Konoha: From the moment I was adopted by Tsunade

Chapter 36 The World Forgot Me

Natsumi had just said goodbye to Naruto Uzumaki when his whereabouts were reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi by an Anbu ninja.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he naturally had someone protecting him closely.

If Naruto Uzumaki knew, he would probably waver again.

They watched helplessly as they were beaten, and didn't even try to help.

"Natsume is indeed a good kid."

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently looked at the intelligence report, which contained two things.

First, Natsume saved Naruto Uzumaki from being bullied by some naughty kids.

Secondly, he arranged for the owner of the Gunma Casino to take care of Naruto Uzumaki.

Opening a shop in Konoha requires approval.

Otherwise, it's easy for spies to infiltrate.

Natsume filled in Tsunade as the casino manager.

Anyway, she's a compulsive gambler, so owning a casino won't cause much of a stir.

Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Natsume because he didn't give Naruto Uzumaki the item directly, but instead sold it to him, taking into account the child's pride.

This also reflects his own excellent character.

However, it must be said that Natsume's encounter with Naruto Uzumaki was beyond his expectations.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, before he started school, he was to become the only support for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

After that, let Naruto Uzumaki have some reliable teachers and friends.

This is the best arrangement for him.

If the Nine-Tails were to go berserk in the future, Naruto Uzumaki could use the bonds he had cultivated since childhood to awaken his feelings for Konoha and his friends, and stop the rampage in time to avoid the worst-case scenario.

The only oversight was that Danzo Shimura interfered and spread the news that Naruto Uzumaki was the incarnation of the demon fox.

Hiruzen Sarutobi initially wanted to stop it, but later acquiesced.

Because it benefits his plans.

The villagers' indifference will only hasten Naruto's feelings for him, and he will be able to firmly grasp this powerful weapon.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally knew that he was having a hard time.

But these are all necessary sacrifices.

If he can get through these next few years, Naruto Uzumaki will no longer be alone.

"I'm getting old."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and looked out the window at Konoha.

As he gets older, his energy levels decline.

If Naruto Uzumaki were an ordinary child, he would definitely have been raised to be the son of a hero.

But as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Konoha's strongest weapon, he was born to bear the responsibility of dealing with it, so he couldn't live such a leisurely life.

As for Natsume, he was fine after coming into contact with Naruto.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, the Fifth Hokage would be either Jiraiya or Tsunade.

Orochimaru is indeed very strong, but he has mental issues and is not suitable to be Hokage.

As for Shimura Danzo, his advanced age alone is enough to exclude him.

Jiraiya, however, was confined by the so-called prophesied child and spent his days wandering around.

Tsunade also suffers from hemophobia, making it difficult for her to even be a normal ninja.

Fortunately, she has now recovered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Jiraiya to become Hokage, but realistically, Tsunade had a better chance.

As her apprentice, Natsume will inevitably come into contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki sooner or later.

Furthermore, his performance at school makes him an excellent successor to the Will of Fire.

"Just in case, let's go check on Naruto."

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed his clothes, left the Hokage's office, and went straight to Naruto's house.

Is Naruto home?

A moment later, Naruto Uzumaki opened the door.

"grandfather!"

He smiled happily.

"Why are you so happy today? Did something interesting happen? Tell Grandpa."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

His facial expressions perfectly captured the image of a kind old grandfather.

"Yes."

Naruto Uzumaki took out a pack of instant noodles and said, "I met a really nice older brother today who was willing to sell me something!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, saying it was basically the same as the intelligence report.

It seems that Natsume didn't say anything strange.

"By the way! Grandpa, I noticed today that the third statue on the Hokage Rock looks a lot like you. Are you the Hokage?"

Naruto Uzumaki looked at him with anticipation.

Up to this point, he has not doubted Hiruzen Sarutobi because of Natsume's words.

On the contrary, he was excited to learn that he was the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately raised his chin slightly, exuding an air of authority, and said, "I am indeed the Hokage."

He often tells the story of the founding of Konoha and the Will of Fire.

Under his influence, Naruto developed an extraordinary longing for the Hokage.

He kept his identity hidden until this moment.

They transferred their admiration for the Hokage to him, the current Hokage.

"Wow!"

Naruto Uzumaki suddenly ran up to him, staring at him intently with eyes full of admiration.

"Grandpa Hokage, do you think I can become Hokage?"

He recalled the mockery he received from the three unruly children that morning.

"OK."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "As long as you have the determination and courage to protect Konoha, I believe you will definitely become Hokage."

"Yay!"

The recognition from the Hokage made Naruto Uzumaki extremely excited.

But soon, he became somewhat disappointed.

"I want to protect everyone, but everyone always speaks ill of me, calling me a demon fox. Grandpa Hokage, am I really a demon fox?"

"You are not."

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a pang of guilt seeing his pitiful state, and realizing that he should indeed stop the rumors, he said, "Don't worry, starting tomorrow, no one will say you're a fox demon anymore."

"Really? Thank you, Grandpa!"

Naruto Uzumaki immediately broke into a bright smile.

It turns out that the Hokage was too busy before and didn't notice.

I'll be able to go to the village normally tomorrow!

However, the next day, when he went out into the street in high spirits, no one talked about him anymore, but no one paid any attention to him either.

Everyone who saw him immediately looked at him with disgust, as if they had encountered something unclean, and quickly walked away.

If before it was "the world rejected me," now it's "the world has forgotten me."

His situation did not improve as he had expected, and people did not accept him but instead avoided him.

That feeling of loneliness only intensified.

Naruto Uzumaki was at a loss.

He wants to become Hokage and protect everyone.

But is it really worth it?

[Because of your actions, Naruto's fate has changed. You have gained 18 Fate Points.]

Natsume, who was practicing Wood Release ninjutsu, dispersed the chakra in his hands.

6 PM is relatively rare.

He guessed that the previous conversation must have had an effect, as Naruto Uzumaki had begun to waver in his feelings towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But that's not enough; we need to add more fuel to the fire.

Let's get this sorted out before we head to the battlefield.

Natsume wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Tsunade has recently chosen her mission but hasn't set off yet because she needs to make some preparations.

For example, making antidote pills or soldier's ration pills.

Natsume didn't go directly to Naruto Uzumaki; it would be too easy to arouse suspicion.

He told Masahiro, the manager of the Gunma Casino, to wait for him to come and buy something, and then notify him promptly.

It didn't take long, only three days.

Naruto then arrived at the Gunma Casino.

Actually, his purpose was not to buy things, but to see Natsume.

He had been having a hard time these past few days, so he remembered the kind older brother who had been kind to him.

(End of this chapter)