In front of Ichiraku Ramen, the shadows of the boy and girl were stretched long by the setting sun.
At the intersection, the girl reluctantly let go of his hand.
Hoshi, still wanting more, made his way toward the Hokage Residence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe.
Through the swirling blue smoke, his cloudy yet sharp eyes carefully examined the boy standing straight and clear-eyed before him.
“Hoshi, coming over this late, I take it you’ve eaten dinner?
You seem to get along very well with that Yamanaka girl.
How have you been settling in since returning to the village?
The renovations at the Senju compound have been quite noisy—even an old man like me has heard a fair amount about it.” The Third Hokage’s voice bore the characteristic warmth of an elder, as if merely asking about family matters, showing none of the rigid air of a Hokage.
*This old guy is such a creep.
Slacking off with his crystal ball…
Is it because the women’s bathhouse is empty at this hour, so he’s bored and peeping on my life?!* Hoshi put on his trademark humble smile and bowed slightly, his messy black hair catching flecks of light under the room’s lamp.
“Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama.
Ino-chan is very enthusiastic; she shows me all sorts of shortcuts around town every day.
Living in Konoha is certainly much more stable than wandering outside.
Bummer, bummer, bummer…
It’s just that the prices here are shrinking my wallet fast.
If I don’t get assigned any missions soon, I might have to wash dishes at Ichiraku Ramen to pay off my debts.” “Haha!
You kid, the way you talk is cut from the exact same cloth as Tsunade, right down to how you cry poverty.” The Third laughed heartily, then glanced toward Jiraiya, who was sitting on the windowsill nearby, flipping through a magazine.
Jiraiya had specifically brought up Hoshi’s performance in the woods earlier today—not just his almost instinctive talent for medical ninjutsu, but also a maturity far exceeding his peers.
The Third had called Hoshi over tonight mostly to reconfirm before the graduation exam whether this young man, who possessed Uchiha blood yet carried the legacy of the Senju Clan, was truly as bright and cheerful as he appeared, and whether he would become the next Kagami Uchiha or Minato.
“Tomorrow is the graduation exam.
With your strength, securing that forehead protector is a given.” The Third stood up and walked to the window, gazing out over Konoha’s bustling night view as his tone deepened.
“Work hard, Hoshi.
The future of Konoha ultimately belongs to young people like you.
Even if you bear a heavy surname, as long as the Will of Fire burns in your heart, it can illuminate the darkness.” “I will, Hokage-sama,” Hoshi replied, his black hair casting a shadow over the deep contemplation in his eyes.
He knew the Third was probing his allegiance.
Only after Hoshi left the office did Jiraiya put down his magazine, his expression turning serious.
“Old man, that kid’s chakra control has probably already reached the threshold of a Jonin.
That woman Tsunade really raised an unbelievable monster.
Especially that Yin Seal on his forehead…
I have a feeling that once his stored chakra erupts, it won’t fall short of a Jonin’s level.” “As long as his heart belongs to Konoha, what does it matter how strong he gets?
Trust Tsunade’s judgment.” The Third tapped his pipe, his eyes deep.
The next day, at the Ninja Academy.
The atmosphere of the graduation exam was suffocatingly tense.
Students everywhere in the hallway were frantically reviewing hand seals.
“Next: Naruto Uzumaki!
Test topic—Clone Jutsu!” Iruka’s voice called out from inside the testing room, laced with a faint, imperceptible mix of anticipation and helplessness.
Hoshi sat on a bench in the hallway with a nervous Ino beside him.
Ino twisted the hem of her shirt with her small hands, muttering endlessly, “Hoshi, you’ll be fine for sure, right?
Even though that arrogant Sasuke tied with you for first place, I think you’re the strongest.” “Ino-chan, relax.” Hoshi patted the back of her hand.
The warm touch instantly turned the young girl’s face red, calming her down significantly.
A moment later, Naruto trudged out of the testing room, thoroughly dejected.
Unsurprisingly, the “clone” forcibly created by his massive chakra was still like a deflated balloon, slumping lifelessly on the ground with its tongue hanging out.
“Hoshi…
I blew it.” Naruto crouched in a corner with his hands covering his head, completely shrouded in gloom.
“Everyone passed…
even that arrogant Sasuke got his forehead protector.
Only me…
I’m still the Dead-last.” Hoshi walked over and crouched beside Naruto, looking at the crestfallen boy.
He knew that Mizuki was almost certainly hiding on the second-floor balcony right now, watching his desperate target like a venomous snake.
“Naruto, one failure doesn’t mean anything.
A hero of Konoha was never defined by a single Clone Jutsu.” Hoshi patted Naruto’s shoulder.
While appearing to comfort him, Hoshi’s fingertips subtly slipped a near-transparent, thumbnail-sized miniature Katsuyu into the gap of Naruto’s collar.
“Since you’re so down, I’ll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen tonight—but only after you finish taking care of your ‘personal business.’ Remember, don’t let sketchy advice derail your intuition.” Hoshi leaned close to Naruto’s ear, whispering in an enigmatic tone.
Naruto froze for a second.
Before he could ask anything, he was called away by Mizuki, who wore a fake smile.
Hoshi watched their departing backs, his eyes gradually turning cold.
Through Katsuyu’s perspective, he could clearly sense the uncomfortably cold, sewer-rat-like malice wafting off Mizuki.
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Residence, the quiet atmosphere was shattered by an urgent report from an Anbu member.
“Hokage-sama, Anbu scouts report that Mizuki is indeed making a move.
He just met with Naruto Uzumaki privately and deliberately exploited Naruto’s distress over failing to reveal the storage location and defense gaps of the Scroll of Seals.” An Anbu operative kneeling on one knee reported in a cold tone behind a fox mask.
The Third’s hand tightened slightly around his pipe, a flicker of complexity flashing across his eyes.
He turned his head and looked at the stack of life reports regarding Naruto on his desk.
From childhood to now, this boy had suffered so much—ostracized, reviled, barely getting a proper meal to eat.
“Mizuki…
Is he approaching Naruto to steal the sealing techniques, or to kidnap the Jinchuriki?” the Third mused aloud.
He then let out a long sigh, his eyes reflecting the calculated strategy of an old fox.
“Pass down the order: tell the Anbu guarding the Scroll of Seals to stand down.
Since that boy wants to become stronger, let’s give him a chance.
The Kinjutsu recorded on the scroll were originally meant to protect the village anyway.
If he manages to learn a jutsu or two from it, consider it a small piece of compensation from this old man.” “But Hokage-sama, that scroll records many dangerous jutsu created by the Second Hokage.
If it falls into the wrong hands…” “Execute the order.” The Third waved his hand with unquestionable authority.
“If the boy truly strays off the path, I will personally go bring him back.”