Naruto: Getting Stronger by Drinking

Yuu looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's stiff expression and grinned. "What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing. What I mean is, I'll definitely take good care of those two brats—no, Naruto and Sasuke."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the stack of IOUs slapped down before him, forcing out a smile uglier than crying.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no doubt that if he dared refuse, never mind whether Yuu's blade was fast enough—

These IOUs alone would make sure the entire world knew by tomorrow!

Konoha's Third Hokage was buried beneath an unimaginably heavy debt!

That would only make his situation worse, considering he was already caught in the whirlwind of public opinion after those two bastards, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, had fought so fiercely.

As Konoha's longest-serving Hokage and the head of the prestigious Sarutobi Clan, he had actually accumulated such crushing debts.

There was simply far too much room for people's imaginations to run wild.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not even dare imagine how people would spin the story if this got out.

At his age, after experiencing Konoha's great transformation, what did Hiruzen Sarutobi care about most?

Of course, it was his dignity and reputation!

Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had no image to speak of in front of Yuu, he still paid great attention to maintaining his image as the Third Hokage before others.

He had also been planning to retire. If not for the fact that Yuu had shown no interest in becoming Hokage—or even a jonin—despite his repeated probing, he would have handed the Hokage position over to Yuu long ago.

During his final days in office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no desire to become the subject of gossip throughout the world.

Thinking back on his decades as Hokage, while there had certainly been many flaws and mistakes, he had still worked diligently.

Having lived through Konoha's