Chapter 296: It's Really a Goblin
So they were all brought back to Konoha.
Konoha Village Gate
A carriage rolled steadily toward the gates.
Several figures sat cross-legged atop the roof.
Naruto suddenly jumped to his feet, spreading his arms wide.
"We're back—Konoha!"
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, who were on gate duty, smiled faintly when they heard him.
They stepped aside without stopping the carriage.
They naturally recognized Uchiha Itachi, as well as Sasuke and Naruto.
The carriage passed through the gates smoothly and headed straight for the Uchiha Clan Compound.
It did not stop until it reached the entrance of the clan head's residence.
Uchiha Itachi stood up first and spotted a middle-aged man waiting in the courtyard.
"Uncle Ryoichi," Itachi said calmly. "I need your help."
Uchiha Ryoichi immediately stepped forward.
"Young Master, please give your instructions."
"There are eight women in the carriage," Itachi said. "Four of them are pregnant with Goblin children. Arrange a nearby residence for them and have people look after them carefully. The other four should be settled close by as well."
He paused briefly.
"I will explain the details later."
Uchiha Ryoichi nodded without hesitation.
"As you wish."
As someone trusted by Uchiha Fugaku, Ryoichi was already aware of the Goblin-related intelligence. However, he did not ask unnecessary questions.
He climbed onto the carriage, took the reins from the coachman, and drove it away personally.
"Young Master Sasuke. Naruto."
He greeted them briefly before leaving.
"Kabuto," Itachi said, turning to Yakushi Kabuto, "you're dismissed. Go home and rest."
"Yes, Itachi-niisan."
Kabuto bowed lightly and quickly disappeared down the street.
Naruto and Sasuke watched him go before Itachi spoke again.
"Let's go inside."
"I'm first!"
Naruto rushed into the courtyard at full speed.
"Hmph."
Sasuke followed closely, unwilling to fall behind.
Uchiha Itachi then turned to Ichikawa Ao.
"This is my home," he said calmly. "Stay in the courtyard for now. When Uncle Ryoichi returns, I'll have him arrange a place for you nearby."
He did not consider letting Ichikawa Ao live inside the house.
That would have been inappropriate.
Ichikawa Ao was intelligent and understood human customs well enough.
Treating him carelessly would only cause resentment.
"Yes, Master."
Ichikawa Ao replied obediently and waited near the rockery.
As Itachi entered the house, a trace of regret flickered in Ichikawa Ao's eyes.
He had wanted to see Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.
Perhaps Itachi was worried his appearance might frighten them.
Ichikawa Ao quietly suppressed his thoughts.
"Father! I'm back!"
Naruto kicked off his shoes at the entrance and ran straight into the living room.
Uchiha Fugaku was seated there.
He glanced at Naruto and smiled faintly.
"Welcome back. How was the mission?"
"We didn't play at all!" Naruto said proudly. "It was a real mission!"
Sasuke arrived a moment later and said flatly, "You were the one enjoying the hot springs the most."
Naruto bristled. "You did too!"
Sasuke ignored him and looked around.
"Where's Mother?"
"She went out with Nonou Yakushi," Fugaku replied. "They should be back later."
Uchiha Itachi entered at that moment, then turned and called out toward the courtyard.
"Come here."
Ichikawa Ao's eyes lit up.
He immediately ran over.
"Father," Itachi said calmly, "I'd like you to see something."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow, stood up, and walked toward the entrance.
"What is it?"
Ichikawa Ao stopped at the doorway.
Itachi reached out and pulled back the hood covering his head.
The Goblin's face was fully revealed.
Fugaku's gaze sharpened.
Silence filled the room.
"…So it really is a Goblin."
The intelligence reports had not been exaggerated.
This was unmistakably a non-human species, completely foreign to the Naruto world.
"It's not an ordinary one," Itachi said. "Its talent is exceptional."
"Oh?"
Fugaku looked more closely.
"In what way?"
"It mastered the Clone Technique and Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique in a single morning."
For the first time, Fugaku's expression changed noticeably.
"That fast?"
"Yes."
Fugaku fell silent again, studying Ichikawa Ao with renewed intensity.
If such a creature truly existed—and if it wasn't an isolated case—
Then the implications were enormous.
"How many techniques does it currently know?" Fugaku asked.
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