Half an hour later
After Iruka finished his half-hour-long speech, he finally calmed down and concluded the meeting.
As for its contents, nothing was particularly important.
It covered the students' performance this semester, next semester's curriculum, holiday announcements along with homework, and a brief doubt-clearing session.
During Itachi's time at the Ninja Academy, there hadn't been this much unnecessary formality. Most of these practices were introduced during the peaceful era following the Third Great Ninja War.
Afterward, Itachi exchanged a few brief conversations with the other clan patriarchs and then left the academy building with Sasuke.
Just then, both of them noticed Naruto sitting alone on a swing, his head lowered.
Itachi paused for a moment and then asked Sasuke,
"Sasuke, what do you think of him?"
Sasuke thought for a moment before replying,
"Hmmm… that guy is annoying. He's always trying to become the center of attention, even though he fails miserably. He doesn't have many friends and seems to like someone named Sakura.
He's also discriminated against by the entire village. They call him the demon fox and all sorts of other names. Father even warned me not to get close to him.
But… I think he's lonely and wants everyone's recognition. He also looks envious whenever he sees my classmates and others with their parents."
Hearing this, Itachi was slightly surprised—not by what Sasuke said about Naruto, but by how much Sasuke had noticed.
Seeing Itachi's expression, Sasuke became a little embarrassed and spoke in a tsundere tone,
"You said a good ninja gathers information about everything around them.
So… I just observed everyone."
Itachi smiled and replied,
"From now on, if you can help him, then help him. There's no need to deliberately create barriers."
Sasuke nodded and then asked the question he had been holding back,
"Brother… do you know that guy's parents?"
"I do," Itachi answered calmly. "But that's not something you should know yet.
Let's go."
As he said this, Itachi noticed Naruto glancing toward him. He paused and thought for a moment.
Then he formed a hand seal, and a small sealing scroll appeared in his hand. With another seal, a blank sheet of paper and a pen appeared.
After writing a few lines, Itachi folded the paper, took out a stamp, and pressed it onto the outer surface. He then sealed the pen and stamp back into the scroll, and with another hand seal, the scroll disappeared.
"Sasuke, give this letter to Naruto," Itachi said. "Tell him to take it to the Shokuji Dokoro shop—a restaurant—and hand it over.
From now until he graduates from the Ninja Academy, he'll have breakfast there, take a lunch tiffin, and have dinner there as well."
Hearing this, Sasuke felt happy—but he didn't show it. Instead, he replied in an annoyed tone,
"Okay"
After that, Sasuke walked over to Naruto.
"Hey," Sasuke said. "My brother thinks your strength is so weak that it's embarrassing. You look like you haven't eaten properly for an entire month.
For a growing ninja, the most important thing is a healthy diet.
Take this letter to the Shokuji Dokoro shop—a restaurant. From now on, you can eat there every morning, take lunch in the afternoon, and have dinner at night.
You don't have to pay for anything until you graduate from the Ninja Academy. Get stronger so you don't embarrass my brother."
After saying all that, Sasuke left without giving Naruto a chance to respond.
While returning, Sasuke noticed Itachi smiling. He became even more embarrassed—and a little jealous of Naruto—and said,
"Brother, I'm tired. Carry me on your back."
"Okay"
Itachi smiled, bent down so Sasuke could wrap his arms around his neck, and then stood up.
Just as the two of them turned to leave, a cheerful voice called out from behind,
"Thank you, Big Brother! And Sasuke! I'll definitely go there! And when I defeat you, I—Naruto Uzumaki—will become the Hokage!"
Hearing Naruto talk about defeating his brother, Sasuke grew annoyed. He glanced back at Naruto's bright, happy face, snorted, then looked forward again.
Itachi didn't react and simply continued walking.
---
Naruto's POV
Hehehe… I made another friend today, and he even gave me a letter as a gift.
Wait—what did Sasuke say again? Give this letter to Shokuji Dokoro, and I can eat there for free for the next few years?
How can a letter let me eat for free? Is it some kind of new currency? Should I open it?
No, no. Big Brother Ikachi—or whatever his name was—gave it to me to deliver. Maybe the food is my reward, just like those ninja missions.
Hehehe… now I don't have to eat ramen every single day.
Thank you, Big Brother and Sasuke. I'll definitely go there—and then I'll defeat you!
I, Naruto Uzumaki, will become the Hokage!
---
Konoha — Hokage Office
"Hiruzen, the Uchiha clan has gone too far.
How much longer are you going to endure this? They've made contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and even gave him charity just to befriend him.
Do you still not see their plan? They befriended the previous Nine-Tails Jinchūriki as well, and then the Nine-Tails tragedy happened. I warned you back then, but you didn't listen.
Now, even if you don't want to, you have to listen.
Do you understand?!"
A disabled old man spoke furiously to another elderly man, who sat calmly in the sacred Hokage chair, smoking from his pipe.
"Enough, Danzo
Itachi must have felt bad that Naruto was spoken harshly because of him, so he compensated Naruto.
And don't forget—Kushina was friends with Itachi's mother. Maybe Itachi simply felt guilty."
Although Hiruzen said this aloud, it was mostly to assert his authority. He disliked Danzo speaking so boldly in front of him and blaming him for past mistakes. Back then, Hiruzen had been younger, full of the spirit of a ninja hero, believing he could resolve everything himself.
Still, Hiruzen felt that Itachi had crossed a line.
If it had only been a simple conversation, that would've been fine.
But giving Naruto free access to a restaurant for the next few years—what were his intentions?
What would Naruto think?
Hokage Grandpa couldn't even give me something like that. He only gives me a little money. Big Brother Itachi is the best.
Hmph. Did Itachi really think I couldn't give Naruto more money? Everything I did was for training and strengthening his character.
Hiruzen felt that Itachi had most likely been corrupted by the Uchiha clan and was no longer burning with the Will of Fire.
Sigh
I'll have to visit Naruto, give him some gifts, and make sure he doesn't eat at that restaurant for free.
Damn it, Itachi.
On the other hand, Danzo was fuming from the inside out.
A month ago, the bastard son of Sarutobi Hiruzen had gone missing.
With his evil Uchiha senses, Danzo was certain the Uchiha clan was responsible—but Hiruzen refused to believe it. Instead, he blamed Danzo and even threatened to disband Root.
Who exactly was whose best friend?
In the end, Danzo had been forced to hand over his experimental Wood Release ninja, Kinoe.
Since then, Danzo had been searching for evidence against the Uchiha clan so he could legally exterminate them. But those damned Uchiha had seen through his intentions and started behaving normally.
Now, Itachi had finally exposed his evil nature—and yet Hiruzen still refused to believe it.
"Hiruzen, you will regret this."
Hearing those words, Hiruzen felt an ominous premonition—just like the day Shinnosuke died.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
Hiruzen felt he had to warn Danzo, or something terrible would happen.
"If you dare to act behind my back again, I will personally disband Root."
Hearing the familiar words I am the Hokage only made Danzo angrier—but the following sentence left him stunned.
I tried to deceive you, frame you, conspire against you, and even kill you… but, wasn't that all friendship about?
And now, at every turn, you try to take my Root. Do you think I'm easy to bully?
"Heh. You'll see."
Without giving Hiruzen a chance to respond, Danzo turned and slammed the door shut.
" DAAnnzzoo sto— "
---