Senju Clan Bloodline

"Mm, is it morning already? No, it seemed like dawn was about to break before I went to sleep." Naruto returned from Kurama's consciousness space to reality, and his body awakened as well.

"The original body is awake. The operation was a success—you're a girl now!" the Shadow Clone beside him joked.

"Since you're still here, that means nothing went wrong. That's good." Naruto's consciousness gradually cleared after returning from the consciousness space.

"Let me see what good stuff Kurama gave me." Naruto had a premonition that this card draw was guaranteed to be a disaster—no, guaranteed to deliver!

Although Kurama had not said it aloud, he had probably acknowledged me in his heart already, so the reward should be pretty good.

"Congratulations, Host. Mission completed. You have gained Kurama's acknowledgment."

"Congratulations, Host. You have received the reward: Wood-Style Senju Clan bloodline!"

"Holy crap, System. Are you really trying to make me attain enlightenment with my body or something? Turn me into a Bloodline Sage?" Naruto could not help complaining.

It was not that this reward was bad. It was too good, so good that Naruto found it unreal.

With this reward, he had gathered several of the powerful bloodlines from Naruto: the Uchiha Clan bloodline, the Uzumaki Clan bloodline, and the Wood-Style Senju Clan bloodline. If he received a few more bloodlines in the future...

Could he summon a Bloodline Sage after collecting seven bloodlines and have one wish granted?

Jokes aside, Naruto quickly accepted the reward.

The characteristics of the Wood-Style Senju Clan bloodline were actually quite close to those of the Uzumaki Clan, though there were still some differences.

Members of the Senju Clan of the Forest possessed bodies with chakra affinity. They could control Chakra better and develop and utilize it with greater precision.

In the original work, whether it was Tsunade's monstrous strength or Tobirama's genius-level development abilities, both were built upon extremely precise Chakra control. Even Hashirama's Wood Release was the same. The Senju Clan possessed both enormous Chakra reserves and excellent control, which gave them formidable combat ability.

The Uzumaki Clan, on the other hand, developed in a completely different direction. Their strengths lay in vitality, physical adaptability, and their mastery and inheritance of Fūinjutsu.

But without question, stacking the two together would produce an effect greater than the sum of its parts.

"I stayed up all night, so I'm a little sleepy. I'll go back, eat breakfast, then get some sleep."

After recalling the two Shadow Clones that had been standing guard beside him, Naruto felt even more exhausted. After all, the two clones had been keeping watch for so long.

Naruto's current state was like pulling an all-nighter—he was somewhat alert, yet utterly exhausted, caught in a contradictory state.

Using the Transformation Jutsu, he returned home.

The Shadow Clones at home had slept quite comfortably. One was sleeping on the bed, while the other slept beneath it.

Taking advantage of the Anbu guards' inattention, Naruto successfully dispelled the Shadow Clones. He did it so quickly that they could not react at all.

The two Shadow Clones had rested fairly well, and after recalling them, Naruto's mental state actually improved somewhat.

"Huh? Did I discover a bug in the Shadow Clone Jutsu?" Naruto said in surprise.

"If I make some Shadow Clones train while others rest and sleep, wouldn't that make me a perpetual-motion machine?"

It had to be said that Naruto's idea was indeed feasible. However, it placed a tremendous burden on the original body's mental strength, and Naruto's strength was already growing quickly.

There was no need to race against every second to that extent. He still had time. Once the plot officially began, he could assess his strength then and decide whether he needed to push himself so hard.

Even if he simply walked Naruto's path again, he could ultimately seal Kaguya Otsutsuki. As for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, he could worry about that later.

Every hurdle was hard to cross, but every hurdle could be crossed.

The road had to be walked one step at a time, and meals had to be eaten one bite at a time!

Pretending to have just woken up, Naruto got up and ate a nutritious meal. Perhaps because the Wood-Style Senju Clan bloodline was merging with him, his appetite had increased again, and he wolfed down the food.

Fortunately, the nutritious food the System had given him before was plentiful. If he ran out, he could always mooch off Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After eating and drinking his fill, Naruto immediately relaxed. The exhaustion in his body gradually worsened. At this point, all he could do was sleep first!

