Conditions

Konoha Root.

Inside Uzumaki Menma's room, Naruto was devouring food.

Uzumaki Menma sat beside Naruto, watching him eat.

Menma's mind was a bit of a mess right now.

His Grandpa Danzo didn't seem to have any designs on Naruto at all, and even sent Root members to bring lots of delicious food for him and Naruto.

Soon, Naruto finished the entire table of food and let out a satisfied burp.

"That was so good! I've never eaten anything so delicious before."

"Since the Hokage is taking care of you, how could you have never had good food?"

Naruto patted his round little belly and explained, "Hokage Grandpa is very busy. He gives me money every month to buy food, but the people in the village don't want to sell to me, so I mostly eat cup ramen."

It seemed Naruto's life was still difficult.

In comparison, Uzumaki Menma was much happier in Root.

While Uzumaki Menma and Naruto were playing in the room, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived at Root.

As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at Danzo's office, Danzo mocked, "Heh, Hiruzen, that Nine-Tails brat came to my Root on his own. You're doing a great job watching him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind Danzo's sarcasm and laughed heartily twice before saying, "I'm relieved that Naruto is here with you."

Danzo said in a strange tone, "Really? Back then, you strongly opposed me taking Menma away, thinking I would do something to him. The reason you're relieved now is because your Telescope Technique allows you to monitor everything at any time, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down in a chair and said sincerely, "Danzo, I can tell you that I haven't used the Telescope Technique to observe Root for a year now, because I can feel that you've completely treated Menma as your own grandson."

Danzo was silent for a moment, neither admitting nor denying it.

Seeing that Danzo didn't speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "Danzo, I think it's about time you let Menma go out and see the world. Staying in Root all the time isn't good for his growth."

Danzo snorted coldly, "What? Let Menma go out and be insulted by those ignorant villagers? What good did that order you issued back then, hiding the identity of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, do? Aren't all the villagers still discriminating against that kid Naruto?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and didn't refute.

He had been too naive about this matter.

He originally thought that after concealing everything, the children born later wouldn't know that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

That way, Naruto could have playmates in the future.

But things didn't go as planned.

Although the adults who knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki wouldn't talk about it, fear and hatred still existed.

These adults would still tell their children that Naruto was a monster.

Under the influence of what they saw and heard, these children would still see Naruto as a monster, staying away from him and hating him.

Danzo shook his head helplessly. His best friend was too indecisive.

Danzo glanced at the Root ninja standing at the door.

The Root ninja understood and went to Uzumaki Menma's room.

"Young Master Menma, Danzo-sama requests that you and your friend go to the office."

Uzumaki Menma looked at the time. About an hour had passed.

Danzo had stipulated that Naruto could only stay in Root for an hour, and the time was up.

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto went to Danzo's office.

When Naruto saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, he happily hugged him, "Hokage Grandpa."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed Naruto's head, "Are you having fun?"

Naruto nodded his little head vigorously, "I made a new friend today. We had a lot of fun together. Menma, this is Hokage Grandpa I was telling you about."

Without Naruto's introduction, Uzumaki Menma could also recognize Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Uzumaki Menma greeted obediently, "Hello, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Uzumaki Menma's head kindly, "You can call me Hokage Grandpa like Naruto from now on."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naruto and then at Uzumaki Menma.

It seemed the two brothers hadn't recognized each other.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo.

Danzo frowned and shook his head at Hiruzen Sarutobi, signaling him not to reveal that the two were brothers.

As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't solved the village's discrimination problem against the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Danzo was unwilling for Uzumaki Menma and Naruto to recognize each other.

However, Danzo knew that it was only a matter of time before Uzumaki Menma and Naruto recognized each other, after all, the two looked almost exactly alike except for their hair color.

Moreover, Danzo hadn't deliberately had Uzumaki Menma change his surname to Shimura.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also guessed Danzo's thoughts, stood up, and took Naruto's little hand, "Naruto, we should go back now. Let's find Menma to play with again next time."

Naruto waved to Uzumaki Menma, "Menma, let's play together again next time."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi and Naruto left.

Only Danzo and Uzumaki Menma remained in the office.

Danzo simply stared at Uzumaki Menma.

Uzumaki Menma didn't dare to breathe loudly, "Grandpa Danzo, what's wrong?"

"You really want to leave Root and go out to play?"

Uzumaki Menma was stunned for a moment. Danzo's sudden question about whether he wanted to go out and play caught Uzumaki Menma off guard.

Should he want to go out and play, or should he not want to go out and play?

Uzumaki Menma asked cautiously, "Is that okay?"

Danzo lowered his eyelids and slowly said, "I can let you go out and play for a while every day..."

Before Danzo could finish speaking, Uzumaki Menma had already run to Danzo in surprise and jumped up to kiss him.

"Thank you, Grandpa Danzo!"

Danzo touched the face that Uzumaki Menma had kissed, his old face suddenly turning red, and then he said with a straight face, "There are conditions. If you can't meet these conditions, you can't leave Root..."

Uzumaki Menma nodded his little head quickly, "Yes, yes, Grandpa Danzo, tell me."

Danzo said seriously, "Starting tomorrow, you must begin your training. Only by completing your daily training goals can you leave Root."

"Okay, okay!" Uzumaki Menma agreed immediately.

Uzumaki Menma was already very interested in ninjutsu. Being able to learn ninjutsu and go out to play, he was of course one hundred percent willing.

A subtle smile appeared on the corner of Danzo's mouth, "Since you've agreed, I hope you can stick with it."

Seeing Danzo's smile, Uzumaki Menma felt a bad premonition.

"Alright, go back and rest. You'll have to start getting up early from tomorrow. Someone will come looking for you."

After Uzumaki Menma left, Danzo called out, "Fu!"

A man with black gloves, orange hair, and a high short ponytail appeared in the office.

Yamanaka Fu, an excellent ninja from the Yamanaka Clan, and also a ninja directly under Danzo in Root.

Danzo ordered, "Starting tomorrow, you will teach Menma. Don't hold back, the stricter the better!"