Chapter 79
Hokage Tower, top-floor office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held the exercise report that Iruka had just delivered.
His eyes scanned the detailed account of Uzumaki Naruto and the monster Ōmba.
The tobacco in his pipe burned slowly.
"So not only did the boy not panic, he actually led his teammates to save the other students."
"And in the end, he found the root cause, located the cub, and resolved everything peacefully?"
Iruka stood straight in front of the desk, his expression tinged with shame: "Yes, Hokage-sama. As their teacher, we were the ones who panicked and lost composure."
"If not for Naruto and the others, the situation would have been far worse."
"No need to blame yourself, Iruka."
Sarutobi Hiruzen set the report down and put the pipe back in his mouth: "Even I have only witnessed that kind of creature a handful of times. It's perfectly normal that you didn't recognize it. As long as the students are safe, that's what matters."
"But Naruto…"
"That child always seems to attract the most interesting incidents around him."
He took a puff from the pipe, the corners of his mouth curving into a faint smile.
Just as he finished speaking, an inappropriately loud voice came from the doorway.
"Yo, old man—still buried in boring paperwork like this?"
A bold, slightly irreverent laugh shattered the quiet of the office.
A tall figure leaned against the doorframe.
The newcomer carried a massive scroll on his back, wore wooden geta sandals, had red face paint, and sported spiky white hair that floated lightly atop his head.
Iruka jumped at the boisterous voice. When he turned and recognized the person, his eyes widened instantly.
That was… one of the Legendary Sannin…
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to have anticipated this. He looked toward the arrival: "It's precisely because you refused to take this seat that this old bag of bones still has to keep working at this age and can't retire."
"Hahahaha! This sage's journey wandering the shinobi world isn't over yet!" Jiraiya's geta clacked crisply against the floor as he stepped inside.
"I have zero interest in the Hokage position—leave it to someone else."
"And look at you, old man—you're still perfectly capable of holding on for a long time!"
He strode casually up to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Leaning over, his eyes fell on the report: "What were you looking at just now? You seemed pretty happy."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave him an exasperated glance and pushed the report over: "Take a look—this little incident that happened today."
Jiraiya picked it up and scanned it.
"So it was an Ōmba!"
A trace of nostalgia appeared on his face: "That's a name worth remembering. Back in the day, I specifically went deep into the mountains and forests for a summer research project just to find them."
As if recalling something amusing,
Jiraiya couldn't help bursting into laughter: "Their strength really was terrifying—but in the sumo match against them, the winner was me!"
Jiraiya pointed his thumb at himself, looking extremely smug.
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow but didn't expose the lie.
The one who had been chased all over the mountain by an enraged Ōmba and returned in a sorry state—he'd just pretend it wasn't the man standing in front of him.
"Naruto is smarter than you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and shook his head: "Not only did he recognize this rare creature, he also figured out why the Ōmba appeared near the village and resolved the trouble. He has considerable ninja talent."
At those words, another blond figure surfaced in Jiraiya's mind.
Seeing the two of them chatting, Iruka gave a respectful bow:
"Hokage-sama, Lord Jiraiya—I'll take my leave now. I still need to return to the academy and look after my students."
Once Iruka closed the door behind him, only the master and disciple remained in the room.
Jiraiya's expression grew serious: "I heard Orochimaru showed up near the village a few days ago. I came back specifically to confirm the situation."
Mentioning that name caused Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze to darken slightly.
"I've already dispatched Anbu to investigate Orochimaru. So far we haven't found any concrete trace—he's becoming harder and harder to track."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring and changed the subject: "Speaking of which—since you're back, aren't you going to meet Uzumaki Naruto?"
"After all, he's Minato's child… and a good kid."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with certainty: "Though his behavior is a bit odd at times, his judgment in critical moments and that calm demeanor… he may one day become an even better ninja than Minato."
Jiraiya fell silent for a moment.
"There's nothing abnormal about him, though he keeps spouting some strange 'Daoist' theories—but it hasn't made him any worse."
Jiraiya's expression grew somewhat complicated.
He had already observed Naruto from a distance today.
"Forget it."
Jiraiya waved his hand and walked over to the window, gazing at the bustling streets of Konoha below.
His mind was filled with the mission he had yet to complete.
On the surface, the five great nations appeared peaceful, but beneath the surface the shinobi world was still full of undercurrents.
Orochimaru still hadn't been captured—and this time he dared appear near the village.
Most importantly, the Child of Prophecy still hadn't been found… for the sake of peace in the shinobi world, he couldn't stop moving forward.
With his back to Sarutobi Hiruzen, his voice became slightly lower: "Right now, it's better for Naruto to study peacefully at the academy. He should have his own companions there."
"Once he becomes a real ninja, I'll come back and teach him more."
That was the last bloodline Minato left behind—and the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Ordinary teachers really couldn't guarantee they could teach him anything properly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. He also knew that each of his students had their own big and small issues.
"I've already strengthened surveillance and search efforts on Orochimaru. Since you're back this time—how long do you plan to stay?"
Jiraiya reverted to his usual carefree grin:
"I came to you, old man, just to confirm the real situation. Now that the village seems fine, I'll be leaving again soon."
With that, he turned and walked toward the office door.
"Don't worry, old man—if Orochimaru really shows his face again, I'll drag him back myself."
Once the white-haired figure disappeared through the doorway, only Sarutobi Hiruzen remained seated in the Hokage's chair.
"One after another… all so willful."
After a long silence, he shook his head helplessly and picked up his pipe again.
"Waiting until Naruto becomes a ninja, huh…"
The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes. Several names surfaced in his mind.
Judging from Naruto's current grades, graduation was already a sure thing.
In that case, it was indeed time to start considering his future teacher and teammates.
How should he arrange things to feel at ease about that child?
Speaking of which… those two people should be willing to let their child be on a team with Naruto, right?
…
Time slipped away like sand through fingers, silent and unnoticed.
For the students of the Ninja Academy,
days passed quickly amid repetitive theory classes, throwing drills, taijutsu sparring, and practical exercises.
Naruto's life remained regular and fulfilling—academy, back mountains, Hyūga compound, Uchiha district—he shuttled between multiple places.
He excelled in all academic subjects and required skills at school, showing almost no weaknesses.
Under the Fox Sage's daily guidance, his path of cultivation grew increasingly proficient; he never skipped a day of mind-training practice.
He could now sense and absorb natural energy even outside Yuta's enhancement range.
Though he still didn't understand why his perception of natural energy occasionally became so poor.
He simply attributed it to not adjusting his mental state properly during cultivation.
His physical stamina had completely outstripped that of his peers.
Only Sasuke could still keep up with him—thanks to the Sharingan and the Uchiha clan's equally massive chakra reserves.
This turned Naruto into an object of admiration among his age group—gentle, powerful, and always carrying an aura that made people feel at ease.
However, when it came to showing off coolness, Sasuke still held the edge.
In the blink of an eye, Naruto turned twelve.
And on this day—the day of the Ninja Academy graduation exam arrived.
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