Goodbye, Third Generation

"Big Brother Kei! I heard you were hospitalized, what on earth happened!"

Ueno Kei had just finished his consultation with the medical ninja at Konoha Hospital when a boisterous voice rang in his ears. He didn't even need to look to know who had arrived.

Sure enough, a flash of yellow entered Ueno Kei's vision; it was none other than his only companion in the village—Uzumaki Naruto.

Naruto looked at Ueno Kei on the bed with a face full of nervousness and worry. In Konoha Village, Ueno Kei was the only person besides the Third Hokage who was willing to talk to him, smile at him, and play with him.

In young Naruto's heart, Ueno Kei was like family.

Naruto had even wondered if this was what it felt like to have a father or an older brother.

That was why, after failing to find Ueno Kei at home and learning from his teacher at the academy that Kei had been injured and hospitalized, he had become incredibly anxious and even skipped class to come to the hospital.

In truth, Ueno Kei did not have any serious external injuries. As Kurama Yakumo had said earlier, in that space that existed like an illusion, the injuries could have been real or they could have been phantoms.

Therefore, Ueno Kei's condition was generally acceptable.

He was simply completely drained of chakra and physically exhausted; after that intense struggle, Ueno Kei was worn out both in body and spirit.

Ueno Kei smiled gently, patted Naruto on the head, and laughed, "Don't worry, Naruto. I just made a small mistake during my training and got a little hurt. I'll be fine in a day or two."

Ueno Kei did not intend to tell Naruto the truth, not least because Naruto was still so young—only nine years old.

Given Naruto's careless and carefree personality, Ueno Kei was very worried about how he would handle it.

Besides...

Upon hearing Ueno Kei's words, Naruto was completely relieved. He immediately clasped his hands behind his head and laughed heartlessly, "Haha, making a mistake during training? Big Brother Kei, you've still got a long way to go!"

Ueno Kei shook his head helplessly and gave Naruto a heavy knock on the head. He had long since understood Naruto's personality perfectly.

Well, that was just Naruto's style.

"Hehe, it's so lively early in the morning. However, Naruto, you should be a bit quieter in the hospital."

Just as Ueno Kei and Naruto were chatting, an aged voice sounded.

Ueno Kei turned his head toward the door of the ward.

Appearing there was the Third Hokage of Konoha Village, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Ueno Kei was slightly startled. The Third Hokage? Why would he come here? No, Ueno Kei thought to himself, the events from before were so serious—the Anbu killed, the mission target dead, the situation with the Kurama Clan, and a series of other matters. It should be normal for the Third Hokage to come and talk to me, the person involved.

Ueno Kei thought this, and in truth, it wasn't that he had misjudged the situation. After all, among the recent events, this one was extremely important, and Ueno Kei couldn't think of any other reason why the leader of the village, the Hokage, would come to see him.

However, Ueno Kei hadn't expected it. Since he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen was the important Hokage of the village, no matter how important the matter regarding Kurama Yakumo was, he could have easily had Yuhi Kurenai, another ninja, or even an Anbu agent come to question him. There was no need for the Third Hokage to come in person.

In other words, the reason the Third Hokage came to find Ueno Kei was definitely not just because of Kurama Yakumo.

There must be other, more important matters.

Ueno Kei said in a slightly respectful tone, "Lord Hokage."

Naruto, however, was different; he remained as boisterous as ever—or, to be more precise, he had a rather "arrogant" air about him.

"Hey, Old Man Third, what are you doing here?"

"Haha, Naruto, you're as energetic as ever." The Third Hokage bit down on his pipe, his face full of smiles as he spoke, and reached out to ruffle Naruto's hair.

Naruto showed an expression of dissatisfaction. "Hey, old man, stop messing up my hair every time! You're making a mess of it. Hey, are you even listening?"

Ueno Kei narrowed his eyes. Once again, he felt the uniqueness of Naruto's status. Over the past few years, Ueno Kei had been considering what Naruto's true identity in the village was. After all, everyone seemed to hold a deep-seated disgust for Naruto, yet they were also incredibly fearful of him.

The children in the village didn't show such blatant disgust, but because of their parents, they all avoided contact with him.

Ueno Kei had guessed that Naruto's status was certainly special, but it must also be related to some classified village matter, which was why everyone acted so strangely.

When his speculations reached that point, Ueno Kei decided not to pursue it any further. He was very clear about his own position; these things were definitely not something he could get involved in. They were too hot to handle.

According to what Naruto had said, the Third Hokage would occasionally find time to visit him and even bring him nutritional food. The Third Hokage's direct behavior now only solidified Ueno Kei's suspicions.

No leader of any country or village would pay attention to a child for no reason, unless that child held a massive secret—a secret that could potentially affect the very survival of the village!

However, Ueno Kei did not intend to ask anything. He hadn't approached Naruto to spy on secrets, nor would he distance himself from Naruto because of the way others treated him.

He and Naruto were friends, brothers. That was enough. As for the future, he would deal with it when the time came.

These thoughts flashed through Ueno Kei's mind in an instant. His expression shifted, and he immediately darkened his face, scolding, "Hey, Naruto, how can you be so impudent toward the Hokage?"

Upon hearing Ueno Kei's voice, Naruto was startled, and a timid expression appeared on his face. He knew from that tone that his big brother was genuinely angry.

He said in a low voice, "I, I didn't mean it like that, it's just, just..."

"Haha, Kei, don't scare Naruto. Naruto has always been like this, and I don't mind at all," Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed.

Ueno Kei looked at Naruto, who felt he hadn't done anything wrong but was still afraid of upsetting him, and shook his head helplessly. Just as the Third Hokage said, Ueno Kei understood Naruto's personality well, so he could only leave it at that.

Ueno Kei's expression softened.

At this moment, the Third Hokage continued, "Naruto, although it's a good thing to visit a hospitalized friend, you shouldn't skip class. Your teacher, Iruka, has been looking everywhere for you! Go back and attend your lessons properly today!"

The Third Hokage's tone was still gentle, but it carried a hint of sternness.

Naruto shrank his head slightly, pouted, and muttered under his breath, "He's just an old man, what's the big deal..."

Ueno Kei heard Naruto's whisper and glared at him fiercely.

Naruto was startled and immediately took off running. "Alright, I'm going to class! Big Brother Kei, I'll come see you again after school!"

Ueno Kei was slightly stunned, then let out a helpless laugh.