Sasuke's Invitation
Sasuke's thoughts were simple. Naruto was his first real friend, so it was only natural that he wanted to introduce him to his parents.
More than that, he wanted Naruto to experience the warmth of a family. Even though his father, Fugaku, and older brother, Itachi, often clashed, there was still love in their home—something Naruto had never known.
Mikoto and Fugaku exchanged glances as they listened to Sasuke. If he weren't their own son, they might have suspected he had ulterior motives, deliberately stirring up trouble.
As Kushina's closest friend, Mikoto had long been aware of Naruto's difficult life. She had even considered adopting him once, but she knew it was impossible. The village elders would never allow the Uchiha Clan to take in the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Within the Hidden Leaf, the only person with the authority to adopt Naruto was the Sandaime Hokage. Even those who sympathized with him could only discuss his situation in whispers—they would never challenge the village's stance openly.
Itachi studied Sasuke closely, his instincts warning him. Was his little brother being manipulated? He decided to ask Sasuke about it privately.
Breaking the silence, Fugaku, who had been listening with his usual stern expression, finally spoke.
"If he is your friend, and you are willing to bring him over, then do so," he said in a measured tone. "We shall see if he is worthy of being a friend of the Uchiha."
Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smile.
Itachi's frown deepened as he stared at his father. Mikoto opened her mouth to speak, but Fugaku cut her off with an authoritative finality:
"It's a good thing that Sasuke is making friends. Do you want him to be embarrassed in front of his peers?"
Itachi hesitated. He disliked the idea of Naruto visiting their home. It could further strain the already fragile relationship between the Uchiha and the village. However, with Fugaku's stance set, arguing would be pointless.
That night, after dinner, Itachi dressed in his ANBU uniform and left home. Before departing, he cast a glance at his father's study.
Under the guise of a mission, he instead made his way to a secluded part of the Uchiha district and knocked on a door.
Shisui opened it and, upon seeing Itachi, smiled warmly.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Without hesitation, Itachi told Shisui about Sasuke's invitation to Naruto. His real concern, however, was Fugaku.
"Could this be a prelude to something bigger?" Itachi asked gravely. "The clan's resentment against the village has been growing. I fear my father is preparing for a coup."
Shisui considered Itachi's words carefully before responding.
"Having a Jinchūriki visit your home is unusual, but the clan wouldn't make a move against him so openly. If they wanted to use Naruto for something, they'd have plenty of other opportunities," Shisui reasoned. "I think you're overthinking this, Itachi."
Itachi sighed. "I hope you're right. But I can't shake this feeling."
A moment of silence passed before Itachi posed a heavier question.
"Shisui… if conflict between the clan and the village became unavoidable, which side would you choose?"
Shisui's expression softened, but his answer was firm.
"I'd do everything in my power to prevent that from happening. If the Uchiha and the village were to turn against each other… they'd have to go through me first."
Itachi remained silent, knowing his own answer would be different.
If that day ever came, he knew he would have to make a choice—to save either the Uchiha or the village.
---
The Next Day – Noon
Naruto sat on the academy rooftop, opening the lunchbox he had prepared in advance. He enjoyed the quiet moment before the break ended.
After finishing his meal, he looked down at the students below. He needed to find potential "friends"—not for companionship, but to secure better support from the Third Hokage. The old man didn't particularly like him, but he still ensured Naruto had resources to grow as a ninja.
Scanning the crowd, Naruto considered his options.
Haruno Sakura? Too obsessed with Sasuke.
Yamanaka Ino? Too troublesome.
Inuzuka Kiba? Too loud.
Aburame Shino? Hardly noticeable… which might be a good thing.
Just as he was deciding, the Kyuubi's voice rumbled lazily in his mind.
"That Uchiha brat is looking for you again. Lately, he's been hanging around even more than that Hyūga girl."
Ignoring Kurama's commentary, Naruto turned to see Sasuke standing behind him.
"Here to challenge me again?" Naruto smirked. "If you haven't improved, you're just asking for another loss."
Sasuke scowled but didn't take the bait. "I'll beat you eventually. But that's not why I'm here."
Naruto tilted his head in curiosity. "Then what is it? Training advice?"
Sasuke hesitated—something unusual for him. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Yesterday, I told my parents about sparring with you. They… want to meet you." His words came out quickly, as if he were embarrassed to say them.
Naruto blinked, then grinned. "So, you're inviting me to your place? And blaming your parents for it? That's not like you."
Sasuke crossed his arms, regaining his usual cold demeanor. "It was my idea. But… my mother knows who you are. She once considered adopting you."
Naruto's expression shifted. Mikoto Uchiha wanted to adopt me?
He knew that his mother, Kushina, and Mikoto had been close friends. But the idea of an Uchiha adopting the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki? That would have been impossible unless an Uchiha had become Hokage.
Sasuke took Naruto's silence as rejection. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face.
"If you don't want to come, forget it. I won't ask again."
Naruto snapped out of his thoughts. Seeing Sasuke's reaction, he chuckled.
"I'll come," he said. "But this is my first time being invited to someone's house. Should I bring a gift?"
Sasuke shook his head. "That's not important. Just don't embarrass yourself." Then, after a pause, he added, "I also want to know why my parents seem hesitant when I mention you."
Naruto smirked but didn't answer. That's not hesitation, Sasuke. That's because they know exactly what I am… and what it would mean for the Uchiha Clan to have me in their home.
Still, an invitation was an invitation.
And he wasn't about to turn it down.
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