Nine-Tails Chakra

Sarutobi Hiruzen was utterly astonished. He knew Uzumaki Naruto had a tough life, but he never imagined it was this tough.

At home, he had to use tape to seal the broken windows to prevent drafts.

He always carried bandages on the street in case he was beaten to the point of bleeding and had no way to stop it.

To afford these necessities, Uzumaki Naruto couldn't even buy ramen, which was why he took the money from those bad kids...

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared blankly at Uzumaki Naruto.

In that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's suspicion of Uzumaki Naruto vanished completely.

Uzumaki Naruto wasn't some bad student who got into fights; he was clearly a pure and kind-hearted boy.

He was forced to fight those bad kids to protect Little Hinata, and even if he stole money, it was only from bad kids and ninjas with financial means...

The money he took wasn't used for entertainment but to buy bandages, gauze, and even books for studying.

Thinking this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt even more remorseful, but he didn't forget why he came here. He kindly said:

"Naruto, you're amazing. Maybe you really could become the Fifth Hokage someday."

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Now, Naruto, can you tell me how you defeated those three children?"

Uzumaki Naruto smiled gently and waved his fist. "Little Hinata has been bringing me food lately, so I've gotten a lot stronger."

As he spoke, Uzumaki Naruto punched the wall.

"CRACK!!!"

The wall seemed to be struck by lightning, and a deep crack appeared.

Sarutobi Hiruzen gasped.

This isn't just a little stronger, is it?!

Punching a crack in the wall—even if it was a wooden wall, that strength was comparable to a fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked. Could it be that Uzumaki Naruto is really about to awaken Adamantine Chains?

He instinctively gave Kakashi a look, and Kakashi understood. He pulled up his forehead protector, revealing his crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

He stared at Uzumaki Naruto for two seconds.

Uzumaki Naruto still had his gentle smile, showing no signs of guilt.

Nine-Tails, I'm counting on you!

Uzumaki Naruto thought to himself.

In the sealing space.

The Nine-Tailed Fox opened its eyes, and its nine massive tails waved.

"Leave it to me."

A violent, orange-red Chakra instantly surged from the Nine-Tails' body.

The orange-red, violent Chakra passed through the seal and merged into Uzumaki Naruto's body, using its own tyrannical Chakra aura to obscure the hint of scorching Chakra within Uzumaki Naruto.

Uzumaki Naruto's smile widened.

"Nine-Tails, well done."

Go ahead and look. Scorch Release isn't a tangible Kekkei Genkai like Adamantine Chains.

As a Wind and Fire Release Kekkei Genkai, Scorch Release's changes are only in its Chakra. With the Nine-Tails' Chakra to conceal it, he could easily hide the scorching Chakra of Scorch Release.

About ten seconds later, Kakashi shook his head slightly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Uzumaki Naruto showed no signs of awakening Adamantine Chains.

Feeling more relaxed, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked kindly at Uzumaki Naruto. "Naruto, are you and Hinata good friends?"

When Little Hinata was mentioned, Uzumaki Naruto showed a genuine smile. "Very good! Little Hinata makes me delicious food every day, maybe a bit too much. Once I have money, I'll definitely buy her lots of delicious things."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile grew even wider.

After chatting a bit more, Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and asked again, "Oh, by the way, Naruto, I heard Kakashi say you went to the bookstore. Was there a book you liked inside?"

Uzumaki Naruto chuckled inwardly.

Here it comes.

This is a good chance to explain my future intentions for visiting the bookstore.

Uzumaki Naruto smiled and said, "I went to that bookstore because I wanted to buy a copy of Icha Icha Paradise."

"Everyone says Lord Hokage also loves reading Icha Icha Paradise, and I want to become Hokage, so I need to learn everything Lord Hokage does."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened even more than a dog's, and he bellowed, "Which scoundrel spread that around?!"

Me reading Icha Icha Paradise...

"Isn't this supposed to be a secret!?"

"Which bigmouth blabbed about this for no reason!?"

Uzumaki Naruto said awkwardly, "Well... everyone's saying it..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nearly spat up blood.

My lifelong reputation!!!

Kakashi gave a barely perceptible cough, pretending not to hear, and turned his head away.

Tragic!!!

Lord Hokage's bad reputation has spread...

Coughing loudly, Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to salvage his dignity. "Naruto, don't listen to what people outside are saying; it's all just rumors."

"I'm the Third Hokage of Konoha Village, how could I buy such an indecent book!?"

"If you hear things like that again, you mustn't believe them."

Uzumaki Naruto nodded.

"..."

As he was leaving, Sarutobi Hiruzen took out some money and handed it to Uzumaki Naruto, saying earnestly:

"Naruto, this is thirty thousand Ryo. Take it for now. Don't go around stealing money or extorting ninjas anymore."

"Ninjas shouldn't bully people. If you ever need money in the future, you can come to me."

Uzumaki Naruto nodded, chuckling softly:

"Don't worry, Lord Hokage, I definitely won't extort anyone else."

"I'll diligently study Icha Icha Paradise and learn the knowledge within it, so I can become an excellent ninja like you in the future."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was deeply moved by the first half of the sentence, thinking his words had an effect, but he nearly vomited when he heard the second half.

"That, that won't be necessary..."

Leaving that one sentence hanging, Sarutobi Hiruzen hastily exited the room.