Hiruzen Sarutobi: Impregnable

"I'm doing fine right now."

Before entering the Hokage's office.

Naruto said softly to Kushina.

He was accustomed to a quiet and peaceful life.

Changes in his life made Naruto feel a sense of unfamiliarity.

But when these words reached Kushina's ears, they became her son's attempt to appear strong and hide his worries so his mother wouldn't worry.

"Naruto, don't worry, Mom will handle this for you."

Kushina, in her youthful form, pinched Naruto's cheek and reassured him, "That old man Hiruzen promised Minato!"

Naruto felt a bit helpless.

But after all, this was his mother's good intention.

The Anbu escorting them stared dumbfounded at the conversation and actions between the two.

Because of Kushina's appearance.

No one realized at that moment that she was a younger version of Kushina.

Kushina didn't wait for the Anbu to knock and pushed the door open herself.

Inside the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was leisurely smoking and looking at documents.

Hearing the door open, he instinctively looked towards the entrance.

The next second.

Hiruzen's pipe fell from his hand, his face trembling in shock.

Kushina???

What was going on with her?

Following behind her were Naruto Uzumaki and an Anbu member.

The Anbu was scolding Kushina, "Hey! Kid, you can't just barge into the Hokage's office!"

Hearing the Anbu's words, Hiruzen felt a prickle of dread.

He quickly said to the Anbu, "You're not needed here, you can go now."

The Anbu looked confused but didn't ask further questions.

"Kushina, what's going on?" Hiruzen swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice filled with disbelief.

Kushina's face was stiff as she said coldly, "Hiruzen Sarutobi, I recall you promised Minato something, didn't you?"

Seeing Kushina shield Naruto behind her.

Hiruzen knew what Kushina was referring to.

He gave a wry smile and explained to Kushina, "Kushina, you also know how Minato earned his reputation."

"He had too many enemies. If Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki were revealed, he would be targeted by many assassins."

Minato Namikaze's reputation was built on killing enemies.

Those enemies Minato killed also had families.

So, despite how popular Minato was in Konoha.

In reality, the other four great nations hated Minato to the bone.

The number of people who wanted revenge on Minato was countless.

If Naruto's identity had been exposed when he was still weak.

Even if Naruto stayed in Konoha, he would constantly face assassination attempts.

So, this explanation was somewhat consistent with the truth.

Kushina's expression softened slightly, but she thought of other issues.

Hiruzen answered them all.

This made Kushina feel like she was hitting cotton...

Why hide Naruto's identity?

Answer: Fear of assassination.

Why did Naruto live in an apartment building?

Answer: Because the Fourth Hokage's house was too conspicuous and could easily lead people to guess his identity.

Why was Naruto's living expenses insufficient?

Answer: The living expenses were absolutely sufficient; they were given to Naruto in installments from the Fourth Hokage's inheritance, but people deliberately sold things to Naruto at inflated prices...

Hiruzen had promised Minato that he would take care of Naruto.

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Hiruzen Sarutobi did indeed take care of things.

To prevent assassination, to prevent Naruto from wasting money, to prevent his identity from being exposed.

These were all Hiruzen Sarutobi's doing.

Can you say I didn't take care of him?

As they chatted, Kushina began to feel something was wrong.

She asked, puzzled, "Why do the people in the village equate Jinchuriki with monsters?"

If it was during the time she was a Jinchuriki herself.

It would still be considered normal.

After all, no one had any contact with Jinchuriki back then.

It was understandable that Hiruzen Sarutobi concealed Naruto's identity for his safety.

But why didn't he explain that Jinchuriki were not monsters, but heroes who sealed monsters?

Regarding this issue, the Hokage who always took the blame stated:

If you find something bad happening in the world of Naruto, but can't find out who is causing trouble.

Then, that's right!

Don't doubt it, it's me!

Shimura Danzō!

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head slightly, "These were all due to my momentary carelessness, allowing Danzō to deliberately spread rumors..."

And once rumors are formed.

They leave an ingrained impression in people's minds.

This led to Naruto's current situation of being despised by everyone in Konoha.

Because Danzō cleverly utilized the prestige of the Fourth Hokage.

He claimed Naruto was the Nine-Tails demon fox that killed the Fourth Hokage and destroyed Konoha.

This way, he exploited people's hatred, transferring their hatred for the Nine-Tails demon fox onto the innocent Naruto.

"Damn Danzō!" Kushina cursed angrily, then questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi, "You clearly know Danzō did this, so why did you let him continue to do evil?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi got a headache, "Danzō is a high-ranking official in Konoha, the leader of Root. Even I find it difficult to make rash changes."

"Moreover, even removing Danzō from his position wouldn't compensate for the harm done to Naruto..."

In fact, there was another matter that Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't voice.

It was that every village had its dark side.

The taller and bigger a tree grows, the larger the shadow it casts and the more nutrients it requires.

Every village needs high-ranking officials like Danzō.

Because when facing difficult matters, Danzō's strength would be needed.

And for the village to function, some people had to be sacrificed.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were both sacrifices for Konoha's operation.

After listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation, Kushina felt a sense of powerlessness.

She couldn't help but miss Minato.

If Minato were here, such a thing would never have happened.

Kushina was not a person without a spirit of sacrifice.

But now her child had become a sacrifice for the village, which was even harder for her to accept than sacrificing herself.

"Because punishing the wicked cannot undo the harm to the victim, so we shouldn't punish the wicked anymore?" The thought of the looks on people's faces on the road made Kushina's heart ache.

She simply couldn't understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's thinking.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, then said to Kushina, "Kushina, some matters are too complex, but I can try to make some changes."

This could be considered a concession.

Naruto also comforted Kushina, "Yeah, you won't be too sad. I have friends now, and I'm doing well. If no one bothers me, I'm happy to have some peace."

In Naruto's opinion, this debt with Hiruzen Sarutobi could be settled later.

Kushina made Naruto feel the warmth of being cared for.

But now Kushina's chakra was almost depleted.

Naruto didn't want to see her leave with regret.

Seeing Naruto being so sensible, Kushina felt even more heartbroken.

If her chakra weren't so low, she might have made a more drastic decision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also took the opportunity to promise Kushina, "Kushina, this is my fault. I promise that no villager will target little Naruto again."

The old man and the young man now had only one goal.

That was to appease Kushina's emotions, so that she wouldn't leave with regret, or at least not with hatred.