บท 26: The Third Hokage Panics
"Get me two of these."
"And two of these as well."
"Pack these all separately, two of each."
By the time Shisui returned to Eighth Street, Sasuke was shopping for clothes in a store.
Naruto was already holding several bags filled with shoes, pants, and other items.
Sasuke, waving bills, was directing the sales staff here and there.
Being a Uchiha shop, they naturally recognised Sasuke, the young master, and served him diligently. Sasuke was generous, never bargaining, simply buying whatever he liked.
"Bonk!" Shisui tapped on Sasuke's head.
"Ow!"
"That's no way to shop, young man."
Sasuke scowled, then happily handed the items to Naruto, and they started chatting excitedly.
It wasn't that Shisui minded the expense—the Uchiha clan was wealthy enough to never worry about the cost of clothes.
But Sasuke needed not to develop a habit of being imperious.
Naruto looked excitedly at the various garments he usually wouldn't even dream of owning. Yet, he felt a bit embarrassed.
"Senior Shisui, this…"
Shisui waved a hand dismissively, "You're Sasuke's friend, no need to say anything else."
Naruto's eyes welled up with tears before he nodded emphatically, "Mhm!"
"Good day, Lord Shisui." In addition to the sales staff, two members of the Uchiha Police were nearby.
"I see you two are really free today." Both Uchiha managed awkward smiles, aware of Sasuke and Naruto's special status and the necessity of keeping an eye on them.
Shisui, to notice,d.
Noticing it was getting late, he glanced at the rooftop corners where several Anbu were positioned.
"It's getting late, Sasuke, come home with me. Naruto, you should head home too."
"Oh, can I come and play with Sasuke tomorrow?" Naruto asked, hopeful.
"Sasuke is busy for the next few days, he won't be available."
Seeing Naruto's disappointment, Shisui smiled and said, "School is starting in a couple of days, you'll see each other there."
"Hehe, yeah, school is starting soon." Naruto grinned sheepishly.
"Remember to wear your new clothes when you go to register, it's a fresh start."
"Yes!" Naruto felt this was the happiest and most fortunate day in years.
Shisui gestured to someone nearby, "Uchiha Kenichi, please escort Naruto home."
"Yes!" Uchiha Kenichi stood at attention.
"Senior Shisui, no need for anyone to escort me, I can find my way home," Naruto said, a bit embarrassed.
Shisui ruffled Naruto's hair, "Just listen and go home."
"Okay, hehe." Naruto chuckled, clutching the clothes tightly, not wanting to hand them to Kenichi.
"Then I'm off, Senior Shisui! Bye, Sasuke! See you at school!" Naruto, laden with many items, waved energetically.
Shisui waved back, "Off you go."
Sasuke also waved at Naruto, having never seen him so happy before.
"Let's go home."
...
"Uchiha Shisui says that Kushina Uzumaki was kind to him and he just wants Naruto to have a better life and be good friends with Sasuke," reported the Anbu who had been monitoring along the way.
The Third Hokage was feeling uneasy, puffing on his cigarette. He couldn't believe Shisui was simply being kind.
Who can say whether the claim about Kushina's old favor is true after all these years?
Kakashi hesitated before adding, "Shisui also said that if Naruto feels better off with the Uchiha, that's up to him."
The Third frowned, contemplating. The overall relationship between the Uchiha and the village had cooled, with a dramatic drop in the Uchiha's mission involvement.
Not only were there fewer Uchiha ninjas, but those who did take missions were exceedingly cautious, downgrading their mission levels and avoiding danger.
They would request leave for mandatory assignments, leaving the Third without many options—after all, they needed their houses to live in before they could work.
Now that Shisui was approaching the Jinchuriki in such a manner, the Third was highly alert to the possibility of collective desertion by the Uchiha, perhaps even an abduction of Naruto.
"Lord Third, Naruto has indeed had a tough life," Kakashi said, seeing the Third lost in thought.
The Third drew on his cigarette and asked, "Kakashi, are you blaming this old man for not taking better care of Naruto?"
"Uh…" Though the Third's tone was not harsh, Kakashi still bowed in apology, "No, Lord Third, you must have your reasons."
The Third nodded. Stabilising Kakashi was essential.
He explained gravely, "Kakashi, you don't know everything. After the Fourth died, the village was in disarray. There were many with ambitions regarding the Jinchuriki. Some even wanted to imprison Naruto."
"I fought hard to ensure he wasn't locked away permanently. But when his status as Jinchuriki was leaked, I had to spread rumors that he was the demon fox's child to mislead the public."
"Many villagers lost family in the Nine-Tails incident, so he's often targeted."
"His identity as the son of the Fourth must remain a secret because a Kage's son, especially one who is a Jinchuriki, is too tempting a target."
"But I've visited him often over the years, trying to make up for my shortcomings."
The Third's tone grew heavy as he spoke.
Knowing the Third had difficulties, Kakashi felt guilty, "I'm sorry, Lord Third, I didn't understand the situation and questioned you."
The Third waved his hand in feigned understanding, "Since Naruto is your teacher's son, I understand your concern."
"Let's do this: Naruto's past has indeed been too bitter. Given that Shisui's intentions aren't clear, you should protect Naruto closely from now on."
"Follow him everywhere except school. That will ease my mind knowing you're watching him."
Kakashi was delighted, but he felt unsettled after hearing Shisui's words. Now, being close to protect Naruto, he wouldn't let the boy suffer anymore. "Should I protect him covertly, or...?"
The Third pondered briefly, "You might find an opportunity to interact with him, ideally as his teacher."
"Thank you, Lord Third," Kakashi thought the Third was doing him a favour by giving him this task.
"Dismissed."
Once Kakashi left, the Third sighed. Assigning Kakashi to watch over Naruto was a necessary compromise.
With the Uchiha approaching Naruto in such a manner, he had to assign someone to keep a close watch, lest Naruto be abducted.
And besides Kakashi, a staunch supporter of the Hokage, competent and appropriately positioned, someone else was better suited for the task.
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