The World Forgot Me

Natsume had just said goodbye to Naruto Uzumaki when Anbu ninjas reported his whereabouts to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, someone naturally had to protect him around the clock.

If Naruto Uzumaki found out, he would probably waver again.

He had watched himself get beaten right in front of his eyes, yet had done nothing to help.

"Natsume really is a good kid."

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently studied the report. It contained two details.

First, Natsume had rescued Naruto Uzumaki from the bullying of some unruly brats.

Second, he had arranged for the owner of Gunma Casino to look after Naruto Uzumaki.

Opening a shop in Konoha required an inspection.

Otherwise, spies could easily sneak in.

Natsume had listed Tsunade as the casino's person in charge.

She was addicted to gambling anyway, so putting her in charge of a casino would not cause too much of a stir.

The reason Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Natsume was that he had not simply given Naruto Uzumaki anything. Instead, he had sold it to him, taking the child's pride into consideration.

At the same time, it showed his own excellent character.

But it had to be said that Natsume's contact with Naruto Uzumaki was beyond his expectations.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, before Naruto Uzumaki started school, he was to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's sole support.

Afterward, he would let Naruto Uzumaki have some reliable teachers and friends.

That would have been the best arrangement for him.

If the Nine-Tails unfortunately ran wild in the future, Naruto Uzumaki could rely on the bonds cultivated since childhood to awaken his feelings for Konoha and his friends, stopping the rampage in time and avoiding the worst possible outcome.

The only oversight had been Shimura Danzō forcing his way in and spreading the rumor that Naruto Uzumaki was the incarnation of a demon fox.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had initially wanted to stop him, but later chose to tacitly allow it.

Because it benefited his plan.

The villagers' indifference could accelerate Naruto Uzumaki's attachment to him, while he could also firmly control this powerful weapon.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally knew that Naruto Uzumaki's current life was miserable.

But these were necessary sacrifices.

As long as he endured these few years, Naruto Uzumaki would never be alone again.

"I'm getting old."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and looked out at Konoha.

As he grew older, his energy was far inferior to what it had once been.

If Naruto Uzumaki had been an ordinary child, he would certainly have let him grow up as the son of a hero.

But he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Konoha's strongest weapon. He was born to shoulder the responsibilities he was meant to handle, so he could not live such a carefree life.

As for Natsume, there was no harm in him coming into contact with Naruto Uzumaki.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's plans, the Fifth Hokage would be either Jiraiya or Tsunade.

Orochimaru's strength was indeed impressive, but there was something wrong with his temperament. He was not suited to be Hokage.

Shimura Danzō went without saying. His advanced age alone was enough to rule him out.

Jiraiya, however, was constrained by the so-called Child of Prophecy and wandered outside all day.

Tsunade suffered from Hemophobia and could barely even serve as an ordinary ninja.

Fortunately, she had recovered by now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi would have preferred Jiraiya to become Hokage, but realistically, Tsunade had the better chance.

As her disciple, Natsume would come into contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki sooner or later.

Besides, his performance at school showed that he was a worthy inheritor of the Will of Fire.

"To be safe, I'll go check on Naruto."

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed his clothes, left the Hokage's Office, and went straight to Naruto's home.

"Is Naruto home?"

A moment later, Naruto Uzumaki opened the door.

"Grandpa!"

He broke into a happy smile.

"Why are you so happy today? Did something interesting happen? Tell Grandpa about it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a kindly smile.

Every expression on his face played the part of a benevolent old grandfather.

"Yes."

Naruto Uzumaki took out the instant noodles and said, "I met a really nice big brother today. He was willing to sell me things!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled when he heard that. It was basically the same as what the report had said.

It seemed Natsume had not said anything strange.

"Oh, right! Grandpa, I noticed that the third statue on Hokage Rock looks a lot like you. Are you a Hokage?"

Naruto Uzumaki looked at him expectantly.

So far, Natsume's words had not made him suspicious of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

On the contrary, he was thrilled to learn that he was a Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately raised his chin slightly, adopting an imposing air, and said, "I am indeed a Hokage."

He often told stories about Konoha's founding and the Will of Fire.

Under his influence, Naruto longed for the Hokage position intensely.

He had not revealed his identity before precisely for this moment.

He wanted to transfer Naruto's admiration for the Hokage to himself, the current Hokage.

"Wow!"

Naruto Uzumaki rushed up to him and stared at him nonstop, his eyes filled with adoration.

"Grandpa Hokage, do you think I can become Hokage?"

He remembered the three unruly brats mocking him that morning.

"You can."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "As long as you have the determination and courage to protect Konoha, I believe you can definitely become Hokage."

"Yay!"

The Hokage's recognition made Naruto Uzumaki incredibly excited.

But soon, he became somewhat dejected.

"I want to protect everyone, but everyone is always mean to me. They say I'm a demon fox. Grandpa Hokage, am I really a demon fox?"

"You're not."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his pitiful expression and felt somewhat guilty. Thinking that he really should stop the rumor, he said, "Don't worry. Starting tomorrow, no one will ever call you a demon fox again."

"Really? Thank you, Grandpa!"

Naruto Uzumaki immediately broke into a brilliant smile.

So Grandpa Hokage had just been too busy before and had not noticed.

He would finally be able to go around the village normally tomorrow!

However, the next day, when he excitedly went out onto the main street, no one discussed him anymore, but no one paid any attention to him either.

Whenever people saw him, their eyes immediately filled with disgust, as if they had encountered something filthy, and they hurried away.

If before, "the world despised me," then now, "the world forgot me."

His circumstances had not improved as he had expected. Everyone had not accepted him; instead, they avoided him as if he did not exist.

That loneliness only grew more intense.

Naruto Uzumaki was at a loss.

He wanted to become Hokage and protect everyone.

But was it really worth it?

Because of your actions, Naruto Uzumaki's fate has changed. You gained eighteen Destiny Points.

Natsume, who had been practicing Wood Style Ninjutsu, dispersed the Chakra in his hands.

Eighteen points was rather little.

He guessed that their previous conversation had taken effect, causing Naruto Uzumaki to waver slightly in his feelings toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But not by much. He still needed to add fuel to the fire.

He would settle this matter before heading to the battlefield.

Natsume wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Tsunade had already chosen their mission recently, but they had not set out because she needed to make some preparations.

For example, making Antidote Pills or Ration Pills.

Natsume did not go directly to Naruto Uzumaki, as that would make people suspicious too easily.

He had the person in charge of Gunma Casino, Masahiro, wait for him to come by and buy something, then notify him immediately.

He did not have to wait long—only three days.

Naruto Uzumaki then arrived at Gunma Casino.

Actually, his purpose was not to buy anything but to see Natsume.

He had been having a very difficult time these past few days, so he thought of the big brother who had treated him well.