"The origin of the Village?"
"Yeah," Toji said calmly in Naruto's head. "How Konoha was really founded."
"Oh! I know that one!" Naruto perked up. "Grandpa Hokage told me it was built by two great clans—plus a bunch of others joining later!"
Toji's voice didn't change. "You know which two clans started it?"
Naruto blinked. He opened his mouth, then slowly closed it.
Truth was, Hiruzen had never really explained that part. Or maybe he'd avoided it on purpose. The current state of those two clans wasn't exactly something to brag about under his leadership.
Not that Toji brought this up to shame the Hokage or expose anything political.
He had a different goal—steering Naruto toward his next "friendship."
"They were the Senju Clan, from the First Hokage, and the Uchiha Clan—who now run the Military Police."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Oh, I know them! Their uniforms are super cool!"
He'd seen them on patrol a bunch of times growing up. To him, the Uchiha always looked like real ninja—confident, serious, powerful. Nothing like the people who glared at him in the streets.
"To make real friends," Toji continued, "you should go to the source. If any kids won't be scared of you, it's the children of Konoha's strongest clans."
Of course, Toji's real target wasn't just "making friends."
He was setting up the biggest domino: Uchiha Sasuke.
If Naruto got close to Sasuke now—before the massacre—that bond would twist into something sharp and dangerous when everything fell apart. Despair, betrayal, heartbreak… it would all hit harder. That's what Toji was aiming for.
Naruto, as always, took the advice at face value. But he frowned.
"Uh… where do they live? Do you know? And, like… do they have kids my age? What if I mess it up?"
Toji had already checked all that. With the system's crystal ball, locating the Uchiha District was no problem. He guided Naruto on what to say, how to act, and even gave him a few icebreakers to try.
Once Naruto had it all memorized, he darted off without hesitation.
But before he could get far into Uchiha territory, a group of masked ANBU dropped down in front of him.
"Uzumaki Naruto. You're not allowed here," one of them said firmly.
Naruto's stomach turned. He knew these guys. They followed him everywhere but never helped—not even when he got jumped in the alley behind the bakery last week.
"Why not?!" Naruto snapped. "What, am I a pet now? You gonna put a leash on me too?! I can go wherever I want!"
He stood his ground, glaring up at them with balled fists.
But the ANBU didn't budge.
Outnumbered and ignored again, Naruto finally turned on his heel and bolted straight to the Hokage's office, steam practically pouring out of his ears.
Hokage Tower – Office
The moment Naruto stormed through the door, he pointed a finger at Hiruzen like he was calling out a scam artist.
"Old man! What's your deal?! Why are your dogs blocking me from walking around my own village?! What am I, your prisoner?!"
Hiruzen didn't react with anger.
In fact, he barely flinched. Ever since Naruto and Hinata had started talking, the boy's emotional range had widened—and Hiruzen had let a lot slide.
Still, the sudden interest in Uchiha territory had him on alert.
He gave Naruto a patient look. "Can you tell me why you want to go there Naruto?"
Naruto crossed his arms. "To make friends. Nobody else wants to hang out with me. But those Military Police guys—everyone respects them. So I figured their kids wouldn't be scared of me."
Toji's script was solid. Naruto repeated it perfectly, without a hint of suspicion.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair. His eyes narrowed slightly, but after a pause, he gave a slow nod.
"…Alright."
He ordered the ANBU to stand down—though he doubled their number to quietly shadow Naruto at a distance.
Uchiha District – Outer Gate
Back near the compound, two patrolling Uchiha had already noticed the unusual movement.
They returned to report to Uchiha Fugaku.
"Clan Head," one of them said. "ANBU are moving in groups—around ten of them. All stationed near the edges of the district."
Fugaku's expression darkened. "And?"
Another officer entered the room, bowing. "The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is outside the gate… yelling that he wants to challenge someone from our clan. Someone his age."
"…Huh?"
"Sir is this a trap?" another asked. "A setup by the Hokage?"
"Are they trying to provoke us again?"
Fugaku didn't answer right away.
He stared out the window toward the Hokage's tower in silence, calculating. If this was a trap, it was a strange one. But if it wasn't…
After a moment, he finally spoke.
"Keep everyone inside. Don't act without my orders."
He straightened his collar.
"I'll deal with him myself."