The Third Hokage slowly exhaled a smoke ring, the image of Uchiha Sasuke—Uchiha Fugaku's second daughter—appearing in his mind.
He remembered very clearly that before Satsuki was born, Fugaku held the hope that this child would definitely grow into a powerful Ninja, and even planned to use his own father's name, "Sasuke," for her.
Unexpectedly, both subsequent children were girls, so he had to slightly modify the name.
The first time he saw little Satsuki, the Third Hokage had to admit a hint of jealousy arose in his heart.
Why could Fugaku have such a cute daughter? That little girl, only three years old, already showed the prototype of a beauty with her delicate features.
If she wasn't a child of the Uchiha Clan...
The Third Hokage even considered arranging a child engagement between Satsuki and his newborn grandson.
Of course, this absurd idea was quickly dispelled by reality.
A marriage alliance between the Uchiha and the Hokage lineage?
If that happened, he wouldn't have the face to meet the Second Hokage-sama in the afterlife.
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage refocused his gaze on Naruto, who was currently munching on an apple.
It was a good thing for this lonely child to form bonds, but the object of his attention happened to be the Uchiha Clan Leader's daughter... this choice was simply too sensitive.
"Naruto," the Third Hokage tried to make his tone sound casual.
"Have you made any friends recently?"
Naruto's movements paused slightly at the question.
Although the Third Hokage seemed to be asking casually, he knew very well—this was a probe about meeting Satsuki yesterday.
"Yep!" Naruto swallowed the apple in his mouth, a bright smile on his face, "I met a really nice person yesterday, he practiced shuriken for a long time with me!
But..."
"But what?"
"That person's personality is a bit strange, how should I put it, with a deliberate arrogance."
Naruto pouted, "Like this, 'Your throwing technique is decent,' even though he was just hiding behind a tree saying 'so amazing.'
But it was my fault at first, I used her training ground without permission."
The Third Hokage nodded thoughtfully: "I see.
But... aren't there also public training grounds within Konoha?
Why did you go so far to train?"
"Because the people there don't like me.
Although I don't know why, the way they look at me... it's really uncomfortable.
To avoid bothering everyone, I had to go a bit further."
The Third Hokage's hand tightened slightly around his pipe, "...I see, Naruto."
He deliberately slowed his speech, "So, your new friend... did he agree for you to go play with him again?"
Naruto's lips curved into a knowing smile.
He understood the Third Hokage's probing—this was to confirm whether Satsuki had intentionally led him to the Uchiha Clan Estate.
"Yep! She said if there's a chance... we can go train in the forest outside Konoha again next time.
After training, we can also sit by the river with an amazing view, eat, and enjoy the scenery."
The Third Hokage subtly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was within the ANBU's surveillance range... now, the suspicion of the Uchiha Clan deliberately arranging it could be basically ruled out; the two children's encounter should have been just a coincidence.
"Naruto..." The Third Hokage adopted a more casual sitting posture, making the topic sound like an elder's concern, "Regarding that friend, what do you think of that child?"
Naruto gripped the apple core in his hand.
He knew that his next words would determine whether the Third Hokage would allow this friendship to continue.
"That guy..." Naruto deliberately put on a look of disdain, "Although his personality is super strange, and he constantly acts like he looks down on people..." His voice gradually softened, "But..."
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow with interest, watching Naruto's rare bashful demeanor.
"But..." Naruto scratched his head, "He's pretty good-looking!"
The Third Hokage almost choked on his smoke.
He hadn't expected such a pure and childish answer.
Seeing Naruto's rare age-appropriate shy expression, a complex emotion flashed in the old man's eyes.
So that's it... a child's instinctive preference for "beautiful things"?
I'll call Uchiha Fugaku over to talk later.
— — — — — —
After tidying up the house, Naruto deftly tied his Ninja tool pouch to his waist, checked that his bento box was packed, pushed open the door, and stepped into the sunlight.
Everything that needed to be said had been made very clear...
Naruto looked towards the Hokage Rock.
If that old man still intended to stop him from interacting with Satsuki... then he shouldn't blame him for being petty.
The small figure leaped agilely across the rooftops, golden hair fluttering in the wind.
This method of travel, dangerous to ordinary people, was commonplace for a Ninja—even for a three-year-old child.
After a period of rapid movement, the familiar training ground finally appeared in his sight.
Naruto slowed his steps, looking around expectantly...
He didn't see Satsuki; had she not come today?
Just as Naruto thought he had come for nothing, a soft 'puff' sound suddenly came from the nearby river, like a match being lit.
He walked curiously towards the sound.
Satsuki's small figure stood by the river, clumsily forming hand signs.
Her brows were tightly furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line; her focused expression was utterly adorable.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
With a tender shout, a fireball about the size of a soccer ball spewed from her mouth, tracing an orange-red arc in the air, and then...
It extinguished with a 'pssh' sound.
It appeared! The original version of Fire Release: Lighter Technique!
Satsuki stood by the river, her small fists clenched white, her father's disappointed sigh replaying in her mind.
"As expected, it's not like Itachi's time..."
...Is the gap between me and my older sister really that big?
She bit her lower lip, stubbornly shook her head, and forcibly suppressed her feelings of disappointment.
If talent isn't enough, make up for it with effort!
Satsuki resumed her hand sign posture.
I must surpass my older sister... and become a Ninja who makes the clan proud!
"Yo! You're here! I kept my promise and came to find you!"
The sudden voice startled Satsuki, almost making her lose her footing.
She whirled around, only to see Naruto's bright, smiling face close by.
"It's you..." Satsuki forced herself to remain calm and turned her face away.
Naruto completely missed her embarrassment, excitedly leaning closer.
"Ano sa, ano sa~ That fireball just now, were you practicing Ninjutsu?"
Satsuki's body stiffened, realizing her clumsy Great Fireball Technique had been seen.
Shame instantly flooded her—she had boasted last time that the Uchiha were the strongest, yet she couldn't even perform the most basic Fire Release well...
"That's amazing!"
Unexpectedly, Naruto suddenly exclaimed, his eyes shining.
Satsuki turned her head in surprise, meeting those sparkling blue eyes.
"You haven't even started Ninja Academy yet!
But you're already practicing Ninjutsu like a real Ninja!
You're truly amazing!"