After Naruto's back disappeared down the street, Tokuma Hyūga glanced at his young lady and sighed inwardly.
As someone who had lived long enough to understand these things, he could see it clearly.
Miss Hinata had fallen for that boy.
The "demon fox" boy.
The village's Jinchūriki.
A walking political landmine.
Naruto Uzumaki.
His identity was far too sensitive. He was both a weapon and a symbol—someone every faction in the village secretly wanted to control.
And Hinata…
She would one day become the head of the Hyūga clan.
Getting involved with a Jinchūriki?
Troublesome didn't even begin to describe it.
But since the clan head, Hiashi-sama, had known for a long time and never interfered, it was basically silent approval.
So Tokuma decided not to stick his nose into it.
He was from the branch family.
His job was protection, not romance counseling.
Still…
Looking at Hinata's happy smile, he couldn't help but worry about the future.
Weak little girls trying their best always made people feel soft-hearted.
Just then, Hinata raised her head.
"Uncle Tokuma, let's hurry back. I still haven't started today's training. I want to master the Thirty-Two Palms of the Gentle Fist as soon as possible… so I can defeat Brother Neji."
Tokuma didn't speak.
He simply nodded and followed.
Training again, huh…
So gentle.
So stubborn.
Just like her mother.
On the way home.
Naruto swaggered through the busy market with his hands in his pockets.
Then—
That familiar feeling hit him.
Malice.
Whispers.
Side glances.
Ahhh.
Home sweet home.
The corners of his mouth slowly curled up.
"Yep," he muttered, "this is definitely Konoha. I didn't walk into the wrong village."
If people were smiling at him kindly, that would've been suspicious.
The villagers were smarter now, though.
No one dared insult him to his face anymore.
They only talked shit behind his back.
Stuff like:
"That fox brat…"
"No parents…"
"Who knows what he'll become…"
Naruto heard everything.
His senses had improved too much lately.
Sometimes having good hearing was honestly annoying as hell.
Ignorance really was bliss.
Soon, a patrol from the Uchiha Police Force appeared.
Instantly, the gossip stopped.
Everyone acted like law-abiding citizens.
Naruto snorted.
"Man… the Uchiha really scare people more than the demon fox, huh?"
No wonder tensions were rising between the clan and the villagers.
One officer noticed Naruto and frowned, whispering to his teammates like he wanted to approach.
But their captain raised a hand and stopped him.
"Leave it."
They walked away.
Naruto only needed one glance to recognize the captain.
Even with the disguise.
Uchiha Shisui.
So he'd successfully slipped back into the clan and even climbed to captain level.
Not bad.
Sneaky bastard.
After leaving the street, one guard muttered,
"Captain, why not just use genjutsu to control the Jinchūriki? Wouldn't he help our escape plan?"
Shisui shot him a look like he'd just suggested something incredibly stupid.
"Control a Jinchūriki? You think it's that easy?"
"ANBU follow him 24/7. The Hokage might be spying right now. One mistake and we're all dead."
Then he asked,
"How's the money preparation?"
"Hard to move funds. The radicals are watching us."
Shisui nodded.
"Then we wait until Fugaku launches the coup. We prioritize evacuating the children first. Whether we win or lose… we must leave kindling behind for the Uchiha."
The guard sighed.
"If only you were clan head. Fugaku isn't fit to lead."
Shisui gave a bitter smile.
"I'm just a failure. But when life or death comes… I'll still act."
Naruto, of course, knew none of this.
By the time they finished talking, he was already home.
And standing at the door—
The Third Hokage.
Carrying several scrolls.
Smiling like a friendly old grandpa.
"Naruto! Heard you got first place. These ninjutsu scrolls and some living expenses are your reward."
Naruto instantly accepted the money and scrolls.
Money and jutsu?
Never refuse free stuff.
But his tone stayed flat.
"First place isn't hard. They're just too lazy. If they trained fourteen hours a day like me, they could catch up."
Hiruzen chuckled.
He knew Naruto was deliberately being sarcastic.
Fourteen hours?
These academy kids barely survived two.
Hiruzen peeked toward the kitchen.
"Not cooking today? What a shame. Your food is way better than my youngest son's."
Naruto smirked.
"Did Uncle Asuma make you mad again?"
Hiruzen sighed.
"He ran off to serve the Daimyō years ago. Stubborn brat."
"And your eldest son?"
"…Died on a mission."
Silence.
"Now only my grandson is left. Most people barely remember them. Just names on the memorial stone."
Naruto looked at him.
"So… you still won't tell me about my parents? Dead people don't matter?"
Hiruzen shook his head gently.
"I just want you to treasure the living."
"I've always treated you like my own grandson. When the time is right, I'll tell you everything."
"For now… I can only say this. Your parents were heroes. They protected the village. They're buried at the Heroes' Cemetery."
"They wanted you to grow up safely… and inherit their will."
"Maybe even become Hokage."
Naruto blinked.
"Me? Hokage?"
"I'm very optimistic," Hiruzen smiled. "Once you're strong enough, you can even join ANBU directly."
Then he patted Naruto's shoulder.
"Trust Grandpa. Everything I do is for your own good."
Naruto froze.
"…You're not lying to me this time, right?"
Hiruzen nodded.
After chatting a while longer, the Hokage left.
Naruto stepped onto the balcony, letting the night breeze hit his face.
"…He says everything is for my own good."
Inside the seal, Kurama snorted.
"The old man heard that, brat."
"Sounds like classic adult nonsense to me."
Naruto chuckled.
"Yeah."
Then quieter—
"…We'll see."
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