Chapter 9: You've Already Grown Up—I Overlooked That
Ahem…
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face couldn't hide his embarrassment.
He coughed awkwardly twice.
The entire clearing fell silent once again.
Hiruzen was quite satisfied—his usual authority still held weight.
"Alright, here's what we'll do. Naruto, when you get back, I'll arrange a new house for you. Or if there's a place you like, just pick it yourself."
"Also, I'll increase the monthly allowance you receive."
"Konoha will never mistreat the orphan of any hero!"
Hiruzen spoke with righteous conviction.
If he showed no gesture at all,
the other ninjas around him would surely grow disillusioned with the village.
That was something he absolutely did not want to see.
Until the next generation of leaders was ready,
he refused to let the village descend into further chaos.
One had to admit—
this move by Hiruzen successfully won back a good deal of goodwill.
"I knew Lord Third wouldn't abandon us frontline ninjas."
"Naruto, you free tonight? Come have dinner at my place."
"Come to mine instead! Oh right—Naruto, don't you love Ichiraku Ramen? I'll treat you with my own salary—eat as much as you want for a whole week at Ichiraku. How's that?"
"A week? Come on, that's too stingy. Naruto, come to me—eat for a full month! Bill's on me. We really do owe your family."
"…"
The crowd's voices rose enthusiastically.
In their eyes now, Naruto was no longer some terrifying Nine-Tails monster.
He was the son of the Fourth Hokage!
The hero's son of their village!
The son of a hero deserved to be treated accordingly.
Iruka looked at Naruto with a complicated expression.
At some point,
the last trace of distance in his heart had vanished completely.
Just as he had thought before:
he hated the Nine-Tails that took his family—
not his innocent student, Uzumaki Naruto.
"Alright, alright—everyone disperse! Return to the village!"
Hiruzen announced.
Only then did the crowd reluctantly begin to leave.
Tonight, their entire perception of Naruto had undergone a complete reversal.
"You two—take the Scroll of Seals back to my room and put it away properly."
Hiruzen instructed the few ANBU beside him.
"Yes, Lord Third!"
Iruka handed the scroll to the ANBU members.
They vanished into the darkness with it.
"Naruto, come here. Let Grandpa Third take a look at you."
Hiruzen smiled warmly,
his tone carrying a faint but unmistakable guilt.
It wasn't that he didn't want to take care of Naruto.
It was that the village had so many headaches already.
The recent extermination of the Uchiha clan, for example.
Sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices had to be made!
There was no absolute right or wrong.
Just as the people of Kyushu might never have developed a deep sense of unity without the rise of Qin.
Anyway—this old fox wouldn't harm him.
Naruto walked over confidently.
"I'm sorry. This old man has been too busy with village matters and overlooked that you've already grown up."
"There are some things I planned to tell you when you were older. Perhaps by then… this old man might no longer be around."
Hiruzen placed his hand gently on Naruto's head, speaking sincerely.
He was telling the truth.
One day Naruto would learn who his real parents were.
And when the time came to reveal the full truth,
it probably wouldn't be this old man on the verge of death who did it.
Naruto could keenly sense that Hiruzen was speaking from the heart.
So he responded politely:
"No way, Lord Third Grandpa—you'll live to be a hundred years old."
"Hahaha… I'll take that as a good omen. When I get back, I'll have someone find you the best house available."
Hiruzen laughed happily,
though his tone carried a trace of bitterness.
"Ah… Iruka, you come along too."
"I… yes, sir!"
Iruka was momentarily stunned before quickly replying.
"Lord Third Grandpa, let's leave it at that for today," Naruto said.
Hiruzen looked slightly surprised.
"What? Weren't you asking to pick out a new place to live?"
"Yes… but it's already too late tonight. Tomorrow is fine."
"Oh, I see. My apologies, Naruto—look at my memory."
"Tell you what—tomorrow morning I'll send someone over. She'll take you to choose your new home."
Hiruzen offered.
Tomorrow???
I still have school tomorrow.
And there are a ton of things I need to do when I get back—lots of planning to take care of.
No time!
Naruto smiled.
"Lord Third Grandpa, just have someone arrange a decent house for me. I still have classes tomorrow…"
"Uh… alright. Focus on your studies. Don't worry about the house or supplies—I'll handle everything."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Then if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
"Hey, Naruto—you haven't eaten yet, right? Come with sensei to Ichiraku Ramen."
Iruka suddenly spoke up.
Judging by the time, with all the chaos Mizuki caused,
Naruto hadn't had a chance to eat anything along the way.
Even if he had eaten earlier, he should be hungry by now.
This was the perfect chance to treat him to a proper meal.
"Sure!"
Why turn down free food?
Honestly, in the original story, Iruka was a genuinely good person.
He was truly kind to Naruto.
Naruto agreed immediately.
Sticking around with this old geezer Hiruzen wasn't going to accomplish anything.
Better to grab a meal with Iruka and then head home.
"Oh right—Lord Third Grandpa, want to join us? Ichiraku Ramen is really delicious!"
"No, you two go ahead."
Hiruzen's smile was a little forced.
This child actually thinks commoner food like that is delicious.
It's my fault!!!
"Then, Lord Third Hokage, we'll be going."
"Mm. Make sure Naruto gets home early after eating. It's getting late."
"Yes, sir."
"…"
Hiruzen watched Naruto and Iruka disappear from view.
Only then did he look away.
His brows furrowed.
He murmured to himself:
"The ANBU reported sensing the Nine-Tails' chakra… suspected signs of the seal weakening. Maybe it was just a misperception."
"But right now, the most troubling issue is still that masked man who brought the Nine-Tails here all those years ago!"
"Damn it… after finally achieving peace, is unrest about to return?"
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