I Just Quietly Watched You Perform

Facing everyone's gaze, Naruto's expression did not change in the slightest. At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen also looked at Naruto with a complex expression. Now, he could fully confirm that Naruto must have learned about his own lineage, perhaps something that happened during the process of contending for the Nine-Tailed Chakra. After all, the seal of the Nine-Tails was set by Naruto's parents, Minato and Kushina, and it was not strange for them to have left some backup plan inside. And Naruto, after learning his true identity and recalling his situation over the years, must have a lot of resentment and dissatisfaction toward him. Otherwise, Naruto, who had been close to him since childhood and called him Third Hokage, would not have so distantly addressed him as Third Hokage. Such a display of his own strength was also a way of expressing his dissatisfaction. And the reason why he had mastered such powerful strength without directly attacking Konoha was likely due to the dissuasion and requests of Minato and Kushina. Otherwise, it would not be strange for an ignorant child who suddenly gained such powerful strength to do anything. Within a very short time, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought a lot. He knew that he probably could no longer treat Naruto as a child to be casually coaxed from now on. If he wanted to keep the powerful strength of the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, he had to make some changes. Otherwise, losing the assistance of the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki was a minor matter, but if Naruto as the Jinchuriki turned against them, it would be even more awkward. To be honest, since they were living well, no one wanted to die. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was already old, he had not lived enough, and he did not want to casually use the Reaper Death Seal to perish together with the Jinchuriki. After all, having watched Naruto grow up, Sarutobi Hiruzen still had some confidence in his ability to persuade and dispel Naruto's resentment. Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. He waved his hand toward the surroundings, signaling, "It's nothing, disperse." Although the surrounding Jonin were very curious about what would happen next, they could not defy the will of Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Hokage, and they successively used the Body Flicker Technique to disperse. At this moment, beside the waterfall, only Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi remained. Facing Naruto, Sarutobi Hiruzen still held onto a last shred of luck and asked, "Naruto, did you see your father and mother?" Naruto glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his gaze slightly cold. Then he nodded indifferently, his voice without a single ripple as he said, "Yeah. They left chakra avatars in the seal. Father wants me to protect the village, and mother wants to punch your head off." Naruto was not lying; Minato and Kushina truly had that thought. As for his own thoughts, there was no need to share them with Sarutobi Hiruzen. Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned slightly awkward, and then he sighed. This thought really was exactly the same as Minato's and Kushina's. Pulling out his pipe and lighting it, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a desolate tone, "Naruto, do you harbor resentment in your heart that I didn't take good care of you? Alas, as the Hokage, I also have many helpless moments." "My work is usually very busy, and I have to handle all sorts of big and small matters in the village, making it impossible to accompany you at all times." "Your father Minato had many enemies back then, so to ensure that you could grow up healthy and safe, I chose to hide your identity. I just didn't expect Danzo to violate my orders and spread rumors, making you suffer so much all these years." "However, after that, I punished Danzo, and not long ago I even disbanded his Root." Naruto was noncommittal, quietly watching the Third Hokage perform. "Starting tomorrow, Naruto, you should move back to your parents' former residence. Kakashi, you will quit the Anbu from now on. As Minato's student, you should take responsibility and take care of Naruto. I permit you to teach him ninjutsu." Hearing these words, Kakashi—who was standing to the side, shocked and gratified by Naruto's display of such powerful strength and clearly stuck in a state of reminiscing about his master and master's wife—stumbled for a moment. Only then did he excitedly say in a loud voice, "Yes, Third Hokage!" Even if he couldn't teach Naruto, as long as he was permitted to look after Naruto's daily life, that would be a form of fine redemption for Kakashi at this moment. On that bloody night of the Uchiha clan's annihilation over two years ago, Kakashi first learned that his master's child was still alive in this world, and thereby rediscovered a bit of passion for life. It salvaged some of his soul that had been sliding toward the abyss. To be honest, seeing Naruto struggling so much over the past two years, his heart ached. Yet reality left him powerless to act. Now, things were finally changing. It was truly wonderful. Sasuke at the side was clearly a bit dazed. His buddy's father was named Minato? The Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze? He had thought Naruto was just an ordinary commoner kid, but in the blink of an eye, he had become the Prince of Konoha? However, this did not make Sasuke feel jealousy or dissatisfaction; instead, in his heart, he felt a sense of sorrow for his friend named Naruto. The contrast between this status and treatment was truly something... Pausing, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke again, "Since Naruto has now grown up and possesses sufficient strength to protect himself, announcing your identity will no longer pose any danger." "Starting tomorrow, I will announce Naruto's identity as the son of the Fourth Hokage to every villager in the village." With that, a gentle and kind smile hung on his face as he cast an expectant gaze toward Naruto. At this moment, the look Naruto directed at Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat surprised. His initial goal was merely to eliminate potential conflicts and battles with the village; as for anything else, it was outside his sphere of concern—take it or leave it. The current situation was an unexpected pleasant surprise for him. After his status changed, even if those villagers continued to shun him due to his status as a Jinchuriki, it would surely be better than now. Although Naruto didn't care what those villagers thought of him, no one wanted to stay forever in an environment where they were ignored. However, toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, Naruto still felt only coldness in his heart. This tactic of neutralizing pressure while shifting the blame was indeed quite brilliant. If he were a normal ten-year-old child, he surely would have been fooled by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and his target of hatred would have been shifted onto Danzo, the Pot Kage. It was just that Sarutobi Hiruzen had underestimated Naruto's wisdom. If Sarutobi Hiruzen had seized the momentum to propose returning the secret techniques and legacy left by his father and mother, Naruto might have held him in slightly higher regard. Yet now, this kind of nondescript, petty disposition treatment plan was only good for fooling children. This only made the killing intent in Naruto's heart all the more resolute. Right at this moment, however, he didn't say much more, merely nodding and bowing slightly in thanks: "Thank you, Third Hokage." Hiruzen, meanwhile, glanced at the bewildered Sasuke, then looked at the excited Kakashi, and finally let his gaze linger on the expressionless Naruto, letting out a slight internal sigh: "Perhaps it is about time to find Jiraiya and bring him back."