Return to Konoha

Naruto, Kakashi, and Sasuke arrived at the riverbank in front of Tazuna's house. Kakashi asked with a puzzled expression, "Naruto, have you truly decided to let Momochi Zabuza and Yuki Haku join Konoha? You must realize they are rogue ninjas; I don't think the Third Hokage will take them in."

Naruto laughed. "I know it's a tall order to get the old man to accept Zabuza. It might even sour our relations with the Mist Village."

Sasuke asked curiously, "Then why do you still dare to take them in?"

Naruto replied, "Heh, Sasuke, have you forgotten our ideal?"

Sasuke answered, "How could I? Our ideal is to bring peace to this world."

Naruto replied, "Exactly. To have world peace, we need powerful influence and immense strength. I've spoken with Zabuza; in truth, he is also a victim of this era. I told him of my dream and hoped that he and Haku could help me realize it. He was skeptical at first, but he's willing to take a gamble on me. What reason do I have not to help him? Besides, Zabuza's strength is not to be underestimated, and Haku is nothing short of a genius."

Kakashi replied, "If that is the case, how do you intend to explain this to the Third Hokage?"

Naruto answered, "The old man will understand me. If we want world peace, we cannot reject anyone who yearns for peace and wishes to join us. Only through inclusivity can the world truly find peace."

Sasuke thought for a moment before saying, "If you've decided, I have no objections."

Kakashi also said, "Very well. I will do my best to explain it to the Third Hokage."

Naruto smiled. "Heh, thank you, Sasuke, and you too, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi smiled. "To have such a grand vision and to put in the effort for it—how could I, as your teacher, hold you back? Keep at it, Naruto. You have chosen a path no one has walked before; I hope you succeed."

Naruto nodded. "I will, Kakashi-sensei."

In the dark space, Dark Naruto said to Good Naruto, "As you expected, he still chose this most difficult path. You must be very happy, right?" Good Naruto smiled. "Given his personality, that wasn't hard to guess."

Dark Naruto did not believe Naruto could pull it off and said disdainfully, "You know full well it's impossible, so why didn't you stop him?"

Good Naruto replied, "That's just your pessimism talking. How do you know he won't succeed if you haven't tried? Even if he fails, it isn't a bad thing, because in the process, he will become even stronger."

Dark Naruto replied, "You have a point. Whether he succeeds or not, he will definitely grow stronger in the process. And the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment will be. By then, his eyes will evolve all the faster."

Good Naruto replied, "I still hope he can succeed."

Dark Naruto replied dismissively, "Whether he succeeds or not, I don't care. I only care if he can reach my standards as quickly as possible. The rest is none of my concern." With that, Dark Naruto vanished.

Good Naruto muttered, "I really don't like talking to someone like you; you're too selfish." Having said that, he also vanished.

A few days later, once Haku's injuries had healed, Naruto and his group set off for Konoha. Looking at the departing group, Inari asked Tazuna, "Grandpa, will we be able to make this country prosperous?"

Tazuna smiled. "The bridge is finished, and Naruto has handed over all of Gato's assets to us. I believe we will certainly be able to make the Land of Waves strong."

Inari nodded, then asked curiously, "Grandpa, what are you going to name the bridge?"

Tazuna gazed at the departing group and replied, "Naruto Bridge."

After two days of travel, Naruto and his group finally returned to Konoha.

Kakashi said to Naruto, Zabuza, and Haku, "Naruto, come with me to the Third Hokage to explain the situation. Zabuza, you and Haku come along as well."

Then, Kakashi said to Sasuke and Sakura, "As for you two, head home first. Team 7 will take a break for the next two days."

Sasuke asked Naruto with concern, "Do you want me to come with you?"

Sakura also looked worried. "That's right, Naruto. Why don't we go together to explain it to the Third Hokage?"

Naruto laughed. "No need. It's not a big deal. Besides, the old man isn't someone who is stuck in his ways; he'll understand."

At this moment, Haku said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Naruto, for causing you trouble."

Naruto waved his hands quickly. "Not at all, not at all. This isn't a big deal."

Kakashi also assured Sasuke and Sakura, "Don't worry, I guarantee everything will be fine." With that, Sasuke and Sakura had no choice but to head home.

Kakashi brought Naruto, Zabuza, and Haku to the Hokage's office, knocked on the door, and walked in.

The Third Hokage looked at Haku and Zabuza and said, "So, those are the Mist rogue ninjas, Momochi Zabuza and Yuki Haku."

Zabuza replied respectfully, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage said, "I received Kakashi's report stating that you intend to join Konoha, is that correct?"

Zabuza and Haku replied respectfully, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

Naruto, standing to the side, couldn't stand them exchanging official pleasantries and said impatiently, "Hey, old man, aren't you tired of this? Just say it—do you agree or not? Why make it so complicated?"

Kakashi said from the side, "Naruto, you cannot be so disrespectful to Lord Third."

The Third Hokage laughed. "It's fine, Kakashi. Naruto, you are still too young; some things are better clarified, or unpleasant things will happen later. You must know that you are the one who will inherit the title of Hokage in the future; you cannot be so rash."

