I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

"Uchiha Sasuke's affection for you has reached a level of recognition, and you have obtained the 'Uchiha Fluid Technique,' a physical technique that only Uchiha Jōnin can master. The most skilled practitioners are honored with the title of 'Dancing King.'"

On his way home, Naruto grinned to himself as he processed the system's update.

After a month of hard work, he had earned Sasuke's favor, gained the impressive 'Uchiha Fluid Technique,' and had mastered the Taijutsu techniques of both major clans in Konoha. He had truly come a long way.

As he directly accessed the 'Uchiha Fluid Technique,' various training memories flooded his mind. These included Uchiha methods for using hidden weapons, which compensated for his weaknesses in shurikenjutsu, now pushing him toward perfection in the ninja school, with no competition to speak of.

Absorbed in his thoughts, Naruto arrived back at his residential building. To his surprise, he saw the Third Hokage standing outside his door.

Why is the old man here again? Naruto wondered, slightly puzzled.

The Third Hokage, noticing Naruto's presence, greeted him with a smile. "Ah, Naruto, you're back at last. My old bones were about to give up waiting!"

"What's going on, Grandpa Hokage?" Naruto asked, leading the Hokage inside.

"It's about your school life," the Third Hokage replied, settling down on the sofa. "Iruka-sensei mentioned that you've been withdrawn at school, not making any friends or engaging with others."

Naruto blinked, surprised. "I have lots of friends—Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji—they're all my friends! Why should I care about anyone else?"

He paused, then added with a sigh, "Actually, I tried to make friends, but when I told them I'm the Nine-Tails, they all ran off. I don't want to keep trying to force people to like me."

The Third Hokage choked on his words for a moment before responding seriously, "Naruto, you'll become a ninja one day. In the real world, employers won't give you such a pass. Sooner or later, you'll have to face reality. You'll need to make an effort to connect with others and become friends with them."

Naruto fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Seeing the opportunity to influence Naruto, the Third Hokage offered a bargain: "If you make more of an effort to connect with your classmates, I'll increase your living expenses and get you more ninjutsu scrolls."

Naruto hesitated but then nodded, his lips curling into a reluctant smile. "Alright, Grandpa Hokage. I'll try to make more friends."

The Hokage beamed with satisfaction. "Good boy, Naruto! This is next month's living expenses. Don't hold back—treat yourself well. You deserve it."

After the visit, the Third Hokage was content with Naruto's response and left, making his way back to the Hokage Building.

Once the Hokage had left, Naruto's expression darkened as he held the envelope with his increased allowance. He realized with a sinking feeling that the Hokage didn't truly care about his well-being or the rumors surrounding the Nine-Tails. All that mattered was controlling him, ensuring he stayed in line and didn't get out of hand. His emotions seemed irrelevant to the Hokage's concerns.

---

Meanwhile, Sasuke was having dinner with his family.

Exhausted from his physical training, Sasuke dug into his food without noticing the tense atmosphere around him. His father, Fugaku, and older brother, Itachi, had been embroiled in a heated argument earlier.

Itachi had refused to share information about the activities of the Anbu or the high-ranking Konoha officials, which enraged Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha clan's police force. Fugaku, focused on the clan's interests, saw Itachi's actions as a betrayal.

But Itachi remained resolute. While his father was fixated on the garrison's interests, Itachi prioritized the village's welfare. The Uchiha's plan for a coup—something Fugaku supported—could endanger the entire village. Itachi could never condone such actions. He couldn't allow his family to jeopardize the village for the sake of their own power.

Fugaku, insulted and frustrated, could only seethe quietly. Without Itachi's information, the Uchiha couldn't oppose Konoha's high-ranking officials effectively.

After the argument, the family sat down in tense silence. Mikoto, caught between her son and husband, struggled to mediate but remained neutral, unwilling to take sides in the family's feud.

In an attempt to ease the mood, Mikoto smiled at Sasuke. "How's school going, Sasuke? Have you made any new friends?"

Fugaku, arms folded, looked at Sasuke with a stern expression. "You didn't disappoint your father, did you? You got first place in your class, right?"

Sasuke faltered, unable to meet his father's gaze. "No, I didn't get first place, but I did make a friend—Naruto Uzumaki. He beat me in the practical class and got first place."

Both Itachi and Fugaku glanced up in surprise. Itachi, already aware of Sasuke's abilities, was particularly taken aback. Sasuke was strong, so how could he have lost to Naruto?

Sasuke, clearly uncomfortable, added, "Naruto's the one with the yellow hair and whisker-like marks on his face. You know him, right?"

Mikoto paused, her eyes widening in realization. "Ah, yes, Naruto. I've heard of him. Poor child—he lost his parents at a young age, and the villagers treat him as if he were the Nine-Tails itself. Sometimes, I've thought about adopting him."

Sasuke's brow furrowed in confusion. "Adopt Naruto?"

Fugaku quickly shot Mikoto a glance, signaling her to stop. He turned to Sasuke, his voice calm but firm. "This is something for the adults to handle, not for you to worry about. But if Naruto outranks you, it's not unthinkable for him to join the family."

Sasuke, growing increasingly curious but too well-mannered to press further, hesitated. "Father, mother… would it be okay if I invited Naruto over to our house sometime?"

The request hung in the air, the tension of the evening momentarily set aside as Sasuke made a decision that seemed to open a new chapter in his relationship with Naruto.