The Third Hokage's Upset Face

After getting the newest Icha Icha Paradise, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kakashi with satisfaction.

"Where were we?"

Kakashi, his face dark, briefly described Uzumaki Naruto's recent physical changes.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, then his gaze grew serious. He set his pipe aside and asked in a deep voice, "You said Uzumaki Naruto's body has become stronger?"

Kakashi nodded.

"Yes, Uzumaki Naruto is about 1.1 meters tall now, and he walks with more strength. He's much better than before."

As he said this, Kakashi was also incredibly surprised.

He often saw Uzumaki Naruto in the village buying ramen. Could eating ramen for all three meals really make his body better?

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply.

Although he hadn't assigned anyone to constantly monitor Uzumaki Naruto, he often observed him through a crystal ball, so he knew the condition of Uzumaki Naruto's physical constitution.

Stunted growth!!!

Students in Uzumaki Naruto's class were typically between 104.1-132.1 cm tall.

But Uzumaki Naruto had barely reached 95 cm.

He was well aware of this, and had even intentionally caused it, precisely to prevent Uzumaki Naruto from developing too well.

As long as his physical development was slow, the less likely Uzumaki Naruto would be to awaken the Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai.

If things stayed this way until graduation, Uzumaki Naruto wouldn't be able to awaken the Adamantine Chains and would only become an ordinary ninja.

But now... Uzumaki Naruto's physical condition had strangely improved... Could it be... that Uzumaki Naruto was about to awaken the Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai?

The more Sarutobi Hiruzen thought about it, the more serious he became, and his expression turned somewhat grim.

The Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai, the Adamantine Chains, was hailed as the strongest sealing jutsu in the Ninja World. It could suppress the Nine-Tails with just one's own power.

Back when Uzumaki Kushina gave birth, even in her weakened state, she was still able to suppress the Nine-Tails with the Adamantine Chains.

If Uzumaki Kushina hadn't been too weak to perform the seal, Minato Namikaze wouldn't have needed to use the Reaper Death Seal.

If Uzumaki Naruto awakened the Adamantine Chains, he would likely be able to control the Nine-Tails' Chakra in no time.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was grim. He wouldn't allow Uzumaki Naruto to escape his control. He stood up and said in a deep voice, "Kakashi, you can leave for now. We'll go see Uzumaki Naruto later."

Once Kakashi had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew slightly somber as he muttered to himself:

"Minato Namikaze, Uzumaki Kushina, don't blame me. I had no choice in this..."

"This is a sacrifice for Konoha Village. I hope Uzumaki Naruto doesn't awaken his Kekkei Genkai, otherwise..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, his face dark, and looked out the window.

The street was bustling with people and traffic, street vendors loudly hawked their wares, and children played and chased each other, making it exceptionally lively and prosperous.

"Yes, this is a sacrifice made for Konoha Village."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said darkly.

After the Nine-Tails' rampage, in order to prevent the villagers' resentment from being directed at him, he had actively chosen to sacrifice Uzumaki Naruto.

He concealed Uzumaki Naruto's true identity, making him the village's outlet for their anger.

This way, he would remain without blemish.

But if Uzumaki Naruto awakened the Adamantine Chains and then learned the truth from the Nine-Tails, he would surely resent him.

"Absolutely not allowed."

A cold glint flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. He picked up his cape and hat and strode out of the office.

A dark entity, a demon, is encroaching upon the demon city, Tokyo. Opposing them is the righteous Demon Slayer Asagi.

One day, under the new moon's dark night, hundreds of demons appeared, claiming to be subordinates of the supposedly deceased evil Demon Slayer Oboro.

Defeating them was merely the prelude to an intense battle.

Asagi, who was supposed to bury the forces of darkness, fell into an evil trap and was manipulated.

Asagi's younger sister, the Demon Slayer apprentice Sakura, also fell into the succubus's clutches, drawing closer... the noble sisters...

Uzumaki Naruto rested his pencil on the white paper, flexing his aching wrist, a hint of helplessness in his azure eyes.

"Writing is really a pain. If only I could take on missions."

However, Uzumaki Naruto knew it was impossible. If he were to reveal his Scorch Release, he would likely be stripped of his freedom the next second.

Neither Sarutobi Hiruzen nor Shimura Danzo would allow a Jinchuriki with formidable power to exist.

Only a weak Jinchuriki was a good Jinchuriki.

Exhaling, Uzumaki Naruto calmed himself. He was still too weak right now to show too much emotion.

Just as Uzumaki Naruto picked up his pen again, a sudden knock came from the old, worn door.

"Who is it!?"

Uzumaki Naruto frowned slightly.

He didn't have any family, and his school friends rarely visited, so who could be knocking?

Could it be…

A cold glint appeared in Uzumaki Naruto's eyes, and flames ignited on his fingertips.

"An enemy!?"

"It's that old Hokage guy from back then, and Minato Namikaze's disciple."

The Nine-Tails' lazy voice drifted out.

With Uzumaki Naruto's permission, the Nine-Tails could sense the surrounding environment.

Uzumaki Naruto's expression gradually turned cold, then he shook his head, instantly reverting to his usual gentle smile.

No. I have to control my emotions.

Uzumaki Naruto looked towards the bathroom, walked over, and quickly found what he was looking for.

Dozens of buckets of instant ramen broth!!!

He hadn't thrown them out before, leaving them at home to continuously ferment, mixed with some insect corpses. It was practically a bio-weapon.

He poured dozens of buckets of ramen broth into a basin.

Uzumaki Naruto carried the basin to the front door.