The morning sunlight filtered into Sayuri Arata's home, a modest yet elegant residence befitting her fabricated identity as a wealthy benefactor. Naruto, now two years old, toddled across the floor, clutching a carton of milk as if it were a prized possession. The carton was, of course, upside down, and Naruto proudly waved it in the air.
"Fresh!" he declared, his bright blue eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Sayuri—Raven's alter ego—sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Naruto, we've talked about this. You need to check the date first."
"Date!" Naruto chirped, plopping down onto the floor with the carton still upside down. He squinted at the numbers printed on the side, his little face scrunched in concentration.
"That's not even the right side," Sayuri muttered, crouching down and gently flipping the carton for him. "Here. This is the date. If it's past this, it's bad."
Naruto blinked, then nodded solemnly as if this were the most important lesson of his young life. "Bad."
Yuumi, perched lazily on the counter, flicked her tail. "You realize he doesn't even know what numbers are, right?"
"He'll learn," Sayuri said, straightening up. "It's never too early to teach him good habits."
"Like not drinking expired milk?" Yuumi teased, smirking. "A noble goal for the next Hokage."
Sayuri chuckled. "One step at a time, Yuumi. For now, I'll settle for him not poisoning himself."
Later that day, Sayuri led Naruto outside to the small training yard behind their home. The area was carefully enclosed by seals, ensuring privacy from Danzo's prying eyes and Root's ever-present surveillance.
"Alright, Naruto," Sayuri said, holding up a single leaf. "Today's lesson is chakra control. You're going to balance this leaf on your forehead."
Naruto tilted his head, staring at the leaf as if it were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen. "Leaf?"
"That's right," Sayuri said, crouching down to his level. "Watch me first."
She placed the leaf on her forehead, her chakra holding it in place effortlessly. "See? Like this. Now you try."
Naruto grabbed the leaf, his tiny hands crumpling it as he pressed it against his forehead. "Like this?"
"Gentle," Sayuri said, guiding his hands. "Don't crush it. Just let it sit there."
Naruto nodded, his face scrunched in determination as he carefully placed the leaf on his forehead. For a moment, it stayed in place, and Sayuri's heart swelled with pride.
Then the leaf slid off, and Naruto promptly fell backward onto the ground with a loud "Oof!"
Yuumi burst out laughing, her tails swishing with amusement. "Well, that was dramatic."
Naruto sat up, his bottom lip trembling. "Leaf fall."
Sayuri picked him up, brushing the dirt off his clothes. "That's okay, Naruto. The first step is trying. We'll get it."
Naruto sniffled, then nodded, his resolve returning. "Try again!"
Later that evening, bath time turned into yet another exercise in chaos. Sayuri sat on the edge of the tub, holding a small rubber duck as Naruto splashed around happily.
"Okay, Naruto," Sayuri said, placing the duck on the surface of the water. "We're going to practice water-walking. Use your chakra to stand on the water like this."
She lightly tapped the water with her finger, demonstrating the faint ripple of controlled chakra. Naruto stared at the ripples, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Water-walk!" he declared, standing up in the tub and stomping his feet.
"Wait—" Sayuri began, but it was too late. Naruto lost his balance and toppled forward, his face plunging into the water with a loud splash.
Yuumi cackled from her perch on the sink. "You might want to start with a kiddie pool next time."
Sayuri pulled Naruto out of the water, wrapping him in a towel as he sputtered. "We'll call that progress," she muttered, trying not to laugh.
Naruto blinked up at her, water dripping from his hair. "Again?"
"Tomorrow," Sayuri said with a sigh. "We don't want you turning into a raisin."
While Sayuri was busy teaching Naruto about milk and chakra control, Danzo Shimura was hard at work spreading more malicious rumors. In the shadowy depths of Root's headquarters, his frustration boiled over.
"How is this woman still untouchable?" he growled, slamming his cane onto the desk. Reports lay scattered before him, detailing his agents' failed attempts to undermine Sayuri's reputation.
One operative knelt before him, his head bowed. "The villagers remain loyal to her, Lord Danzo. Her fans… they're relentless."
"Fans?" Danzo spat, his visible eye narrowing. "What kind of nonsense is this?"
"Her novels, my lord," the operative said hesitantly. "The Yuri Paradise series has created a… devoted following. Many see her as a symbol of strength and independence."
Danzo's grip on his cane tightened. "You're telling me that an author of trashy romance novels is more influential than Root?"
The operative hesitated, then nodded. "It appears so, my lord."
Danzo scowled, his mind racing. "Fine. If the people won't turn against her, then we'll find another way. Spread new rumors—accuse her of hoarding resources, of conspiring with foreign powers. Make her seem like a threat to Konoha itself."
"Yes, my lord," the operative said, bowing before scurrying away.
As the room fell silent, Danzo muttered under his breath, "No one undermines Root and gets away with it. No one."
The next day, Danzo stormed into the Hokage's office, his frustration palpable. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his paperwork, his expression calm but weary.
"What is it now, Danzo? You where just here yesterday!" Hiruzen asked, setting his pen aside.
"We must take action against Sayuri Arata," Danzo said sharply, slamming his cane against the desk. "She's dangerous. Her influence is growing unchecked, and she has the boy under her control."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Naruto is thriving under her care. He's healthier, happier, and safer than he ever was in the orphanage."
"She's manipulating the village!" Danzo snapped. "Her wealth, her popularity—it's all a facade. We don't even know where her money comes from."
"The Daimyō has verified her wealth and approved her adoption of Naruto," Hiruzen said firmly. "This matter is settled, Danzo."
"You're making a mistake," Danzo growled. "If we let her continue, she'll destabilize the village."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "The only one destabilizing the village is you, Danzo. Enough. My decision is final."
Danzo glared at him, his visible eye blazing with fury. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
That evening, Sayuri sat by the window, watching the moonlight spill across the room. Naruto was fast asleep in his bed, clutching a stuffed fox that she had given him.
Yuumi appeared beside her, curling up on the windowsill. "Danzo's not going to stop, you know."
"I know," Sayuri said quietly. "But I'm not afraid of him."
Yuumi smirked. "You've got a lot of faith in your little army of book fans."
Sayuri chuckled softly. "Never underestimate the power of Yuri Paradise. But this isn't about me—it's about Naruto. As long as he's safe, I'll deal with whatever Danzo throws at me."
"And if he comes at you directly?" Yuumi asked.
Sayuri's Rinnegan flickered faintly under her disguise, her expression calm but resolute. "Then he'll learn the hard way that I'm not someone he can control."
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 73 your support is my inspiration join for only 3 to 5$
patreon.com/everstone