["It's fine. As long as our stance doesn't change."]
["The Third won't come forward over something this trivial."]
["Besides, that child seems more outstanding than we expected. Look—he's probably eavesdropping on us right now."]
[Nara Shikaku crossed his arms. A trace of amusement appeared on his serious face.]
["After all, he's Minato and Kushina's child," Akimichi Chōza said, his round face breaking into a smile.]
[Only Yamanaka Inoichi felt uncomfortable, watching his daughter chat happily with little Naruto.]
[Sigh~]
[Even knowing that child was the son of the Fourth Hokage and former jinchūriki Kushina—]
[Inoichi still felt his heart bleeding. His little cotton jacket hadn't even warmed up yet—don't let it start leaking already.]
Yamanaka Ino: "Dad, what are you talking about?"
Yamanaka Ino: "We're all just kids. It's not what you're thinking."
Ino looked at her old father and rolled her eyes helplessly.
Sakura blinked.
Involuntarily, she thought—
If that's the case… doesn't that mean Sasuke is all mine?
But…
Looking at herself on the black-framed screen, Sakura suddenly felt something was off.
In the Pure Land, watching Black-Frame Naruto like this—
Kushina's eyes turned red.
But she forced herself not to cry.
"I'm sorry, Naruto… Mom couldn't be by your side."
As a mother, she couldn't bear to watch this.
Her child had endured far too much pressure.
He never allowed himself to be a child. Even when playing with peers, he had to be cautious.
Compared to that, Kushina preferred this Black-Frame Naruto.
Children who grow up sensible always make people ache for them.
As for Gold-Frame Naruto—Kushina loved him just the same. He was also kind and obedient, but too easily influenced, which hurt her heart even more.
Uchiha Mikoto sighed.
"Kushina, you know."
"Those old men were always wary of us."
"That night, when the Nine-Tails appeared, its eyes bore the Sharingan pattern."
"Fugaku and I investigated—it absolutely wasn't our people."
"Afterward… we were pushed to the edge of the village. And because of our identity, the Uchiha were never allowed to approach Naruto, the new jinchūriki."
Kushina waved her hand.
She understood her close friend—how could she blame her?
Besides, when Minato brought Naruto back, he had already said the culprit was that damned masked man.
Very likely the Uchiha Madara of that era.
With Mikoto's reminder, Kushina frowned slightly and explained further.
Mikoto's brows knit as well.
"A masked Uchiha…?"
The two women fell into thought.
["Honestly, why are you crying again?" Ino patted Sakura's back helplessly.]
[She then turned toward Naruto, about to speak—]
[only to realize Naruto wasn't paying attention, as if he were listening carefully to something.]
[Turning her head, she saw her father had come to pick her up.]
["Dad~!"]
[Ino waved her small hand toward Yamanaka Inoichi.]
[Seeing this, Inoichi's previously gloomy expression instantly brightened.]
["Ino~!"]
[Shikamaru glanced at little Naruto, then looked toward his own father.]
['Is he concentrating on listening to their conversation?']
["My dad's here too! Naruto, see you later~!" Chōji stomped excitedly.]
[With his dad picking him up, they'd definitely stop by the snack street on the way home.]
["Well~"]
["I'll head back too. See you, Naruto."]
[After thinking for a moment, Shikamaru didn't extend an invitation.]
[He knew Naruto's identity was sensitive. Even if nothing happened, it would still trouble his father.]
["Um… Naruto, I'll head back too," Ino hesitated. Seeing Shikamaru not making a move, she didn't dare act rashly either.]
["Mm. Bye~" little Naruto smiled and waved to the three of them.]
[Watching them leave with their fathers, little Naruto felt nothing in particular.]
[But soon, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.]
['Shikamaru's dad seems even smarter than Shikamaru.']
['What he said earlier was definitely meant for me—and he noticed right away that I was eavesdropping.']
[Looking at the three families' backs, little Naruto took a deep breath.]
[This way, he could obtain useful information through the three of them.]
['The feeling of being monitored isn't as strong as before.']
['Is it because Ino and the others' fathers appeared?']
[Little Naruto shook his head. Everything would wait until tomorrow.]
[If he gained useful knowledge, he planned not to rely on Shikamaru and the others for now.]
Nara Shikaku: "Very smart kid. He knew I was speaking deliberately for him."
Yamanaka Inoichi: "That's not the point. The point is… forget it. This child really is outstanding."
Akimichi Chōza: "Minato, you have an excellent son."
Namikaze Minato: "Thank you, Elder Chōza."
Uzumaki Kushina: "Did I tell you to speak?"
Minato: "..."
"Hahahaha~" The Yin half of the Nine-Tails laughed heartily.
That feeling… truly worthy of Kushina.
If possible, the Yin Nine-Tails would rather stay inside Naruto's sealing space.
At least it wouldn't suffer.
Better not provoke Uzumaki women—
once you offend them… heh.
[Little Naruto glanced up at the sun.]
["It's noon… time for lunch."]
["I'll go check my… huh? Sakura, why are you still here?"]
[All the other kids had already gone home to eat.]
[Little Naruto hadn't noticed that Sakura had been standing behind him the whole time.]
[Now, just as he was about to leave, she tugged at the corner of his clothes.]
["Um… thank you… Ino already told me everything."]
[Sakura's eyes were still red as she shyly thanked him.]
["Mm. You should head back too," little Naruto said with a smile.]
[He just wanted to go check whether his trap had caught anything—ideally a fat rabbit.]
["Where are you going?" Sakura asked instinctively when she saw him leaving.]
["To eat lunch," little Naruto replied without turning his head.]
["W-wait for me~!" Sakura hurried after him.]
[Little Naruto frowned. "Is there something else?"]
[Looking at the wide-foreheaded girl with short pink hair and a red bow tied on top, he still asked patiently.]
["My parents aren't home… they left me a lot of money to eat out by myself."]
["Ino said you're very brave and strong… and really gentle to people!"]
["Because you don't have parents, you're always bullied by bad people—but you're not afraid at all, and you even fight back!"]
[Faced with Sakura's sudden excitement, little Naruto didn't deny anything.]
["Mm, thanks for the praise. If there's nothing else, I really need to go—I'm hungry."]
["I want to treat you to lunch!"]
["My house is close to Ichiraku Ramen. I've seen you from afar a few times."]
["And—and I know where to buy cheap, tasty food!"]
[Little Naruto stopped walking.]
[Seeing this, Sakura hurriedly added, "Can I become brave like you too?"]
["You want to treat me to lunch?" little Naruto didn't answer her question, instead turning back to ask.]
["Mm-hm! I'll also take you to a shop very few people know about. The owner is really nice and doesn't bully people." Sakura's eyes lit up—there was hope!]
["The food there is half the usual price. It just can't be stored for long."]
[Little Naruto glanced at her, then turned and walked away without a word.]
[Sakura stood there, a little dejected.]
[She really wanted to thank little Naruto—for letting her kick the can for the first time, for not bullying or mocking her, and for taking her place as 'it'.]
[Just as Sakura's eyes began to moisten—]
[a small hand waved in front of her.]
["What are you spacing out for? Keep up."]
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