Right after Natsume bid farewell to Naruto Uzumaki, almost immediately, the Anbu Ninja reported Natsume's whereabouts to Hiruzen Sarutobi right away.
As the Jinchuriki of the Nine - Tailed Fox, Naruto naturally had someone protecting him closely.
If Naruto Uzumaki knew that someone was watching him getting beaten without offering help, he'd probably be shaken again.
"Natsume is indeed a good kid," Hiruzen murmured to himself as he silently looked at the intelligence report, which listed two things.
First, Natsume had saved Naruto from being bullied by some brats.
Second, he had arranged for the boss of Gunma Casino to take care of Naruto.
To open a shop in Konoha, one had to go through a review process.
Otherwise, it would be easy for spies to sneak in.
Natsume had filled in Tsunade as the person - in - charge of the casino.
After all, she was obsessed with gambling to the point of risking her life, and having control of a casino wouldn't cause too much of a stir.
Hiruzen praised Natsume because he didn't just give things directly to Naruto but sold them to him, taking the kid's self - esteem into consideration.
At the same time, it also showed Natsume's excellent character.
However, Natsume's contact with Naruto was beyond Hiruzen's expectation.
According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's original vision, before starting school, he was supposed to be the only support for Naruto, the Jinchuriki of the Nine - Tailed Fox.
After that, Naruto would have some reliable teachers and friends.
This was the best arrangement for him.
If, unfortunately, the Nine - Tailed Fox were to go on a rampage in the future, Naruto could rely on the bonds he had developed since childhood. He could awaken his feelings for Konoha and his friends, and stop the rampage in time to avoid the worst - case scenario.
The only flaw in the plan was that Tanzo had intervened and spread the rumor that Naruto was the incarnation of the Demon Fox.
Hiruzen had wanted to stop it at first but then chose to turn a blind eye.
Because it was beneficial to his plan.
The villagers' indifference would accelerate Naruto's emotional reliance on him, allowing him to firmly grasp this powerful weapon.
Hiruzen naturally knew that Naruto was having a tough time.
But these were all necessary sacrifices.
As long as he got through these years, Naruto wouldn't be lonely anymore.
"Alas, I'm growing old," Hiruzen said as he stood up and looked out of the window at Konoha.
As he grew older, his energy had declined significantly compared to the past.
If Naruto were an ordinary child, Hiruzen would definitely let him grow up as the son of a hero.
But he was the Jinchuriki of the Nine - Tailed Fox, the strongest weapon of Konoha, and was born to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities, so he couldn't live a leisurely life.
As for Natsume, it was okay for him to contact Naruto.
According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's original vision, the Fifth Hokage would either be Jiraiya or Tsunade.
Orochimaru was indeed powerful, but his character was flawed, so he wasn't suitable to be the Hokage.
Needless to say, Tanzo was too old to be considered.
It was just that Jiraiya was bound by the so - called "Child of the Prophecy" and wandered outside all day long.
Tsunade had hemophobia, which made it difficult for her to even be a normal ninja.
Fortunately, she had now recovered.
Hiruzen hoped that Jiraiya would become the Hokage, but in reality, Tsunade had a greater chance.
As Tsunade's apprentice, Natsume would eventually come into contact with the Jinchuriki of the Nine - Tailed Fox.
Moreover, his performance at school proves him to be an excellent inheritor of the Will of Fire.
"Just in case, I should go and check on Naruto."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself. Then he changed his clothes, left the Hokage's office, and made a beeline for Naruto's place.
"Is Naruto home?"
A moment later, Naruto Uzumaki opened the door.
"Grandpa!"
He showed a delighted smile.
"Why are you so happy today? Did you encounter something interesting? Tell grandpa about it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a kind smile, acting like a kind - hearted old man.
"Yes."
Naruto Uzumaki took out the instant noodles and said, "I met a really cool big bro today. He was willing to sell me things!"
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. It was basically the same as the intelligence report.
It seemed that Natsume didn't say anything odd.
"Right! Grandpa, I noticed today that the third statue on the Hokage Rock looks exactly like you. Are you the Hokage?"
Naruto Uzumaki looked at him with eager anticipation.
So far, he hadn't suspected Hiruzen Sarutobi due to Natsume's words.
On the contrary, he was excited to learn that he was the Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately lifted his chin slightly, looking very imposing, and said, "I am indeed the Hokage."
He often told stories about the founding of Konoha and the Will of Fire.
Under his influence, Naruto yearned for the Hokage position extraordinarily.
He hadn't revealed his identity before, precisely for this moment.
To transfer Naruto's admiration for the Hokage to himself, the current Hokage.
"Wow!"
Naruto Uzumaki immediately ran up to him and stared at him continuously, his eyes brimming with admiration.
"Grandpa Hokage, do you think I can become the Hokage?"
He recalled the ridicule from the three brats this morning.
"Yes, you can."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "As long as you have the determination and courage to protect Konoha, I believe you'll definitely become the Hokage."
"Yeah!"
The Hokage's recognition made Naruto Uzumaki extremely thrilled.
But soon, he became a little down.
"I want to protect everyone, but they always speak badly to me and call me the Demon Fox. Grandpa Hokage, am I really the Demon Fox?"
"You're not."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him pitifully and felt a bit guilty. Thinking that it was indeed time to stop this rumor, he said, "Don't worry. From tomorrow on, no one will call you the Demon Fox again."
"Really? Thank you, grandpa!"
Naruto Uzumaki immediately flashed a bright smile.
Sure enough, it was just that Grandpa Hokage was too busy before and didn't notice.
He could go to the village normally tomorrow!
However, the next day, when he excitedly went out on the street, indeed no one talked about him anymore, but no one paid him any attention either.
Everyone who saw him immediately showed disgust in their eyes, as if they had encountered something unclean, and quickly walked away.
If it was 'the world spurned me' before, now it's 'the world ignored me'.
His situation didn't get better as he expected. Instead of accepting him, everyone avoided him.
That sense of loneliness instead became even more intense.
Naruto Uzumaki was at a loss.
He wanted to become the Hokage and protect everyone.
But was it really worth it?
[Because of your actions, the destiny of Naruto Uzumaki has changed. You've gained 18 destiny value.]
Natsume, who was practicing Wood Release Ninjutsu, dispersed the Chakra in his hand.
Eighteen points were relatively few.
He guessed that the previous conversation had worked, and Naruto Uzumaki had a little wavering about Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But not much. He still had to put in more effort.
He should settle this matter before going to the battlefield.
Natsume wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Recently, Tsunade has chosen a mission. They haven't set off yet because she needs to make some preparations.
For example, making antidote pills or Military Rations Pills.
Natsume didn't go directly to Naruto Uzumaki, as it was too easy to arouse suspicion.
He asked Masahiro, the person in charge of the Gunma Casino, to wait for Naruto Uzumaki to come to buy something and then inform him in time.
He didn't have to wait long. Only three days passed.
Naruto Uzumaki came to the Gunma Casino.
Actually, his purpose wasn't to buy things but to see Natsume.
He had been feeling miserable these days, so he thought of this big bro who was kind to him.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 80+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
p-atreon.com/Tansnovel
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~ Every 50 Powerstones = 4 Bonus Chapters on the weekend!