Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was pondering how best to arrange Naruto's future, a figure stepped directly into the office.
That familiar sound of footsteps, that bad habit of barging in without knocking—Hiruzen didn't even need to turn his head to know who it was.
It was none other than the one who always "followed the scent," Danzo Shimura, the so-called Pot Shadow.
As soon as he entered, Danzo's low, gravelly voice rumbled out.
"Hiruzen, the jinchūriki's talent in taijutsu is extraordinary. I imagine his ninjutsu talent won't be lacking either. It's time to hand him over to Root. In just two and a half years, I can forge him into a living weapon for Konoha!"
Hiruzen wasn't surprised at all. His rejection came crisp and firm.
"Danzo, give up on this. Naruto is Minato's child—not a weapon, and I will never hand him over to Root. I already have plans for him."
The single uncovered eye outside Danzo's bandages flashed coldly.
"Hiruzen, you really have grown old… and indecisive. So what if he's the Fourth's child? A jinchūriki is still a jinchūriki!"
Hiruzen's gaze grew equally cold. "There's no room for discussion. Danzo—you'd best not forget, I am the Hokage!"
'Damn it! That line again!' Danzo clenched his teeth, his face twisted as though he had just swallowed a fly. He drove his cane into the floor.
"Hiruzen… if this continues, you'll regret it sooner or later!"
With that, he dropped his final words expressionlessly, slammed the door, and left.
***
After parting ways with Might Guy, Naruto returned home.
Barely a moment after stepping through the door, the system's voice echoed again.
"Self-discipline mission activated: Within three months, cultivate Breath of Wind to the 'Normal' stage."
At this, Naruto's eyes narrowed.
The Breath style was a secret art that altered one's breathing rhythm, forcing blood to absorb large amounts of oxygen in a short time, thereby greatly strengthening the body.
Afterwards, however, there were side effects.
In some ways, its effects were similar to the Eight Gates Release.
But upon reaching the Normal stage of the Breath technique, not only could the body remain empowered twenty-four hours a day,
—it could also draw in the natural energy hidden in the air, feeding it back into the body and subtly altering one's physique.
One could say that reaching the Normal stage made the Breath more like a low-tier cultivation method.
And since the Naruto world had Sage Mode, the natural energy here should be even denser than in the Demon Slayer world.
Sitting on the sofa, Naruto even entertained a bold thought:
'If I reach the Normal stage… could I actually develop a Sage Mode unique to myself?'
But all of that rested on first reaching Breath of Wind: Normal!
'Still… reaching Normal in just three months is a bit much.'
Thankfully, this system didn't have a dog-shit mechanism where failure meant punishment for the host, otherwise the pressure would've been suffocating.
Knock knock knock!
Just then, a series of knocks pulled Naruto out of his thoughts.
He got up and opened the door.
An elderly, hunched figure with white hair stood under the dim, yellow light.
The interplay of shadow and glow left half of his face in the light, the other half swallowed by darkness.
When their eyes met, the old man smiled kindly.
"Naruto, my boy… it's been a while. Did you miss Grandpa?"
The visitor was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Without his Hokage robes, he looked like nothing more than an ordinary old man.
'Miss you? What I'd really like is to see you keel over already.'
Naruto muttered this in his heart but only gave a flat "Mm" aloud, before turning around and walking back inside without even offering to host him.
Hiruzen's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly pasted it back on and followed him in.
Naruto then noticed the old man was carrying things in both hands.
One bag was full of fresh ingredients. In the other hand was a green school bag.
"Naruto, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Grandpa bought all kinds of delicious things. Tonight, I'll cook you a proper feast myself—make sure you enjoy it."
With that, Hiruzen moved into the kitchen and began cooking.
His knife work was skillful; those aged hands moved with surprising speed. As he cooked, he still found time to chat idly with Naruto.
Soon, a tableful of dishes was ready.
Naruto didn't hold back—he dug right in.
The presentation and flavor were both, admittedly, pretty good.
After a few bites himself, Hiruzen set down his chopsticks, merely watching kindly as Naruto devoured the food with obvious hunger.
Seeing how ravenously he ate—like he hadn't had a proper meal in ages—Hiruzen felt a fleeting pang of guilt.
When Naruto finished, Hiruzen pulled out an envelope and passed it over with squinting eyes.
"You're still in your growing years. Grandpa applied for support—you'll now receive 1,500 ryō per week as living expenses."
Naruto accepted the envelope and tossed it onto the sofa, a cold sneer in his heart.
'Applied? And a whole extra 800 ryō too. How generous.'
Noticing Naruto's low spirits, Hiruzen asked directly.
"Naruto, did something happen? Is something bothering you? You can tell Grandpa anything."
Naruto was speechless.
It was like the culprit asking the victim why he wasn't smiling. 'What a presumptuous geezer.'
"Nothing. Maybe I just wasn't born to smile much," Naruto brushed off casually.
That old face… every second longer just made him itch with irritation.
Not born to smile? Hiruzen recalled the sunny smile Naruto had shown a month ago when saving Hinata. His lips twitched before frowning, doubt creeping in.
He began to question Danzo's suggestion—that spreading rumors of Naruto being the Nine-Tails, letting villagers' malice temper his heart—was truly the right path.
'If Naruto keeps developing like this, he'll eventually lose his sense of belonging to Konoha… I really do need to change this child's circumstances.'
Hiruzen's mind spun with possibilities, already planning to abandon Danzo's scheme and instead forge Naruto's bonds with the village.
"Every stage of life is different. When you grow up, Naruto, you'll understand."
Finally, he shifted the topic—one that at last caught Naruto's interest.
"Naruto, do you want to become a shinobi?" Hiruzen asked, his expression turning serious.
Naruto thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah."
"Then can you tell Grandpa… why do you want to become a shinobi?"
This time, Naruto spoke his true feelings.
"I want to become strong. That way, I can do what I want to do… and protect the people and things I care about."
Protect, huh…
Hiruzen felt relieved hearing that, and became even more determined to instill in Naruto a bond with Konoha.
He picked up the green school bag and pulled out two scrolls.
"These scrolls contain the training methods for Chakra Refinement and the Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, and Substitution Technique—the Three Basic Jutsu.
They are the foundation of becoming a shinobi. Naruto, Grandpa looks forward to the day you become a strong ninja."
Naruto took the scrolls, and Hiruzen handed him the green school bag as well.
"Next month is the Academy's entrance. I've already enrolled you. There, you'll learn much and make friends."
"Well then, it's getting late. I'll be going. Next time we meet, I hope you've successfully refined chakra and at least grasped one of the Three Basic Jutsu."
With that, Hiruzen rose and left.
Naruto looked down at the green bag. It seemed made from the hide of some wild beast, high quality yet clearly used.
"So ugly… and green, too. Don't tell me this was Asuma's old bag?"
Naruto had no intention of using it. With disdain, he tossed the bag into a corner to gather dust.