Naruto looked at Kakashi and the others with some regret.
He didn't even have time to check their injuries.
The unconscious ANBU member was taken to the hospital by Kakashi's team. Even though they belonged to different factions, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, they were all part of Konoha's military power.
After all, Danzo was the only "dark side" he trusted.
Yamato walked toward Naruto and the others with a smile:
"I've seen your strength. You truly deserve to be top students of the Ninja Academy. I'll assign missions that match your abilities later. For now, you're dismissed."
Uchiha Izumi and Inuzuka Hana didn't feel happy about the praise. Instead, they blushed in embarrassment since they had been learning from Naruto the whole time.
Naruto replied unwillingly:
"No need. The second exercise isn't over yet. The night is still long—why go back already?"
Then he glanced at his small, cramped tent.
Yamato's face twitched, then he formed hand seals:
"Wood Style: Four Pillars Technique!"
A large, luxurious house suddenly appeared.
Yamato smiled:
"In that case, you can rest here tonight. Think of it as compensation."
Naruto looked at the house with disdain:
"This is boring. I'll take you two out for barbecue."
He grabbed the two girls and walked out of the forest.
Kakashi watched him leave, his expression stiff.
"…He doesn't look like a student at all."
After strengthening his bond with his teammates, Naruto returned to his small rented house.
The moment he entered, his eyes narrowed, then he smiled:
"Oh? Why did the old man come to visit me?"
Inside stood the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"I heard about your training. You did very well—not only showing your ninja basics, but also protecting your comrades."
"Especially your understanding of the Will of Fire. You made the right choice."
Then Hiruzen took out a scroll and handed it to Naruto. An ANBU appeared with a large contract scroll.
Naruto immediately understood—these were rewards.
Looking at Hiruzen's smile, Naruto couldn't help but smirk internally. If he had chosen differently earlier, he probably wouldn't receive these jutsu.
He acted excited like a normal child:
"These are forbidden jutsu? Give them to me!"
He then signed the Summoning Contract, forming a bond with Katsuyu.
After sending Hiruzen away, Naruto's face turned cold.
He used to think the Hokage world was simple… that the Third Hokage was weak.
But now he understood—
The most powerful politician in Konoha was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Naruto recalled many things from his past life and muttered:
"So you want to end as a hero? What a joke…"
"If killing makes someone evil… then what have I been doing all this time?"
If he were just a normal person, maybe he wouldn't care.
But he was Uzumaki Naruto, someone affected by the Third Hokage's decisions.
How could he not seek revenge?
He remembered how the Uchiha clan was destroyed, and how Hiruzen avoided responsibility.
That alone told him the truth.
Naruto looked at the scrolls:
Shadow Clone TechniqueAdamantine Sealing Chains
He smiled coldly.
"This world… is built on power."
Then he shook his head.
"Still too early."
"For now… I just need to get stronger."
He opened the scrolls and began training.