Chapter 45: Chapter 45 The Annoying Old Dog
[It is detected that the host has stayed at the Great Naruto Bridge for one hour. Sign-in successful. Reward: Resurrection Coin x1]
'Huh?'
'Resurrection Coin?'
Hearing this notification, Naruto was completely taken aback.
He quickly opened the system inventory and saw a coin inside.
The golden coin is only the size of a bowl, and was engraved with a simple dog head pattern.
The introduction to the coin was brief, with just two bold words that left Naruto thrilled.
[Resurrection Coin]
That's right, this was exactly like the item in Dungeon Fighter Online that allowed a player to instantly revive after death.
At this moment, Naruto's excitement could not be expressed in words.
None of his previous sign-in rewards could compete with the significance of a Resurrection Coin.
After all, this was a second life!
A chance to come back perfectly intact, no matter what reckless stunts he pulled!
After savoring the thrill for a while, he closed the system inventory.
"System, why such a generous reward this time?"
Naruto still had doubts. After all, the sign-in rewards were all related to the sign-in location, so how could he get such a miraculous item by signing in on the bridge?
[The Great Naruto Bridge stands because of the host, it was your presence that brought it to life. ]
After hearing the system's explanation, Naruto nodded in understanding.
In short, without him, there wouldn't be the Great Naruto Bridge.
"Naruto, it's time to go!"
Sasuke's voice called out from nearby.
Naruto waved a farewell to Tazuna and the others, and this mission on the Land of Waves finally came to an end.
After returning to Konoha, Kakashi went off to report on the mission, while the others were dismissed.
"Let's go grab a good meal together."
Naruto suggested, pulling Sasuke along.
"Yeah, it's my first mission away from home, so my mom will probably prepare a feast to celebrate." Sakura chimed in.
"We can also take this opportunity to mention becoming a son-in-law." Naruto grinned, nudging Sasuke with a mischievous look.
"That's... alright."
Sasuke replied after moments of thought.
After this mission in the Land of Waves, Sasuke felt more and more that he was not strong enough.
Especially after seeing the power of Kakashi's three tomoe Sharingan, he became more determined to upgrade his own Sharingan.
He had to gain bonds quickly to stimulate his Sharingan.
In order to avenge the Uchiha Clan, he would use any means necessary!
The three of them arrived at the Haruno household together. Seeing the three people coming back safely, Mebuki smiled and said, "You are finally back! Come on in and rest."
After entering the house, Mebuki busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a meal.
With Sakura's father away on a mission, only the four of them sat at the dining table.
Mebuki, looking at each of them, smiled and said, "Not bad, you all look more mature. Sakura, aren't you going to introduce him?"
"Introduce?"
Sakura was slightly startled, then quickly responded, "This is our Team 7 companion, the one I mentioned to you, Uchiha Sasuke."
" Oh, Sasuke, is it? A handsome young man! You should get along well with Sakura in the future."
Mebuki said with a satisfied nod.
Sakura couldn't help but grumble, "Mom, is that all you're going to say? You're always saying you want a son-in-law, so why not bring it up now?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Sasuke's an excellent young man, so why would he settle for a silly girl like you?"
Mebuki tapped Sakura on the forehead and said.
"Auntie, I actually think Sakura is quite nice, and honestly..."
Sasuke stood up and said, "I came here today to bring this up… I'd like to be your family's son-in-law."
Sakura's face immediately brightened with joy, but before she could say anything, Mebuki chuckled and said, "No need to play along, Sasuke. She's not a match for you. Now, sit down and eat."
Hearing this, Naruto calmly interjected: "Sasuke, let's eat."
"… Okay."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, but ultimately followed Naruto's lead.
After they finished eating and left the Haruno household, Sasuke couldn't hold back anymore, "Naruto, why did you stop me just now?"
With hands in his pockets, Naruto shrugged nonchalantly, "Can't you see? It's obvious that Mebuki-san doesn't want to get involved with you."
"Why?" Sasuke was confused.
"I'm not entirely sure yet. Give me some time to investigate. In the meantime, you should focus on your training."
Naruto waved dismissively, but his body suddenly stiffened as a flood of memories surged into his mind.
'Sure enough, there's more going on here!'
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly.
During dinner, he had sensed something off about Mebuki but he didn't want to say it out loud. Just before leaving, he had strategically left a shadow clone in her home, which transformed to look like an object to avoid detection.
He originally thought that it would take some time to get any useful information, but he didn't expect the shadow clone to come back so quickly.
In the memories, he saw what Mebuki had been up to after dinner.
Just after dinner, Sakura and Mebuki had a brief argument, then Sakura returned to her room in a huff.
Mebuki, who is left alone in the living room, began muttering to herself, "This silly girl has no idea of my good intentions. The Uchiha is already under the watchful eye of the Root. Otherwise, why would I have refused?"
She then stood up, took out a pen and paper, wrote a letter, and discreetly threw it outside the room. She sighed again: "Alas, Naruto is the most pitiful one. His every move is monitored by the Root. Who knows what Danzo's up to..."
After Mebuki went to her room, Naruto's shadow clone had discreetly retrieved the letter she had thrown.
Instead of opening it outright to avoid triggering any traps, he used his Sharingan along with the sunlight to make out the text inside.
The letter's contents were simple, merely reporting Naruto's safe return and his current physical condition.
The memory ends here.
As Naruto absorbed this memory, he quickly put the pieces together.
Danzo was afraid of the power of Uchiha's Sharingan, and Mebuki, naturally, wouldn't dare get involved with someone as 'dangerous' as Sasuke.
As for her willingness to take Naruto in as a son? That was clearly at Danzo's instruction, most likely as a way to keep close tabs on Naruto's development.
It seemed Danzo feared the Kyubi inside Naruto, worried it might go berserk.
Of course, it is also possible that Danzo wanted to gain control over the Kyubi's power himself, just like he took the Uchiha's Sharingan.
In short, since Danzo has set his sights on him, nothing good is bound to happen.
'That despicable old fox!'
Naruto couldn't help but gritted his teeth in frustration.
If Naruto was asked the character in this world he despised the most, he would answer Danzo without hesitation.
This old guy wanted to control everything and become the Hokage through sheer force, leading Konoha under his absolute power.
While his intentions might have some good in them, Naruto could never accept such a 'sacrificial' spirit.
'Everyone could prosper together, yet Danzo clung to this lone hero complex, endlessly persecuting others. Did he think he was some kind of invincible superhero?'
"Naruto, is something wrong?"
Noticing Naruto's change in expression, Sasuke couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing, just an annoying old dog causing trouble. But I'll handle it… no, actually, you'll handle it!"
Naruto started to say before changing his tone, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
"What exactly are you talking about?"
Sasuke frowned, perplexed by Naruto's cryptic words.
"To put it simply, it's related to your Sharingan!" Naruto said with a playful smile.
He'd just remembered that Sasuke didn't need a specific emotional trigger to upgrade his Sharingan. After all, Danzo had an arm full of Sharingan eyes just waiting...