, Uchiha Mikoto, was there.
She complained to Ryōsuke.
"Fugaku took Sasuke and Naruto out to train early in the morning, even though Naruto had only just arrived at the house."
"He was in such a hurry to take Naruto training, not afraid that Naruto might come to hate it here."
Ryōsuke was a little surprised.
"Where are they?"
"Just by the pond," Mikoto replied.
"Understood."
Ryōsuke knew where that was.
"I'll go take a look then."
Seeing that Ryōsuke was going to find Fugaku, Mikoto reminded him.
"Remember to tell Fugaku not to be too strict. If he makes Naruto resentful, that won't be good. I still need to go buy fresh ingredients to cook for them."
Ryōsuke naturally nodded in agreement. It seemed that this Clan Head's wife treated Naruto very well.
Naruto should be very happy living here. Someone to teach him training, someone to cook for him—it was much more nutritious than eating only ramen.
Meanwhile, by the pond near the clan grounds, Fugaku was training Naruto and Sasuke.
Fugaku looked at Sasuke and said, "You go practice the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu I taught you earlier."
Sasuke agreed. Before leaving, he glanced at the yellow-haired kid.
This guy seemed to be the incarnation of the demon fox that everyone detested, yet his parents said he was the son of an old friend and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Although he didn't hate this guy, the moment this guy arrived at his house, he had gained the affection of his parents, seemingly even placing him above himself.
This made him very unhappy inside. He had to perform well so that his parents would value him more.
He walked alone to the edge of the pond and began training the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. He had to produce a fireball with even greater firepower to let his father see how much of a genius his child was.
The reason they came to the riverbank was naturally for fear that the fireballs would cause a fire.
He directly molded his chakra, formed seals with his hands, and actually successfully released a small fireball.
He was pleasantly surprised and shouted quickly.
"Father, I succeeded."
Uchiha Fugaku was also very satisfied. To be able to release the Fireball Jutsu at such a young age, it seemed his talent was not low.
Such a child would definitely become a pillar of the Uchiha Clan in the future.
Naruto, observing Sasuke release the ball of flame, had a face full of astonishment.
'Is this ninjutsu?'
'It feels so cool.'
"Uncle Fugaku, can you also teach me how to release a Fireball?"
Fugaku immediately said, "Of course I can."
As the son of Konoha's top genius Namikaze Minato and Kushina, both parents were outstanding ninja.
The son they bore wouldn't be much worse than his own child.
And having the opportunity to teach Naruto ninjutsu, wouldn't that make him equivalent to Naruto's teacher?
The relationship between master and apprentice was a very reliable bond in the village.
The future Naruto would undoubtedly count as one of the Uchiha Clan's people.
Ryōsuke had truly played a good move.
Hearing the answer, Naruto's eyes shone.
"I want to learn the Fireball Jutsu too! That Fireball was so cool."
Looking at the impatient Naruto, Fugaku smiled.
"This is the signature ninjutsu of the Uchiha Clan."
"It cannot be released without Fire attribute chakra."
"And as far as I know, neither of your parents specialized in Fire Style."
Although children generally inherited their parents' chakra attributes, there were always exceptions.
Hearing this, Naruto felt a bit lost in his heart. Was he unable to release a Fireball like that?
Seeing the disappointment in Naruto's eyes, Fugaku comforted him.
"Even if you can't release a Fireball, you can still release other powerful ninjutsu, like this."
After speaking, he directly molded chakra and formed hand seals.
"Water Style: Water Ball Jutsu."
A small water ball appeared in front of him. Then, he stopped molding chakra, and the small water ball vanished into the air.
He molded chakra again and formed seals.
"Wind Style: Wind Blade."
A formless blade of wind appeared in front of him and pierced directly into the water of the pond.
Fugaku looked regretful; his chakra attribute was primarily Fire.
When releasing ninjutsu of other natures, the power was much smaller.
Naruto looked at the Water Ball Jutsu and that Wind Blade; these were also quite cool ninjutsu.
"Uncle Fugaku, these are also very cool. I can learn these too."
Fugaku was very happy inside; he had already aroused Naruto's interest in learning.
"To successfully release such ninjutsu, you must learn to refine chakra. Aside from that, you must learn the methods of releasing ninjutsu."
"You should proceed with the first step."
"That is to practice the Uchiha Clan's unique Chakra Refinement Technique."