Konoha: Naruto, Taught by Aizen

For Naruto, this mission to the Land of Waves was a great success.

He had successfully completed his first Shinigami research.

Under the infusion of Reiatsu, Haku had become a Shinigami, not a Hollow.

Recalling the details, Naruto frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Does a ninja's strength affect the success rate of Shinigamification?"

He was full of anticipation for future research.

In the past, Naruto had always been training, never having come into contact with anything related to research.

After this test with the bandits and Haku, he became very interested in these unknowns.

He also looked forward to meeting people in Konoha who were as interested in research as he was.

In his view, fighting and killing shouldn't be the entirety of his life.

Just like the Second Hokage, who, while being an outstanding Hokage, was also a brilliant researcher, creating various forbidden jutsu through his research.

Aizen was also an outstanding researcher, constantly exploring the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollows.

Every researcher endures the questioning gazes of the world. Their research processes might be inhumanly cruel, violating ethics.

But the results obtained could very well open up a new system.

Naruto had once heard Minato say that Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Sannin, seemed very interested in research and had also provided Konoha with some decent experimental results.

Naruto had once thought of visiting Orochimaru but discovered that Orochimaru had defected a few years after Minato's death.

The once renowned Konoha Sannin, who had even fought a demigod and survived...

Now, some had defected, others had left.

It truly made one sigh with emotion.

The shady business involved didn't need to be elaborated upon; Naruto didn't even need to use his brain to guess that it was inextricably linked to Konoha's higher-ups.

After several more days of arduous travel, under Kakashi's leadership, Team Seven returned to Konoha.

Kakashi also promptly reported every detail of the mission execution to the Third Hokage.

After listening, the Third Hokage puffed hard on his pipe, smoke swirling around him. He wore a contemplative expression, his brow deeply furrowed.

Only after a long while did he slowly speak, "Naruto... is too arrogant."

"Kakashi, you've done very well. You may leave."

After Kakashi left, the Third Hokage slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and muttered to himself, "The growth of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is of utmost importance. Naruto's strength is progressing too quickly now. His Kekkei Genkai still has a lot of room for development, but Kakashi can no longer teach him."

"This mission has also exposed Naruto's biggest flaw: arrogance."

"How can Naruto, who doesn't understand teamwork, comprehend the importance of companions? Perhaps... it's time for Jiraiya to return."

"With Jiraiya's guidance, I'll be at ease."

The Third Hokage muttered to himself.

Naruto, having returned to Konoha Village, was strolling through the streets. He deliberately avoided crowded streets, just to enjoy a moment of tranquility.

"Tap, tap, tap." Suddenly, the sound of a cane tapping the ground came from the end of the street.

Soon, an old man completely wrapped in bandages, with a long scar under his one visible eye, appeared in his line of sight.

Though he was just a strange-looking old man, for some reason, the hairs on Naruto's whole body stood on end.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his face still maintaining a perfect, gentle smile as he leisurely walked forward.

At the same time, the old man opposite him also maintained an unhurried pace.

He had thought this would just be a simple passing encounter.

Unexpectedly, just as their figures were about to meet, the old man stopped, his pair of turbid eyes suddenly meeting Naruto's.

In those turbid eyes, Naruto saw a darkness like despair.

"Naruto, be careful! That's Danzo!" Minato, in the seal space, warned vigilantly.

Shimura Danzo?

One of Konoha's higher-ups. After failing in his bid to compete with the Third Hokage for the position, he concealed himself in the shadows, established the utterly corrupt Root, and controls Konoha's... ecosystem. A man full of foulness, detestable and terrifying.

Why would Danzo appear here? What does he want? Could it be that the Third Hokage allowed this?

Countless thoughts flashed through Naruto's mind in an instant, finally coalescing into a perfect smile.

"Hello. Do you know me?"

Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, son of Minato Namikaze.

Meeting face to face, he was indeed as elegant and confident as the intelligence reports described.

Danzo's eyes flickered incessantly. He gripped the top of his cane with both hands, a smile appearing, the wrinkles on his face bunching together. "I am Elder Shimura Danzo. Uzumaki Naruto, I am very interested in your Kekkei Genkai."

"How could Danzo bypass the Third Hokage to contact Naruto?" Minato cried out in the seal space. "Has Danzo become so audacious now?"

Naruto carefully sized up Danzo, his smile gradually fading.

Danzo before him didn't give Naruto a chance to continue thinking, and went on, "Uzumaki Naruto, you demonstrated an extremely powerful Kekkei Genkai during the Land of Waves mission. Kyoka Suigetsu was able to completely control Uchiha Sasuke, who possesses a two-tomoe Sharingan, and the Kido derived from it also has considerable destructive power. It's just that... your development of this Kekkei Genkai is far from enough."

Danzo's eyes were calm as he said, neither hurried nor slow,

"Moreover, your Kekkei Genkai has a great flaw."

Hearing this, Naruto's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Danzo paid no heed and continued, "If you don't believe me, you can use your Kekkei Genkai on me."

"This..."

Naruto was just worrying about how to let Konoha's higher-ups see his Shikai and become slaves to Kyoka Suigetsu. He hadn't expected the troublesome Root leader, Danzo, to deliver himself to his doorstep like this.

So Naruto began his Shikai release: "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."

The world rippled. Danzo still maintained his smile.

However, Danzo's figure paused slightly. The next moment, the world in his vision suddenly shattered like a mirror, revealing Naruto's genuinely surprised gaze behind the mirror's surface.

Danzo was secretly pleased. A gentle smile, similar to Naruto's, appeared on his face as he said softly, "See? Before a powerhouse like me, your Kekkei Genkai is still not strong enough."

"Become my disciple, Naruto."

"Think about it carefully. I can give you everything you want."

With that, Danzo turned and slowly walked away in the direction he had come from.

Naruto silently sheathed Kyoka Suigetsu, his gentle, refined smile returning.

Not long after, in the Hokage's office.

"You've overstepped, Danzo! I've already told you, I have already formulated a growth plan for Naruto!" The Third Hokage's eyes burned with anger.

If not for this old comrade before him wielding significant power, he would definitely not hesitate to act now.

"Hiruzen, Naruto's performance in the Land of Waves this time was too outstanding! His talent has already surpassed Minato's! As long as his Kekkei Genkai is reasonably developed, our Konoha might very well gain another powerful family comparable to the Hyuga!" Danzo's eyes were fervent, and he gripped his cane excitedly.

"Do you think a mere Kakashi is qualified to teach Naruto?"

"Hiruzen, ever since the Uchiha clan was annihilated, our relations with the other ninja villages have become extremely tense. We don't have time to wait for Naruto to grow slowly," Danzo urged earnestly.

"We don't have time."

With that, silence once again fell upon the Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage naturally understood that Danzo's actions were also due to his appreciation of talent.

After all, Naruto's performance on this mission had indeed exceeded everyone's expectations.

"Naruto's progress has indeed surprised me, but that's no reason for you to interfere," the Third Hokage said, puffing on his pipe with a frown. "Next, I will have Jiraiya teach Naruto."

"You..." Danzo's expression froze, a deep wariness appearing in his eyes. He snorted coldly and said, "Why not let Naruto choose for himself?"

"If he is unwilling to become my disciple, from now on, I will no longer interfere with Naruto's growth!"