Hokage-sama," Inuzuka Gaku bowed respectfully to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Looking at Uzumaki Naruto beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Inuzuka Gaku's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.
Is this the Fourth Hokage's descendant, the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto?!
This child should be able to become a great figure in Konoha in the future.
Since he wants to raise a Ninja Dog, perhaps this is a good opportunity to build a relationship.
With that thought, Inuzuka Gaku smiled kindly at Uzumaki Naruto.
"Hokage-sama, today I have brought all the high-quality Ninja Dogs born in the Inuzuka clan this year."
"Please, Hokage-sama, come with me." Saying this, Inuzuka Gaku made a gesture of invitation.
"You've worked hard." Hiruzen Sarutobi kindly returned Inuzuka Gaku's smile.
Then.
Uzumaki Naruto and Hiruzen Sarutobi saw a group of newly born Ninja Dogs.
Hundreds of Ninja Dogs, all different in color and appearance, but equally adorable, were truly a magnificent and heartwarming sight.
"Wow! There are so many!" Uzumaki Naruto couldn't help but exclaim with an open mouth.
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto's eyes shining at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Uzumaki Naruto was very happy.
So after a slight pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke to Inuzuka Gaku, "Gaku, Naruto wants a giant Ninja Dog. I hope you can recommend one."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words made Uzumaki Naruto look over, watching Inuzuka Gaku with anticipation.
"This…" After two seconds of thought, Inuzuka Gaku walked to the far right of a room, pointing to that section of Ninja Dogs and said, "Most Ninja usually buy tracking-type small Ninja Dogs."
"Not many people buy giant Ninja Dogs, so I don't have many giant Ninja Dogs here."
"However, even if not many, there are some. These ten Ninja Dogs are giant Ninja Dogs."
Listening to Inuzuka Gaku's explanation, Uzumaki Naruto's gaze involuntarily turned towards the direction Inuzuka Gaku was pointing.
There.
Were ten newly born Ninja Dogs.
Black, white, yellow, golden, gray, brown, patterned, solid-colored…
After a careful look, Uzumaki Naruto's gaze settled on the golden-furred Ninja Dog.
Speaking of which, Uzumaki Naruto really liked this color.
"Third Hokage, I want this one." Uzumaki Naruto pointed straight at the golden-furred Ninja Dog.
"Alright, Gaku, this is the one." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement, then directly spoke to Inuzuka Gaku.
"Good eye. This breed of Ninja Dog is the most obedient, loyal, and also very strong." Inuzuka Gaku said with a smile.
Saying this, Inuzuka Gaku took out the small doghouse he had prepared earlier, as well as nutrient solution, and special dog food.
After packing these up, Inuzuka Gaku handed them to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As for why he didn't hand them to Uzumaki Naruto, Inuzuka Gaku thought Uzumaki Naruto might not be able to carry them.
"Hokage-sama, these are all essential supplies for a Ninja Dog."
"Mm, thank you." Hiruzen Sarutobi casually took the items, then looked at Uzumaki Naruto.
"Naruto, go see your Ninja Dog."
"Your Ninja Dog," these four words truly made Uzumaki Naruto break into a bright, happy smile.
After trotting over, Uzumaki Naruto reached out and petted Kinmaru.
"So cute." Uzumaki Naruto couldn't help but exclaim, then fell into thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Uzumaki Naruto excitedly said, "From today onwards, your name will be Kinmaru."
"Kinmaru, Kinmaru, Kinmaru!" After calling out three times, Uzumaki Naruto directly picked up Kinmaru.
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto so happy, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was nearby, also showed a faint smile.
Inuzuka Gaku looked at this scene, and his eyes also showed a hint of relief.
As a dog lover, Inuzuka Gaku naturally felt a good impression towards people like Uzumaki Naruto who genuinely loved dogs.
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded gently to Inuzuka Gaku.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's hint, Inuzuka Gaku directly spoke to Uzumaki Naruto, "Alright, Naruto."
"You can take your Ninja Dog now."
"If you have any problems in the future, need dog food, or if Kinmaru gets sick, you can always come to me." Inuzuka Gaku showed a kind smile.
From childhood to adulthood, very few people had shown kindness to Uzumaki Naruto.
Precisely because of this, Uzumaki Naruto also felt a strong liking for Inuzuka Gaku.
"Thank you, I will, Uncle!" Uzumaki Naruto nodded heavily.
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto's reaction, Inuzuka Gaku also nodded gently.
"Naruto, it's getting late. I'll take you home." Hiruzen Sarutobi finally said.
