Konohagakure No Sato:
Uzumaki Apartment
Standing in front of his bathroom mirror, Naruto adjusted the collar of his navy-blue Yukata. The fabric was crisp, smelling of new cotton and the slight floral scent of the shop Ino had dragged him to.
While his hands moved with mechanical precision to smooth out the wrinkles, his mind was operating on a completely different frequency.
(Inviting the Jinchuriki of all things...) Naruto thought, his eyes narrowing at his reflection.
(And it's the Nara of all people. Don't they understand how troublesome things will become after today? Or rather... do they understand exactly how troublesome it will be, and they're doing it anyway?)
He looked at his blonde hair, which had grown considerably since his "awakening" four months ago. It now brushed against his shoulders.
He reached for a hair tie, pulling the back into a small, neat ponytail, but then he paused. With a deliberate movement, he brought the long, jagged bangs forward, framing his face in a way that felt hauntingly familiar.
(This should look like Mina—no, the Fourth Hokage, right?)
Blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a near-identical hairstyle born simply from the fact that "Naruto" had been too busy training to find a pair of scissors.
(It's been four months, and I haven't cut it. It's finally time to shine on this occasion.)
Naruto wasn't a fool. Through his subtle probing and observations, he understood that this "party" was a smokescreen for something far more significant.
Shikamaru's lazy father was suddenly too busy for shogi. His mother was perpetually worried. Even Shikamaru, the king of apathy, couldn't find a moment to nap peacefully.
The air in the village was shifting, and the Nara were at the center of the storm.
(Let's see if there are any wise people left in this village,) Naruto thought, his expression hardening.
(Let's see if watching me like this allows them to finally connect the dots.)
He didn't need to know the specifics of the Nara's plot. His goal was different: Status. Identity. Recognition , AND MOST Importantly
Freedom.
He refused to be defined solely as the "Demon Fox" or a village weapon. He would claim his place as the legacy of the Fourth Hokage—the Hero of the Third World War, the Yellow Flash, and the savior of the Kyuubi's Night.
(Canon Naruto was played and kept in the dark until the very end,) Naruto reflected bitterly.
(If not for Minato's chakra seal and Pain's attack... that sixteen-year-old fool would have stayed a tool even longer. I won't wait that long.)
The opportunity was at his doorstep. He didn't need to scream the truth or make a scene.
(I just need to show my face. Gather support from those who truly loved him—not from the "tools" of the administration, but from the hearts of the shinobi who still respect his memory.)
Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong!
The doorbell rang incessantly. Naruto picked up the gift he had carefully prepared for Shikamaru and headed downstairs. He left his mask on the table. Today, he wanted them to see every inch of his face.
He opened the door to find Ino standing there, looking radiant in a white-themed Yukata.
"Naruto! That dress looks amazing on you," he greeted her smoothly.
Ino's eyes went wide, her breath hitching as she took him in—the new hair, the sharp clothes, and the absence of the mask. "Reallyyyyyyyyyyy!!? ><"
"Mm."
"Hehe!"
Seeing her distracted, Naruto immediately shifted into "Kid Naruto" mode. He knew the ANBU were watching from the shadows; he needed to keep the act up just enough to keep them guessing.
"Shall we go, Ino?"
"Yeah!"
The morning sun was bright as they walked toward the Nara compound. It was barely 10:00 AM.
"I thought the party would be in the evening," Naruto remarked.
"No way," Ino replied, sneaking glances at his profile. "Parents won't let the kids spend the night outside. It's a kids's Birthday party, you know, not just Ino-Shika-Cho!"
As they walked, Ino felt her cheeks burning. She tried to formulate a compliment, but her brain felt like it was short-circuiting.
(Oh my God... say something, Ino-baka! Say something! He already complimented you... why can't you say he looks good? That hairstyle... without the mask... it's so...)
