Naruto naturally knew nothing of the various changes among Konoha's upper ranks. He was still living his own happy childhood.
Every day, he wandered around Konoha's streets with Genma Shiranui, his little lackey, and occasionally received orders to keep Hinata company. It was practically the standard life of a crown prince. Fortunately, Naruto did not have the spoiled, tyrannical habits of bullying men and women. Otherwise, the name of Konoha's Young Villain would definitely have become known in every household.
Amid such leisurely days, time flew by. In the blink of an eye, Naruto had reached around five years old, and it was about time for him to attend the Ninja Academy.
Over these two years, Minato Namikaze had used the lingering prestige from Naruto's earlier repulsion of Kumogakure to unite the Hyuga Clan, the Nara Clan, and other major clans in one stroke, consolidating his authority. He had also spent two years developing his power within the Anbu, finally beginning to look somewhat like a Hokage.
The Third Hokage had also taken the opportunity to step back. He personally bore no ill will toward Minato, but after serving as Hokage for so many years, the interest groups behind him had grown far too large. Even if he had initially wished to hand over power, he could not have done so as he pleased.
Besides, he himself did not want to relinquish power too early. Having only just celebrated his sixty-second birthday, he still wanted to devote more of himself to Konoha.
Then, just a year earlier, Hyuga Hiashi had publicly announced Naruto and Hinata's engagement and promoted it far and wide. Nearly every major clan and high-ranking figure in Konoha learned of it, thoroughly settling the matter.
Under such circumstances, Konoha's new generation flourished.
"Ahh..." Naruto yawned as