Sasuke's thoughts were simple: Naruto was his first friend, so naturally, he wanted to introduce him to his parents.
Besides, he wanted Naruto to experience the warmth of a family. Unlike Naruto, who had never truly been cared for, Sasuke's father and brother often quarrelled—but deep down, they loved him.
The question wasn't whether Sasuke wanted to invite Naruto—it was whether the listeners would buy it. Mikoto and Fugaku exchanged glances.
If Sasuke weren't their son, they might suspect some hidden motive, a cunning plot disguised as friendship.
Mikoto, who had been close to Kushina, had long known about Naruto's tragic life. She had even once considered adopting him. But could she actually do it? Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, and Konoha's higher-ups would never allow an Uchiha to adopt him.
In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, the only person capable of officially adopting Naruto was the Third Hokage. Even if someone else knew of his identity, it could only be discussed in private—never publicly.
Itachi stared at Sasuke. His younger brother's instinct made him wonder if Sasuke was being manipulated, and he planned to ask in private later.
After a long silence, Fugaku finally spoke, his tone measured:
"Since he is your friend, bring him here if you want. Let's see if he's worthy of being an Uchiha's friend."
Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smile.
Itachi frowned, scrutinizing Fugaku. Mikoto was about to interject, but Fugaku cut her off with a tone that brooked no argument:
"It's a good thing Sasuke has made a new friend. Do you want him to lose face in front of that friend?"
Itachi, ever taciturn, didn't argue—but his indifferent expression revealed his thoughts clearly: he didn't want Naruto visiting the Uchiha house. Such a visit could inflame tensions between family and village.
After dinner, Itachi changed into his ninja uniform and left the house. Before heading out on a mission, he paused to glance at Fugaku's study, then slipped quietly to the corner of the clan to visit Shisui's house.
Shisui greeted him warmly. "Itachi, what brings you here?"
Itachi quickly explained Sasuke's invitation and his concern about Fugaku possibly stirring rebellion.
After thinking for a moment, Shisui said, "Inviting someone to the house isn't exactly standard protocol, but it's unlikely the patriarch would make a move openly. If the clan wants to act against the higher-ups, there are plenty of ways—it doesn't need to be public."
"Itachi, you're too sensitive," Shisui added with a shrug.
Itachi sighed. "I hope you're right. Recently, resentment toward the village has been spreading in clan meetings. I worry that the Uchiha may actually stage a coup."
He hesitated, then asked cautiously, "Shisui… if a conflict between family and village becomes unavoidable, which side would you choose?"
Shisui smiled calmly. "I'd try my best to prevent that day from coming. If they do want to fight, they'll have to go over my dead body."
Itachi fell silent, his mind racing. If that day ever came, he would have to make a choice—but he would try to save at least one side.
The next day, at noon, Naruto sat on the roof with a boxed lunch he had prepared himself, enjoying a rare moment of quiet.
After finishing his food, he surveyed the crowd below, scanning for classmates worthy of being called "friends"—friends who might help him earn more living expenses and ninjutsu scrolls from the three-generation-old man.
Though the old man had never given Naruto a warm welcome, he still provided resources for his growth.
Naruto quickly picked a few candidates: Haruno Sakura, a commoner; Ino from the Yamanaka clan; Iba from the Inuzuka clan; and the mysterious, almost nonexistent Yume Shino.
Sakura and Kiba were immediately dismissed. Sakura was devoted to Sasuke, and Kiba… well, Naruto didn't want a dog as a friend.
Ino gave him headaches—he wasn't great with girls. That left Shino, whom he could maybe get along with and possibly reduce his sense of being the odd one out.
The remaining three from the Twelve Kunoichi were senior students, and Naruto had little contact with them.
As he pondered, Kyuubi lazily muttered, "That Uchiha kid came looking for you again. What's up with him? He's showing up more than Hinata, and that girl's already a walking Lolita."
Naruto ignored Kyuubi, whose fur was orange and grumpy as ever, and turned to Sasuke behind him.
"Coming to challenge me again? If you don't improve, you're gonna get wrecked."
Sasuke's expression was cold. "It's only a matter of time before I beat you… but today, I'm here for something else."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Cultivation question?"
Sasuke hesitated—a rare break in his usual aloofness—then said slowly, "Yesterday I told my parents about training with you. They asked me to invite you to our house… as a guest. They want to know you better."
When he said the last part, his speech quickened, as if he were embarrassed.
Naruto blinked, then grinned. "You want to invite me, but you're blaming your parents for it? Not your style, Uchiha."
Sasuke regained his calm. "I did invite you… but my mother knows of you. She even considered adopting you before. Are you planning to ask her about it?"
Naruto frowned. Adopt me? In his memory, Kushina and Mikoto were close friends, but would an Uchiha actually adopt a Jinchūriki? Probably not, unless some Uchiha became Hokage first.
Sasuke, seeing Naruto's silence, looked disappointed. "If you don't want to go, forget it. I won't invite you again. Don't regret it later."
Naruto shook off his thoughts and smiled. "If you invite me, I'll accept. But it's my first time visiting someone else's home… do I need to bring a gift?"
Sasuke shook his head. "It's fine if you want to, but gifts aren't important. I also want to see the relationship between you and my family. When I mention you, even my parents falter."
Naruto smiled silently. They're not hesitating—they understand my identity and what being a Jinchūriki means to the Uchiha clan. But since it's an invitation… they won't refuse.
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