"Who are you?"
Uchiha Hayato didn't recognize the young man.
"My name is Sarutobi Hideki, and Hiruzen Sarutobi is my father," the young man said with a gentle smile. "Don't tell anyone else, I haven't told anyone else before."
He twitched his nose, as if he smelled curry. "So you've already eaten."
"Yes, I have," Uchiha Hayato said, puzzled. "Is there something the Third Hokage needs me for?"
"It's fine if you've already eaten. My father just wants to invite you over for a chat," Sarutobi Hideki smiled. "You don't need to be nervous. Father spoke in a very normal tone, just like when he used to invite Nawaki. Oh, Nawaki is my friend."
"Who is it?" Kushina came out from behind Uchiha Hayato, displeased. She was planning to use Pokémon as an excuse to get closer to Uchiha Hayato, but an uninvited guest was interrupting her plans again.
"Aren't you that..."
"Kushina," Sarutobi Hideki smiled helplessly.
"Then everyone should go home for now. We'll see each other tomorrow." Since it was the Hokage's invitation, he had no reason not to go. He knew the Konoha higher-ups would come looking for him the day he revealed his Pokémon. He handed a communicator to Kushina.
Konoha's center, Hokage Residence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was examining the information submitted by Anbu, as well as a handwritten letter from Uchiha Setsuna.
The letter's sincere wording and calm tone surprised him, knowing Uchiha Setsuna's personality.
The letter stated that if Uchiha Hayato was fortunate enough to become one of the candidates for the future Hokage, then during the Third Hokage's tenure, the Uchiha Family would support all of Hiruzen Sarutobi's decisions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. This Uchiha Setsuna was truly cunning. Wasn't the Uchiha Family a part of Konoha? Did he not find it ridiculous to propose a deal with such conditions?
However, if Uchiha Hayato's power could truly be utilized, then the Fifth Generation Hokage wasn't impossible. As for the Fourth Hokage candidates, his disciples were quite suitable.
"Father, I've brought Hayato back."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up. The young man he had just seen not long ago was here again. He nodded. Uchiha Hayato was indeed as the reports said; his strength greatly increased after awakening his Sharingan, and he wasn't arrogant like other Uchiha.
But what he truly thought, they would eventually have to discuss.
"Hayato, we meet again," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a cheerful smile, showing no hint of the Hokage's authority. "How is Dekai doing now?"
"Good evening, Third Hokage," Uchiha Hayato replied, neither humble nor arrogant. "Dekai has changed a lot since we first met. He no longer bullies others."
He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with an inquisitive gaze: "Is the Third Hokage calling me over just to ask about Dekai?"
"Old woman, what are you waiting for? Serve the food!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted into the house.
A middle-aged woman poked half her head out. "What's the rush? If you're in a hurry, make dinner yourself."
"Every Ninja comes out of the academy. For the future of Konoha, I must pay close attention to the next generation," Hiruzen Sarutobi explained to Uchiha Hayato with a cheerful smile, not angered by his wife Biwako's scolding.
"There's nothing we can do about Dekai's behavior. Everyone is either a pitiful child who lost their parents, or their parents are away on missions for years. If the teachers don't manage them well, then these things will happen," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and sighed. "I also have to thank you for helping me discipline these children. If it were Youhei..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted, thinking of Hayato's teacher at the academy.
Kushina is a candidate for the future Jinchuriki. She must have a heartfelt love for Konoha. If the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki harbored hatred for the Village, he shivered, not daring to think further.
Fortunately, Uchiha Hayato was Helping Hand. His identity as Hokage made him think one step further. Speaking of which, was it really a good thing for the Uchiha Family to be so close to the future Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki?
"Hayato, you're like Nawaki. Just call me Uncle," Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully chose his words. "Where is your... Pokémon?"
He placed Uchiha Hayato on an equal footing with himself. Even though he was still a child, his mind was far more mature than others his age, and he couldn't be treated like a child.
"Third Hokage Uncle, are you talking about Xiao Yan?" Uchiha Hayato readily complied, releasing Chimchar from its Poké Ball.
"Woo?"
Chimchar's large eyes showed a hint of confusion. This wasn't a place it recognized. It looked back and saw Uchiha Hayato standing behind it, then joyfully pounced on him.
"Squeak!"
A hint of envy flashed in Sarutobi Hideki's eyes. Compared to the Sarutobi Family, which had been on good terms with the monkey clan for generations and had a contract with them, he still preferred Chimchar. Chimchar's appearance was already more pleasing than those monkeys.
"Hayato, can you let me see your Pokémon?" There was a slight tremor in Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice. If what Anbu said was true, then Sage Mode would no longer be the exclusive patent of the three great holy lands. Konoha could learn new Sage Mode from these Pokémon.
"As long as it doesn't harm Xiao Yan, it's fine," Uchiha Hayato nodded. He had already thought when he exposed it that Xiao Yan would be subjected to research in the future. As long as Konoha didn't conduct inhumane live experimental acts on Pokémon, it was within his acceptable range.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand covered Chimchar's palm, and his Chakra within explored inward.
It really is natural energy!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand trembled slightly. This energy was not Chakra, so it could only be natural energy. Otherwise, how could they use various strange skills instead of being like ordinary wild beasts without any strange abilities?
"Third Hokage Uncle, I think you already know my thoughts through Anbu, so I'll be direct," Uchiha Hayato confessed. "I hope to live peacefully, but in the Ninja World, without power, nothing can be done."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was a little embarrassed. Anbu had already been exposed once, so it was natural for this child to know, but he was too direct, saying it so bluntly.
"Hayato, what do you want, and what do you want Konoha to pay?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became serious, and he regained his appearance as the Hokage.
"Third Hokage, I don't want me and my friends to be threatened in Konoha. That's what I want right now. As for what I can bring to Konoha, besides Pokémon, there's this," Uchiha Hayato smiled.
"Hey, this is Uchiha Hayato. Kushina, can you hear me over there?"
"o_O, why is this machine ringing? It's Hayato's voice. Hello, hello, is that Hayato?"
Kushina's large face retreated from the screen.
"It's the progress of technology."
Uchiha Hayato looked up and smiled, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already opened his mouth wide.