They soon arrived at the Nara compound. After a brief greeting with the gatekeeper, they headed into a large, open avenue. Naruto scanned the area, noting he had arrived early. Most of the heavy hitters hadn't arrived yet, but a familiar lazy voice called out.
"Yo, Naruto. Ino."
"Happy Birthday, Shikamaru!" Naruto said, handing over his gift.
"Happy Birthday, lazy-bum!" Ino added, handing hers over as well.
Shikamaru handed the gifts to a nearby servant, looking like he'd already lived through a week of stress. "Thank you. This is gonna be troublesome today... so many guests."
"You look tired," Naruto noted.
"Greetings and all... today."
Before he could complain further, a man with sharp features and the same signature ponytail as Shikamaru appeared. Nara Shikaku, the Clan Head and the tactical genius of the village.
"Shikamaru, Ino," Shikaku greeted.
"Dad." "Uncle!"
Shikaku signaled his son with a slight tilt of his head. Shikamaru caught the hint immediately. "Dad, this is Uzumaki Naruto. My friend."
Naruto stepped forward, offering a polite, practiced bow. "Good morning, Uncle. I am Uzumaki Naruto. Thank you for having me."
Shikaku froze for a fraction of a second, his tactical mind cataloging Naruto's appearance—the hair, the eyes, the poise. (He looks just like him... especially today. This is going to be troublesome... hehe.)
"Haha, no need to sweat it, kid. Enjoy the day," Shikaku said, though his mind was racing.
(This is good... even God is helping me. With him looking like that, even the civilian Jonin will be moved. The smarter ones will definitely be on board... and I made sure not to invite the fools.)
Shikaku noticed his wife, Yoshino, standing a short distance away, her eyes fixed on Naruto with an unreadable expression. He walked over to her. "What happened, Yoshino?"
"He really looks alike," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yeah," Shikaku agreed, following her gaze.
"Can I talk with him?"
"Why are you asking me that?" Shikaku asked.
"Open area, middle of the day, ANBU everywhere... and you barely spoke to him. Should I say more?" Yoshino challenged.
"...Just don't say troublesome things," Shikaku sighed. "The Hokage approved him being here, so just—"
"I know," she interrupted, her expression hardening. "I am also the Matriarch of the Nara Clan."
Yoshino turned and headed toward the kids' area, her heart a whirlwind of guilt, grief, and old memories. Shikaku watched her go, a hollow feeling in his chest. (Nine years... alas, Minato, I really don't know how I will face you in the Pure Land, my friend.)
==============================
Ding!
Sign-in Location: The Nara Clan Compound
Sign-in Reward: Sharp Mind (Passive)
Sharp Mind: Enhances cognitive processing, tactical awareness, and memory retention.
===============================
Naruto felt a sudden clarity wash over him, as if a fog had been lifted from his thoughts. He sat with Ino and Chōji, nibbling on some snacks, feeling quite satisfied with the reward. But the peace was short-lived.
"Ino, why don't you introduce me to your friend?"
Naruto looked up to see Yoshino Nara standing over them.
"Ah! Hello, Auntie!" Ino chirped. "Naruto, this is Aunt Yoshino, Shikamaru's mom."
"Hello, Aunt Yoshino. I am Uzumaki Naruto," he said, offering a bright smile.
He noticed Shikamaru had conveniently disappeared. Ino had gone quiet, and Chōji was suddenly eating with the most perfect manners Naruto had ever seen.
(Now that I look closely... her eyes look a bit dangerous,) Naruto thought.
A sudden chill ran down his spine as Yoshino reached out. Before he could react, her hand moved with surprising speed, gently wiping a corner of his mouth where a bit of sauce had lingered.
(Just when and how did she get here?! She was just standing over there a second ago!) Naruto's internal alarm bells rang, but on the outside, he remained a confused, innocent child.
Yoshino didn't pull her hand away immediately. She looked at him—really looked at him—and for a moment, the Matriarch of the Nara Clan looked like she was about to cry.