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No sooner had Sasame bid farewell to Naruto Uzumaki than his whereabouts were reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi by an ANBU operative.
As the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Naruto naturally had close surveillance. If he knew, it would surely shake his trust—watching him get beaten without intervening.
"Sasame really is a good kid," Hiruzen murmured, silently reviewing the report. It detailed two things:
First, Sasame had rescued Naruto from a group of bullies.
Second, he had arranged for the owner of the Uma Gambling Hall to look after Naruto.
Opening a business in Konoha required approval—otherwise, spies could slip in too easily. Sasame had listed Tsunade as the gambling hall's overseer. Given her notorious gambling addiction, her involvement wouldn't raise many eyebrows.
Hiruzen praised Sasame because he hadn't simply given Naruto handouts. Instead, he sold things to him, respecting the boy's pride. It also reflected Sasame's own integrity.
Still, Sasame's contact with Naruto was unexpected.
Hiruzen's original plan was simple: before Naruto entered the Academy, he would be the jinchūriki's sole pillar of support. Later, he'd allow Naruto to form bonds with reliable teachers and friends. That way, if the Nine-Tails ever went berserk, Naruto's deep-rooted connections to the village and its people could anchor him, preventing the worst-case scenario.
The only flaw in this plan was Danzō Shimura's interference—spreading rumors that Naruto was the demon fox incarnate. Hiruzen had initially intended to stop it, but in the end, he allowed it. It served his purpose.
The villagers' hostility would make Naruto cling to him even more, ensuring he remained the sole wielder of this powerful weapon.
Hiruzen knew Naruto's life was harsh now, but it was a necessary sacrifice. Once these early years passed, Naruto would no longer be alone.
"I'm getting old," Hiruzen sighed, standing to gaze out the window at Konoha.
With age, his energy had waned. If Naruto were just an ordinary child, he would have raised him as the son of a hero. But as the Nine-Tails' vessel—Konoha's ultimate weapon—he couldn't afford such luxury.
As for Sasame, his contact with Naruto wasn't an issue. In Hiruzen's vision, the Fifth Hokage would be either Jiraiya or Tsunade.
Orochimaru was strong, yes, but his twisted nature disqualified him. Danzō? His age alone ruled him out.
Jiraiya was preoccupied with his "Child of Prophecy," wandering the world. Tsunade, meanwhile, had been crippled by her hemophobia—barely fit to be a shinobi. Thankfully, she had since recovered.
Hiruzen preferred Jiraiya as Hokage, but realistically, Tsunade was the more likely candidate. Sasame, as her disciple, would inevitably interact with the jinchūriki sooner or later. Besides, his conduct at the Academy marked him as a worthy inheritor of the Will of Fire.
"Just in case, I should check on Naruto."
Changing into casual clothes, Hiruzen left the Hokage's office and headed straight for Naruto's apartment.
"Naruto, are you home?"
A moment later, the door swung open.
"Gramps!" Naruto beamed.
"You seem especially happy today. Did something good happen? Tell me about it," Hiruzen said, his kindly grandfather act flawless.
"Yeah!" Naruto held up a cup of instant ramen. "I met a really nice big brother today! He actually sold me stuff!"
Hiruzen chuckled. The report had been accurate—Sasame hadn't said anything suspicious.
"Oh! Gramps, I noticed the third face on the Hokage Monument looks just like you! Are you the Hokage?" Naruto stared at him, eyes sparkling with hope.
So far, Sasame's words hadn't seeded doubt in him. Instead, he was thrilled at the possibility.
Hiruzen lifted his chin slightly, exuding authority. "I am the Hokage."
He had spent years feeding Naruto stories of Konoha's founding and the Will of Fire. Under his influence, Naruto idolized the title of Hokage.
He'd kept his identity hidden precisely for this moment—to transfer that admiration onto himself.
"WOW!" Naruto scrambled closer, staring in awe. "Hokage Gramps, do you think I could be Hokage someday?"
He remembered the bullies' taunts from earlier.
"Of course," Hiruzen smiled. "If you have the courage and determination to protect Konoha, I believe you will."
"YEAH!"
The Hokage's endorsement sent Naruto into euphoria. But soon, his excitement dimmed.
"I want to protect everyone… but they always say mean things, call me a demon fox. Hokage Gramps… am I really a monster?"
"You are not," Hiruzen said, softening at the boy's pleading look. It was time to curb those rumors. "Starting tomorrow, no one will call you that again."
"REALLY?! Thanks, Gramps!"
Naruto's grin returned. Clearly, the Hokage had just been too busy before. Tomorrow, everything would be normal!
But the next day, when he eagerly hit the streets, no one insulted him—yet no one acknowledged him either.
Villagers recoiled at the sight of him, as if he were something filthy. If before it was "The World Scorns Me," now it was "The World Forgets Me."
Far from improving, his isolation had deepened. The loneliness was worse than ever.
Naruto stood frozen, lost.
He wanted to be Hokage, to protect everyone.
But… was it worth it?
[Due to your actions, Naruto Uzumaki's fate has shifted. You have gained 18 Fate Points.]
Sasame dispersed the chakra gathered in his palm, pausing his Wood Release training.
Eighteen points—a modest gain.
He guessed Naruto's faith in Hiruzen had wavered slightly after their talk. But it wasn't enough. He'd need to stoke the flames further.
Best to settle this before heading to the battlefield.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Sasame considered his next move. Tsunade had already selected their mission—they were only delayed by preparations, like brewing antidotes and soldier pills.
He couldn't approach Naruto directly; too risky. Instead, he'd instructed Masayuki, the gambling hall manager, to notify him when Naruto came to buy supplies.
He didn't have to wait long. Three days later, Naruto entered the Uma Gambling Hall.
But he wasn't there to shop—he wanted to see Sasame.
These past few days had been unbearable. He needed the one person who'd shown him kindness.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 70 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.