Having obtained the latest edition of Icha Icha Paradise, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kakashi with satisfaction.
"Where were we just now?"
Kakashi darkened his face as he described Uzumaki Naruto's recent physical changes.
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze for a moment, then his expression turned grave. Setting his pipe aside, he asked in a deep voice, "You said Uzumaki Naruto's body has gotten stronger?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Yes. Uzumaki Naruto has grown to around 1.1 meters tall, and he has more strength when he walks. He's much better off than before."
As he said this, Kakashi was deeply surprised as well.
He often saw Uzumaki Naruto buying ramen in the village. Could eating ramen for all three meals really improve one's body?
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned tightly.
Although he had not sent anyone to monitor Uzumaki Naruto at all times, he often watched through the crystal ball and knew exactly what Uzumaki Naruto's physical condition was like.
Underdeveloped!!!
The students in Uzumaki Naruto's class were all around 104.1 to 132.1 centimeters tall.
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Naruto had only barely reached 95 centimeters.
He knew this perfectly well. In fact, it had even been intentional, all to prevent Uzumaki Naruto from developing too well.
As long as his body developed slowly.
The less likely Uzumaki Naruto would be to awaken the Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai.
As long as things remained this way until graduation, Uzumaki Naruto would have no way to awaken Adamantine Chains and would only become an ordinary ninja.
But now... Uzumaki Naruto's physical abilities had increased so strangely... Could it be... Uzumaki Naruto was about to awaken the Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai?
The more Sarutobi Hiruzen thought about it, the graver he became, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.
The Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai was Adamantine Chains, hailed as the strongest sealing technique in the Ninja World. With it alone, one could suppress the Nine-Tails.
Back when Uzumaki Kushina gave birth, even in her weakened state, she had still been able to suppress the Nine-Tails with Adamantine Chains.
If Uzumaki Kushina had not been too weak to use a sealing technique, Minato Namikaze would not have needed to use the Reaper Death Seal at all.
If Uzumaki Naruto awakened Adamantine Chains, he would probably be able to control Nine-Tails Chakra before long.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was ugly. He would not allow Uzumaki Naruto to escape his control. Rising to his feet, he said in a deep voice, "Kakashi, leave first. We'll go see Uzumaki Naruto in a while."
After Kakashi left.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly as he muttered to himself:
"Minato Namikaze, Uzumaki Kushina, don't blame me. I have no choice either..."
"This is a sacrifice for Konoha. I hope Uzumaki Naruto cannot awaken his Kekkei Genkai. Otherwise..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood with a gloomy expression and looked out the window.
The streets were filled with people and traffic. Street vendors shouted their wares while children played and chased one another, making the scene especially bustling and prosperous.
"Yes, this is a sacrifice for Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said gloomily.
After the Nine-Tails Attack ended, in order to keep the villagers' resentment from being vented on himself, he had chosen to sacrifice Uzumaki Naruto.
He had concealed Uzumaki Naruto's true background and made him the village's outlet for their anger.
That way, there would not be a single stain on himself.
But if Uzumaki Naruto awakened Adamantine Chains and learned the truth from the Nine-Tails, he would definitely come to resent him.
"Absolutely not."
A cold glint flashed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. He picked up his cloak and conical hat, then strode out of the office.
A dark presence? Demons were encroaching upon the demon capital? In Tokyo, the righteous Taimanin Asagi fought against them.
One day, beneath the dark night of a new moon, hundreds of demons appeared, claiming to be the subordinates of Oboro, the evil Taimanin who was supposed to be dead.
Defeating them was only the prelude to an intense battle.
The forces that should have been buried in darkness had instead lured Asagi into an evil trap and trained her.
Asagi's younger sister, the Taimanin trainee Sakura, was also swept into the clutches of the lust demons, closing in on... the noble sisters...
Placing his pencil on the white paper, Uzumaki Naruto shook his aching wrist, a hint of helplessness in his azure eyes.
"Writing really is troublesome. It would be great if I could take missions instead."
However, Uzumaki Naruto knew that was impossible. If he revealed his Scorch Release, his freedom would probably be stripped away the very next second.
Neither Sarutobi Hiruzen nor Shimura Danzō would allow a Jinchuriki with formidable strength to exist.
Only a weak Jinchuriki was a good Jinchuriki.
Letting out a breath, Uzumaki Naruto steadied himself. He was still too weak and could not show too much emotion.
Just as Uzumaki Naruto picked up his pencil again, the shabby door suddenly sounded.
"Who is it!?"
Uzumaki Naruto frowned slightly.
He had no family, and his friends from school rarely came over. Why would someone be knocking on his door?
Could it be...
A trace of coldness appeared in Uzumaki Naruto's eyes as flames ignited around his five fingers.
"An enemy!?"
"It's that old Hokage from back then, along with Minato Namikaze's disciple."
The Nine-Tails' lazy voice rang out.
With Uzumaki Naruto's permission, the Nine-Tails could inspect the surrounding environment.
Uzumaki Naruto's expression gradually turned cold, but then he shook his head and returned to his usual gentle smile.
No.
He had to control his emotions.
Uzumaki Naruto looked toward the bathroom and walked over, quickly finding what he was looking for.
Dozens of buckets of instant ramen broth!!!
He had never thrown them away before, leaving them in the house to ferment. Mixed with insect corpses, they could be called biological weapons.
He poured the broth from dozens of instant ramen buckets into a basin.
Uzumaki Naruto carried the basin to the front door.
Before you continue