CHAPTER 34

Naruto's unease made Fugaku feel helpless, forcing him to awkwardly pick up some food to mask his discomfort.

Sasuke hesitated while holding his chopsticks, then murmured to Uchiha Mikoto, "Mom, why didn't you make tomatoes? That's my favorite vegetable."

Mikoto silently ate her meal, her gaze gentle as she alternated between watching Naruto and Sasuke, lost in her thoughts. If Kushina were still alive, she believed, Sasuke and Naruto would already be friends. Naruto wouldn't face such harsh treatment in the village, and perhaps the Uchiha clan wouldn't be in conflict with Konoha's leadership.

As a jonin, Mikoto was fully aware of the tension within the Uchiha clan, but she knew she could not influence Fugaku's decisions. Her dream was a modest one: to live as a housewife, caring for her husband and watching her children grow up safely, free from the burdens of greed and power struggles.

Naruto fidgeted under Mikoto's warm gaze, unsure how to respond to the attention. However, the delicious food on the table offered some comfort. Auntie Mikoto's cooking was exceptional—everything was fresh and well-prepared, rivaling even the homemade meals Naruto often imagined his parents might have cooked for him.

After finishing his meal, Naruto placed his bowl down, and Mikoto smiled kindly. "Are you full? There's more in the kitchen if you're still hungry."

Naruto nodded and said earnestly, "Auntie, your cooking is amazing. If I had parents, I think their food would taste just like this."

His words struck a chord in Mikoto, plunging the room into a heavy silence. Fugaku, Sasuke, and Mikoto exchanged glances, each lost in their own thoughts. If Minato and Kushina hadn't died, the village's situation might have been vastly different. There might not have been war with Kumogakure, and the Uchiha wouldn't face constant suspicion and marginalization.

Fugaku respected Minato as both a rival and a fellow shinobi, but the reality before him was unkind. Sasuke, despite his privileges, couldn't help but compare himself to Naruto—alone, orphaned, and yet resilient in the face of hardship.

After dinner, Mikoto beckoned Fugaku to the kitchen under the pretense of cleaning dishes. Once alone, she pleaded softly, "Fugaku, do you think we should talk to the Third Hokage about adopting Naruto? He's so pitiful, never knowing a parent's love."

Fugaku frowned and shook his head. "You know that's not possible. Only the Hokage can adopt the Jinchuriki."

"But the Third Hokage is neglecting him! Naruto is treated like a demon fox by the villagers. And he's not just any child—he's the son of Minato and Kushina, the village's heroes!"

"Forget it," Fugaku replied firmly. "It's unrealistic."

Still, he glanced toward the living room where Naruto sat, conflicted. Deep down, he understood Mikoto's concern. Adopting Naruto could have been a strategic advantage for the Uchiha, aligning the clan with the power of the Jinchuriki. Yet the risks were too great.

As night fell, it was time for Naruto to leave. The Uchiha family stood at their door to see him off, making no move to invite him to stay overnight. Naruto understood the unspoken rules. Being a guest was tolerated, but staying would provoke both the Third Hokage's Anbu and the Uchiha's security forces.

Walking through the Uchiha district under the watchful eyes of its residents, Naruto reflected on the unease surrounding him. He pondered whether any Uchiha might confront him outright, though he doubted it. Despite their reputation for extremism, many Uchiha were cautious and mindful of the clan's precarious position.

Naruto eventually left the district, noticing the familiar presence of two Anbu members shadowing him. Other chakras lingered in the shadows, reminding him that his every move was being watched. Even Kurama, the Nine-Tails within him, remained silent, subdued by the tension.

Returning to his small rental home, Naruto lay on his worn sofa, staring at the ceiling. He mentally cataloged the results of his visit: a free meal, a mental map of the Uchiha compound, and an improved understanding of his resistance to genjutsu. He was confident against single- and double-tomoe Sharingan illusions, but anything beyond that—especially a Mangekyo-level genjutsu—would likely overpower him.

A system notification suddenly echoed in Naruto's mind:

"Uchiha Mikoto's affection for you has reached recognition. You have acquired the skill 'Housekeeping and Cooking Proficiency,' mastered by a Uchiha jonin who chose to become a full-time housewife."

Naruto blinked in surprise at the reward. Housekeeping skills? He chuckled. While he already knew how to cook and clean out of necessity, the system reward felt like a small, kind gesture. At least it reminded him that someone cared, even if he and Sasuke's mother had met only once.

Looking out the window, Naruto sensed the presence of the Third Hokage approaching. Moments later, a knock at the door confirmed his intuition. Naruto opened the door, greeting the older man with a puzzled expression. "Grandpa Hokage? You were here just yesterday. Why are you back so soon?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, exhaustion written across his face. Naruto's recent visit to the Uchiha clan had nearly sparked a misunderstanding of catastrophic proportions. Danzo had intervened, and tensions between the village leadership and the Uchiha were dangerously close to boiling over. Had Naruto not left the compound peacefully, civil unrest might have erupted.

The Third Hokage regarded Naruto thoughtfully, realizing how little the boy understood his own role. "I was just curious," he said. "When you were at Sasuke's house, what did his parents talk about with you?"