Chapter 64
Before she knew it, it was already this late.
"Aren't you going home?"
"I'm currently surveying this area. Wild mushrooms are definitely worth collecting for dinner…" Narutocontinued to blather.
In Sako's perception, Naruto was a boy ostracized by the villagers.
For some unknown reason, perhaps at first she thought he was just annoying.
But when one gets to know Uzumaki Narutodeeply, they would realize that things weren't like that at all.
In short, the villagers' discrimination definitely had nothing to do with him personally; there was an unknown reason behind it.
Izumi-jie jie and her older brother's ambiguity was as if they were guarding a secret known only to those slightly older than them.
It was like this: Uzumaki Naruto, all alone, with no family, no friends… "Hey, Uzumaki Naruto."
"What is it?"
"Living alone must be difficult…"
Sako's tone began to soften; she probably didn't even notice this subconscious change.
Naruto remained silent, then shook his head a few seconds later: "It's alright, no pressure. I can do whatever I want alone. I sleep until I wake up naturally, and I can spend all my money on myself…"
Sako knew this was just bravado.
"Don't you have any friends?"
"No, but I have a tenant who occasionally pays rent."
Nine-Tailed: "…"
"Ha…" Sako just dismissed Naruto's words as nonsense. "What about a girlfriend then?"
People in the Ninja world generally started dating early.
Sako's question was completely normal within her frame of reference.
"I don't have that kind of friend either," Narutoreplied firmly.
"Understood…"
Sitting on a tree stump, Sako began to swing her legs.
The sun was setting in the west.
She felt today's sunset was beautiful.
"Well then, today you have passed the final test to be my friend… Yes, it was a test…"
Naruto: "Oh, I understand."
Hearing Naruto's reply, Sako couldn't help but smile.
Her brother's instructions were completely forgotten.
This was the first time she had defied her older brother's wishes since she was a child.
Her heart told her that this was the right thing to do.
Because even her older brother… must have times when he misjudges, right?
Uzumaki Naruto was definitely not a bad guy.
An unknown loneliness was filled with new emotions; the warm feeling in her heart made Sakoforget her solitude… Ten minutes later.
Sako had left, and stars began to twinkle in the sky.
Naruto remained in place, sitting on the tree stump where Sako had just been, gazing at the sky.
The starry sky of the Ninja world was beautiful, enough to replace any magnificent man-made landscape.
The approach to Uchiha Shisui had failed.
There was also resistance from Sako's side. For some unknown reason, Sako suddenly stopped interacting with him. Fortunately, he overcame this difficulty and successfully gained her approval. This way… he could connect with Itachi.
Of course, due to past experience, a synchronized backup plan was also needed… Yin Releasetraining.
As long as he had relatively strong power, he could also reverse the Uchiha's tragedy.
The amplification of Yin Release was related to the body.
A stronger body meant increased strength as a Tailed Beast vessel.
It also meant being able to release more Nine-Tailed Chakra, thereby enhancing performance.
"The injury on my head has healed…"
Naruto touched his already scabbed head.
The training of Yin Release, while strengthening the body, also worked with Nine-Tailed Chakra to repair the body more quickly.
If he trained it to the extreme in the future, he might even gain self-healing abilities that surpassed Senju Hashirama.
However, such a thing was too far off to consider for now.
"Next… I can probably try to unleash the 'Third Tail'…"
But before that, there were two stalkers he needed to evade… one was Yūgao Uzuki.
The other was probably her childhood friend, Gekkō Hayate.
These past two days, the two of them were always together, either hiding in the shadows or disguised as ordinary passersby, following him.
And because of his good relationship with Yūgao Uzuki, the latter didn't deliberately try to conceal her whereabouts from him, which allowed him to notice their presence.
But after all, Gekkō Hayate was not Yūgao Uzuki.
If he rashly released the Third Tail in front of him, he would definitely worry about his childhood friend's safety and might even develop ill feelings towards him.
All these possibilities needed to be considered.
"That's enough for today."
After a moment of thought, Naruto decided to go straight home to wash up, sleep, and consider the Third Tail matter tomorrow.
"You want to change the Uchiha's situation?"
After all these things, Nine-Tailed had more or less guessed Naruto's intentions.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have played dumb to gain the approval of an Uchiha brat.
Whether it was Shunshin Shisui or the daughter of Uchiha Fugaku.
Clearly, Uzumaki Naruto knew something… The Uchiha Clan's difficulties were historical issues dating back to the Village's founding. What exactly did Uzumaki Naruto intend to do?
"Nine-Tailed… I've told you, I, Uzumaki Naruto, am the man who will become the Seventh Hokage. Whether it's Hyuga or the Uchiha Clan, they are all comrades in the Village, we are all one family…"
Naruto's seemingly gentle words, however, contained a great malice.
From what he did to Hyuga Natsu, and his prying into Hyuga Hazuki… Nine-Tailed understood that things wouldn't be so simple.
Nine-Tailed: "I don't believe a single word this kid says!"
Uchiha Sako was still just a young human female.
Just like that human cub named Hyuga Hinata.
Which meant… Uzumaki Naruto's target was actually that woman named Uchiha Mikoto?!
This would depend on Itachi's performance.
Naruto thought to himself.
If Itachi was as incorrigible as Uchiha Shisui, then Uchiha Izumi would have to be added to the list.
The image of the Uchiha girl with peach blossom eyes, a tear mole, and incredible gentleness flashed through Naruto's mind… Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Why are you home so late?!"
As soon as Itachi stepped through the door, he heard his father's furious roar.
Since childhood, Itachi had never seen his father so angry.
I'm home late?
Itachi initially thought his father was yelling at him.
But he was working hard to prepare for the final round of the Chunin Exams, so his father shouldn't be so furious.
"Sako…?"
Itachi, feeling a sudden sense of unease, immediately quickened his pace and entered the house.
His younger sister was kneeling in the living room, head bowed, while their mother looked at her with a gentle, reproving gaze.
And their father, with his arms crossed, was furious precisely because his younger sister had returned so late.
The strictness of their family's teachings… Itachi meant that their good reputation was widespread, and even Hokage-sama often praised "Fugaku's family upbringing."
His younger sister returning only after it was completely dark completely triggered their father's adherence to family rules.
His scolded younger sister kept her head down, looking ashamed.
However, an irrepressible joy and happiness shone through her expression.
"I apologize, Father… I won't dare to do it again next time…"
His younger sister lowered her head even further and apologized loudly.
Her sincere attitude slightly softened her furious father's expression.
"Father, Mother, Sako, I'm home."
Itachi joined in at the right moment, subtly changing the atmosphere in the house.
This was, of course, to protect his younger sister.
As his father's attention shifted, his younger sister gave him a grateful look.
She carefully picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and then the family began their dinner.
Watching his younger sister continuously shoveling rice with her head down, he couldn't help but feel that an indescribable joy truly radiated from her.
Did something good happen?
Itachi pondered.
He could only think of Izumi.
Perhaps… Izumi and his younger sister went shopping too late.
He grumbled to himself.
This also indicated that Izumi and his younger sister got along very well, right?
Itachi was quite satisfied with this.
"Oh dear… it seems I can't go play with Uzumaki Naruto tomorrow and the day after…"
After quickly finishing her rice, Sako put down her bowl and chopsticks, carefully backing away to leave.
Just two more days.
Only two days.
Then, she would go directly to the Konoha arena with Uzumaki Naruto to watch the Chunin Exams.
Also.