9050 points.
This was a number that made Naruto himself feel somewhat dazed, even apprehensive, upon seeing it. This was the total system points he had accumulated after the Uchiha Clan Massacre. The vast majority of it came from Uchiha Satsuki's skyrocketing, even system-breaking, Bond Level…
However, the increase in points did not stop. In the peaceful days when Naruto occasionally thought about whether to round up the number, with daily companionship and interaction, a steady stream of Bond Points slowly and continuously began to flow into his "account."
The first to bring about change were Satsuki's parents, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, whose death he had forcibly altered.
As life gradually returned to normal and grief was slowly healed by time, Satsuki began to invite Naruto to her home more and more frequently.
This was unimaginable before, because the potential risk of a coup and Danzo's secretly watchful eyes would never have allowed the "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" to frequently enter the core Uchiha area.
But now, the Uchiha hawks had been completely eradicated, and Danzo had been executed. All worries were gone. Naruto could now step into this area, once a "forbidden zone" for him, without any burden.
The first time he officially entered the Uchiha Clan Leader's residence as a "guest," Uchiha Mikoto's attitude towards him was exceptionally warm. This warmth was not just due to her gratitude for Naruto taking care of Satsuki while they were unconscious.
It also seemed to be mixed with another, more complex emotion—perhaps a kind of affection born from seeing a long-lost friend through him.
It was during that visit, when Mikoto prepared an exquisite Japanese meal for Naruto and smiled gently at him, that the familiar system prompt sound rang crisply in his mind again.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: You have established an initial Bond with the original character "Uchiha Mikoto"! (Level 1)
Reward Points: 100 points!
In subtle contrast to the warm Aunt Mikoto was Uchiha Fugaku's attitude.
Naruto always felt that the former Clan Leader's gaze upon him… seemed to carry some inexpressible "opinion"?
Although Fugaku never said anything harsh or accusatory to Naruto, maintaining basic politeness and courtesy in his words and actions, that vague feeling of annoyance that his carefully nurtured 'cabbage' was being targeted, and a mix of scrutiny and struggle, were indeed present.
After all, any father who sees his daughter constantly revolving around another boy, with her eyes overflowing with dependence, would feel a little uncomfortable, wouldn't he…
Especially when this boy had "abducted" his daughter, making her less and less like the proud Uchiha princess she once was.
From Fugaku's perspective, it was perfectly normal for him to have such complex and conflicting emotions towards Naruto.
However, after a period of frequent visits and interactions, although Fugaku's attitude remained somewhat subtle, the familiar system prompt sound eventually rang out.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: You have established an initial Bond with the original character "Uchiha Fugaku"! (Level 1)
Reward Points: 150 points!
This seemed to imply that, even with that specific "annoyance" of an old father, Fugaku had, deep down, begun to acknowledge and accept Naruto's presence in their lives.
In the days that followed, Naruto's relationship with Satsuki's family became increasingly close and natural. The atmosphere at the dinner table was no longer the slightly formal one of the beginning.
Aunt Mikoto's gaze towards Naruto grew more loving, and she even considered it once again—she wanted to formally propose to the Third Hokage that she take care of her deceased friend's orphan, and for Naruto to recognize her as his godmother.
With no political concerns remaining and the biggest obstacle, Danzo Shimura, already dealt with, Fugaku, unable to resist his wife's persistence and determination, eventually bit the bullet and visited the Third Hokage, subtly expressing this wish.
The final result was that the Third Hokage did not immediately agree to this somewhat sensitive proposal, but he also did not explicitly refuse, merely stating with his usual, slightly procrastinating attitude, "Give me some more time to consider it…"
However, for Naruto, these formal aspects were no longer important. He had now completely bid farewell to loneliness.
Aside from the time he returned to his small apartment to sleep at night, he could barely find any moments of being "alone."
At the Ninja Academy, Satsuki's field of vision could be roughly divided into two categories: Naruto and everyone else.
And even earlier clingy behavior occurred before school. Every morning, often when Naruto was still groggy, struggling with whether to get out of bed, the door to his small apartment would be knocked "thump, thump, thump."
Satsuki was no longer satisfied with just meeting at school; instead, she would directly run to Naruto's doorstep to "report" early in the morning. The two would stick together from the very beginning of the day, then go out for breakfast together, and then head to school.
In the evening, if Naruto didn't visit the Uchiha Clan Compound, Satsuki would insist on walking Naruto all the way home after school. This journey required her personal "escort" to feel at ease.
Each time they arrived at the bottom of Naruto's apartment building, she always seemed reluctant to leave, only slowly turning to depart after repeatedly confirming the time to meet again the next morning.
Naruto also tried reversing it, with him first escorting Satsuki back to the Uchiha Clan Compound on the outskirts of Konoha, then returning home himself.
But every time, as soon as he stepped into the Clan Estate, he would almost invariably be "forcibly" pulled in for a visit by Mikoto or occasionally by Fugaku.
"You've come all this way, just stay for a simple meal!" "I made a lot of dishes today, Naruto, come join us!"… Such reasons were endless, and the final result was always Naruto staying for dinner, sometimes even being kept very late, only to be allowed to be escorted home by Satsuki.
Thus, with daily interaction and companionship, Uchiha Mikoto's affection for Naruto grew day by day. That feeling, stemming from gratitude, empathy, and admiration for him, steadily deepened their Bond.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: Your Bond Level with the original character "Uchiha Mikoto" has increased to Level 4!
Reward Points: 300 points!
The system prompt sounded again, adding a considerable sum to Naruto's "little treasury."
However, in stark contrast, Uchiha Fugaku's Bond Level stubbornly remained at the initial Level 1, showing no signs of budging.
It seems that truly earning the heartfelt, all-encompassing approval of this former Clan Leader and father, breaking through the barrier named "daughter," is still a long and arduous path.
However, Naruto's life was now sufficiently fulfilling and happy. During the day at the Ninja Academy, he was no longer the isolated "demon fox," but rather, along with his group of good friends—Nara Shikamaru, Shino Aburame, Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, and others—he attended classes, trained, and, of course, spent time with his inseparable childhood friend, Uchiha Satsuki.
In the evenings, he would sometimes visit the Uchiha Clan Compound, enjoying the lavish dinners prepared by Mikoto and the warmth of a family.
Other times, he would host the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his small apartment, who occasionally came to visit and check on his well-being. The two would share a simple dinner and chat.
This stable and warm life also allowed Naruto's Bonds with his other companions to quietly grow without him realizing it.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: Your Bond Level with the original character "Nara Shikamaru" has increased to Level 4!
Reward Points: 100 points!
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: Your Bond Level with the original character "Shino Aburame" has increased to Level 4!
Reward Points: 100 points!
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: Your Bond Level with the original character "Inuzuka Kiba" has increased to Level 5!
Reward Points: 100 points!
Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the old man who witnessed Naruto's growth and was filled with complex guilt, unexpectedly saw his Bond with Naruto increase.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host: Your Bond Level with the original character "Hiruzen Sarutobi" has increased to Level 3!
Reward Points: 150 points!
Finally, when all these steadily accumulated points were credited, Naruto looked at the faintly glowing number in his consciousness, feeling both fulfilled and somewhat dreamlike.
Total Points: 10050 points