Orochimaru: "Black-framed Naruto-kun is still playing it safe."
Orochimaru: "How exciting… to witness a epoch‑making genius rise and grow."
Orochimaru: "What could be more thrilling than this?"
The chatroom echoed with Orochimaru's voice.
Many shook their heads. This guy is beyond saving.
No one doubted that if Orochimaru were a woman, she'd already be fawning over Black-Framed Naruto, scheming for him, reviving the Uzumaki… "Lady Tsunade, accept it, especially since it's the Black‑Framed World."
"We're just spectators. Could Black-framed Naruto-kun conquer the Black‑Framed World and then come here to conquer us… pfft, conquer you?"
Shizune said nervously.
Tsunade's demeanor was off.
Shizune had never seen Tsunade like this.
…
Shizune's comfort offered little effect.
Tsunade's cheeks flushed.
She wasn't even thinking about this matter.
But Shizune seemed to think she cared a lot.
So each time Tsunade heard it, she couldn't help but keep pondering.
The anger was certain.
Yet… many of Shizune's words often sounded like facts.
That was frustrating.
"I am the illustrious Lady Tsunade!"
"Princess of the Land of Fire, one of the legendary Three Legendary Sannin!"
"And a pioneer of Medical Ninjutsu counted among the few in the Ninja World!"
"..."
Tsunade bolstered her own aura.
Shizune quietly added, "Lady Tsunade, you forgot… another title… Big Fat Sheep."
Gah—
Tsunade: "..."
For a moment Tsunade was speechless.
The black-framed large screen continued:
["In the data sheet… Naruto's combat aptitude shows a notable talent for space‑time Ninjutsu."]
["So detailed… It seems the Third Hokage, after fully trusting Naruto, had already decided what to give him."]
["Multiple Shadow Clone Technique should also be in there; my role is to let those happen earlier, giving the Third Hokage more peace of mind…"]
[Kakashi took a deep breath.]
[Then slowed his pace, carrying the evaluation scroll of Team 7's assessment into the Hokage Building.]
[Thump thump thump—]
[Soon the door of the Hokage Office in the Hokage Building was knocked.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi, busy reviewing scrolls, was startled.]
[He then turned his head to glance at the sky.]
[It was still early.]
[A bit unexpected.]
[But thinking of his future capable aide, Hiruzen relaxed.]
[Fast is right.]
[Slow is abnormal.]
[Hiruzen paused his trivial work, gave a slight nod, and said, "Come in."]
[Squeak—]
[The Hokage Office door opened slowly.]
[Kakashi entered.]
["Team 7's assessment is finished."]
[Saying that, Kakashi placed the scroll on the Hokage's desk.]
[Hiruzen's gaze tightened slightly.]
[Then, without a hint of emotion, he picked up the scroll to review.]
[Reading Kakashi's evaluation of the three members of Team 7.]
[Hiruzen was not surprised.]
[In fact, he had already guessed most of it.]
[He knew the three members "like the back of his hand."]
[The facts proved the three performed exactly as he thought.]
[Sasuke's and Sakura's performances were slightly unexpected.]
[But essentially they were similar.]
[Naruto's performance made Hiruzen's eyes light up.]
[Even though he had long guessed it, the kid's growth was rapid.]
[There were many precedents.]
[From Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, to Uchiha Itachi.]
[All of them were geniuses.]
[Naruto has the potential to become a perfect Jinchuriki.]
[He naturally won't be inferior to them.]
[In Hiruzen's eyes, under his guidance, Naruto is absolutely a One‑of‑a‑Kind existence.]
[See?]
[In Kakashi's comments,]
[The praise was abundant.]
[One could say even the genius Kakashi himself was amazed by this genius.]
[A genius among geniuses!]
[Only a fraction less than his own self back then.]
[Hiruzen nodded appreciatively.]
[After reading,]
[He felt his thoughts aligned.]
[His whole body felt relaxed.]
[After all, this was a future Hokage aide he himself had cultivated.]
[In the future, Konoha will surely grow stronger.]
[As the strongest Hokage, he now possessed the same setup as the Hidden Cloud Village.]
[A perfect Jinchuriki as a helper!]
[Even after his abdication, Asuma could take over.]
[With the strongest Tailed Beast, the Nine‑Tails, as a perfect Jinchuriki.]
[Hiruzen felt the future was bright.]
["Hehe, not bad, not bad."]
[He barely suppressed his inner joy.]
[Putting down the scroll, lighting his pipe, he said to Kakashi:]
["How does it feel?"]
["Flawless." Kakashi gave the highest rating.]
[Hiruzen squinted, his old face wrinkled like an ancient chrysanthemum.]
["You may give the promised reward."]
[After a pause, Hiruzen thought for a moment and said:]
["Take care of Sasuke's side as you see fit."]
["Sakura… then follow her idea, become a Medical Ninja; it will greatly boost Team 7."]
["As for Naruto…"]
[Hiruzen said no more.]
[Kakashi kept a calm exterior, but his heart thumped.]
[Disagree?]
[Why is this old guy so guarded?]
[Naruto has endured humiliation for years…]
[Huh—]
[There's no other way.]
[If you don't want to, then don't.]
[Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is practically tailor‑made for Naruto.]
[Even if I disagree, I must hand it over first.]
[At most, I'll advise Naruto not to show it lightly.]
[He must never reveal it too early.]
[...]
[Kakashi's mind kept drifting.]
["Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?"]
["The kid is thoughtful, but this technique really suits him."]
[Hiruzen fiddled with his pipe.]
[This technique is too critical for Naruto.]
[Even though Hiruzen fully trusts Naruto, he still hesitates.]
[It's normal.]
[Because once the current Naruto obtains it,]
[It means Naruto possesses absolute threatening power.]
[Threatening his own position.]
[If something goes wrong, it could backfire badly.]
[In fact, he's just been lacking a push.]
[Thus Kakashi's timing is very subtle.]
["I think it's feasible."]
["Team 7's excellence surpasses all previous teams."]
["It can be called a One‑of‑a‑Kind existence."]
[In other words,]
["Isn't this what you arranged long ago?"]
["You must have foreseen this outcome; dragging it out feels off."]
["Of course, Kakashi wouldn't say such words out loud."]
[Hiruzen remained silent.]
["Alright."]
["I know about this, you did well, without directly agreeing with him."]