What Do You Want to Do in the Future

As the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto Uzumaki was monitored and protected around the clock by no fewer than two teams of elite Anbu.

The Anbu regularly reported Naruto's daily routine and everything he did to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

Over the past year, Naruto Uzumaki's behavior could be summed up as monotonous, yet orderly.

He got up at six in the morning. After washing up, Naruto made himself breakfast. Once he finished eating, he moved around the room a little to aid digestion, then sat at his desk and stared out the window in a daze.

This daze lasted until around noon. Then Naruto got up and made himself lunch. After eating, he moved around as usual before returning to his old seat to continue staring out the window.

His afternoon daze lasted a little longer, until seven in the evening.

After making and eating dinner, Naruto went out at eight, when night had fallen and almost everyone had gone home. He began running through the silent Konoha.

His route was random and never fixed.

However, he deliberately avoided the bustling districts with vibrant nightlife.

At half past nine, Naruto finished his run and went to the Shopping Street to buy the daily necessities he needed. Then he carried them home, took a bath, and went to sleep.

And so, another day passed.

Simple, yet orderly.

Day after day, without a single ripple.

There was nothing wrong with such a life for an adult. Not everyone liked making friends, and many people preferred solitude.

But for a child who had only just turned four, it seemed far too isolated. It would be easy for an observer to think he had autism.

Looking at Naruto like this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt some heartache. He knew what the reason was, but he had no way to change it.

Or rather, he did not want to change it.

Although he had not been the one to reveal Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki, the current situation benefited Sarutobi Hiruzen as Hokage.

A Jinchuriki rejected by everyone else in the village would see Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen as his only source of warmth. Naturally, he would become a loyal force supporting him, which was beneficial to Hiruzen's rule as Hokage.

A Jinchuriki was power that had to be held in the Hokage's hands.

"Naruto."

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, waking the daydreaming Naruto with a gentle voice.

He wanted to talk to Naruto and understand what he was thinking at that moment.

Naruto, who had been reading Five Thousand Years of Chinese History, was startled awake by the call from outside. Once he came back to his senses, he looked toward the source of the voice, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Third Hokage."

Naruto cried out in delighted surprise, jumping down from his chair and hurrying toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, who stood not far away.

Sarutobi Hiruzen still wore his kindly smile. He reached out and rubbed the top of Naruto's head, which only came up to his waist, then asked with a smile, "Naruto, what were you thinking about? You did not even notice me coming in."

Naruto answered without hesitation, "I was thinking about what I want to do in the future."

Having just read Five Thousand Years of Chinese History, Naruto had drooled over the stories of all those legendary figures. Without realizing it, he began thinking about what he would do in the future and what kind of person he would become.

But he was still too young and knew too little. He had yet to figure out what exactly he wanted to do in the future.

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart stirred. The smile on his face did not change as he continued asking, "So, have you thought of what you want to do?"

"I haven't. I'm still too young, so I can't think of an answer. I really want to grow up quickly. Then I can go see many places and learn more knowledge.

"By then, I'll know what I really want to do."

Naruto answered with a smile.

"Then read more books when you have nothing to do. I'll have someone bring you some books later. Also, don't stay home by yourself all the time. Go out more, so you can make other friends," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile.

"I go out every day," Naruto replied.

Hearing that, the smile on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face stiffened.

He remembered Naruto's routine. In order to avoid people, he only went out when everything was silent.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he took Naruto by the hand.

He began telling Naruto about the brothers Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, and Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, who had pacified the chaotic world, founded Konoha Ninja Village, and pushed the entire world from the Warring States Period into the current age of peace.

While he was at it, he also explained what the Will of Fire was.

Unlike previous times, when he only stayed briefly while delivering Naruto's living expenses, Sarutobi Hiruzen remained for a full two hours today. An enthusiastic Naruto even pulled him over to eat a bowl of Hot and Sour Shredded Pork Noodles that he had made himself.

It had to be said, the taste was quite good.

Hiruzen was just a little curious how Naruto had learned to make this new kind of dish that he himself had never eaten before.

Had Naruto come up with it himself?

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen soon came up with a reasonable explanation. Naruto had always lived under his watchful eye, and Hiruzen knew what he did every day.

In that case, this was the only explanation.

As he left, Sarutobi Hiruzen savored the flavor of the meal he had just eaten and recalled his conversation with Naruto.

He had gained quite a lot today. At the very least, he understood that Naruto was not an autistic child. At such a young age, he was already thinking about his future, possessed a strong thirst for knowledge, and had considerable creativity. It could be said that he was precocious.

As long as he was guided properly, he would surely become someone useful to Konoha in the future.

"It seems I should bring Naruto more books from now on."

With that thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen strode away. He had spent rather too long here today, and he still had plenty of official business to handle.

Meanwhile, as Naruto watched Sarutobi Hiruzen leave, he felt somewhat reluctant to see him go.

In all of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen was the only person who did not look at him strangely. Unfortunately, he was the Hokage, the leader of the entire village, and was busy handling all kinds of major matters. He could not come visit Naruto often.

Not long after Sarutobi Hiruzen left, an Anbu suddenly appeared and delivered several books to Naruto before vanishing cleanly and decisively.

Naruto placed the books on the table, spread them out, and examined them one by one.

Will of Fire, Modern History of the Ninja World, Konoha History, Ninja World Geography, Chakra Refinement Detailed Explanation, Three Body Technique, Basic Body Technique Training Methods, Shuriken Throwing from Beginner to Mastery.

Picking up Will of Fire, the book closest to hand, Naruto casually flipped through it. Its contents were more or less the same as what the Third Hokage had told him earlier.

He immediately tossed it aside without much interest.

To be honest, Naruto was rather disdainful of that sort of thing.