Adamantine Chains

Uzumaki Naruto…

Why are you here?

A hint of suspicion flickered in Kakashi's heart. He found it strange that Uzumaki Naruto always came to the bookstore.

To read Icha Icha Paradise?!

That can't be right, can it?!

Would a shop owner really let a kid sneak in repeatedly like that?!

Though he was suspicious, Kakashi didn't connect it to the fire. He was merely puzzled as to why Uzumaki Naruto was there.

Uzumaki Naruto's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

This Kakashi guy… so sharp…

He's already suspected me just based on intuition?

Too bad…

Uzumaki Naruto smiled, waving his arms broadly as he declared, "I came here to buy 'Icha Icha Paradise' and 'Taimanin'! Both of these are books Lord Hokage likes to read!"

"There must be some profound secret within them. I want to become Hokage, so I absolutely must get these two books!"

Uzumaki Naruto's words were firm and resounding, carrying far and showing no sign of guilt whatsoever.

The villagers gathered around burst into untimely laughter.

"This Fox Demon brat actually wants to become the Fifth Hokage?"

"Stay away from him, don't let his idiocy rub off on you…"

"What a monster. How could he possibly become the Fifth Hokage? Kicking him out is the best option…"

"Speaking of which, does the Third Hokage really like reading those kinds of books?"

"…"

Kakashi's mouth twitched slightly.

If you want to read them, just read them. Why drag the Third Hokage into it? Has the Third Hokage's bad reputation spread again?

And what kind of books are 'Taimanin'?

The latest version of Icha Icha Paradise?

Kakashi's guard gradually dropped. He looked at Uzumaki Naruto, speechless, and asked, "Uzumaki Naruto, did you see how the fire started?"

Uzumaki Naruto shook his head.

"I don't know. I only saw the flames growing larger and larger by the bookshelf, until they finally engulfed the entire bookstore…"

Just then, Uzumaki Naruto seemed to suddenly recall something, and said with a smile, "Oh, right, Senior Kakashi, the fire started at the bookshelf where your favorite 'Icha Icha Paradise' is kept."

"Cough cough cough!!!"

Kakashi coughed loudly, as if trying to cough up his lungs, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Wait wait wait!!!

You could've just told me it was the bookshelf. Why did you have to say it was my favorite bookshelf?!

Has my own bad reputation spread too?

Seeing the surrounding pedestrians growing even more interested, Kakashi's face darkened further. He twitched his mouth and said, "Alright, I get it. You should go now."

If Uzumaki Naruto stayed here any longer, who knew how many ninjas' dark histories would be exposed? Thinking of Hagane Kotetsu, Kamizuki Izumo… who would soon be coming for him…

Kakashi felt his scalp tingle.

After Uzumaki Naruto left.

Kakashi carefully examined the shop owner's ashes and said in a deep voice, "Go quickly to the Inuzuka Clan and the Aburame Clan. Have them send people to see if they can find any clues."

Hokage Office.

"So… you found no clues at all!?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, looking at Kakashi.

Kakashi stood across from the desk, sighed, and said, "The culprit is an experienced Ninja. He burned the body to ashes, so we can't find any clues from the remains."

"The Yamanaka Clan's secret jutsu can't investigate ashes."

"The Aburame Clan and the Inuzuka Clan also came, but after the big fire, there's a pervasive smell of burning, and they found very few traces."

"All we know is that Hagane Kotetsu, Kamizuki Izumo, Gekko Hayate… Uzumaki Naruto… they all entered the bookstore."

"Wait."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.

"Why was Uzumaki Naruto at the bookstore?"

"I thought that bookstore sold Erotic Novels, didn't it?"

"Uh..."

Kakashi recounted Uzumaki Naruto's words, looking quite embarrassed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Kakashi tentatively asked, "Lord Hokage, should we remind Uzumaki Naruto?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eye twitched.

"Forget it!"

He didn't want his bad reputation spreading even further...

"Uzumaki Naruto, he really is..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but show a hint of relief: A Hokage?!

It seemed his brainwashing was working after all.

Uzumaki Naruto admired him greatly, even to the point of being willing to read Erotic Novels. There was no sign of any potential betrayal.

As long as Uzumaki Naruto didn't learn about his true parentage, he wouldn't betray Konoha Village.

He'd test him in the future, and if Uzumaki Naruto passed the test, he could even teach him some Ninjutsu.

After thinking it over, Sarutobi Hiruzen casually waved his hand and said, "I'm aware of the situation. Since we can't find the culprit for now, just file it away."

Kakashi nodded.

He knew this meant the case would become a cold case.

But there was no other way.

The Yamanaka Clan, Aburame Clan, and Inuzuka Clan had all been dispatched simultaneously, yet they only found a few individuals with no criminal potential whatsoever.

It was even less likely for anyone else to find the true culprit. This incident would probably just be left unresolved.

Inside the dilapidated house.

Uzumaki Naruto crushed a cockroach with his foot, leaned back on the bed, and slightly closed his eyes.

This time... I was a bit irrational...

Killing the shop owner felt satisfying, but it was still too impulsive.

The Ninja World had all sorts of strange abilities.

The Inuzuka Clan's dogs, the Aburame Clan's insects—if Impure World Reincarnation was used, even corpses could speak.

However, Uzumaki Naruto had no regrets.

If he had power but still remained timid, that's what a true good-for-nothing would do.

Uzumaki Naruto spoke:

"Purchase Adamantine Chains!!!"

The Golden Chains model on the counter gradually dimmed.

The next second.

The Chakra within Uzumaki Naruto's body mutated, changing from light blue to light gold, gradually condensing and shimmering with light.