Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 15

As I enter the Hokage's office, I feel the weight of the moment on my shoulders. The door closes softly behind me, and I am immediately enveloped by the quiet, almost reverent atmosphere of the room. The Hokage sits at his desk, a pipe in his hand, and though his face is as friendly as ever, I can see the heaviness of his thoughts in his deep brown eyes.

"Good day, Hokage," I begin, striving to keep my voice calm and composed, even though my heart is racing. "I assume this is about Naruto?"

The Hokage nods slightly, his eyes resting on me as he brings the pipe to his lips. He takes a deep draw before responding thoughtfully. "You're correct, Yukari. But it's not just about Naruto."

I feel a tension tighten in my stomach as he examines a scroll on his desk.

His voice is calm, but each word carries a weight that I cannot underestimate. "You are the top of your class, if not the entire school. Iruka speaks of you only in the highest terms. You have already mastered several Ninjutsu techniques, and in these times, when we are still suffering from the aftermath of the war, it is crucial to utilize every available shinobi."

Part of me feels proud of these words, but I also know that this is not just a simple acknowledgment—it's an expectation, a burden that rests on my shoulders. I continue to listen, my eyes fixed on the Hokage as he continues, "The Elders and I agree that it would be a waste of your talents to keep you at the Academy any longer. Therefore, we will hold a competition at the Academy to demonstrate the students' progress after a year to their parents. However, we will not have you compete against your classmates. That wouldn't be a fair fight."

I feel my breath quicken slightly. A competition? Against Genin? The challenge sounds exciting but also frightening. "You will be competing against some Genin. I want to assess your potential with my own eyes and then decide how we will proceed with you. After this fight, you will undoubtedly be a Genin, and this fight will help me determine which team you will join."

The Hokage looks at me, his eyes almost penetrating. I feel the responsibility that weighs on me, but also the opportunity to show what I am capable of. "Does this mean that I am theoretically already a Genin, and you just need a pretext to make it official?" My voice might sound too matter-of-fact, but I need to know.

The Hokage nods. "Don't worry about that for now. We will discuss it when the time comes."

I nod slowly, but inside me, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty brews. But before I can dwell on these thoughts further, the Hokage continues, "But there is something else I need to discuss with you. Naruto will be living alone starting today. As I mentioned to you last year, I would like you to keep an eye on him."

My heart tightens. Naruto, alone? The thought of him having to manage on his own at such a young age deeply pains me. "Can't I take him home with me? Then he wouldn't be alone."

The Hokage shakes his head, his voice calm but firm. "The unrest caused by the attack of the Nine-Tails, which is sealed within Naruto, is still more evident than ever. If you were to take Naruto to the Uchiha, the villagers would become even more suspicious of the Uchiha. That's not a good idea."

I feel my hands clench into fists, my gaze drops briefly before I look back at the Hokage. "But he's so young. How is he supposed to manage alone at four years old?"

"He is not alone," the Hokage replies with a gentle smile that lifts some of the weight off my shoulders. "You will be there for him whenever you can. And he will be watched over by Kakashi and Jiraiya; I will also visit him from time to time. For his protection, Naruto must not learn of his origins yet."

The Hokage's words sink deep into my heart. I know this is more than just a simple request—it's a task that I must undertake with seriousness and dedication. "I understand, Lord Third. Of course, I will take care of Naruto."

The Hokage studies me for a long moment before giving me a gentle, almost fatherly smile. "I trust that you will approach this task with the same determination as everything else, Yukari. You will be a good friend and protector to him."

As I leave the Hokage's office, I feel heavier but also more determined. Naruto will need me more than ever. And I will have to be strong, not just for myself, but also for him—for the boy who bears so much burden on his small shoulders, and for the village that I have sworn to protect.

Lost in thought, I walk through the village, the conversation with the Hokage still echoing heavily in my mind. The responsibility weighing on my shoulders feels overwhelming. As I ponder, I suddenly see the small blond boy playing alone on the playground. A smile crosses my face as I sit on one of the swings and watch him. Naruto, so full of energy and joy, runs across the playground, leaving his worries behind for a moment.

But then my gaze falls on a group of villagers watching Naruto from a distance. Their looks are cold and filled with suspicion, and my heart tightens with concern.

I remain seated on the swing, gripping the chain tightly, never taking my eyes off the little boy. It's as if I'm holding an invisible vigil over him, ready to intervene if necessary.

As Naruto continues to play, the feeling of responsibility grows within me. I promised the Hokage that I would look after him, and although my memories of Aunt Kushina are now only blurry images, I know deep in my heart that she would have wanted me to be there for Naruto. No matter what others think of him, I know he needs someone by his side, someone to protect him. And I will be that person for him, as I promised. For him, and perhaps also for what Aunt Kushina meant to all of us.