Zabuza and Haku were surprised to hear the Third Hokage say Naruto would inherit the Hokage title, but they didn't feel much else. However, Kakashi, standing to the side, was different. He was well aware of Naruto's awkward status in Konoha.

As a Jinchuriki, he was disliked and hated by most in the village, with only a few acknowledging his existence.

Furthermore, because the Fourth Hokage had killed so many people during the Third Great Ninja War, he had effectively offended all four other nations.

Therefore, for the sake of Naruto's safety, the Third Hokage truly dared not reveal Naruto's lineage to the world, which led to Naruto not receiving the treatment he deserved despite being the son of the Fourth.

Now that the Third Hokage wanted Naruto to inherit the Hokage position in the future, it meant he might be preparing to reveal Naruto's identity, and simultaneously preparing for war with the other four nations.

Kakashi could think of this, and naturally, so could Naruto. Though he felt happy inside, he said aloud, "Old man, you can still work for a few more years. Don't keep thinking about passing the buck; I want to enjoy myself for another ten or twenty years. You just behave yourself and live for another ten or twenty years first."

The Third Hokage was amused by Naruto and laughed. "Then wouldn't I be a monster, Grandpa?"

After laughing, the Third Hokage said seriously, "Very well. Momochi Zabuza and Yuki Haku, I know the reasons you wish to join Konoha, and I welcome you to Konoha. However, Zabuza, you are a rogue ninja from the Mist Village after all. Although Konoha does not fear them, it is better to maintain peace if we can avoid conflict. Therefore, I intend for you to work by my side and join the Anbu. What do you think?"

Zabuza replied without hesitation, "I will follow your arrangements."

The Third Hokage nodded and said to Haku, "As for you, Yuki Haku, I do not know what you wish to do. Since you are not from the Mist Village, you may walk openly within Konoha."

Haku replied, "Lord Hokage, I wish to stay with Mr. Zabuza."

The Third Hokage laughed, "Very well, then you shall also stay by my side and join the Anbu."

Haku expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage waved his hand with a smile, "No need, no need. Tenzo, take these two to the Anbu to process their files."

An Anbu suddenly appeared beside the Third Hokage and replied, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

Kakashi looked at the Anbu who had appeared and said with pleasant surprise, "Isn't this Tenzo? How have you been?"

Tenzo replied to Kakashi politely, "Senior Kakashi, thank you for your concern; I am doing well."

The Third Hokage said, "Alright, Tenzo, take them away. From now on, they will be under your command."

Tenzo replied, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage smiled at Zabuza and Haku, "Hehe, welcome to Konoha. Go with Tenzo."

Zabuza and Haku replied respectfully, "It is our honor. Then, Lord Hokage, we shall take our leave."

As he was leaving, Haku said to Naruto, "Naruto, thank you. I will come to see you once I am settled."

Naruto nodded and said, "Alright, Brother Haku."

Afterward, Kakashi briefed the Third Hokage on the details of the mission and then left. Naruto, however, waited to the side; he knew the Third Hokage must still have things to ask him and instructions to give, so he did not leave.

Once Kakashi had departed, the Third Hokage waved his hand, and Naruto immediately felt the surrounding Anbu withdraw.

Naruto laughed, "Old man, what is so mysterious that you even had to send the Anbu away?"

The Third Hokage smiled, "Naruto, I received a secret report from Kakashi stating that you are now able to perfectly control the Nine-Tails, is that correct?"

Naruto replied nonchalantly, "I thought it was something important; so it was just that. That's right, while I was in the Land of Waves, I finally managed to synchronize with Kurama's chakra. Oh, Kurama is the name of the Nine-Tails."

The Third Hokage sighed with gratification, "If Minato knew you had achieved such a feat, I wonder how happy he would be."

Naruto also said with a touch of melancholy, "Yeah, he would probably be proud of me."

After a moment of reflection, the two spoke again, "Alright, old man, you didn't just call me here to reminisce about my father, did you? Speak, what is it?"

The Third Hokage turned serious and said to Naruto, "From Kakashi's secret report, I also learned that you, Sasuke, and Hinata have been using natural energy to temper your bodies since you were young, is that true?"

Naruto found it strange that the Third Hokage would ask this, but he answered honestly, "Yes, that is true."

The Third Hokage's face suddenly turned cold as he asked, "Who taught you?" Seeing the Third Hokage's grim expression, Naruto pondered for a moment before saying, "Uh, it was taught to us by Master Jiraiya."

The Third Hokage said, shocked and angry, "You say it was Jiraiya who taught you?"

Seeing the Third Hokage's face turn a shade of blue-purple, Naruto decided to follow the principle of sacrificing a friend to save himself. Naruto firmly stated, "Yes, it was indeed Master Jiraiya who taught us."

Meanwhile, far away in the Land of Hot Water, Jiraiya, who was working hard to gather material for his writing career, suddenly let out several loud sneezes, nearly being discovered by the women bathing nearby. Fortunately, he managed to escape the scene just in time using the Body Flicker Technique.

Hiding on the roof of the bathhouse, Jiraiya muttered, "Strange, who is talking about me? Come to think of it, it is about time I returned to Konoha. I wonder how Naruto is doing."