Kuragami Uchiha ultimately didn't make everyone work overtime all night.
After spending 100,000 Ryo to invite Teuchi from his home to the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters to personally prepare a luxurious bowl of ramen for each of the overtime workers, he let everyone go home and rest.
The next day, on a large open space of about 1,000 square meters on the east side of the Uchiha Clan's grounds, the non-ninja members of the Uchiha Clan were busily setting up the venue.
Normally, this area was used for hosting weddings of the clan's younger generation.
However, today, their Clan Head was using it to host a banquet for the kind-hearted ninja who had assisted in suppressing the rioters, who had attempted to tarnish the honor of a village hero through rumors, thereby threatening the purity of the Will of Fire.
Thus, from early morning, the entire Uchiha Clan was bustling with activity.
Meanwhile, at the Hatake clan's ancestral home, Kakashi was already up early, pulling a reluctant Naruto out of bed.
Due to the curfew the previous night, Naruto had a day off from the academy and had planned to sleep in. However, Kakashi had other plans.
"Ugh, what's the deal, Kakashi-nii?"
Naruto grumbled. He had stayed up late, waiting for Kakashi to return safely before going to bed, so being woken up early made him cranky.
But Kakashi, without any explanation, had already started pulling clothes over his head.
"We're going out for a big meal today. If you don't want to get up, suit yourself." Kakashi said nonchalantly.
"A big meal?"
Naruto's ears perked up instantly. In a flash, he dressed himself and followed Kakashi out the door.
Before heading to their destination, Kakashi first stopped by Yamato's place, pulling him along as well. Then, the three of them made their way toward the Uchiha Clan grounds.
After walking for a while, Naruto sensed something was off, then he looked up and asked: "Where are we going? Every time I've walked this way before, an Anbu uncle would show up and tell me I can't go any further."
"You'll know when we get there."
Kakashi replied. "Besides, from now on, there's nowhere in the village that you aren't allowed to go."
"For real?!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Of course. But if you pull a prank over there, I'm not bailing you out from the Konoha Military Police Force." Kakashi warned.
As they continued walking, they ran into Genma Shiranui and Raido Namiashi.
When Genma and the others saw Naruto's bright blond hair, their expressions became momentarily dazed.
"He really does look just like him..."
Raido murmured while gazing at the laughing Naruto, who was walking alongside Kakashi.
All of them had once been part of the fourth Hokage's original team. They knew the fourth Hokage had left behind a son. However, after the fourth Hokage's death on the night of the nine-tails rebellion, their positions in the village become awkward.
If the fourth Hokage had survived, they would likely have taken up important positions in the Anbu or as high-ranking Jonin by now.
However, with the fourth Hokage's untimely death, they found themselves marginalized.
Many of them were of civilian or minor ninja clan backgrounds, lacking strong political ties within the village. While the third Hokage didn't actively suppress them, his faction subtly alienated them when distributing missions and responsibilities.
Faced with this reality, they had no choice but to accept it. Although they knew the fourth Hokage son was still alive, Naruto's identity was too sensitive.
In their precarious position, they didn't dare openly help him.
At most, they would secretly teach a lesson to any villagers who bullied him, but even then, they couldn't let anyone know why.
But now that Kakashi had stepped forward to carry the banner, everything was different.
When Kakashi and Naruto approached, Genma was the first to reach out and ruffle Naruto's hair.
Once he started, the others couldn't resist either, and soon, Naruto was passed around like a plush toy, his golden hair becoming a complete mess.
"Hey! Who the heck are you guys?!"
Naruto protested, thoroughly irritated from being patted and ruffled by everyone. He pouted and glared at everyone, but his expression made everyone burst into laughter.
"Naruto, these brothers and sisters were once your father's subordinates."
Kakashi said with a smile.
Kakashi had thought it through. Now that he had officially stepped forward, aside from maintaining some decorum for the third Hokage's sake, meaning he couldn't reveal Naruto's father's identity outright, there was no need to keep Naruto completely in the dark anymore.
It was time for him to start learning about these things. After all, everything that Kakashi had inherited from his teacher ultimately belonged to Naruto, his teacher's true heir.
"Huh? Really?"
Naruto was stunned, and then he turned to Genma. "So you guys knew my father?"
"Yes, your father was a truly great ninja."
Genma said with a smile.
"Then, can you tell me who he is?"
Naruto pouted expectantly.
"Of course... We can't!"
Genma teased while grinning mischievously. The others knew their limits, too; they still had to give the third Hokage some face.
"Oh, come on! Don't tell me you're gonna say that my father had really powerful enemies, so you can't tell me for my own safety?"
Naruto said angrily.
"Oh, you are a smart kid; you have learned the answer quickly!"
Genma laughed.
The group laughed heartily, but Naruto, at the center of it all, was practically steaming with frustration.
"Alright, Naruto."
Kakashi knelt down to his level. "Your father's story isn't simple. Once you truly become a ninja, you'll gradually uncover his identity on your own."
"But what about the stuff you said before? About my dad's enemies?"
Naruto pouted, still upset.
"Oh, that? That was a lie."
Kakashi admitted casually. "With so many people in the village willing to protect you, those so-called enemies are no big deal, right?"
As he spoke, Kakashi glanced at Genma and the others.
"Of course."
Genma replied with a grin. "Little Naruto, grow up quickly. When the day comes that you find out who your father is, you might just be in for a big surprise."
As he spoke, Genma couldn't help but glance toward the Hokage rock.
"Hmph! You guys are the worst! Lying to a kid like that! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Frustrated by their answers, Naruto shook off their hands and sprinted toward the Uchiha compound.
"This kid's got some energy."
Raido remarked with a chuckle while watching Naruto's retreating figure.
"But Kakashi, are you sure about bringing him to the Uchiha Clan's grounds? Is it really okay?" Genma asked, turning serious.
"There's no problem."
Kakashi replied firmly. "The Uchiha are our allies."
Thinking back to how the Konoha Military Police Force had been the first to stand up for Kakashi during this recent turmoil, Genma nodded. "As long as you're sure."