Chapter 197 – Welcome Back
Fugaku smiled warmly as he bent down and gently patted Naruto's head.
"It's been a while, Naruto. How have your studies at the Academy been going?"
Naruto straightened proudly. "My studies are going great… probably." Then his grin widened. "Uncle, I've already learned the Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Oh?"
Fugaku's eyes lit up in genuine surprise. For Naruto to have mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu at his age — that was impressive. Then again, that technique was practically made for him.
"That's excellent," Fugaku said with a chuckle. "Later, I'll teach you an upgraded version of the Shadow Clone."
Naruto's eyes sparkled. He immediately realized what his uncle meant — the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu Aunt Mikoto had once mentioned.
"Really?! Okay, okay!" he said, nodding eagerly.
Just then, Sasuke arrived. For a moment, he stood still, his steps hesitating slightly. A wave of emotion — part homesickness, part shyness — flickered across his face.
Fugaku had already noticed him. Smiling, he waved his hand and patted his thigh.
"Come here, Sasuke."
Ever since his arrival in this altered world, Fugaku had long accepted this "adopted" version of his son. As the saying went — even a stray dog would grow dear after being raised for a while.
But Sasuke was far from that. He was sharp-eyed, handsome, and in his own quiet way… adorable.
At this age, he was still shy and introverted, especially around strangers. Yet at home, he relaxed, even showing a playful side that reminded Fugaku of Naruto's cheerfulness.
He was nothing like the brooding boy from the original timeline — the one burdened with hatred and loss. This Sasuke was just… a child. A normal, happy child.
Sasuke's hesitation vanished as he ran forward and hugged Fugaku's other leg tightly.
"Father!"
Fugaku smiled, his voice filled with pride. "Sasuke, Naruto has already learned the Shadow Clone Technique. What about you? What have you been working on?"
Sasuke puffed out his chest proudly.
"I've learned the Phoenix Fire Technique — and an advanced version too, Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!"
One was a C-rank ninjutsu, the other a B-rank — quite the feat for a boy his age.
Fugaku nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
Watching his son's eager expression, he coughed softly. "Alright then, I'll also give you an advanced technique later."
Sasuke's chakra affinity leaned toward Lightning Release. Fugaku mentally noted to check the Scroll of Seals later for suitable Lightning techniques.
Then it struck him — he had just returned from the Land of Lightning after annihilating the Hidden Cloud Village. His spoils included countless Lightning Release scrolls.
He smiled faintly. "You can choose one from the Hidden Cloud's collection yourself later."
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Really? Great!"
With a hand resting on each of the boys' shoulders, Fugaku led them toward the Hokage Building.
Inside, Uchiha Mikoto was already waiting in the hall, her face glowing with warmth.
"Welcome back, Anata," she said softly, stepping forward to remove his flak vest with gentle hands.
"It's good to be home," Fugaku replied.
"Itachi," he nodded toward his elder son.
"Father," Itachi greeted calmly, bowing slightly.
"Hokage-sama!" Kisame Hoshigaki's voice rang out the loudest — full of sincerity and admiration.
Standing beside him, Deidara said nothing. His expression was blank, though his single visible eye flickered faintly.
Dragged here against his will, he was still simmering with annoyance. But even so, he used this rare chance to study the man before him up close — the Hokage who had destroyed the Hidden Cloud Village.
That was something even his own village's Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had never managed.
Deidara remembered how Ōnoki used to mutter about eliminating the Hidden Cloud "before he died." Yet years had passed without any progress… and this Uchiha Fugaku had done it in one decisive campaign.
The thought left Deidara uneasy. Would Lord Third be furious when he found out?
Then another thought hit him — Wait… I left without telling anyone back home.
For a moment, a twinge of guilt flickered in his heart — quickly dismissed. He wasn't the type to dwell on such things.
"Mm-hmm, good, good. Everyone's here," Fugaku said with a small laugh, his eyes sweeping the room.
Finally, his gaze fell on the blond-haired youth standing at the back — the one-eyed boy with his long fringe covering half his face.
"So this is Deidara," Fugaku mused silently. "Looks exactly like in the anime."
Seeing Deidara's cool indifference, Fugaku didn't bother forcing a greeting. He knew the boy's type well enough — prideful, volatile, and convinced of his own "art."
Originally, he'd recruited Deidara and Kisame simply out of boredom, to keep himself occupied while juggling Konoha's politics and threats like Nagato. Now, with power enough to crush entire villages, he hardly needed them.
Especially Deidara — one stray explosion from that kid could level half of Konoha.
But now that the village was his, he wouldn't tolerate anyone harming it. Not even for the sake of "art."
"Alright then," Fugaku said, turning to the senior officers nearby. "Nara Shikaku, Elder Sihu, Advisor Hizashi — I'll leave the rest to you."
He was tired — more than he wanted to admit. He just wanted to go home, eat with his family, and finally rest.
The banquet and post-battle logistics could be handled by others. The resources, trophies, and documents would all be sorted soon enough. He trusted Shikaku and the elders completely — especially since most of the important items were already secured.
"Understood, Hokage-sama. Please rest assured and leave the rest to us," Shikaku said with a respectful nod and an easy smile.
Hyuga Hizashi and Uchiha Sihu both echoed, "Yes, please leave it to us."
"Good," Fugaku said with satisfaction.
Then, without another word, he effortlessly lifted both Naruto and Sasuke — one sitting comfortably on each arm.
"Let's go. We're heading home."
Naruto's eyes went wide. It was the first time anyone had carried him like this — securely, warmly, like real family. His heart swelled with excitement and joy.
For a moment, he forgot everything else — the cheers, the crowd, even the title of Hokage.
All he felt… was home.
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