Naruto: Menma Exiting Infinite Tsukuyomi

Chapter 156: This Child Naruto is Really Good

"Grandpa Third, I've come to see you."

Naruto spoke softly as he walked to the bedside table and began to organize the various materials and documents on it.

Many of these documents and materials were marked with the word "Confidential,"

but Sarutobi Hiruzen did not stop Naruto, merely staring blankly at his face.

"Grandpa Third, you've worked so hard, having to find time to handle affairs even while ill in bed."

Naruto said calmly as he organized the materials and documents: "But you must also take care of your health. Konoha can't be without you right now."

Looking at the documents neatly arranged by Naruto, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly moved his gaze from Naruto's face.

"Naruto, you've really grown up now."

He spoke in a desolate tone: "Do you still resent me for not taking good care of you?"

Naruto's hands paused their movements.

But only for a moment, then he placed the documents aside.

"I don't want to deceive you, Grandpa Third. I do have some resentment in my heart."

He turned to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged face, the smile on his own face gradually fading: "After all, I am not the Hokage who leads the entire village. I am just an orphan lacking parental love and care."

Hearing Naruto's barbed words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face showed slight embarrassment.

But looking at Naruto, who was still organizing the documents, he didn't know whether to feel relieved or to sigh.

"Sigh, I have wronged you..."

"Lord Third, actually, I can understand you."

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish, Naruto interrupted directly: "From the perspective of the Hokage, you haven't done anything wrong."

"My father, Namikaze Minato, as the Fourth Hokage, must have made many enemies."

"And you, as the Third Hokage, have to deal with matters big and small in the village, unable to attend to everything at all times. So, to let me grow up healthy and safe, you chose to hide my identity as the Fourth's son."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked stunned, subconsciously nodding his head.

Naruto, seeing this, continued: "And then, just as you said, Shimura Danzō spread rumors in the village that I was the incarnation of the demon fox. By the time you wanted to stop it, it was already too late."

"Ah, yes, that's right. I could only stop the rumors from spreading on the surface..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, holding his pipe, nodded blankly.

Is Naruto a mind-reader in his stomach?

How did he say all his lines?

"So you don't need to blame yourself."

Naruto and Sarutobi Hiruzen met eyes, his face serious, his tone sincere: "Sometimes, necessary sacrifices must be made. This is all for the Will of Fire."

"Yes... it's all for the Will of Fire."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked somewhat confusedly at Naruto's resolute face.

Looking at this boy, not yet ten years old.

And Naruto also looked into Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, his expression firm and sincere.

"People always grow up. I was too naive before. Now, I already understand Grandpa Third's good intentions."

"..."

What a good child.

Naruto is the inheritor of the Will of Fire.

Looking at Naruto, who was like a warm sun, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

He had witnessed Naruto's growth over these past few years.

Gentle, intelligent, kind to others, happy to help, remaining consistent even when surrounded by endless malice.

Recently, after receiving his parents' inheritance, he even sponsored some orphanages.

Naruto was like the sun, warming all things in the world.

Even when facing those who harbored malice towards him.

"Is that so..."

Looking at Naruto before him, Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured to himself and closed his eyes.

Minato, do you see?

Naruto is even more outstanding than we imagined.

After learning the truth, not only was he not defeated, but he can even think from the Hokage's perspective now.

If that's the case...

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly opened his eyes, a trace of determination flashing within them.

"Naruto, if you need anything, be sure to tell me. I will do my best to satisfy you."

"Need anything..."

Naruto heard this, rubbed his chin, and after pondering for a moment, smiled: "Right now, I just need you, Grandpa Third, to take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Seeing the usually staid Naruto show such a childish expression,

Sarutobi Hiruzen was first taken aback, then hugged Naruto with a gratified and moved expression.

"Good, good, good, I promise you everything."

He gently patted Naruto's back, murmuring to himself: "Naruto, you can definitely become Hokage. I will forever be your strongest backing."

"Grandpa Third, where the leaves dance, the fire will also burn without end. The light of the fire will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

Naruto also hugged Sarutobi Hiruzen tightly, his tone firm: "I want to become a person like my father, to burn as a flame, to illuminate Konoha."

He said this with such emotion and expression, yet a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

...

A dozen or so minutes later.

Sarutobi Hiruzen lay on the hospital bed with his eyes closed.

His breathing was steady, and he let out soft snores, clearly already in dreamland.

Naruto, who had been waiting by his side, saw this and gently pulled his hand free from his grasp.

He then walked backwards out of the hospital room, quietly closing the main door.

Click!

Following the crisp sound of the door closing, the hospital room returned to tranquility.

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly opened his eyes.

"Did you see?"

He spoke, breaking the silence of the hospital room, a smile on his face: "I told you, under my careful cultivation, Naruto has perfectly inherited the Will of Fire. In the future, he will be just like Minato, giving his all for the village."

After he said this, three figures also suddenly appeared in the hospital room.

"This child Naruto is indeed good."

Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement: "Although I find it somewhat hard to believe, I didn't see anything unusual about him. He should be speaking from the heart."

"Not bad. I think we can focus on cultivating him."

Mitokado Homura beside her chimed in: "The village is in urgent need of a new top-tier powerhouse. If the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki grows up, it will perfectly solve this pressing need."

They originally didn't believe Naruto could maintain his love for Konoha after knowing the truth.

But now, the facts proved,

They had indeed judged a gentleman by their own petty standards.

Looking at the joyful expressions on the three's faces, Danzō at the side just sneered coldly, not saying much.

What a bunch of fools.

Through his contact over the past period, he was very clear that Naruto had only suppressed the darkness in his heart.

It had not been eliminated from beginning to end.

This move by Sarutobi Hiruzen had completely pushed Uzumaki Naruto into his, Shimura Danzō's, arms.

"Hmm?"

Hearing Danzō's cold laugh, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply: "Danzō, do you have any other opinions?"

"What right do I have to offer opinions now?"

Danzō sneered in his heart, but said with self-deprecation on the surface: "Sarutobi, you win this time."

With that,

Under the gaze of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two,

He turned around with a dejected face, leaning on his cane as he slowly walked out of the hospital room.

(End of Chapter)

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