Chapter 9
The enormous sealing iron gate suddenly trembled, emitting a clanging sound of metal colliding.
Then, the Chakra on Nine-Tailed's body transformed into a flowing color, suddenly rushing out through the gaps between the iron bars!
Chapter 8: I am the Third Hokage, but Naruto, you are the true hero.
Click.
With the entrance door open, Hinata walked out.
Outside, the sky had already turned completely dark.
Stars appeared, and distant dim streetlights illuminated the path.
People came and went on the streets; Konoha, this bustling Village, welcomed another night of activity.
Hinata, having already said goodnight, was filled with joy.
"There's... nothing else to say, right...?"
Next, it was just a straight walk home, and then waiting for Naruto-kun to attend her birthday party at the end of the month.
Thinking this, Hinata intended to leave without looking back.
But she had barely taken a few steps when she felt a cold wind on her face, and a chill ran down her spine.
Subconsciously stopping, Hinata turned her head to look back.
Naruto-kun stood at the doorway.
The light from inside the house shone out, wrapping him in a warm glow.
Naruto-kun, with his eyes narrowed into slits, was kind and innocent.
Everything... was so beautiful.
However, Hinata, completely engrossed in her romantic thoughts, didn't notice that Naruto's shadow, illuminated by the light on the ground, had already transformed into a distorted, menacing shape!
The human silhouette now had two long ears, resembling a demon's horns.
His arms had grown long, with sharp claws, like the limbs of some monster.
And the tail of the demon fox, projected onto the entrance wall, danced wildly.
"Naruto-kun... goodnight..."
Hinata, completely oblivious to any abnormality, blushed slightly, and after saying goodnight again, immediately ran off.
Gazing at Hinata's retreating figure, Naruto slowly opened his eyes.
His completely narrowed vertical pupils revealed an immense ferocity.
A needle-like red glow shimmered in the center of his pupils... When Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobifound Naruto.
Naruto had already snuck into Konoha's back mountains to practice fishing.
Splash!
Amidst the splashing water and Naruto's bare-handed grabbing motion, a lively fish was caught in his hand.
Watching the vibrant life squirm in his hand, Naruto narrowed his eyes, carefully observing its reaction.
"Not enough yet."
Naruto, with his pant legs rolled up, stood in the water.
If the newly acquired power wasn't tested, it would be like wearing fine clothes at night.
Because the next major event wouldn't involve Ninja from their own side like Yūgao Uzuki, but rather stronger Kumogakure Ninja leaders.
Power is power, and assassination techniques are techniques.
Without real-world practice, it would ultimately just be for show.
So, Naruto immediately chose Konoha's back mountains, a place he frequently visited, as his target.
In the past, fishing was just fishing.
Now, fishing was practicing killing.
"What's not enough?"
Nine-Tailed didn't understand.
Although it could sense all of Naruto's emotions and their changes.
It didn't know exactly what Naruto was thinking inside.
But it knew that this kid was already planning something extraordinary.
Plop.
The next second, Naruto casually tossed the caught fish back into the water.
It frantically swam away, immediately leaving this troubled spot.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Just then, a cough sounded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, emerging from the bushes, had watched Naruto's actions completely.
"Old Man."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi appear, Naruto naturally greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
They had met many times before, and repeated interactions had gradually made them familiar.
"Naruto... are you here to catch fish?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had seen Naruto fish before, had specifically increased Naruto's living allowance for this reason.
He naturally wouldn't let Naruto's life be difficult.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was just puzzled as to why, even though Yūgao had given the child living expenses today, he would still come out so late to fish.
"Mm."
Naruto nodded.
"Why did you put the fish you caught back?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked again.
"I suddenly felt it was too pitiful..."
Naruto narrowed his eyes and said gently.
"Before, I caught fish because I didn't have enough to eat... Now that I have money to eat my fill, I have time to think about this problem. I just feel... maybe there's no need to harm its life to satisfy my own appetite..."
When Naruto spoke of not having enough to eat before, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze dimmed slightly.
And when Naruto spoke of pitying living creatures again, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but smile.
What a kind child... "Tsk... Is the Third Hokagesenile?"
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, Nine-Tailedimmediately understood.
It immediately complained.
That brat Uzumaki Naruto had deceived even the Third Hokage!
"Old Man, have you eaten? How about coming home with me, I'll treat you to instant noodles."
Splash... Naruto stepped by step, beginning to come ashore.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened, feeling that this suggestion was quite good. So he nodded and walked with Naruto towards the center of the Village.
"Naruto, how have you been living recently...?"
As they walked, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to subtly pry information through casual conversation.
"I've been doing well recently, I've met several friends..."
Naruto scratched his head and began to introduce an unknown Uchiha [Sako], the Anbu sister [Yūgao Uzuki], and a poor little girl with cataracts... "Cough, cough, cough."
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard Naruto refer to Hinata as having cataracts, he couldn't help but cough.
Children's words are innocent, children's words are innocent... "Hiashi's eldest daughter..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of that very cute little girl.
Hinata's mother, he heard, was already pregnant.
He just didn't know if the second child would be a boy or a girl.
The fact that Naruto had made new friends greatly pleased Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Aside from Hiashi's eldest daughter, the newly met Yūgao Uzuki, and... an unknown Uchiha?
Could it be Fugaku's youngest daughter, Sako?
Then that would be truly remarkable.
Was everything a coincidence of fate, and also Naruto's own efforts?
In any case... Naruto, having made many comrades, would gradually establish himself in this Villageand eventually become an excellent Ninja no less capable than his parents.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hoped for this in his heart.
Because to him, everyone in the Village was his family, and Naruto was no exception.
"Old Man, I have a dream. I will become a great Ninja like the Fourth Hokage! I mean... I also want to become Hokage!"
A determined expression appeared on Naruto's face.
"Oh?"
Hearing Naruto's declaration of his dream, Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised.
Although he was happy that this child Narutowanted to become Hokage, the Nine-Tailed within him... "The Fourth Hokage sealed the demon fox, and the demon fox... is inside me."
At this point, Naruto's tone dropped considerably.
"As expected..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought.
According to Yūgao's report, after this child Narutospoke with Nine-Tailed, there was a probability he learned about past events.
So, did he know who his birth parents were? Would Nine-Tailed tell Naruto these things?
Naruto: "The Fourth Hokage sacrificed his life, I won't let his sacrifice be in vain... As long as I live, I will properly guard the demon fox and not let it come out to harm everyone! Just like the Fourth Hokage did!"
Nine-Tailed: "These words are completely untrustworthy..."
"Naruto..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was greatly moved.
After a moment's thought, he decided to entrust Naruto with some matters.
"No matter what, you are a part of Konoha. I believe... you will definitely become an excellent Ninja who surpasses the Fourth Hokage..."
As for Naruto's dream.
It might not be achievable, because this was the confinement of being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Just like Lady Mito, and also Kushina.
But this child's determination was touching.
After a conversation, Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed... this child would definitely not harm the Village.
So, he decided not to tell Koharu, Homura, and Danzo about what happened with Naruto today, to avoid further trouble.