Naruto lay back down on the bed, tucked himself in, and happily went back to sleep.

"What's with this kid Naruto? He got up, ate a meal, then went right back to sleep? And that amount he ate just now was several times what I eat. Eat, then sleep... youth really is great. He can fall asleep the moment his head hits the pillow!" Kakashi Hatake, who was watching over Naruto nearby, felt somewhat helpless.

"But that's fine. Children should sleep more while they're young so they can grow." Kakashi nodded in satisfaction.

In a flash, an Anbu appeared beside Kakashi and said quietly, "Kakashi Hatake, Lord Third Hokage wants to see you. Please go to the Hokage's Office."

"Oh? Hokage-sama wants to see me? I'll go right away." Leaving the situation here to the Anbu, Kakashi departed without worry.

Naruto was sleeping at home now, and it did not look like he would be getting up anytime soon. I should see what the Third Hokage wants.

Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique and instantly vanished from the area around Naruto's home.

He soon arrived at the Hokage's Office.

After politely knocking on the door, he entered the Hokage's Office.

At this time, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was not alone in the Hokage's Office. Sitting nearby were Root's leader, Shimura Danzō.

As well as the two Hokage advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Seeing this lineup, Kakashi immediately understood that this meeting was no simple matter!

"Hokage-sama, you summoned me?" Kakashi asked Hiruzen Sarutobi directly.

"Lord Danzō, Lady Koharu, Lord Homura, hello," he added, not forgetting to greet the other three.

"Kakashi, have a seat. I called you here to ask what you think of Naruto after protecting him for this period of time. Don't worry. Just tell the truth."

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi invited Kakashi to sit. His words implied that he wanted to ask about Naruto's situation.

But with the three people around them present as well, it could not be that simple.

Kakashi considered it briefly. Shimura Danzō probably wanted complete control over the Nine-Tails inside Naruto and wanted Naruto to become an obedient Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but he could not win against Hiruzen Sarutobi.

That was why he had joined forces with the two Hokage advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, to inquire about Naruto.

However, the two advisors were fence-sitters who chose different sides depending on the situation, so his answer would likely be quite important.

"Hokage-sama, based on my protection of Naruto during this period, I have found that he is simply born to become Hokage. Not only is he kind to others, but he also enjoys making friends. Everyone who befriends him genuinely likes him. This child also knows gratitude, handles people and situations with great thoughtfulness, and understands things without being taught. He has high emotional intelligence."

"Furthermore, Naruto has repeatedly declared that he will become Hokage in the future. I believe the Will of Fire has already taken root in his heart, and he will definitely become an outstanding ninja who protects Konoha!"

Kakashi truthfully expressed what he thought.

Shimura Danzō rapped his cane against the floor in dissatisfaction. "Kakashi, don't embellish Uzumaki Naruto like this just because he is the son of your teacher, Minato Namikaze.

"We have all seen how the villagers treat him. How could Uzumaki Naruto possibly grow up in such an environment and still be so magnanimous, repaying resentment with kindness? I think this is all just your imagination!"

"Danzō! Don't think of Naruto that way. Besides, everything Kakashi said is true. The Root ninja you sent to monitor Naruto would naturally know that as well. You can ask your Root ninja what they have to say." Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Shimura Danzō at that moment.

"Hmph, then let's ask. Bring in the Root ninja responsible for monitoring Uzumaki Naruto!" Shimura Danzō naturally did not believe Kakashi. He had secretly instigated and guided the villagers' attitude toward Naruto himself. He did not believe anyone could remain uncorrupted in such an environment.

As long as Uzumaki Naruto showed even the slightest dissatisfaction toward the villagers, Danzō would have an excuse to take him over. After Root brainwashed him, he would have another Jinchuriki weapon in his hands. Then becoming Hokage would be within reach!

Thinking of this, Danzō could not stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.

"Lord Danzō!" The Root ninja was highly efficient and quickly arrived at the Hokage's Office.

Danzō asked him, "Tell us, how has Uzumaki Naruto been behaving lately? Has he shown any signs of wanting to rebel or harm the villagers? You must answer truthfully."

What Danzō meant was that he should report even the slightest sign so that Danzō could proceed with his next move.

