She hadn't been much help so far.
"Hayate is fine..."
He was still hospitalized, seriously injured but out of danger.
Naruto had visited him, strengthening their bond.
Moved by his kindness, Yuugao nodded: "Yes, as long as you're happy..."
As he had said, most of the Uchiha were good, right?
She had to try harder to protect him.
But she didn't know the opportunity would come soon.
Naruto had a jutsu to test, and she would be the perfect test subject.
Aoba, the Hyūga servant, although obedient to his will, was too risky.
Too many injuries would draw the clan's attention.
So...
Yuugao, often around him, was perfect.
Mostly isolated, she could help him perfect his techniques.
By making him stronger, she would protect him indirectly.
Naruto smiled, his expression darkening.
"Darker still..."
Kyūbi tried in vain to make out his surroundings.
After the mountain incident, Naruto had realized his limits.
No one was perfect in every way.
Without Sasuke's Sharingan, severely injuring Zabuza would've been difficult.
So he needed allies.
And if he didn't have any, he would create them.
Yuugao would be his first recruit.
From his observations, she and Hayate were Tokubetsu Jōnin with fluctuating abilities.
Their techniques – Hayate's Doton and Kenjutsu – could be effective, but not enough against opponents like Zabuza.
His idea?
Enhance Yuugao through a jutsu, mold her in his image.
"Yuugao-neechan, let's go see Hayate-nii-san together tonight."
Naruto scratched his head, his smile turning shy.
"Okay."
Yuugao smiled in return.
What an adorable child...
As he watched her walk away, Naruto admired her graceful figure.
Her tight uniform, porcelain skin...
The beast within him stirred.
The negative effect of the "Third Tail" unleashed against Zabuza had to be released...
And the method? The "Yang Release" – a jutsu to be applied on her.
….
Uchiha District.
"Dad will be home from the front soon... My brother left on a mission this morning..."
Sakohummed while packing pastries at the table.
— "Sasuke, are you bringing those to that child?" asked Mikoto, watching her daughter busy so early in the morning.
— "Yes! I'm giving them to that... Uzumaki Naruto. I bet he's never had anything this good," Sakoreplied, nodding cheerfully.
The pastries were homemade by her mother. Naruto, having grown up without parents, deserved care.
Since being discharged from the hospital, Sakohad been thinking a lot more. Recalling the mountain incident, she realized she hadn't measured up. Not even a quarter of Naruto's ability...
— Kisama... And I'm supposed to be an elite Uchiha!
— "Mom, how can I become stronger?" she suddenly asked.
— "Sasuke, you're already very strong," Mikoto said, crouching to look her in the eyes.
— "Your brother only activated his Sharingan recently, and you already did it at your age..."
Mikoto was proud of her daughter's talent. Hearing about her interactions with Naruto, she couldn't help thinking certain things.
A girl this gifted would be worthy of the Fourth Hokage's son...
If Kushina could see from the afterlife, she'd surely be pleased.
— "So... Can you teach me the Gōkakyū no Jutsu?"
— "Huh? You don't know it?" Mikoto asked, surprised.
Her daughter had already taught Fūton: Daitoppa (a C-rank technique) to Naruto. With her level, the Gōkakyū should be...
— "Ah, I misspoke, Mom, I meant..."
Sakosuddenly realized she already knew how to master the Gōkakyū no Jutsu.
Every morning before waking, new knowledge appeared in her mind. Fūton: Daitoppa was part of it.
But that's not all...
She also knew how to perform Ryūka no Jutsu, Hōsenka no Jutsu...
— "Um... Mom, I have to go!"
Flashing a sheepish smile, Sakograbbed the box and dashed off.
— "Oh, and don't tell my brother I'm going to Naruto's!" she shouted from the yard.
— "Alright," Mikoto answered with a smile.
...
At Naruto's house.
Sakoarrived just as Naruto finished his morning training.
— "Here."
She handed him the box.
Naruto took it and examined it.
— "My mom made it," Sakosaid, hands on her hips.
You should be honored, idiot.
And then...
— "Thanks..."
She blushed slightly as she murmured the words. After all, this blond boy had saved her.
Even if he seemed dumb, he was reliable when it mattered.
— "Huh?"
Naruto looked up from the box.
— "Did you say something?"
— "No, nothing at all!"
Face bright red, Sakoshouted before turning away.
Uchiha are too proud to express their true feelings...
— "You didn't even ask her name," Kyūbi commented.
— "No need."
Naruto watched Sakowalk away.
— "Just like that... it's perfect."
No need to rush... She'll fall on her own.
Clack.
He closed the door behind him.
...
Back in the Uchiha district, Sakodidn't return home right away. She headed to a nearby river, where a small wooden bridge offered an ideal training spot.
This is where my brother used to train... before Shisui started taking him elsewhere.
Standing on the bridge, she took a deep breath and formed the hand seals.
— Katon...
Not very fast, but it was her first attempt.
— GŌKAKYŪ NO JUTSU!
She channeled her chakra, converted it into flames, then released it.
BOOOOM!
An orange fireball lit up the river, casting a scarlet glow over the surface.
Sakostood stunned.
Am I... really this strong?
But she didn't notice the tall figure behind her.
Uchiha Fugaku had returned from the front, covered in glory.
The crushing victory over Kumo had raised the clan's reputation to new heights.
Perhaps our "revolution" can take another path...
No need to seize power by force.
With this influence... we can push the Third to resign politically.
And Shisui... surely he's awakened a higher level of the Sharingan.
With my Mangekyō I've always hidden...
Two Mangekyō will be enough to bend the council to our will.
Upon his return, Fugaku had heard about the mountain incident.
His daughter's ordeal had surprised him.
Fortunately, Naruto wasn't caught in her death...
Then, hearing Naruto had defeated Zabuza, he was stunned.
The Fourth's child already shows exceptional talent...
A prodigy like that is worth approaching.
Leaving the Military Police HQ, Fugaku had spotted his daughter and followed her discreetly.
Until he witnessed that.
— Hmph... You really are my daughter.
— "Dad?"
Sakoturned around, surprised.
Her father's gaze, filled with pride, made her smile.
But his next words dimmed her excitement.
— "That way... you'll be worthy of a good match."
Worthy of the Fourth's son.
Fugaku was already envisioning the future:
Force the Third to step down, become Hokage, betroth Sakoto Naruto, control the Jinchūriki...
That's the future of the Uchiha.