Giving someone a name, especially a child that isn't yours, is a big responsibility.
After the Hyuga Clan's trouble, the other clans who fought in the Third Shinobi World War couldn't really understand what happened. They guessed and made up stories, and the rumors got wilder and wilder. Over time, many things were either figured out or forgotten.
Hyuga Hazuki was still stuck in the Hyuga mansion, not free. Hyuga Hizashi watched her all the time, making sure she didn't run away or cause problems. Hyuga Hiashi, Hizashi's older brother, was locked up, looking thinner and weaker every day.
If the Uchiha or Senju clans had done something like this, the leaders of Konoha would have been quick to punish them, maybe even kill them. But the Hyuga were just the Hyuga…
The important people in Konoha didn't think they were a big deal, so they didn't rush to fix the problem. But as the Third Shinobi World War ended, they knew they would have to decide what to do with the Hyuga soon.
Hyuga Hiashi would probably be sent away to Hozuki Castle. But because he knew the secrets of the Caged Bird Curse Mark… he would probably die in a mysterious way.
Maybe he would get sick, or maybe he would kill himself. After being locked up for so long, the guilt might be too much for him.
But whatever happened…
The leaders still needed to talk about it. And of course, they would listen to Sarutobi Ryo's opinion.
Sarutobi Ryo hadn't said anything, letting Hiashi and Hazuki's situations drag on. No one knew what he would decide or what he thought. And many people didn't want to get involved in this mess.
Because of the Hyuga Clan incident, the other clans became more careful and tried even harder to show they were loyal…
Loyalty…
The Uchiha clan didn't need to prove anything, of course. Fugaku had died fighting to show their loyalty, and Obito had become a hero. Who would doubt the Uchiha now?
Since the Uchiha clan was showing their loyalty, the other clans followed along. Now, Uchiha Mikoto hoped that Sarutobi Ryo would name her child… maybe as another sign of loyalty to the leaders.
However…
Even Mikoto didn't really know why she wanted Young Master Ryo to name her baby.
Only Sarutobi Ryo knew the real reason.
It had to do with genes…
After all, the child's father was actually…
"Madam Mikoto," Sarutobi Ryo said, setting down his teacup. He looked at her, calmly studying the beautiful woman in front of him.
Sarutobi Ryo never went to bars or drank alcohol, so he had a good reputation.
But there were still some rumors…
For example, some people said that Hyuga Ruri's child was actually Young Master Ryo's… Because it was a sensitive topic, no one dared to say it out loud, and the clan leaders told their people not to talk about it.
Over time, the real identity of Neji's father became a mystery…
But.
People started to notice that Hyuga Ruri was staying at Young Master Ryo's house to recover…
They started to understand something.
Maybe, just maybe, Neji's father was Young Master Ryo…
Even though Hyuga Ruri and Hyuga Hizashi were childhood sweethearts, that didn't mean they had to be together…
The Hyuga Clan Main Family arranged the marriage, not Ruri and Hizashi.
So, it wasn't too surprising that Hyuga Ruri and Young Master Ryo might have fallen in love and had a child after the Hyuga Clan's problems.
Everyone avoided talking about it.
Mikoto had heard the gossip too, and she had thought about it…
Putting everything together, she decided to let Young Master Ryo name the child.
This would also prevent some trouble later on.
Itachi was Young Master Ryo's adopted son.
If Sarutobi Ryo named Fugaku's orphaned child, it would become a well-known story.
Then people would understand the origin of the child's name and the connection between the two families.
They would also understand the Uchiha Clan's loyalty to the leaders.
Sarutobi Ryo looked at Mikoto, knowing what she was thinking. It was human nature, and it showed how hard it was to be a mother.
Sarutobi Ryo nodded slowly. With the women watching him, he said, "A name… I do have a name…"
"Pfft…"
Kushina laughed.
"Naming? Your name is bad enough already."
Kushina had argued with Sarutobi Ryo since they were kids, and she wasn't afraid of him now that she was more important.
She used to be careful around him… maybe even a little jealous of his status.
But now, she was the First Hokage's granddaughter!
Hmph, who's afraid of who … Even if you see me, you have to call me Lady Kushina!
Kushina didn't think Sarutobi Ryo could come up with a good name.
But what Sarutobi Ryo said next surprised the three women.
"Sasuke… call him Sasuke…"
"Sasuke… Uchiha Sasuke…"
Mikoto repeated the name, still not sure what to think.
Then, Tsunade's face changed. "You…"
Realizing what Sarutobi Ryo meant, Tsunade understood.
This was a way to honor Uchiha Fugaku's sacrifice and contribution, and it was a hope for the child's future. That's why he used such an important name…
"What's wrong? Tsunade Older Sister…" Kushina asked, confused.
Was this name special?
"More than special."
Tsunade explained the story to Kushina, and Mikoto looked serious. Kushina learned everything.
Sasuke… was the name of the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's father.
Sarutobi Sasuke was a famous ninja during the Warring States Period.
No one in Konoha would name their child that name.
Because the name meant so much.
And now… Sarutobi Ryo was giving this unborn child this name not only as a sign of respect but also as a great hope for the child's future.
Or rather, potential.
Did this unborn child really deserve this name?
Tsunade wondered.
But only Sarutobi Ryo knew that some things couldn't be changed.
At least, Sasuke's birth was like that.
Even though the father was different, Sarutobi Ryo believed that Sasuke's chakra was still a reincarnation of Indra's chakra.
This was fate.
However… the change of the physical body was the most important thing.
The bloodline had changed, and the biological father had changed. Even if he still had Indra, so what?
Wouldn't he still have to call me Dad?
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[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 306 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
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