Chapter 40: Sarutobi Hiruzen: Naruto, Do You Want to Make Friends?
"You've been in ANBU for some time now, right? Do you have any thoughts?"
Uchiha Shisui paused upon hearing this. Snapping back, his expression changed: "Lord Third..."
Before he could say anything, Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled and interrupted: "Don't overthink it. I'm simply asking your thoughts."
"I..."
Shisui hesitated for a moment, finally mumbling: "I feel... ANBU's current duties somewhat conflict with the Guard Squad's."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's cloudy eyes narrowed slightly, his tone apologetic: "Sigh, this is my problem. I will do my best to fight for you, but..."
He paused, looking helpless: "The villagers currently have strong opinions about the Guard Squad. It's difficult for their enforcement to win public approval."
"After all, Konoha isn't run solely by my word."
Seeing him like this, Shisui actually felt somewhat embarrassed.
Right, ultimately, it was our Uchiha clan who engaged in violent enforcement first.
Konoha isn't Lord Third's dictatorship; naturally, the villagers' feelings must be prioritized.
Besides, Lord Third is old now, bearing the heavy responsibility of Hokage, working himself ragged. The pressure must be immense.
Thinking this, Shisui felt even more guilt, quickly saying: "It's alright! It's alright! I understand your difficulties. I will have my clansmen pay attention to their attitude."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled somewhat gratifiedly: "Hehe, the good relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha really needs young people like you to maintain it~"
"Then I won't disturb your mission execution any longer. I'll just say a few words to little Naruto and leave."
Shisui shook his head respectfully: "Please, go ahead."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was just about to step away.
But as if suddenly remembering something, he asked seemingly unintentionally: "I heard recently that your Uchiha clan has been quite lively, holding frequent clan meetings?"
Uchiha Shisui's pupils instantly dilated, his gaze flickering uncertainly: "That..."
"Oh oh, it's fine if it's inconvenient to say. I was just curious."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said this, about to leave again.
"Wait!"
Shisui grit his teeth, finally calling out to stop him.
Currently, sentiments within the Uchiha clan were impassioned; they were extremely dissatisfied with the actions of the Konoha leadership.
Some radicals had even brought up the topic of a coup d'état.
Although the clan head had repeatedly stopped discussion on this topic, it had undoubtedly struck a chord with the innermost feelings of most Uchiha clan members.
They didn't want to continue suffering unfair treatment, didn't want to be targeted by outsiders.
They wanted to seek change, wanted to fight for their own interests.
Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Tekka, and Uchiha Inabi within the Police Force were all powerhouses possessing the three-tomoe Sharingan.
They had even proposed the idea, "Rather than sit and wait for death, better to take the initiative and strike".
One must know, the authority of the Police Force was granted to them by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
But now, little of that authority remained.
The only one who could attend Konoha's decision-making meetings was Uchiha Fugaku, the Police Force captain and Uchiha clan head.
In the view of those three, if they continued to be oppressed by the Konoha leadership, the Uchiha clan would sooner or later be completely squeezed out of the decision-making center.
"We just need Shisui to control the Konoha leadership, then mobilize the entire clan's power, and we can achieve the coup with minimal cost!"
When Uchiha Yashiro said this, the gazes of all the clansmen fell upon him.
"Shisui, what are your thoughts?"
What thoughts?
Konoha and the Uchiha – he didn't want to abandon either.
But in the end, he couldn't speak his true feelings, instead saying perfunctorily: "I will cooperate to the best of my ability."
After all, when he first joined ANBU, he carried the expectations of his clansmen.
Unfortunately, only after joining ANBU did he discover:
The Konoha leadership's wariness towards the Uchiha was simply too heavy.
The Third Hokage was slightly better, but the other three advisors, including Danzō, were all full of malice towards the Uchiha.
Especially Shimura Danzō, who controlled Root.
He practically wanted to curse "Damn Uchiha" even if he tripped on the road.
Therefore, if Shisui wanted to maintain the relationship between the clan and the village, the Third Hokage was his only opening.
"Lord Third trusts me so much, even agreeing to let me monitor the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He should accept my suggestion, right?"
Thinking this, Shisui steeled himself, intending to fully disclose the effects of his Mangekyō technique [Kotoamatsukami].
And Sarutobi Hiruzen indeed stood with his back to Shisui, seemingly waiting for him to say something.
But just then.
"Grandpa Third!"
Little Naruto unintentionally looked over.
Seeing the Third Hokage, his face lit up with a delighted smile, and he raised his arm to wave from afar.
"Hey!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a kind smile and responded in kind.
"Then I'll leave first. Let's chat again when there's a chance."
He said this without turning back, then walked straight towards Naruto in the distance.
Behind him, Uchiha Shisui opened his mouth, then closed it, only able to watch him leave helplessly.
...
Sarutobi Hiruzen came beside Naruto, patted his head, and said: "Naruto, I saw you performing ninjutsu from afar just now. You learned it so quickly?"
Giving Naruto the C-rank ninjutsu Wind Style: Great Breakthrough was purely because he couldn't stand his endless pestering.
Although he could tell from the speed little Naruto refined chakra that his talent was high,
Sarutobi initially hadn't expected him to actually learn the ninjutsu without instruction.
But the result...
"This child, like Minato, is a genius."
Seeing him use the jutsu via the crystal ball two days ago, Sarutobi had also been stunned for a long time.
If he hadn't confirmed multiple times that no one besides himself could contact Naruto,
He would suspect someone was secretly teaching him.
"Hehe!"
Little Naruto grinned proudly, then looked at him expectantly: "Then Grandpa Third, when will you let me learn a new ninjutsu?"
Actually, Menma-nii could teach him ninjutsu.
But no matter how much he threw tantrums, Menma-nii absolutely wouldn't budge.
He could only get new ninjutsu from Grandpa Third.
"Can't rush, can't rush. Mastering the C-rank jutsu first is already good enough for now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, then smiled: "Naruto, you're about to reach the age for enrollment."
"There, you'll meet many friends and learn a lot of knowledge. Aren't you looking forward to it?"
The rule for the Konoha Ninja Academy was that any child aged six or older with ninja aptitude could enroll.
Naruto was already four or five this year, but he had already begun learning related knowledge ahead of time, could refine chakra, and had even learned a C-rank ninjutsu early.
"Oh, enrollment..."
Little Naruto hesitated for a moment, but finally put on an innocent smile, looked up at the Third, and said: "Of course I'm looking forward to it!"
After all, Menma-nii said.
Whether in the wild or among crowds, survival always requires first blending in and understanding, only then can one gain the ability to resist.
When you cannot change the environment, first learn to disguise yourself.
(End of Chapter)
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