"Goodbye, Uncle!"
"Goodbye, Naruto!"
"Goodbye, Hokage-sama!"
Soon.
Amidst the farewells.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and left with Uzumaki Naruto.
After sending Uzumaki Naruto home, Hiruzen Sarutobi also let out a soft sigh of relief.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was not the kind of evil person who would feel no remorse or guilt even after doing evil deeds.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a hypocrite; he would do evil, but he would also feel guilty and regretful.
But no matter how guilty or regretful he felt, he still couldn't avoid doing some evil deeds.
However, after doing these evil deeds, Hiruzen Sarutobi would also want to compensate.
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto so happy today, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that he had compensated Uzumaki Naruto somewhat, and the guilt in his heart dissipated a lot.
This feeling gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a genuine sense of relief.
"Naruto, I hope you can protect Konoha well in the future…" Whispering softly, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly disappeared into the night.
And in Naruto's home, looking at the adorable Kinmaru, Naruto's face was also full of smiles.
"Kinmaru, from today onwards, we'll be living together!"
"Please take good care of me from now on!"
"You must eat well and grow up quickly!"
Regardless of whether Kinmaru could help Uzumaki Naruto in battle in the future.
But at this moment, with Kinmaru's companionship, Uzumaki Naruto seemed less lonely and less solitary.
This way, Uzumaki Naruto's childhood wouldn't be so tragic.
Perhaps that was enough.
Chapter 22: Evolution: Storm Battle Dog
The next morning.
Naruto enthusiastically introduced Kinmaru to Bai Xuan, Tenten, and Might Guy.
Then.
It was the usual daily training.
Days passed one by one.
One day, two days, three days… seven days.
By the seventh day, the batch of precious iron ore that Tian Gang had acquired had arrived.
This meant that the evolution material Bai Xuan needed for Swift Wind's evolution, wind cutting iron, had arrived.
After telling Might Guy in the afternoon, Bai Xuan went to Tian Gang Ninja Tool Shop.
"Bai Xuan, you're here." Tian Gang greeted him warmly.
Pointing to a fist-sized, translucent green iron block on the table, Tian Gang said with a smile, "This is wind cutting iron."
"Although you said you only needed 100 grams, I didn't touch it."
"This piece of wind cutting iron weighs 234 grams. You can take it and use it first."
Listening to Tian Gang's words, Bai Xuan wasn't surprised, only a little curious.
Since the system page already stated that only 100 grams were needed.
But what method would the system use to take the 100 grams of wind cutting iron needed for Swift Wind's evolution from this 234-gram piece of wind cutting iron?!
Although he thought this inwardly, Bai Xuan outwardly directly took the piece of wind cutting iron and at the same time said to Tian Gang, "Thank you, I'll take this wind cutting iron for now. You can get back to your work, Tian Gang."
"Take care." Tian Gang smiled and waved his hand.
Afterwards.
Bai Xuan left with the wind cutting iron.
Soon.
Bai Xuan returned to his home.
After taking out the wind cutting iron, Bai Xuan looked at Swift Wind.
Swift Wind, seeing Bai Xuan's reaction, also guessed what Bai Xuan's actions meant.
It could evolve again.
Become stronger, become more perfect, acquire new innate abilities.
All of this made Swift Wind extremely excited and thrilled.
So.
At this moment, in front of Bai Xuan, Swift Wind was happily wagging its tail.
"Woof! Woof!!"
Seeing Swift Wind's posture, Shadow, who was watching nearby, also showed a hint of envy in his eyes.
"Don't worry, the evolution will begin soon." Bai Xuan said, then looked at Swift Wind's attribute page.
[Summoning Beast: Swift Wind]
[Species: Swift Dog]
[Talents: Swift Wind's Speed, Wind Release Affinity, Wind Sense]
[Shared Talent: Intelligence]
[Evolvable]
[Evolution Requirement: wind cutting iron (100 grams)]
[Evolve?]
Bai Xuan made his choice for the four large characters at the bottom of the attribute page.
"Evolve."
As soon as Bai Xuan made his choice, the gray, chaotic light representing evolution directly emerged from the void.
Under the shroud of the gray, chaotic light, the outermost 100 grams of the wind cutting iron quickly transformed into a ball of green luminescence.
In an instant, the green luminescence flashed across the void, and in but a moment, it surged into Swift Wind's body from above its head.
"Woof!! Woof!!!"
Two excited barks rang out consecutively, and Swift Wind raised its head and stood tall, assuming a majestic and extraordinary stance like a celestial dog devouring the moon.