You've Been Ignored Into Growing Up

"Ahem..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face couldn't hold its composure.

He coughed twice in embarrassment.

The entire scene fell silent once again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied; it seemed the prestige he had built up over the years still held some weight.

"Very well, how about this: after you go back, Naruto, I will get you a new house, or you can pick whichever place you like."

"In addition, I will increase the amount of gold coins you receive each month."

"We in Konoha will never mistreat the orphan of any hero!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi declared righteously.

If he didn't show some kind of gesture.

The other ninjas around would inevitably feel disheartened toward the village.

This was something he did not want to see.

Before cultivating the next generation of successors.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not want to see the village continue in chaos.

It must be said.

This move by Hiruzen Sarutobi had won back some of the public's heart.

"I knew Grandpa Third wouldn't abandon us frontline ninjas."

"Naruto, are you free tonight? Come to my place for a meal."

"Come to my place. By the way, Naruto, don't you like Ichiraku Ramen? I'll pay with my own salary; how about I treat you to a week of Ichiraku Ramen?"

"Only a week? You're damn stingy. Naruto, come to my place, eat as much as you want for a month! Put the bill on my tab; it's true that we all owe your family."

"..."

The crowd's cheers were high and spirited.

At this moment, Naruto was no longer the terrifying Nine-Tails in their eyes.

But the Fourth Hokage's Son!

The son of their village's hero!

The son of a hero should enjoy the treatment he deserves.

Iruka looked at Naruto with a complex expression.

Without knowing when.

The barrier in his heart had vanished without a trace.

Just as he had thought before.

What he hated was the Nine-Tails that had taken his family!

Not his innocent student, Naruto Uzumaki.

"Alright, alright, everyone disperse and return to the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Hearing this, the crowd reluctantly departed.

Tonight, their perception of Naruto had undergone a earth-shattering change.

"You all go take the Scroll of Seals back to my room and put it away."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said to the Anbu members beside him.

"Yes, Grandpa Third!"

Iruka handed the Scroll of Seals in his hand to the Anbu members.

Then, they vanished into the darkness with the scroll.

"Naruto, come here and let Grandpa Third take a look at you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a kind smile.

His tone carried a faint, lingering sense of guilt.

It wasn't that he didn't want to take care of Naruto.

It was just that there were so many things in the village that gave him a headache.

For instance, the matter of the Uchiha clan's annihilation not long ago.

For the sake of the big picture, sometimes one has to make sacrifices!

There is no right or wrong.

Just as if the Nine Provinces had never seen the rise of the Great Qin, the people of the Nine Provinces might never have developed the deeply ingrained concept of unification!

Anyway, this old fox wouldn't harm him.

Naruto walked over boldly.

"My apologies. I have been so busy lately that I neglected the fact that you have already grown up."

"There were some things I intended to tell you once you were older, though perhaps by then, I might no longer be in this world."

Hiruzen Sarutobi placed his hand on Naruto's head, his tone sincere.

He was speaking the truth.

One day, Naruto would inevitably learn who his biological parents were.

And by the time he learned the full truth, it likely wouldn't be from an old man like him who was already one foot in the grave.

Naruto could keenly discern that Hiruzen Sarutobi was speaking from the heart.

He responded politely.

"That won't happen. Grandpa Third will live a long and healthy life."

"Hahaha... I accept your kind words. I will have someone find you a proper home when I return."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed happily.

Yet, his tone carried a hint of sorrow.

"Ah... Iruka, you come over as well."

"I... Yes, sir!"

Iruka froze for a moment before hurriedly replying.

"Grandpa Third, that will be all for today," Naruto said.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked slightly surprised. "Why? Didn't you ask to choose a new residence?"

"Yes... but it is too late now. Let's do it tomorrow."

"Oh, I see. My apologies, Naruto. Look at my memory."

"How about this: I will send someone over tomorrow morning to take you to pick out a new place," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Tomorrow???

I still have school to attend.

Besides, there are many things I need to do back home, and many plans that require early preparation.

No time!

Naruto smiled. "Grandpa Third, just have someone find me a decent house. I have classes tomorrow..."

"Uh, very well. You focus on your studies. Don't worry about the house or other supplies; I will take care of everything."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"If there is nothing else, I will head back now."

"Wait, Naruto, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come with your teacher to get some Ichiraku Ramen," Iruka suddenly suggested.

Calculating the time, Mizuki had caused so much trouble.

How could Naruto have found time to eat during all that?

Even if he had eaten earlier, he should be hungry by now.

It would be better to take this opportunity to treat him to a meal.

"Sure."

Why turn down a free meal?

To be honest, Iruka was a genuinely good person in the original story.

He was truly decent to Naruto.

Naruto agreed immediately.

Continuing to hang around that old geezer Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't going to lead anywhere.

It was better to just go grab a meal with Iruka and then slip back home.

"By the way, Grandpa Third, would you like to join us? Ichiraku Ramen is delicious."

"No, you two go ahead."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile was somewhat strained.

This child thinks such commoner food is delicious.

The fault lies with me!!!!

"Then, Third Hokage, we shall take our leave."

"Mhm, remember to have Naruto come home early after dinner. It's getting late."

"Yes."

"..."

After watching Naruto and Iruka disappear from view.

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally retracted his gaze.

He frowned.

And muttered.

"The Anbu said they sensed the Nine-Tails' aura, possibly a sign of the seal loosening. Perhaps they were mistaken."

"But the most troublesome matter right now is still that masked man who brought the Nine-Tails back then!"

"Damn it, is the peace we finally achieved going to be unstable again?"