Sincerity Is the Most Powerful Weapon

As for Naruto learning ninjutsu and attending the Ninja School, Konoha's high-ranking officials had actually gone through a heated, red-faced debate.

Of course, Danzō was the only one arguing his case with reason.

When he first heard that Naruto Uzumaki had yet to enroll and had already taught himself a C-Rank Ninjutsu at the mere age of five, Danzō—who had not cared in the slightest—was completely stunned.

What the hell kind of talent was that?

Even Minato Namikaze had not possessed that kind of talent for ninjutsu!

Then, upon hearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi actually wanted to send such a genius to play house at the Ninja School, Danzō instantly came back to his senses.

Bang!!

He slammed the table, drawing the other three's attention.

Then he stood up and said sternly, "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki possesses such extraordinary talent. If he develops any thoughts he shouldn't have, he will pose an enormous threat to Konoha!"

But Danzō could only keep up the serious act for a few seconds before revealing his true intentions. "Why not hand him over to Root? Let me train him into a true weapon!"

After speaking, Danzō lowered his single eye and looked at the silent Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

"Huh? Mm-hm."

Only after catching Danzō's look did Mitokado Homura snap out of it. "I agree with Danzō. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is so gifted that leaving him unchecked is indeed somewhat dangerous."

"...I second that."

Utatane Koharu's eye twitched as she echoed him.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi merely took a hard drag from his pipe and said in a deep voice, "Naruto will not be handed over to Root. He is a steadfast inheritor of the Will of Fire."

The Will of Fire, the Will of Fire—always the Will of Fire!!

Danzō's heart clenched with fury as he roared, "You're wasting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's talent! You—"

Smack!

Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed three thin booklets directly in front of them.

"Take a look. These are transcripts of Little Naruto's diary."

As the three flipped through the booklets with puzzled expressions, Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely, "Which of you understands the Will of Fire more deeply than he does?"

"This..."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were left speechless.

But the more Danzō read, the more delighted he became.

"The more a tree yearns for the light above, the deeper its roots must reach downward—into the soil, into the depths of darkness."

That line especially struck straight at his heart, stirring a powerful resonance within him!!

Wasn't that precisely what Root stood for?

Only by silently guarding Konoha's prosperity from the shadows could Konoha's branches and leaves grow ever stronger.

"Naruto Uzumaki—this boy has promise!"

If he had previously wanted to turn Naruto Uzumaki into an emotionless weapon of war, then now, he had changed his mind.

He wanted Naruto Uzumaki to become his right-hand man, then inherit the position of Root's leader!!

"Hiruzen! You must hand Naruto Uzumaki over to me!"

Danzō stared straight into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, his gaze firmer than it had ever been.

"Root cannot give him what he needs right now. What Naruto needs now is not strength, but friends—Bonds."

"But," Hiruzen Sarutobi said as he slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, his tone meaningful, "just like his father and mother."

Naruto Uzumaki's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, had been the previous generation's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

She had not originally held deep feelings for Konoha, but she had "coincidentally" been rescued by Minato Namikaze in a heroic rescue, saved from the Cloud Village all by himself.

After that, Konoha gained two elite combat forces.

Danzō had also asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for Kushina back then, saying that he would train her into an emotionless weapon.

But the facts proved that Hiruzen Sarutobi's methods were still superior.

"Uh..."

After hesitating for a moment, Mitokado Homura finally gave an awkward laugh. "Danzō, I think Hiruzen makes sense. Young people should be given some opportunities, after all."

"...I second that."

The two Konoha Advisors once again fulfilled their roles as yes-men and fence-sitters.

Adding yet another blaze of fury to Shimura Danzō's heart.

The discussion that followed was much simpler.

"I will make Naruto Uzumaki completely harmless!"

"Danzō, Naruto himself is already completely harmless."

"I will make Naruto Uzumaki the heir to Root!!"

"Danzo, Naruto is better suited to become Hokage."

"Hiruzen! You'll regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage."

Danzo argued his case, red-faced and furious, while Hiruzen Sarutobi mercilessly rejected him with an expressionless face.

In the end, Hiruzen once again pulled out the line, "I am the Hokage," successfully leaving Danzo speechless. Danzo finally stormed off with a furious flick of his sleeve.

And so, the discussion came to a complete end. Naruto gained the opportunity to attend the Ninja School.

"Third Grandfather!"

Naruto's voice interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.

"Hm? What is it?"

He came back to his senses and looked at the puff-cheeked Little Naruto.

"You weren't listening to me again!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. When you get old, it's easy to lose focus. What were you saying just now?"

Looking at the small Naruto before him, he could not help but feel emotional.

Whether it was talent, temperament, or even ideological awareness, Little Naruto was more outstanding than his father.

Leaf Village had produced geniuses in every generation—strategists as clever-minded as the Nara, warriors like the Uchiha Clan who could take on three opponents alone.

But people like Naruto, accomplished in both the literary and martial arts, were truly rare.

Moreover, he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. As long as he could grow up smoothly, he would surely go even farther in the future.

How could Leaf Village possibly fail to prosper?

"I mean, my birthday is coming up soon. Third Grandfather, do you want to come celebrate it with me?"

"Of course—"

Seeing the expectant look in Little Naruto's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi had wanted to agree without hesitation.

This was a perfect opportunity to win someone's heart.

But then he suddenly remembered the mess involving the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan, and he began to hesitate again.

"The Hyuga Main Branch has been urging me to discuss some important matter, while the Uchiha Clan is stirring restlessly. I have to find a way to figure out what they are planning."

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind. Wearing a guilty expression, he patted Little Naruto's head. "Sorry, Naruto. You know how busy I usually am with government affairs. I'm afraid it'll be difficult for me to make time to celebrate your birthday with you."

"Although I can't give you a definite answer, I promise I'll come celebrate your birthday once I'm done with work, all right?"

If necessary, he could just use a Shadow Clone to muddle through. Naruto probably would not notice anyway.

"Oh, okay..."

As he watched Little Naruto lower his head with a dejected look, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt not only helpless, but also faintly pleased.

It seemed his affinity was quite high after all. Naruto had already begun to see him as family he could rely on and trust.

Little did he know that Little Naruto was currently complaining wildly to Menma in his head.

"Third Grandfather is lying again. Every time we meet, there are barely a few truthful words in his mouth. Are all old people like this?"

Menma smiled. "People love lies not only because they fear the hardship of uncovering the truth, but also because they possess a natural yet rotten fondness for lies themselves."

One lie required countless more lies to cover it up.

For Naruto, sincerity was the strongest weapon.

Unfortunately, some people would never understand such a simple truth, even in their entire lives.

I posted the bonus chapter rules in the comments. Those who are able can go take a look~

I still owe two chapters so far. I'll make them up over the weekend.