I'm the Hokage, You'll Regret It—Bang!

Kitahara Kaede had nothing else to do, so he stayed until the sun set behind the mountains before finally saying goodbye to Uzumaki Naruto.

After an afternoon of practice, Uzumaki Naruto could already sprint steadily to the top of the tree, and his Chakra control had improved considerably.

Kitahara Kaede had no intention of teaching Uzumaki Naruto Water Surface Walking Practice any further. This first step alone would probably have already drawn the attention of many people.

Of course, that was not the most important reason. What mattered most was that he worried that if Uzumaki Naruto truly mastered Chakra control and passed his graduation exam smoothly, it might affect the plot where he stole the Scroll of Seals.

Without the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, it was uncertain whether Uzumaki Naruto could even survive into the later stages.

This world was still counting on Uzumaki Naruto to save it. Kitahara Kaede did not want to interfere with his growth.

And just as he had expected, as the sun sank in the west that afternoon, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, ended his Telescope Technique. Seeing Uzumaki Naruto complete Tree Climbing Practice, a hint of gratification appeared on his face.

In truth, how could the Third Hokage possibly feel nothing for the child of his disciple's disciple, Uzumaki Naruto, who called him Hokage Grandfather? He was not that cold-hearted. Kitahara Kaede's appearance today had merely reminded him that he had paid far too little attention to Uzumaki Naruto.

He had only concerned himself with whether Naruto was safe, while neglecting his training entirely. At Naruto's age, his mother had already possessed considerable strength.

For civilian ninja, training such as Tree Climbing Practice might only be learned after becoming Genin, from their Chunin or Jonin squad leader. But for clan ninja, it was a basic exercise that should have begun in childhood.

"Kitahara Kaede's ancestors were civilians who joined Konoha during its founding era. By his father's generation, the family had produced only one Chunin, who died on a mission several years ago." The Third Hokage smoked his pipe as he read the information on Kitahara Kaede that the Anbu had just gathered.

A Chunin inexplicably approaching the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki was unusual in itself—enough to alert him, Konoha's highest authority.

After all, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was far too important. It was one of Konoha's most vital nuclear deterrents now that the village's strength had been greatly diminished.

Thinking of Konoha's current lack of successors left him with a headache.

The Kage Level experts Konoha had once produced had either left, vanished, defected, or committed suicide. On the surface, only he remained. It was an unprecedented situation.

And he was already old. Among the younger generation, whether it was Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, or even his own son Sarutobi Asuma, all had stalled at the level of Elite Jonin.

Hatake Kakashi, who had once shown the most promise, had instead been burdened by the Sharingan. Though he had earned the title of Copy Ninja Kakashi, it was actually a weakening of the ninja talent he naturally possessed.

Hatake Kakashi's proper path should have been Hatake Sakumo's path, honing the way of the White Fang of Konoha to its utmost limit. Instead, he had become an awkward, mismatched Copy Ninja.

Thinking of Hatake Sakumo brought up an even more troublesome old matter. Suddenly, he felt that it would have been better if Hatake Sakumo were still alive.

Back then, Hatake Sakumo's threat had seemed too great to him in his prime. But now, in his old age, when he desperately needed a successor, Hatake Sakumo would have been perfect.

He continued reading. The Anbu's assessment report stated that Kitahara Kaede showed no suspicious signs and had likely encountered Naruto by chance.

Given Kitahara Kaede's rank, he should not know that Uzumaki Naruto was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki. His family were also long-standing, loyal villagers of Konoha. Threat level low. Continued observation recommended.

The Third Hokage recalled the happy expression Uzumaki Naruto had worn throughout the afternoon under the Telescope Technique. Compared to other children, Naruto truly lacked friends, and even the Ninja Academy students distanced themselves from him because of their parents.

Thinking this, the Third Hokage finally made up his mind. In the report's approval section, he wrote: Continue observation. Do not intervene unless necessary.

Suddenly, at that moment, the door to his office was pushed open. An old man in a traditional Japanese kimono barged in. One of his eyes was wrapped in bandages, leaving only the other exposed. He said, "Hiruzen, someone approached the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki today. Do you know about it?"

Seeing that the visitor would not even speak Uzumaki Naruto's name, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, merely gave him a cold glance. "I know. What are you trying to say, Danzō?"

He was not surprised that this old friend knew. After all, Shimura Danzō had many informants throughout the village.

"I'm saying that Kitahara Kaede is dangerous. He has never had contact with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki before, yet he suddenly approached him today. I suspect he is a spy from another village. He must have ulterior motives for deliberately getting close to the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki," Shimura Danzō said bluntly.

"I don't think it is that serious. His ancestors have been Konoha villagers since the village was founded. His background is clean. There is nothing to suspect." The Third Hokage rejected him coldly.

He had not wanted to deal with Kitahara Kaede over this in the first place. With Shimura Danzō pressing him so aggressively, he felt even more strongly that he needed to put this old friend in his place. Since Danzō had become Konoha's Root, he should stay quietly in the darkness instead of interfering in matters on the surface at every turn.

"You are too naive, Hiruzen. Does a clean family background mean he cannot become a spy? Anyone who dares to approach the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki on his own initiative is no ordinary Chunin." Shimura Danzō said, "We must strike hard!"

Hearing that, Sarutobi Hiruzen grew even more displeased. This old friend of his was meddling more and more, constantly extending his hand into domains that did not belong to him.

"I have already said that I have confirmed he is not a spy. Besides, Naruto needs a friend. That would be better for him and for the village." Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke calmly.

"Hiruzen, a Jinchuriki does not need friends. They only need to serve obediently as human weapons. You have been too kind to him. The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Jinchuriki should be handed over to Root for training. Look at him now. He is twelve years old and has not even undergone training such as Tree Climbing Practice or Water Surface Walking Practice. If a real war breaks out, can we expect a Jinchuriki like this to win it for us on the battlefield?" Shimura Danzō said unhappily.

"I have already made my decision on this matter. Danzō, let me remind you—I am the Hokage." Sarutobi Hiruzen said evenly.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

Shimura Danzō was furious. He turned and left the Hokage's Office.

Bang!

The door to the Hokage's Office slammed shut once more.