Arata's answer was more or less the same as what most children in the village would give.
Although Naruto was ostracized by the villagers, the Fourth Hokage was still deeply respected throughout Konoha.
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction.
"Good," he said.
"The Fourth Hokage was indeed a hero. But without great strength, no one can become a hero."
"The Fourth Hokage was an exceptional shinobi," he continued.
"In fact, in his era, he could be considered the most outstanding ninja in the entire shinobi world."
Arata listened quietly as the Third Hokage spoke about the Fourth Hokage's past.
This was the beginning of the Third Hokage's deliberate guidance.
For nearly an hour, the Third Hokage spoke continuously—not only about Minato Namikaze, but also about the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and the legendary Sannin of Konoha.
All of this information existed within Konoha's archives. Even if the Third Hokage did not explain it, Arata could have learned it on his own.
But the Third Hokage still chose to speak.
Because he wanted to speak.
He wanted Arata to develop a sense of responsibility toward the village—and toward the position of Hokage itself.
At present, the Third Hokage was extremely satisfied with Arata's strength.
However, in terms of personality, he felt that Arata was perhaps too calm, too indifferent.
In that regard, Arata actually resembled Minato Namikaze from his youth.
But the Third Hokage hoped that Arata would develop a desire to compete for the Hokage position.
Only by valuing the Hokage's authority would he truly cherish it once he obtained it.
After finishing his stories, the Third Hokage smiled at Arata.
"I hope that in the future, you can become a pillar Konoha depends on—just like the Fourth Hokage."
"In truth, I'm already old. Konoha's future must be supported by your generation."
These words were already extremely clear.
Arata understood the meaning behind them, but he had no particular ambition.
He wasn't someone who wanted to give up on life—but he preferred a relaxed existence.
Carrying out missions was fine.
But spending every day in Konoha weighing political interests and power struggles?
That would exhaust him.
Still, he couldn't express those thoughts aloud.
If he did, he suspected he might lose his right to freely enter this archive.
So Arata simply smiled.
"Hokage-sama is still in his prime. There's no need to think so far ahead."
The Third Hokage laughed.
"Prime? Hardly. I'm sixty-nine this year—next year I'll be seventy."
"If I could truly find a suitable successor, I'd retire immediately and enjoy my remaining years."
Everything the Third Hokage said was sincere.
Because in his heart, he genuinely viewed Arata as his successor.
Especially after learning that Arata had already mastered sealing techniques.
The Third Hokage smiled as he searched the bookshelf and asked casually,
"Which sealing techniques did Kakashi teach you?"
"Sealing arts are extremely dangerous. Did he explain that to you?"
Arata nodded.
"Yes. Kakashi-sensei explained everything. But I still want to learn them—I believe sealing techniques will be very useful to me."
This answer surprised the Third Hokage.
What surprised him wasn't the content, but Arata's sincerity.
He could tell—these words were genuine.
The Third Hokage knew very well that Arata was not someone without depth or calculation.
Realizing something, the Third Hokage felt even more pleased.
Leaning against the bookshelf, Arata continued,
"At the moment, I've mastered the Fourth Hokage's Four Symbols Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal."
"During our last mission, I witnessed Naruto lose control. To be honest, the Nine-Tails' power was terrifying."
"If that power were fully released, it would pose an enormous threat."
"I don't want Naruto to become a criminal in the village. The villagers already dislike him enough."
The Third Hokage paused.
He sighed softly.
"Naruto's situation… there was no other choice."
"Kakashi must have told you about Naruto's background, right?"
"Do you think I was wrong?"
Arata answered calmly.
"In the past, I would have thought it was wrong."
"But after witnessing Naruto's rampage firsthand, I believe your decision was correct."
"The villagers' actions are improper—but they are driven by fear of the Nine-Tails."
"Although it's unfair, there's no easy solution. Keeping distance is the least dangerous option."
"And I don't believe revealing Naruto's identity would make the villagers accept him."
"The Fourth Hokage was a hero, yes—but Naruto carries a beast that could erupt at any moment."
"The villagers wouldn't change their attitude simply because he's the Fourth Hokage's son."
"On the contrary, revealing his identity might even cause resentment toward the Fourth Hokage."
"I don't think that would be wise."
"I believe the best solution is for Naruto to gain control over the Nine-Tails' power and prevent future rampages."
"If that happens, I believe the villagers would eventually trust him."
This conclusion was based on Arata's knowledge of the future.
After the Chūnin Exams, once Naruto began to change, the villagers' attitudes shifted rapidly.
Their prejudice largely stemmed from Naruto's behavior.
With even slight improvement, acceptance followed.
At that time, Naruto hadn't even mastered the Nine-Tails' power yet.
The Third Hokage turned to look at Arata.
He remained silent for a long time.
He was genuinely surprised by Arata's perspective.
For years, he had felt guilty toward the Fourth Hokage.
But hearing Arata's words eased that burden.
After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage suddenly froze.
"Wait—"
"You said you mastered the Four Symbols Seal and the Eight Trigrams Seal?!"
He was stunned.
Those weren't basic sealing techniques.
He himself hadn't mastered them—and yet Arata had?
Arata nodded, confused.
"Yes?"
The Third Hokage fell silent again.
Then again.
"Are you sure?"
Still unwilling to believe it.
Arata nodded once more.
The Third Hokage's hands trembled as he held the scrolls.
"You're absolutely certain these are the Fourth Hokage's Four Symbols Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal?"
Arata nodded again.
Suddenly, the Third Hokage burst into laughter.
The ANBU guards outside the archive were startled, thinking something had happened.
They rushed in—only to see the Third Hokage and Arata chatting happily.
After casting a deep glance at Arata, the ANBU withdrew.
They understood one thing clearly:
Arata's future standing in Konoha would be extraordinary.
The Third Hokage had granted him immense authority.
Even Danzō required permission to enter the archives.
Yet Arata could enter freely—without reporting.
Such privilege existed for no one else in Konoha.
Naturally, the ANBU didn't realize that the Third Hokage was already grooming Arata as his successor.
The Third Hokage was overjoyed.
Since Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze's deaths, no one in Konoha had mastered these two seals.
They were extremely powerful.
Later, when Naruto trained on Turtle Island with Killer B, even B admitted that Arata's sealing techniques surpassed his own.
That alone proved how formidable these seals were.
Yet because of their difficulty, no one else could use them.
During Naruto's earlier rampages, Konoha had suffered heavy casualties simply to suppress him.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 50 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/MrSenpai0