On the outskirts of Konoha, at the residence where the priestess was staying.
Several Uchiha ninjas, their expressions grave, were patrolling the area.
The team led by Kurenai Yūhi formed a striking contrast with them.
In the inner courtyard, protected by all these guards, the priestess and her daughter Shion lived in peace.
Shion was playing in the garden under the watchful eye of Izumi Uchiha.
The priestess, kneeling beneath the awning, watched her daughter with tenderness.
When Naruto arrived, this was the scene that greeted him.
His fidgeting near the entrance soon caught attention.
Thanks to his recent rescue of Sako, the Uchiha ninjas generally had a better opinion of him.
They decided to send Izumi to ask what he was doing there, rather than driving him away immediately.
"Naruto..." Izumi approached, noticing his shy expression.
"Hello, Sister Izumi~"
Naruto scratched his head, a mischievous glint flashing in his narrowed eyes.
Up close, he could observe her more clearly.
The young Uchiha was beginning to blossom, her slender figure exuding a youthful fragrance.
Several years younger than Yugao, she was like a flower about to bloom—a fresh and innocent beauty.
What people often called… a "pure young girl."
Her large eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, gave her an innocent look.
Yet, the beauty mark under her eye added a hint of allure.
Without a doubt, she could easily stir desire in others.
Her long, silky black hair, flowing down to her lower back, was proof of her good health and the strength of Uchiha blood.
As a mixed-blood Uchiha, Izumi had inherited the clan's best traits.
She was beautiful, talented, and above all… emotional—how else could she have awakened her Sharingan?
"Naruto, what are you doing here?" Izumi asked, noting his puzzled look.
"Yesterday, I heard the priestess came to Konoha, so I got a little curious…"
Naruto looked even more timid, as if the word embarrassed were written on his forehead.
Ah, the curiosity of children…
Izumi understood and signaled to her companions.
After a few exchanged glances, the team leader, Inabi Uchiha, shook his long hair and decided to let him in.
The priestess was precious, yes.
But the Kyūbi's vessel was a far greater treasure for the village.
If a curious child wanted to see her, what harm could it do?
"Thanks to all the Uchiha~!"
Naruto blushed slightly, his smile beaming.
Inabi nodded in a show of goodwill.
In truth, the Uchiha clan had already held a meeting on the matter.
The clan head, Fugaku Uchiha, had decided Sako should get closer to Naruto.
This seduction strategy was known to key members like Inabi, Yashiro, and Tekka.
To earn Naruto's favor, Inabi was happy to make things easier for him.
As the "physical revolution" strategy shifted toward a gentler approach,
seemingly kind gestures became natural.
If the Kyūbi's vessel sided with them, wouldn't that be a victory for the Uchiha?
In the history of the ninja world, jinchūriki had always had close ties with the Kage.
Getting close to Naruto meant getting closer to the Hokage title.
Naruto slowly stepped into the courtyard, quickly catching the attention of Kurenai Yūhi.
As the head of the other protection team, she too was watching over the priestess.
Influenced by her father since childhood, Kurenai always wore a serious, emotionless expression.
Maybe it wasn't in her nature, but years of restraint had made her a cold, distant beauty.
"Why are you letting him in?" she asked Inabi quietly.
He simply smiled. "Is there a problem?"
Kurenai was speechless.
The Fourth Hokage's son, and you're letting him near the priestess just like that?
What if something happened to one of them…
"Hmph, you're underestimating that kid. He helped our clan head's daughter kill Zabuza Momochi!"
Inabi proudly made his case.
If two kids could defeat Zabuza,
couldn't a team of adults protect the priestess with the Kyūbi's vessel on their side?
Kurenai had no more arguments.
"I'll report this to the Hokage!" she finally declared.
"As you wish."
Inabi chuckled.
The Hokage cherished the Fourth's son enough to risk war with Kumo—she just didn't get it.
"Women with long hair... and short tempers!"
This remark from Inabi reached Naruto's ears, and he paused before continuing toward the heart of the residence.
"Hello, Lady Priestess…"
Naruto scratched his head, respectfully greeting the woman before him.
He took the opportunity to observe her more closely.
Truly… a woman of rare nobility.
Or rather: Shion's mom is really beautiful~.
If the priestess were to die, Shion would be devastated, right?
So Naruto made a silent promise to himself:
He would save… Shion's mother, no matter what.