Naruto: I made you Naruto, and you've become blond?

Chapter 37 Immunity to Hiruzen Sarutobi's Will of Fire (PUA)

A run-down apartment in the center of Konoha.

"Naruto, I'm coming in."

Hiruzen Sarutobi knocked on the door and then pushed it open to enter.

The scene he had imagined—Naruto with his thick, blond hair and a little radish-like head—would excitedly rush into his arms upon seeing him, did not happen.

Looking around, the empty, monotonous room was as quiet as I remembered.

On the bright rooftop, a delicate wind chime swayed in the breeze, producing melodious notes.

Naruto pushed open the bedroom door, wearing loose cotton pajamas, looking as if he had just woken up, rubbing his sleepy eyelids.

Of course, Naruto didn't specifically wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Lord Hokage."

Upon hearing the slightly polite and distant form of address, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smiling face froze.

"Why doesn't Naruto call me Hokage like he used to?"

"I'm already studying at the ninja academy, and soon I'll be a real ninja. I can't live like I used to..."

Naruto scratched his head and refused in a serious tone.

This was a reason he made up to appease Sarutobi.

I used to be all alone and helpless in the village.

Only occasionally would Hiruzen Sarutobi approach and take care of him, albeit with ill intentions.

But now Naruto has decided to cling to another pair of white, soft, and fragrant legs.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's importance to him has plummeted, and there's no need to pretend to be friendly with him anymore.

She used to be his sweetheart, but now she's just a widow.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face broke into a kind, grandfatherly smile as he reached out to touch Naruto's blond hair, only to be subtly dodged by Naruto taking a step back.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression stiffened again.

Naruto, were you serious about taking that half-step back?

Such a small action can cause such great harm!

A hint of guilt flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. After all, he had been busy with village affairs for so many years and had neglected to take care of Naruto.

I've let Minato down!

Looking at the blond boy who had grown taller and reached his waist, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly.

The image of Tsunade's merciless rebuke of the Konoha high-ranking officials in her office came to mind.

Like a barrage of lightning bolts, the sharp kunai pierced his aging and timid heart.

Under Tsunade's pressure and reprimands,

Despite the objections of the other high-ranking officials, he finally made up his mind to clarify Naruto's background!

To ease tensions between the villagers and the human jinchūriki, and to do everything possible to remove the sad barrier that once stood between them.

He rubbed the wrinkles on his brow, looked at Naruto, and slowly confessed in a heavy tone.

"Naruto... you're actually the child of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze!"

"Minato... Six years ago, the village's tailed beast broke free of its seal and unleashed the Nine-Tails' rampage."

"Your father, as Hokage, had no choice but to use a forbidden technique for the safety of the village, ultimately embodying the Will of Fire and dedicating his life to the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his cloudy eyes, his hands tightly gripping Naruto's small hands, the veins bulging on his withered but powerful hands.

His voice trembled slightly, as if suppressing heavy sadness and pain.

"After Minato's death, due to his outstanding achievements and great reputation in the enemy village, he made many enemies."

"Furthermore, Naruto, you are his only surviving son. If it were to be revealed that you are Minato's son..."

"If the ninjas from Kumogakure or Iwagakure who have a grudge against Minato find out, and if they successfully infiltrate Konoha and take revenge on you, Minato's only son! Then..."

"If anything happens to you, how can I face your father, Minato, again?"

So Naruto, you've suffered all these years!

Then comes a series of events following the Nine-Tails Night, during which he was appointed to a critical post, and Konoha faced multiple crises from all sides, both internal and external.

The intimidation from Kumogakure, the discontent and suppression from the daimyo, the financial restrictions, the war threat from Iwagakure, and many other complicated matters...

He didn't have the time or energy to take care of and raise his family, and only now did he realize that Naruto was being treated unfairly and ostracized by the village for not being the son of a hero!

Sitting together on the sofa, two dry, tree-bark-like hands gripped Naruto's tender hands tightly, conveying the warmth of their palms.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi showed none of the imposing presence of a long-serving Hokage.

Instead, he adopted the demeanor of a kind and approachable old grandfather, begging Naruto to forgive his past mistakes and the village's indifference.

Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's series of sincere revelations, tears welled up in his cloudy eyes.

Naruto's face remained calm, his emotions showing no fluctuation, and he nodded noncommittally.

The latest novel is first published here!

To sum it all up in one sentence:

I hope Naruto can understand the village and his difficulties, and forget the pain he suffered before.

Inheriting Minato Namikaze's legacy, continue to serve the village!

"I see……"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very familiar with the Will of Fire KFC.

There were also Hiruzen Sarutobi's lame excuses and reasons for ignoring Naruto, which Naruto scoffed at.

Over the years, he has suffered all kinds of injustices in the village. He is even driven away when he tries to buy a bowl of instant noodles. He will explode if he looks at the fox mask for too long.

He couldn't believe that Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had ruled Konoha for decades and was proficient in the divine arts of spying and telescopes, was completely unaware of his situation!

Moreover, Naruto, after each time being coldly reprimanded by the villagers, would cower alone at home.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, this kind old man, came to his door with a warm smile at just the right moment to show his care.

The cold and indifferent villagers who disliked him stood in stark contrast to the kind and gentle old man, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who always cared for and looked after him with a warm, spring-like smile!

This is so touching. Who wouldn't be devoted to this old man who was the only source of warmth in their dark childhood?

Even he himself was moved by his own heartfelt and sincere words, and Hiruzen Sarutobi wiped away the tears in his eyes.

He turned his head to look at Naruto, who had a blank expression, was yawning, and looked very sleepy.

A hint of confusion flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's old eyes, and a shadow fell over his brow as things went beyond what was expected.

No, bro, this tastes wrong!

As he expected, Naruto shouldn't be excited or thrilled at this moment upon learning that he is the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato. Instead, he should be feeling lost and confused due to the grievances he has suffered over the years.

Then he took the opportunity to comfort Naruto, and the grandfather and grandson hugged each other and cried their eyes out.

Will he completely resolve his inner conflicts and forge a bond between the Jinchūriki and the village?

...

"Next class will be our first practical training session of the school year. Students who perform well..."

You can be recognized as an outstanding representative and receive personal praise from the Hokage when he visits the Ninja Academy next week!

In class, Iruka excitedly announced the good news.

It was as if a fat man had visited Nagasaki, instantly creating a noisy uproar in the classroom.

"To be able to meet the Hokage face-to-face!"

"Ah! I wouldn't even dare to dream of winning first place!"

Naruto twirled the pencil in his hand. It has to be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi's Will of Fire was promoted quite effectively, and the title of "Strongest Hokage" has deeply resonated with people.

As if sensing something, he turned his head and suddenly met a gaze that was intense and provocative.

(End of this chapter)