Naruto: I Am Uzumaki Naruto!?

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Naruto, his expression a mix of shock and guilt. He had always known that the boy's life was difficult, but he hadn't realized just how miserable it truly was.

Taping up broken windows to keep out the cold.

Carrying bandages just to patch up wounds from being pelted with stones.

Skipping meals just to afford basic necessities.

And in the end, he had only taken money from those who tormented others.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his heart grow heavier. The suspicion he had harbored toward Naruto vanished.

This wasn't the story of a delinquent picking fights and robbing kids.

This was a boy—innocent, kind-hearted—doing whatever he could to survive in a village that despised him.

Even now, he wasn't asking for pity. He wasn't blaming anyone.

Hiruzen sighed, feeling an unbearable sense of guilt welling up inside him. But he forced himself to focus on why he had come here. Smiling kindly, he said,

"Naruto, you truly are something else. Maybe you really will become the Fifth Hokage one day."

Naruto grinned, pretending to be shy.

Hiruzen continued, "Then, can you tell me how you managed to defeat those three boys?"

Naruto's smile widened. Raising a fist, he casually said, "Well, lately, Hinata's been bringing me food, so I've gotten a lot stronger."

As he spoke, he turned and punched the nearby wall.

Crack!

A deep fracture split the wooden surface, running several inches up the wall.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sucked in a sharp breath.

This wasn't just "a little stronger."

Naruto had just cracked a wall with his bare fist.

Even for a wooden wall, that kind of force was closer to what you'd expect from a trained genin—maybe even a chunin-level fighter. He looked at Naruto in disbelief.

Was he really awakening the Adamantine Sealing Chains of the Uzumaki Clan?

He shot Kakashi a meaningful glance. Kakashi, understanding the silent command, lifted his forehead protector, revealing his scarlet Sharingan.

The room fell into a tense silence.

Naruto, still smiling, spoke in his mind.

"Nine-Tails, cover for me."

Inside the Sealed Space

The massive fox slowly opened its red eyes, tails swaying lazily behind it.

"Leave it to me," the Nine-Tails grumbled, annoyed but cooperative.

A violent surge of orange-red chakra flared from the beast's body, rushing out like a flood.

This chakra spilled past the seal, intertwining with Naruto's own, suppressing the unique Scorch Release chakra that had been leaking out earlier.

Naruto felt the shift immediately.

Perfect.

Scorch Release wasn't a physical bloodline like the Adamantine Sealing Chains—it was purely elemental. And since it altered his chakra, rather than his body, the Nine-Tails' overwhelming energy was more than enough to mask it.

Kakashi scrutinized Naruto for a long moment… then blinked and shook his head.

"Nothing," he muttered.

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled in relief. It seemed Naruto hadn't awakened any Uzumaki bloodline abilities after all.

"Naruto," Hiruzen said, his expression softening, "you and Hinata seem to get along well."

Naruto's face brightened. "Yeah! She brings me food every day. It's way too much, though. When I have money, I'll buy her all sorts of good food in return!"

Hiruzen chuckled, pleased by the boy's sincerity. They chatted for a bit longer, and just as the Hokage was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Naruto," Hiruzen asked, his tone casual, "Kakashi mentioned you went to the bookstore earlier. Did you find anything interesting?"

Naruto's mind flashed with amusement.

Ah. Here it comes.

Feigning excitement, Naruto grinned.

"Oh yeah! I went to buy a copy of Make-Out Paradise."

Silence.

Hiruzen's face froze.

"Everyone says you're a huge fan of it, Lord Hokage," Naruto added innocently. "Since I want to be Hokage, I figured I should study everything a Hokage does!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "…"

His eyes widened in sheer horror.

"W-WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!" he roared.

Wasn't that supposed to be a well-kept secret?!

Who in Konoha had such a big mouth?!

Naruto scratched his head. "Uh… everyone?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen staggered.

His reputation… his legacy… destroyed.

Kakashi, wisely, turned away and pretended he hadn't heard anything.

Hiruzen coughed forcefully, regaining his composure. "Naruto," he said stiffly, "don't believe everything you hear. Those are baseless rumors."

"But, Lord Hokage, I—"

Hiruzen cut him off immediately. "I am the Third Hokage of Konohagakure! Why would I read something so… so indecent?!"

Naruto simply nodded, playing along. "Ohhh. I see."

Hiruzen sighed in relief.

Crisis averted.

Before leaving, Hiruzen reached into his robes and pulled out a small stack of bills. Handing them to Naruto, he said in a gentle but firm tone,

"Naruto, this is 30,000 ryo. Use it wisely. And from now on—no more robbing or extorting people."

"A ninja does not bully the weak. If you ever need help, come to me instead."

Naruto accepted the money, smiling brightly. "Thanks, Lord Hokage! Don't worry, I definitely won't extort anyone from now on."

Hiruzen nodded, satisfied—until Naruto added,

"I'll work hard studying Make-Out Paradise instead. That way, I can become a great ninja like you!"

Hiruzen nearly choked on air.

"THAT'S NOT NECESSARY!" he barked, rushing out of the room in a panic.

Kakashi, meanwhile, chuckled to himself before following after him.

Naruto watched them leave, still grinning. He looked down at the 30,000 ryo in his hands.

Heh. Not bad.

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(A/N: Don't Forget To Add In Your Collection And Support via Powerstone)