Correct Values

Chapter 8

Akira had been planning to stroll home—to the Senju Clan.

To his surprise, someone crashed into him head-on.

"Sorry, big brother... I-I didn't mean to!"

A little blond boy landed on his butt. After getting up, he immediately apologized, his pitiful little face adorably cute.

"Huh?"

Akira froze. Even though he had never had children in either life, he had to admit that the little boy before him was adorable. His voice immediately softened, carrying a hint of delight. "A wild little kid?!"

The little boy: "???"

He froze as well, then quickly became dejected and timid. "I don't have a father or mother, so... I guess I count as wild?"

No father or mother?

At that moment.

Akira felt like he truly deserved to die!

But then, he narrowed his eyes and tentatively asked the blond, blue-eyed, well-behaved little boy before him, "You... wouldn't happen to be Naruto Uzumaki, would you?"

Mainly because he simply could not reconcile this obedient, adorable, slightly timid little boy before him—

—with the Naruto who would later constantly cause trouble, pretend to be strong, and brainwash himself every day.

"I-I'm leaving now!"

Naruto Uzumaki's azure eyes filled with panic as he turned and fled in a blind rush!

His first reaction upon being recognized—

was terror and escape. He wanted to flee back to that messy home, to a place where no one was around!

"Wait."

Akira grabbed Naruto Uzumaki by his filthy clothes and shrugged. "I wasn't watching where I was going. I should be the one apologizing."

"Huh?"

Naruto Uzumaki opened his mouth in disbelief. He stammered, "It's okay. It-it was my fault."

"Alright, alright. How about this? I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen as my apology."

Seeing that Naruto was about to run away again, Akira made a crucial suggestion.

Grrr.

Naruto swallowed, but his stomach rumbled traitorously. His little face burned. "Th-then, thank you."

"Heh."

Akira smiled. Just a little kid—easy enough to handle!

The two arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, and he called out, "Boss, two large bowls of tonkotsu ramen!"

"It's Akira."

Ikkaku Ōtsutsuki turned around and greeted him warmly. Then he looked at the filthy Naruto, sympathy appearing in his eyes. "And little Naruto, long time no see. How about Uncle treats you to ramen today?"

"That won't be necessary."

Akira shook his head with a smile. "I accidentally ran into Naruto today. This is my apology."

Ikkaku understood, and something changed in the way he looked at Akira. Soon, two large bowls of tonkotsu ramen were served, far more generous than usual.

Naruto glanced timidly at Akira, who helplessly ruffled his blond hair. "Eat."

Akira was already full after finishing his large bowl.

Who would have thought that Naruto, only five or six years old, would clean his bowl spotless? Afterward, Akira escorted him home.

But at that moment, an electronic voice sounded in his mind.

[Ding! Naruto Uzumaki, the Fourth Hokage's son, was actually called a demon fox. His mental state was already extremely unhealthy. How could Lord Hashirama allow a child to bear such pressure?]

[Charge forth, Lord Hashirama! Let Naruto feel the warmth of family!]

[Mission: Help Naruto establish proper values!]

[Mission Reward: One random draw!]

"Tch, just as expected."

Akira understood. He had known a mission would be triggered. Even Kurenai Yuhi could trigger one, let alone Naruto, the Child of Prophecy?

At that moment, an icy voice came from behind him.

"Uchiha Akira! The Uchiha Clan is absolutely forbidden from approaching the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I will report this matter truthfully to the Hokage!"

A fox-masked Anbu appeared before him, his voice cold and stern.

Ever since Nine-Tails's Rampage—

all members of the Uchiha Clan had been forbidden from approaching the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Those were the rules. Without question, Akira's actions today had crossed the line.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"

Akira's face darkened as he furiously rebuked him. "I should be asking what you Anbu are even good for! The Hokage had you watch the Jinchuriki so you could protect him, not let him fall so low that he can't even afford food!"

"He isn't just a Jinchuriki. He's also the Fourth Hokage's son!"

The Anbu was stunned.

He stood there blankly.

He had expected Uchiha Akira to admit his mistake, but instead, the other man was even more arrogant than he was!

Heh heh.

Before I mastered Wood Release, you might have been able to threaten me. Now that I've mastered Wood Release, you still dare threaten me? I'll hit you with a Wood Dragon Technique when the time comes!

"Uchiha being connected to the Nine-Tails..."

Akira stroked his chin. "At a time like this, should it be 'Hiruzen, you'll regret it; Danzo, I'll become Hokage'?"

Damn it.

He wanted to watch the livestream!

Hokage's Office.

"Is it because Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son?"

When Hiruzen Sarutobi received the Anbu's report, the pipe in his mouth instantly lost its flavor. Cold sweat streamed down his face. Only after hearing that nothing had happened did he relax. "Good thing it was Akira."

"Shisui once said that Akira possessed a bearing no less than that of a Hokage."

Now that he saw it, that truly seemed to be the case.

He could even get along harmoniously with Naruto. Perhaps once he awakened the Sharingan, he could be used to control the Nine-Tails should it go berserk in the future.

Thinking of the three Uchiha under his command—

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not have been happier.

But... the Sharingan was also the greatest threat. No mistakes could be allowed!

But at that moment, the door was abruptly pushed open!

Shimura Danzō's gaze was sinister as he said coldly, "Hiruzen! An Uchiha actually approached the Nine-Tails of his own accord. You need to give me an explanation!"

"Do you want Konoha to suffer another Nine-Tails's Rampage?"

From the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Uchiha Akira had made contact with Naruto Uzumaki, he knew that this old friend of his would inevitably come looking for faults. He calmly took a puff from his pipe and said:

"I made my decision on this matter long ago, Danzo. This is not something your Root should concern itself with."

"This isn't just Root's business!"

Danzo refused to back down, the coldness in his lone eye growing even sharper.

"I said long ago that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki should be handed over to Root for training. Within a few years, Konoha would have another perfect machine!"

As he said this, greed and anticipation appeared in his eyes. As long as he controlled the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, becoming Hokage would be a certainty!

"Leave!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice turned cold. "Danzo, I am the Hokage! Other than Root matters, you have no right to interfere!"

Those words were like an ironclad decree.

They reduced every trace of ambition in Danzo's eyes to bubbles. His face turned livid. "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

He slammed the door and left.

The door let out a dull bang.

Door: "What did I do to deserve this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised in the slightest. "Bring Akira here. I need to ask him about this personally. You go, Asuma."

A sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

Since Akira was his man, he could not be dealt with by Root. Likewise, his man could not harbor other thoughts!

"Ah! Me?"

Asuma, who had just heard everything outside the door and had been planning to slip away quietly, froze. He helplessly entered, wearing an expression like he was severely constipated. "Old man, can't you send someone else? Uchiha Akira and I don't get along!"

He had met Uchiha Akira just two days ago.

And gotten beaten up.

How embarrassing!