Naruto

A flash of anger flickered in Danzo's single eye.

How could he not hear the pointed insinuation in Sarutobi Hiruzen's words?

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not back down either, staring at him coldly.

The two had been rivals since childhood, and they had never gotten along even in their old age. Danzo had always held opinions about Sarutobi Hiruzen's naivety and conservatism. Thus, the strategies of Root had always run counter to the views of the Third Hokage.

"Alright, alright! The two of you, stop arguing."

Utatane Koharu, standing to the side, felt a mix of exasperation and amusement.

The two had been at odds since their student days, and there had been no change even as they grew old.

"I propose we prepare for two contingencies: on one hand, investigate the truth and prepare for peace talks with the Uchiha Clan. On the other hand, tighten surveillance on the Uchiha to monitor their movements, so that we can control the situation at any time."

Mitokado Homura immediately suggested from the side.

Within the upper echelons of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were always at loggerheads, often unable to reach a consensus due to their conflicting viewpoints. At such times, it was necessary for the two senior advisors to step in and coordinate a compromise.

To put it bluntly, they were there to smooth things over; their role was to facilitate an agreement between the two sides to ensure the normal operation of the village.

And so, under the urging of the two advisors, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo finally reached a compromise.

While the high-ranking officials of Konoha were bickering, Hōzuki Mangetsu was living a very leisurely life.

They were allowed to walk around Konoha as they pleased, though they were naturally under the constant surveillance of the Anbu.

It truly was the strongest nation in the ninja world!

The village had everything one could ask for and was incredibly prosperous, not inferior even to the capitals of ordinary nations.

After wandering around the streets for a while, Hōzuki Mangetsu arrived at the legendary haunt of the big boss—Ichiraku Ramen.

He wanted to try his luck and see if he could run into the protagonist, Naruto, because he had something he wanted to give him.

"Boss, one bowl of ramen!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu sat down at the counter.

"Coming right up!"

Teuchi squinted his eyes as he responded, beginning his intricate work.

In no time at all, a bowl of appetizing ramen was placed on the table.

"Enjoy your meal!"

A beautiful young girl served the noodles to Hōzuki Mangetsu.

Ayame, is it?

A smile appeared on Hōzuki Mangetsu's face.

In the Naruto World storyline, although this beauty didn't appear often, her gentle smile had conquered many fans.

Even though she was only ten years old, her figure was already well-developed.

Children in the Naruto World were indeed precocious.

Hōzuki Mangetsu picked up his chopsticks and began to focus on eating his noodles.

It had to be said, the taste of Ichiraku Ramen was quite good.

Just then, a small boy burst in with a flurry of energy.

"Uncle Teuchi, Big Sister Ayame, one bowl of ramen. Make it a large portion with extra chashu and narutomaki."

Yellow hair, Nine-Tails whiskers, the mark of the Uzumaki Clan—the protagonist of the Naruto World, Naruto, had finally made his entrance!

"Naruto, is it?"

A smile appeared on Hōzuki Mangetsu's face.

He had finally met the legendary Child of Prophecy.

Naruto noticed the young man sitting next to him, glanced at his bowl, and grinned.

"Mister, do you like ramen too? You have to add chashu and narutomaki; that's the only way it's delicious!"

Mister!

Hōzuki Mangetsu's expression immediately turned awkward.

Ayame, standing to the side, smiled without a word.

This Child of Prophecy was truly a natural airhead!

In truth, there were times when Hōzuki Mangetsu couldn't understand how someone as dense as this could change the world.

"Is that so? Boss, give me another bowl, with extra chashu and narutomaki."

Hōzuki Mangetsu glanced sideways at Naruto, his smile remaining unchanged.

"Put this little friend's bill on my tab."

Upon hearing this, Naruto was overjoyed.

"Many thanks, Uncle!"

Uncle!

Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth twitched, and he forcibly restrained himself from losing his temper. In truth, Naruto was about the same age as Shui Yue'er, only a few years younger than himself.

Teuchi's speed in making noodles was fast; in an instant, two bowls of ramen were placed on the table.

"I'm digging in!"

Naruto picked up his chopsticks and began to eat in large mouthfuls, as if the ramen were the greatest delicacy in the world.

Poor kid!

Hōzuki Mangetsu shook his head.

Actually, for an orphan, ramen truly could be considered a delicacy.

However, he immediately witnessed the power of a glutton—no, it should be called the power of the Sage Body.

"Boss, another bowl!"

"Boss, another bowl!"

"Boss, another bowl!"

After eating four bowls in a row, Naruto finally rubbed his belly and said with a grin, "So full. It's been a long time since I've been this full."

Then, he said to Hōzuki Mangetsu with embarrassment, "Sorry, Uncle, I've cost you quite a bit!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled slightly.

Although Naruto was a bit of a natural airhead, his heart was still very kind.

"It's no problem!"

After paying the bill, Hōzuki Mangetsu stood up.

Wait a second!

Naruto suddenly chased after him, looking at the forehead protector on his head with confusion.

"Uncle, are you a foreigner?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and pointed to the forehead protector on his head, saying, "I am a ninja from the Land of Water."

Naruto was overjoyed and said, "Um, could you teach me ninjutsu?"

As he spoke, little stars flashed in his eyes.

He had already started school, but because he was a jinchuriki, he had always suffered the cold stares of the villagers.

In his youth, he constantly caused destruction and pranks in hopes of gaining the attention of others, but this only added to the disgust people felt toward him.

"You should still be in school, right!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said unhurriedly, "Konoha possesses the best educational system; you should be able to learn some decent ninjutsu there."

Naruto did a somersault and landed in front of him.

"But everyone says I'm a dead last. I must learn a powerful ninjutsu so they will acknowledge me."

Is that so?

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled.

Now that he had stolen the Sealing Scroll in advance, the scene where Mizuki bewitched Naruto would naturally not happen, and at the same time, Naruto would lose the opportunity to learn the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

Perhaps he could completely change Naruto's fate, but for Hōzuki Mangetsu, it was better to preserve the protagonist's growth trajectory.

I see!

Hōzuki Mangetsu considered it for a moment, then nodded and said, "I can teach you a thing or two, so that everyone won't look down on you."

That's great!

Naruto did another somersault, looking at him with a face full of hope.

Hōzuki Mangetsu beckoned to Naruto, and the two arrived in a secluded alley.

Has the surveillance intensified?

He immediately sensed several sharp killing intents.

It seemed that Konoha's supervision of the jinchuriki was also very strict.

Hōzuki Mangetsu reached out and formed a hand seal.

"Shadow Clone Technique."

An identical figure appeared beside him.

So amazing!

Naruto looked at him excitedly, his eyes blazing with fire.

"Teach me, teach me!"

He was already unable to wait any longer.

The Shadow Clone technique was created by the Second Hokage, using the user's own chakra as a medium to manifest multiple physical entities.

The strength and quantity of the Shadow Clones are determined entirely by an individual's chakra reserves. For ninjas with relatively low chakra levels, using this technique carries significant risks.

However, Naruto is different; he possesses the chakra of the Nine-Tails, so creating Shadow Clones puts him under no pressure at all.

This was originally Naruto's signature technique, and Hōzuki Mangetsu is merely teaching it to him ahead of schedule.