25 Facades & Truths

In the evening, after a long day of work as the Hiruzen, it was finally time to "chill out." While being the Hokage comes with honor, power, and status, it's also undeniably exhausting. For instance, Naruto, the Seventh Hokage in the original story, practically lived in the Hokage building, dealing with numerous administrative tasks day in and day out, often relying on his Shadow Clone Technique to manage the workload.

However, Hiruzen didn't head home directly after his work was done. Instead, he was guided by an Anbu to the back mountain area near a creek.

Upon arriving at the clearing by the creek, Hiruzen spotted Naruto sitting by a campfire, roasting a few fish skewered on wooden sticks.

Two other Anbu members appeared, and they promptly reported to Hiruzen about what they had observed during the day. They mentioned that Naruto had been engaged in strenuous physical activity all day, including carrying a heavy sandbag.

Hiruzen was taken aback by this revelation. He couldn't believe that someone had taught a three-year-old child to undergo such rigorous training. He scolded, "This is foolishness! He's just a three-year-old, and rigorous exercise like this can harm his foundation and health."

The three Anbu exchanged glances, and one of them, a female, spoke up, "Lord Hiruzen, based on my observations, the child possesses a remarkably strong physique beneath his clothes."

She didn't mean "healthy" strong but rather "powerful" strong.

Hiruzen's expression took on a peculiar look. Can you even describe a child as "powerful"? It seems that something unusual has happened to him.

With these thoughts in mind, Hiruzen decided not to press for further information from the Anbu but instead ventured out to see for himself.

As Hiruzen emerged from the forest, Naruto didn't appear surprised in the least. In fact, he had long sensed the Hiruzen's presence with his heightened perception, including the Anbu's activities earlier that day.

It was as if he were being watched, yet why wasn't he paying attention to the village's stance toward him or his every move?

Thus, he had already detected Hiruzen's intentions, including their conversation, which he overheard.

For some reason, his senses seemed to have sharpened. Hadn't he heard that the Rinnegan or Sharingan could enhance one's hearing? It could only be attributed to the Six Paths' power or the ancestral bloodline, right?

Naruto raised his head without getting up and pretended to look confused as he addressed Hiruzen, "Grandpa, are you lost? You should be careful; your family might be worried about you."

Hiruzen couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth. You're just three years old, and you're worried about me?

Nevertheless, Hiruzen was pleased with Naruto's response. The child hadn't become despondent due to being an orphan or the village gossip. He still cared about others and had a kind heart.

Little did Hiruzen know that Naruto had possessed an adult soul from the moment he was born.

Of course, all of this was just an act.

Third Generation approached Naruto with a smile, feigning curiosity, "Little Naruto, why are you here all alone? Why haven't you gone home?"

Naruto, puzzled by this stranger's familiarity, questioned, "Huh? Grandpa, do you know me?" His acting was flawless, as who would suspect a child?

During the three years when Naruto had been confined to the Konoha Hospital, Hiruzen had never visited him, and it seemed as if the world had forgotten him. By all accounts, Naruto should not recognize Hiruzen, and his pretense seemed flawless.

Faced with Naruto's doubts, Hiruzen chuckled, "Of course, I know you. Your name is Naruto. In fact, I found you and brought you to Konoha Hospital."

"Well, you did find me, after all, you were there," Naruto responded with a sly smile, concealing the emotions that could have shown in his eyes.

"Oh," he exclaimed suddenly, pointing at Hiruzen, "You're the Hiruzen."

Hiruzen was a bit surprised. Had someone contacted Naruto about him?

However, Naruto pointed in another direction and continued, "It's the Hokage Rock. Aren't you the old man on the Hokage Rock?"

It dawned on Hiruzen, and he couldn't help but smile, stroking his beard.

"Is Grandpa Hiruzen lost?" Naruto asked innocently.

Hiruzen's expression stiffened momentarily, and he coughed awkwardly.

Faced with Naruto's unassuming expression, he couldn't reveal that he had come to see why Naruto had suddenly ventured into the forest and hadn't returned to the village. Upon hearing that Naruto was practicing alone, Hiruzen had been deeply concerned.

"Why hasn't Little Naruto gone home? It's already dark," Hiruzen tried to change the subject, being the old hand he was.

Naruto didn't seem to mind and continued pretending to be clueless, "Because I don't have a family. Even if I go home, it's just me. Besides, I've run out of money. I can't afford to buy food anymore, so I'm trying to catch fish here. Grandpa Hiruzen, do you like fish?"

These seemingly simple words struck Hiruzen like a sharp blade, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Why did Naruto have no family? Because his parents had died in the battle to protect the village.

While there were still remnants of their wealth, the Fourth Hokage couple must have had some family background, but they couldn't provide for Naruto.

Naruto, on the other hand, simply observed the changes in Hiruzen's expression without saying another word, secretly pondering, "Do you feel guilty too?"

From the beginning, Naruto had never fully embraced Hiruzen's project, and even now, he harbored significant reservations. Look at how Konohamaru was treated. From a young age, he had a special Jōnin as a tutor, not to mention personal bodyguards.

But what about Naruto?

Why was everything that should have been his taken away? Why him?

Minato, as the Fourth Hokage, had the support of many people, including friends.

But couldn't they have arranged for Naruto to be fostered by someone else? He didn't need to live in such misery, even if it meant keeping his identity a secret. He had already been allowed to live as an ordinary orphan. Why not let him be fostered as an ordinary orphan?

As these thoughts swirled in Naruto's mind, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. He wanted to keep watching Hiruzen's reactions and changes in expression. It was quite intriguing.

Was he perhaps a bit mischievous and cunning?

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