Chapter 280: The Assembled Elementary Schoolers
Dinner time.
Fugaku Uchiha's usually stern face relaxed slightly after seeing Sasuke's report card.
"Sasuke, well done."
The old father gave a reserved nod, then mused, "I never expected you to be as outstanding as Itachi, but you must also measure yourself against the clan's Izumi Uchiha. I hear she was the valedictorian for all six years she was at the Ninja Academy…"
"…"
The little brat, who had originally expected to receive praise from his father, didn't look too happy, but he could only nod obediently. "…Yes, Father."
In any case, his father had never been good at praising people… No, or rather, besides Itachi, his old father had never praised a single person.
This treatment was too unbalanced!
Fortunately, Mikoto was a qualified mother. After she and Itachi had cleared the table, she walked up gracefully and rubbed Sasuke's bangs. "Very outstanding, Sasuke! First place in the Ninja Academy, this is an honor that even your older brother never received!"
"That's only because Itachi graduated on his first day of school…"
Fugaku Uchiha, hearing someone slighting his eldest son, habitually retorted, "Itachi has already become the Hokage candidate!"
"Father, Mom is right. Sasuke is already extremely outstanding. There are many excellent students in their class, you know!"
Itachi Uchiha beckoned, raising his arm to catch the incoming crow, and chuckled, "Kitahara, you think so too, right?"
This question was clearly directed at the wrong animal.
The crow glanced at Sasuke with disdain, its meaning self-evident.
The little brat instantly flared up and shot up from his seat, charging towards the crow. "What kind of look is that!"
"Caw~"
Heh, a first-grade little brother…
Kitahara flapped its wings, ruffled Sasuke's hair a few times with its claws, and then fluttered lightly onto Fugaku's shoulder.
If it couldn't win the argument, it just wouldn't argue with him.
Sasuke puffed out his cheeks, his eyes fixed deadly on the smug crow. His fierce expression looked somewhat foolishly cute, and he didn't dare act rashly around his father.
"Alright, alright…"
Itachi Uchiha took a few steps forward, picked up the crow by its wing, and said in a low voice, "Kitahara, come with me and Sasuke to Naruto's house tomorrow at noon."
"Caw?"
The crow looked at Sasuke curiously, then at the young Jonin beside it. Did the little brat and the little blond get into a fight?
This was truly… joyous news.
Worth giving up a day of winter hibernation to go out.
"Close enough!"
Itachi Uchiha scratched the crow's back and said calmly, "In any case, we have to go see him tomorrow. We should check his seal while we're at it…"
That spiritual sealing space… If Naruto Uzumaki had already made contact with it, he would realize what kind of monster was sealed inside him.
The real Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
Even though Itachi now had a very mature Sage Mode, he couldn't guarantee that he could defeat the Nine-Tails. The stronger he became, the more he realized how terrifying the Nine-Tails was…
Although he and the Nine-Tails had only had one contact, he could still sense the evil and power of that Tailed Beast's chakra.
Perhaps, it was only a little weaker than Kitahara…
Wait…
Itachi Uchiha scratched his forehead, looking at the crow on his arm that was now bickering with Sasuke again. Why would he think that such a crow would be stronger than the Nine-Tails?
The next day, at noon.
At the Ninja Academy, quite a few people had noticed that something was off with Naruto. A bunch of elementary schoolers had gathered at the entrance of Naruto's house, chirping and chattering about something.
"Shikamaru, lend me some money!"
"Hey, before you borrow money for snacks next time, can't you take a look at your own weight!"
Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi were arguing. These two had been friends since they were wearing split pants.
Upon seeing the two Uchiha brothers, Shikamaru's expression changed. He dragged the chubby Choji out of the way and said, "Good afternoon, Lord Itachi…"
"No need to be so formal."
Itachi Uchiha shook his head helplessly. The Nara kid was indeed very mature, and this gesture seemed to indicate that he didn't want to get into any trouble.
He looked back at their family's little brat, who just moments ago was mocking a hibernating crow. This little bit of promise really made the Hokage candidate worry!
"Neji, Hinata?"
Itachi led his little brother forward and patted the two Hyuga siblings standing at the door. "Why are you two here as well?"
"I am accompanying Lady Hinata."
Neji Hyuga coughed a few times, shaking his head like a mature adult. "I heard that Naruto Uzumaki is ill and came especially to visit…"
After speaking, to prove his words, he symbolically lifted a paper bag in his hand, which should have contained some snacks.
The corner of Sasuke's mouth couldn't help but twitch. "Your clan's unnecessary etiquette is a bit much! Naruto is just a kid!"
"N-no… it's not like that…"
The little girl Hinata anxiously clasped her small hands, looking nervously at this person and that, finally setting her gaze on her cousin.
Neji Hyuga patted Hinata's arm, signaling her to calm down, and looked at Sasuke, speaking coldly, "The Hyuga clan is a noble family of many generations, unlike certain savage ninja clans…"
"…"
Itachi Uchiha's expression was a bit subtle. Those words… sounded a bit like a jab at their Uchiha clan!
The two great clans of Konoha were currently on very close terms, jointly controlling Konoha's Defense Department, but they still had to argue over trivial matters…
The Sharingan and the Byakugan were both ocular jutsu. Which Kekkei Genkai was the strongest? That was definitely something to argue about.
The Uchiha and the Hyuga were both thousand-year-old noble clans, neither lacking in population, both possessing formidable strength and numerous masters within the clan. Who was the number one clan in the ninja world? That was also something to argue about.
Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga were the heads of their respective clans. Fugaku had power and sons; Hiashi had money and status. Who was more outstanding? That was definitely something to argue about, too.
Because of this, Neji had to set Itachi as his target. Although his classmates all advised him to give it up—wouldn't it be better to bully that first-year underclassman named Sasuke…
A red-haired figure suddenly leaped down from the roof and glanced coldly at Neji Hyuga. "Hey, don't take it too far…"
"A first-year kid, I hear your taijutsu is very strong…"
Veins bulged on Neji's temples. He placed the snack package in Hinata's hands and rolled up his sleeves.
This red-haired woman had been getting very close to that brat Naruto recently!
His cousin had been suffering from insomnia for some time because of this!
"Karin… Brother Neji…"
Hinata nervously looked at the two who were ready to fight, and finally cast a pleading look at Itachi. "Lord Itachi…"
"…Stop it!"
The future Fifth Hokage sighed and stopped their further actions. These kids were really too much trouble. Was he, an esteemed Jonin, here to babysit today?
Creaak…
The wooden door suddenly opened…
Naruto Uzumaki, sporting dark circles under his eyes, looked curiously at the crowd at his door. "Huh? Sasuke, what are you doing here? And Big Brother Itachi, are you all here today to…"
"…Visit the sick."
Shikamaru Nara tapped the wall and looked up.
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