Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

Chapter 54 Uchiha Fugaku

The subsequent sparring sessions were rather uneventful. After Naruto and Sasuke's intense match, which rivaled the ninja exam, the other children's sparring was like child's play—pushing and tripping each other, more like roughhousing than ninja training.

Zuo Yue stood on the sidelines, watching coldly, silently estimating in her mind—if she were to take the field, these guys probably wouldn't even last a single round.

The only ones who have any real skill are Shino and Kiba. Shino's fighting style is calm and precise. Although he is still quite inexperienced, every move he makes is just right. Kiba, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He rushes in and attacks wildly, just like a playful puppy.

When it was Shikamaru's turn, he simply yawned and lazily raised his hands in surrender. "Ugh—this is too much trouble, I give up."

Choji followed suit, admitting defeat and explaining that he didn't want to hurt anyone.

And so, the afternoon classes ended hastily amidst the laughter and merriment. School was over, and the children rushed out of the classroom in a swarm, quickly being picked up by their waiting parents.

Naruto packed his things by himself. He wasn't being picked up by his parents; after all, he was the protagonist archetype.

After making fun of himself with a hellish joke, Naruto was about to go to Ichiraku Ramen for some ramen before going home when he suddenly found two figures blocking his way.

Under the setting sun, Zuo Yue was looking down, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her fair cheeks flushed with a faint blush.

The tall man standing next to her was particularly eye-catching—his short black hair was neatly styled, and his Jonin vest was worn crisply, with the most striking feature being the red and white family crest embroidered on the shoulders of the vest.

Like the one on the back of Satsuki's uniform, it looks like a pool paddle, but it's actually a round fan, representing the Uchiha clan's emblem.

"You must be Naruto."

The authoritative voice snapped Naruto back to his senses. He instinctively straightened up, his gaze shifting between Satsuki and the man. "Yes... excuse me..."

Satsuki quietly tugged at her father's sleeve, muttering something under her breath. Naruto, watching his usually haughty second young lady now cowering like a quail, asked, "Are you... Satsuki's father?"

"Hmm." Fugaku nodded slightly, his stern face revealing no emotion. "Satsuki has mentioned you to me many times."

It's not as simple as "many times".

Fugaku sighed inwardly. Ever since his daughter met Naruto, the conversation always revolved around "How was Naruto today?" From taijutsu duels to the taste of his bento boxes, she could even talk for ages about every single move that blond boy made.

"Satsuki said you've been accompanying her during her training." Fugaku's tone softened unconsciously. "She's been taken care of by you all this time."

Naruto hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no, no! You're too kind!" He glanced at Satsuki, who was practically fuming, "Actually, Satsuki has helped me a lot with my training. It's my luck to have a friend like her."

Fugaku stared at the blond boy before him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He knew, of course, Naruto's true identity.

The orphan of his deceased friend Minato Namikaze, and also Konoha's most important war deterrent weapon, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

In the past, his wife Mikoto and Kushina Uzumaki were like sisters, and he had placed all the political chips of the Uchiha clan on Minato Namikaze, fully supporting his candidacy for Hokage.

When Minato actually put on the Hokage hat, Fugaku naively thought that the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha was finally about to turn around.

However, fate is always so cruel.

On the night Kushina gave birth, the Nine-Tails suddenly broke free of its seal and attacked Konoha. What shocked Fugaku the most was that a pair of Sharingan eyes were clearly reflected in the beast's crimson pupils—undoubtedly irrefutable evidence that the Uchiha clan was controlling the Nine-Tails.

After that day... Fugaku recalled it bitterly in his heart.

With the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage she supported and the passing of her wife's close friend Kushina, Mikoto was constantly teary-eyed during that period. To make matters worse, the Konoha leadership began to suspect that there was a traitor within the Uchiha clan.

No matter how Fugaku tried to explain, the Sharingan in Kurama's eyes was irrefutable evidence. Ultimately, the entire Uchiha clan was forced to relocate to the edge of the village.

The arrogant ninjas within the clan grew increasingly dissatisfied, and the hawkish faction gradually expanded, even plotting a violent coup. As the clan head, Fugaku had to do his best to appease these radicals at every clan meeting, while anxiously awaiting an opportunity to bring the Uchiha clan back to the heart of Konoha.

Originally, he pinned his hopes on his exceptionally talented eldest daughter, Itachi Uchiha, hoping she could join the Anbu directly under the Hokage and fight for a voice for the Uchiha clan.

But fate always seems to love to play tricks—now a turning point has appeared in the second daughter, Zuoyue, a child whose talent, though high, is not as great as her older sister's.

Fugaku still vividly remembers that afternoon from several years ago.

When he was summoned by the Third Hokage and stepped into the Hokage's office alone, Hiruzen Sarutobi's first words made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave—

"Fugaku, I heard that your second daughter has recently made contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Fugaku's back tensed instantly. In fact, Mikoto had mentioned more than once in private that she wanted to take in her deceased friend's son and raise him, and have Naruto recognize her as his godmother.

But this thought could only remain a wishful thought that could not be spoken aloud. Given the sensitive situation of the Uchiha clan, this was a topic that could not be touched at all.

Just when Fugaku thought the Third Hokage was about to reprimand him, the old man's next words were unbelievable—if Fugaku had no objections, he supported Naruto and Sasuke making contact and building a bond.

However, this is conditional on Fugaku not interfering with their contact, and other Uchiha clan members not being allowed to approach Naruto.

Fugaku immediately understood the implied meaning.

This is an opportunity Konoha is giving to the Uchiha! As the last surviving member of the Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto will surely become a core member of the Hokage lineage in the future.

If Satsuki can build a deep bond with him... wouldn't that be the Uchiha clan's chance?!

The original plan was so perfect—to establish a friendship between Satsuki and this future core figure of the Hokage system, paving the way for the Uchiha clan. But now, seeing his daughter blushing and looking down, has that "friendship" turned sour?

This discovery should have thrilled Fugaku. For the Uchiha clan today, establishing such a close relationship with the future Hokage lineage was a godsend.

But as a father, the thought of using his daughter's feelings to gain political advantage still made him somewhat unhappy.

Just then, Satsuki gently tugged at Fugaku's sleeve, her dark eyes filled with urgency. Fugaku looked down and saw his daughter gesturing for him to get down to business.

So, what exactly did Fugaku want to see Naruto about? It turns out that just after school, Sazuki noticed Naruto walking alone towards the gate.

The other children left happily, hand in hand with their parents, but the blond boy stood alone at the school gate. This scene made Zuo Yue's heart tighten for no reason, and a feeling of heartache rose in her chest.

Yes, Satsuki wanted to go home with Naruto. But she just couldn't bring herself to say that simple invitation.

After much hesitation, she had no choice but to ask her father for help. However, being as proud as she was, she naturally wouldn't directly admit her good intentions. Zuo Yue specifically instructed her father not to say that she wanted to take Naruto home, but rather that it was to enhance their friendship, and that her father had suggested that she take Naruto home.