Hiruzen stared at Naruto in astonishment.
He had known that Naruto lived miserably, but he hadn’t realized just how terrible the boy’s circumstances truly were.
Naruto needed tape to seal his broken windows and prevent cold air from entering his apartment.
He needed to carry bandages whenever he went outside in case someone struck him with a stone and left him bleeding.
Purchasing these necessities had left Naruto unable to afford even ramen.
That was why he had taken those other children’s money…
Hiruzen gazed blankly at Naruto.
At that moment, every trace of suspicion he held toward the boy disappeared.
Naruto wasn’t some delinquent who enjoyed fighting.
He was clearly an innocent, kindhearted child.
He had only fought those bad children because he had no other way to protect Hinata.
Even when he took money, he only targeted misbehaving children and financially comfortable shinobi.
Furthermore, he hadn’t spent that money on entertainment.
He intended to purchase bandages, gauze, and even educational books.
The more Hiruzen considered everything, the guiltier he felt.
However, he hadn’t forgotten why he had come.
“You’re remarkable, Naruto.
Perhaps you really will become the Fifth Hokage one day.”
Hiruzen continued kindly, “Can you tell me how you defeated those three children?”
Naruto smiled gently and waved his fist.
“Hinata has been bringing me food recently, so I’ve become much stronger.”
As he spoke, Naruto punched the wall.
Crack!
A deep fracture instantly spread across the wooden wall as though it had been struck by lightning.
Hiruzen drew a sharp breath.
This wasn’t merely becoming slightly stronger!
Although it was only a wooden wall, being able to crack it with one punch meant Naruto possessed strength comparable to that of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth.
Hiruzen was deeply alarmed.
Could Naruto truly be on the verge of awakening the Adamantine Sealing Chains?
He instinctively signaled Kakashi with his eyes.
Understanding immediately, Kakashi raised his forehead protector and revealed his crimson, three-tomoe Sharingan.
He carefully observed Naruto for several seconds.
Naruto continued smiling gently without displaying the slightest trace of guilt or unease.
“Kurama, I’m counting on you!”
Within the sealed space, the Nine-Tails opened its eyes and swept its nine enormous tails through the air.
“Leave it to me.”
A violent mass of orange-red chakra instantly erupted from its body.
The savage chakra passed through the seal and entered Naruto’s body.
Its overwhelming presence concealed the trace of scorching chakra produced by Naruto’s kekkei genkai.
Naruto’s smile deepened.
“Nicely done, Kurama.”
They could examine him all they wanted.
Unlike the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Scorch Release wasn’t a kekkei genkai that produced a tangible physical manifestation inside his body.
As a kekkei genkai created from Fire and Wind Release, its only fundamental change occurred within his chakra.
With the Nine-Tails’ chakra concealing its scorching presence, Naruto could easily prevent anyone from discovering Scorch Release.
Approximately ten seconds later, Kakashi shook his head slightly.
Hiruzen released an inward sigh of relief.
It appeared that Naruto hadn’t shown any signs of awakening the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Now relaxed, Hiruzen looked at Naruto kindly.
“Are you and Hinata close?”
At the mention of Hinata, Naruto revealed a genuine smile.
“We’re very close.
Hinata brings me delicious food every day, although she always brings a little too much.
Once I have enough money, I’ll buy her lots of delicious things in return.”
Hiruzen’s smile widened.
They continued chatting for a few more minutes.
Just as Hiruzen prepared to leave, he suddenly remembered something.
“By the way, Naruto, Kakashi told me that you visited a bookstore.
Was there a particular book you wanted?”
Naruto chuckled inwardly.
There it was.
This question offered him the perfect opportunity to conceal his true reason for visiting the bookstore in the future.
Naruto smiled.
“I went there because I wanted to buy a copy of Icha Icha Paradise.”
“Everyone says that you also love reading Icha Icha Paradise, Lord Hokage.
I want to become Hokage, so I need to study everything a Hokage does.”
Hiruzen fell silent.
His eyes bulged wider than a dog’s. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“Which bastard spread that story?”
His enjoyment of Icha Icha Paradise was supposed to be a secret!
Which loudmouthed bastard had nothing better to do than tell everyone?
Naruto looked troubled.
“Well… everyone is saying it…”
Hiruzen nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
His lifelong reputation!
Kakashi coughed almost imperceptibly and turned his head aside, pretending that he hadn’t heard anything.
How tragic.
Lord Hokage’s sordid reputation had spread throughout the village.
Hiruzen cleared his throat heavily and attempted to salvage his dignity.
“Naruto, don’t listen to the nonsense people spread outside.
Those are all malicious rumors.”
“I am the Third Hokage of Konohagakure.
How could I possibly purchase such indecent books?”
“If you hear anyone saying such things in the future, you must never believe them.”
Naruto obediently nodded.
“…”
Before leaving, Hiruzen took out some money and handed it to Naruto.
“Naruto, this is thirty thousand ryō.
Use it for now.”
“In the future, don’t casually take other people’s money, and don’t blackmail shinobi.”
“A shinobi must never bully others.
If you run out of money again, you can come and find me.”
Naruto nodded and smiled.
“Don’t worry, Lord Hokage.
I promise I won’t blackmail anyone else.”
“I’ll carefully study Icha Icha Paradise and master all the knowledge inside it.
That way, I can become an outstanding shinobi just like you.”
Hiruzen had been deeply moved by the first half of Naruto’s answer, believing that his words had successfully reached the boy.
After hearing the second half, however, he nearly spat blood.
“Th-That won’t be necessary…”
Leaving those words behind, Hiruzen fled the apartment in embarrassment.