Slightly Uneasy Hiruzen Sarutobi

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window of the Hokage's office, staring expressionlessly at the bustling Konoha streets below.

He had long since dismissed Kakashi's proposal from his mind.

Implementing a Medical Ninja system like Tsunade?

The gap between Tsunade and Kakashi wasn't just about the title of "Legendary Sannin."

Though Kakashi was a top Jonin of Konoha, he would never come up with a proposal on this level; it wasn't his style at all.

Otherwise, after all this time, he would have brought it up already.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was almost certain that Kakashi's sudden push for reform today was directly related to the survival exercise that morning.

"Surpass the Fourth Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi softly repeated Kakashi's assessment of Naruto, his gaze involuntarily rising, passing over the entire village, and landing on the statue of Minato Namikaze on the Hokage Rock.

Just a few days ago, Naruto was still a child who only knew how to vandalize the faces of past Hokage with paint.

He was loud, at the bottom of his class, believed in the Will of Fire, and took pride in becoming Hokage.

Even though he didn't look like he could become Hokage at all back then.

But in the blink of an eye, Naruto not only matured suddenly but even easily defeated the top student of the year, Uchiha Sasuke, and the Chunin teacher Mizuki...

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't dislike Naruto becoming stronger.

After all, he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the village's "human weapon." If he could fully control the power of the Tailed Beast in the future, it would only benefit Konoha.

The stronger Naruto was, the safer the village would be.

However, he absolutely could not deviate from the correct path; the Will of Fire must be the ideal he firmly believed in.

Becoming Hokage was Naruto's only goal.

If his power were no longer used for the village, or if he even started to have his own "ideas," that would be the most dangerous thing.

Before long, an Anbu member, who had been secretly monitoring Naruto and wearing an animal-patterned mask, appeared in the office.

He knelt on one knee and reported in detail everything that had happened in Training Ground 3 just now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened silently, his expression unchanged, only occasionally tapping his fingers lightly on the windowsill. After listening, he waved his hand, signaling the Anbu to withdraw.

"Power is a double-edged sword..." Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself, emphasizing the last few words, "Especially the power of the Nine-Tails. A Jinchuriki who is too powerful and thinks too much... is unacceptable."

Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt the Anbu might have exaggerated. He then turned back to his desk, placed his right hand on the crystal ball on the desk, and slowly injected Chakra into it.

The image within the ball quickly changed, finally clearly showing Naruto Uzumaki.

He saw Naruto walking out of Ichiraku Ramen, patting his stomach, looking completely satisfied.

Then, he changed direction and naturally headed towards the Hyuga Clan compound.

"Going to see that young lady from the Hyuga Clan again?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the scene in the crystal ball, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

He was still just a boy at heart, after all.

It seemed the Jinchuriki was still under control.

With this thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi relaxed slightly, leaning back in his chair, and continued to observe.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha.

Naruto was indeed walking towards the Hyuga Clan compound, but he wasn't specifically looking for Hinata; he just needed to think about some things while walking.

He had unconsciously gotten used to walking in this direction.

As he walked, Naruto suddenly paused, as if sensing something, and curled his lips in resignation.

The Third Hokage is watching me with the crystal ball again... Oh well, Neji should be appearing around here about now.

Naruto was long accustomed to the omnipresent surveillance by the Anbu and the Third Hokage, so he didn't pay much attention and continued walking forward.

As expected, at the next corner, a familiar figure appeared.

It was Neji Hyuga.

He wore the Konoha ninja headband, had white eyes that always conveyed coldness, and his right arm and leg were wrapped in white bandages.

If it were Naruto in the past, eager to reconcile Neji Hyuga and Hiashi Hyuga.

He might have rushed forward to greet him then.

And then started a series of actions, like explaining that there were hidden circumstances regarding his father's death, that it wasn't what he thought, and so on.

But this time, Naruto wasn't in a hurry. Just like after meeting Kakashi once, he decided to get acquainted first.

So, Naruto continued to walk forward. As they were about to pass each other, he suddenly stopped and said in his usual tone, "Hello."

Neji had obviously noticed and recognized Naruto long ago, his brow furrowing slightly.

He had certainly heard of this person's reputation, especially in the last few days.

It was rumored among many in the Branch Family that Naruto Uzumaki, the one who always caused trouble, had actually eaten and gone home with the Main Family's young lady, Hinata, one evening.

From a young age, Neji had been instilled with the belief that as a Branch Family member, he must protect the Main Family.

Young lady Hinata was especially important.

Therefore, the moment Neji saw Naruto, he was about to speak, intending to warn Naruto to stay away from Hinata.

"I am Naruto Uzumaki. This is our first meeting. I'm not talking to you for any other reason than to get to know you in advance. We'll meet at the Chunin Exams soon, or perhaps even before. See you!"

After speaking, Naruto didn't give Neji a chance to respond at all. He turned around cleanly and continued walking forward.

Neji was completely stunned on the spot, watching Naruto's retreating back, unable to react for a moment.

What was this guy's deal?

Although he had spoken with Naruto just the day before yesterday, and his performance just now had somewhat reassured Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi still planned to confirm things personally based on the situation described by the Anbu.

Thus, just as Naruto thought of a brilliant plan to break the Caged Bird curse on the road, the Third Hokage appeared before Naruto once again.

This had never happened in previous Reincarnations.

Naruto thought to himself, perhaps because he had suggested reforms to Hiruzen Sarutobi through Kakashi this time, this subtle change had led to a series of subsequent events?

Never mind, that wasn't important. Let's see what the other party had to say first.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked over slowly, a familiar kind smile on his face.

"Naruto, I heard you performed well today. Kakashi has a very high opinion of you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a gentle tone, as if mentioning it casually. "He said you even... have the potential to surpass the Fourth Hokage."

"Teacher Kakashi is too kind," Naruto scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "I was just lucky."

"Luck is also a part of strength," the Third Hokage smiled slightly, his gaze profound. "The important thing is... to always remember the Will of Fire and protect the village."

"Yes! I will continue to work hard, Grandpa Hokage!"

Although he responded this way, Naruto felt a little annoyed deep down.

In countless Reincarnations, Naruto had already been Hokage. Naturally, he no longer harbored thoughts of becoming Hokage or seeking recognition.

"That's good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction, having reconfirmed his thoughts. "Alright, I still have official duties to attend to. You go ahead. You'll be officially executing missions starting tomorrow, so keep up the good work."

"Farewell, Grandpa Hokage!" Naruto said respectfully.

Only after the Third Hokage completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did the smile on Naruto's face slowly fade.