Dark brown hair. A forehead protector with a faceguard similar to the Second Hokage's. A pale, expressionless face—stoic and stiff.
"Wait… wasn't he kind of a goofball in the original?"
Naruto eyed the man carefully, recalling all the scenes he knew from the canon. This was someone with no blood ties to the Sage's lineage, yet had somehow survived brutal experimentation and awakened Wood Style. A true outlier. A lucky survivor.
Sitting in a chair nearby, the Third Hokage noticed Naruto's eyes fixed not on him—but on the silent man at his side.
Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly as he spoke.
"Naruto, you seem curious about Tenzo?"
"Tenzo…?"
Ah—now Naruto remembered. In the original timeline, Yamato was given that codename by Tsunade when he temporarily took over as Team 7's leader after Kakashi was hospitalized.
Naruto nodded earnestly.
"Yes! Tenzo-senpai is amazing. A few years ago, I remember seeing him rebuild so many parts of the village. I heard he even helped reconstruct the ninja academy!"
Hearing that, Tenzo's eye twitched ever so slightly.
Even Hiruzen looked momentarily awkward. He hadn't expected Naruto to focus on that aspect of Tenzo's reputation.
Still, the Hokage smiled warmly.
"You're not wrong. Tenzo is indeed very capable.
It's been a while since I last visited—how have your studies been going?
Are you struggling with anything in your training? If so, both Tenzo and I are happy to help."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Lord Hokage! I've already mastered the academy curriculum and the Shadow Clone Jutsu you taught me.
Can you teach me something new?"
Hiruzen chuckled, ever the patient teacher.
"Naruto, remember what I've told you before: to become a truly great ninja, you mustn't aim too high too fast.
Focus on building a strong foundation. Only then can you learn and control powerful jutsu."
Naruto puffed his cheeks slightly.
"But I have a strong foundation already!
If you don't believe me, ask Iruka-sensei—my grades aren't bad!"
Hiruzen's expression turned stern.
"Iruka did say your test scores are excellent…
But that doesn't mean your overall performance is acceptable.
He said you never participate in sparring classes—
He thinks you look down on your classmates."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise.
"That's what Iruka-sensei thinks of me?
How could he—?"
Hiruzen sighed.
"Yes. He told me that ever since you enrolled, you've refused to spar during practice sessions.
That gives off the impression that you don't take your peers seriously.
He also said I shouldn't have taught you Shadow Clone Jutsu.
You have to understand: most of your classmates—aside from those born into major clans—still struggle with the basic Transformation and Substitution Techniques."
Naruto frowned.
"But that's not fair. Shikamaru never spars in class either!
And the reason I don't fight is because I don't want to hurt anyone.
Even upperclassmen can't match me…"
Hiruzen's smile returned, kind but probing.
"Could you still win without Shadow Clones?"
Naruto blinked.
"Why wouldn't I use Shadow Clones?"
Hiruzen chuckled softly.
"Well… What if your opponent also knows Shadow Clone Jutsu?
What would you do then?"
Naruto paused, thinking.
Then he slowly lowered his head.
"…I understand."
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction and stood up, gesturing to Tenzo.
"Good. You've still got two years until graduation. I hope that by then, you'll become a well-rounded shinobi."
Naruto looked up and nodded seriously.
"I will!"
Hiruzen smiled.
"I believe in you.
Oh, and before I forget—Tenzo brought you a little gift today."
Naruto's heart skipped.
A gift…? From a Wood Style user? For a Jinchuriki?
But I didn't see anything about this in the Third's memory earlier…
This must've been a last-minute decision…
His mind raced, but Naruto knew there was no room to refuse.
Suppressing his apprehension, he feigned curiosity.
"A gift, senpai?"
Tenzo smiled and stepped forward. He stretched out his hand, palm up.
"Hello, Naruto. I'd like to give you… this seed."
Naruto reached out, one hand cradling Tenzo's palm, the other gently plucking the small object.
He held it up and muttered:
"Looks like a normal seed…"
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Ah, Naruto… It may look ordinary, but it's no regular seed.
It requires no care, and it's said to bring good luck.
Tenzo rarely gives these out—make sure you keep it safe."
Naruto beamed.
"Thank you! I'll keep it on me at all times!"
Meanwhile… in the Land of Rain.
A heavy downpour blanketed the landscape.
Atop a grotesque demon statue, Pain (Deva Path) sat on its extended tongue, rain cascading down his Akatsuki cloak.
Moments later, sheets of paper floated from the sky and coalesced into the form of Konan.
"Black Zetsu just sent word—the Three-Tails is dead."
Pain stood slowly, face emotionless.
"So... he really doesn't want us to complete the collection quickly."
Konan nodded, her face equally grim.
"We still don't know what his goal is.
All we know is he can use space-time ninjutsu and Wood Style.
Now that the Three-Tails is dead, the plan must be delayed again."
Pain narrowed his eyes but said nothing at first.
Then, after a long pause:
"It doesn't matter what his motives are.
We will follow our own plan."
"You must've noticed it too—
The people he introduced into Akatsuki aren't normal.
He tried to use his controlled Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails to kill Uchiha Itachi, but Jūzō ended up dying instead.
Later, he sent Kisame to spy on Itachi."
Konan frowned.
"And he's the one who insisted Akatsuki always operate in pairs.
Each pair has its own tailed beast target, and even teammates can't interfere with each other's missions unless they both agree."
Pain's expression darkened.
"But the most suspicious of all… is Black Zetsu.
He's left spore clones on everyone in the organization—except you and me.
Every time that man meets us, Black Zetsu is always right behind him, monitoring his every move through their rings.
His identity was already suspicious. Now that he's actively working against us, we need to uncover his weakness."
Back in the evening, after Hayate left…
Naruto entered the Mirror World.
"Heh… This little seed will definitely bring Konoha good fortune."
After reviewing Hiruzen and Tenzo's memories, he tucked the seed safely into his pocket.
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