"Reporting to Lord Danzō, after monitoring Uzumaki Naruto these past few days, we found no sign whatsoever that he intends to betray Konoha. On the contrary, he is very tolerant toward everyone, and many children from major clans are willing to play with him."

"As far as we know, Uzumaki Naruto's close friends include Nara Shikamaru of the Nara Clan, Inuzuka Kiba of the Inuzuka Clan, Yamanaka Ino of the Yamanaka Clan, and Akimichi Choji of the Akimichi Clan."

Danzō's eyes instantly widened, and he said excitedly, "How is that possible? How could anyone accomplish something like that?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed as he said to Danzō, "Danzō, I told you long ago that Naruto is a good child. He will not cause any harm to Konoha."

Danzō's unwillingness was plain to see as he roared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hiruzen! You plotted against me! How could those clans possibly allow their children to play with Uzumaki Naruto? You must have instructed them in secret!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not lose his composure after Danzō exposed him. He calmly said, "That's right. I did instruct the clan heads, but all I told them was that they could allow their younger members to interact normally with Uzumaki Naruto. What made them become friends, however, was Naruto's own personal charm."

"Give up, Danzō. I will not hand Naruto over to you." Judging from the situation, Danzō had suffered a complete defeat in this contest.

He believed himself to understand human nature, yet he did not understand that Naruto was a transmigrator who possessed Oscar-level acting skills. Ever since being reborn, he had never let down his guard easily.

He had been on guard against villains like Danzō all along, using a villain's heart to judge a gentleman's intentions!

Seeing that the outcome had been decided, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both chose their sides.

"Danzō, since Uzumaki Naruto shows no suspicion whatsoever of wanting to rebel, then when the Ninja Academy opens in a while, Uzumaki Naruto may naturally enroll," Mitokado Homura said.

"That's right. Uzumaki Naruto's performance has already earned our approval, so he can naturally enter an elite class. That will also benefit our cultivation of him." Utatane Koharu echoed him.

Hearing this, Kakashi understood everything.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had probably proposed sending Uzumaki Naruto to the Ninja Academy, and even placing him in an elite class. Shimura Danzō had opposed it, believing that Uzumaki Naruto might rebel and could not be allowed into the Ninja Academy to harm the other students.

In truth, Danzō wanted to pull Naruto into Root. If Naruto successfully entered the Ninja Academy, Root's ninja would have a harder time making their move.

The tide had turned. Although Danzō did not want to admit it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangements were indeed more thorough than his.

And despite all his calculations, he had never expected the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki not to be affected by the Nine-Tails. Logically, in such an environment, the darkness deep in Uzumaki Naruto's heart should have been easily amplified.

Had the Nine-Tails changed its nature? Or had Uzumaki Naruto's own will become strong enough to overcome the influence of the Nine-Tails?

Or could it be that Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze had left some secret contingency behind?

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!" Danzō angrily struck the floor with his cane before finally slamming the door behind him as he left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, having won this clash, beamed as he shouted at Danzō's departing back, "Remember, Danzō, I am the Hokage!"

That shout left Hiruzen Sarutobi feeling refreshed, as though he had become several years younger.

"Then Hiruzen, we'll be leaving as well. We have other matters to attend to." Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also chose to depart.

"Kakashi, go back and take good care of Naruto. I'll have to trouble you for a while longer. Once the Ninja Academy opens, you will not need to watch over Naruto every day. You will only need to check on him from time to time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was in high spirits, and he spoke gently to Kakashi.

"Yes! Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave!"

Kakashi left the Hokage's Office and returned to the area around Naruto's home to watch over him once more.

Today's victory belonged entirely to Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Shimura Danzō had suffered a crushing defeat!

(PS: Please urge more updates, and please watch the free ads. You can watch them three times a day. Thank you all for your support!)

(The recent data has been getting worse and worse. Please watch the ads and help save the numbers, or it really feels like there's no hope left!)

(Starting today, in the Author's note, I will write down the readers who tip me each day and thank them individually. Thank you for your support every day, Arigato!)

(If you do not see your name, it means I had not seen your tip when I was writing the novel. I will add it the next day!)