The Forest Senju Clan Bloodline

"Mm, is it morning already? No, it seemed like dawn was about to break before I went to sleep." Naruto returned from Kurama's mental space to reality, and his body woke up as well.

"The original is awake. The operation was a success—you're a girl now!" The Shadow Clone beside him joked.

"Since you're still here, that means nothing went wrong. That's good." Naruto's consciousness gradually cleared as he emerged from the mental space.

"Let's see, what good stuff did Kurama give me?" Naruto had a feeling that this card draw was guaranteed to bring disaster—no, guaranteed to bring the goods!

Although Kurama hadn't said it aloud, he must have acknowledged me in his heart already, so the reward should be pretty good.

"Congratulations, Host. You have completed the mission and gained Kurama's acknowledgment."

"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the reward: Forest Senju Clan Bloodline!"

"Holy crap, System, are you really trying to make me prove the Dao with my body? Become some kind of bloodline sage?" Naruto couldn't help complaining.

It wasn't that this reward was bad. It was too good, so good that Naruto found it unreal.

With this reward, he had gathered several of the powerful bloodlines from Naruto: the Uchiha Clan bloodline, the Uzumaki Clan bloodline, and the Forest Senju Clan bloodline. If he received a few more bloodlines in the future...

Could he summon a bloodline sage after collecting seven bloodlines and have one wish granted?

Complaints aside, Naruto quickly accepted the reward.

The characteristics of the Forest Senju Clan bloodline were actually quite similar to those of the Uzumaki Clan, though there were still differences.

Members of the Forest Senju Clan possessed bodies with chakra affinity. They could control chakra better and develop and utilize it with greater precision.

In the original story, whether it was Tsunade's monstrous strength or Tobirama's genius-level development abilities, both were founded on extraordinarily precise chakra control. Even Hashirama's Wood Release was the same. The Senju Clan possessed not only enormous chakra reserves but also excellent control, which gave them tremendous combat ability.

The Uzumaki Clan, on the other hand, developed in a completely different direction. Their strengths lay in vitality, physical adaptability, and mastery and inheritance of sealing techniques.

But without a doubt, combining the two would produce an effect greater than one plus one.

"I've been up all night, so I'm getting sleepy. I'll go back, eat breakfast, then get some sleep."

After recalling the two Shadow Clones keeping watch beside him, Naruto's exhaustion grew heavier. After all, the two clones had been guarding for so long.

Naruto's current state was like pulling an all-nighter. He was somewhat alert, yet utterly exhausted, caught in a contradictory state!

Using the Transformation Technique, he returned home.

The Shadow Clones at home had slept quite comfortably—one on the bed, and one under it.

Taking advantage of the ANBU surveillance agents' inattention, Naruto successfully dispelled the Shadow Clones so quickly that they had no time to react.

The two Shadow Clones had rested fairly well. After recalling them, Naruto's mental fatigue actually eased somewhat.

"Eh? Did I just discover a bug in the Shadow Clone Technique?" Naruto said in surprise.

"If I make some Shadow Clones train while others rest and sleep, wouldn't I become a perpetual-motion machine?"

It had to be said that Naruto's idea was indeed feasible, but it would place an enormous burden on the original body's mental strength. Besides, Naruto's strength was already growing quickly.

There was no need to race against every second to that extent. He still had time. Once the plot officially began, he could assess his strength then and decide whether he needed to push himself so hard.

Even if he walked Naruto's path all over again, he could still seal Kaguya Otsutsuki in the end. As for Boruto, he would worry about that later.

Every hurdle was hard to cross, but every hurdle could be crossed.

The road had to be walked step by step, and meals had to be eaten bite by bite!

Naruto pretended he had just woken up, got up, and ate a nutritious meal. Perhaps because the Forest Senju Clan bloodline was merging with him, Naruto's appetite increased again, and he wolfed down the food.

Fortunately, the System had given him plenty of nutritious food earlier. If he ran out, he could always mooch some more off Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After eating and drinking his fill, Naruto's mind immediately relaxed. The exhaustion in his body gradually intensified. At this point, all he could do was sleep first!

Naruto lay back down on the bed, tucked himself in, and happily went back to sleep.

"What's with that kid Naruto? He got up, ate a meal, then went straight back to sleep? And that amount he just ate was already several times what I eat. Eating and then sleeping—being young really is great. He can fall asleep the moment his head hits the pillow!" Kakashi Hatake watched over Naruto from nearby, feeling somewhat helpless.

"But that's fine. Kids need more sleep to grow." Kakashi nodded in satisfaction.

In a flash, an ANBU appeared beside Kakashi and whispered, "Kakashi Hatake, the Third Hokage requests your presence at the Hokage's office."

"Oh? The Hokage wants to see me? I'll go right away." After handing the situation here over to the ANBU, Kakashi left without worry.

Naruto was sleeping at home and didn't look like he would wake up anytime soon. I'll go see what the Third Hokage wants with me.

With a Body Flicker Technique, Kakashi instantly vanished from Naruto's home.

He soon arrived at the Hokage's office.

After politely knocking on the door, he entered.

At this time, the Hokage's office was not occupied by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, alone. Sitting nearby was Danzo Shimura, leader of Root.

There were also the two Hokage advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.

Seeing this lineup, Kakashi immediately understood that this meeting was no simple matter!

"Lord Hokage, you sent for me?" Kakashi asked Hiruzen directly.

"Lord Danzo, Lady Koharu, Lord Homura, hello." He also made sure to greet the other three.

"Kakashi, have a seat. I called you here because I want to ask: during this time protecting Naruto, what kind of child do you think he is? Don't worry, just tell the truth."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had Kakashi sit down. His words seemed to be asking about Naruto's situation.

But with the other three present, it definitely wasn't that simple.

Kakashi thought briefly. Danzo Shimura probably wanted complete control over the Nine-Tails inside Naruto and wanted Naruto to become an obedient Nine-Tails jinchuriki, but he couldn't win against Hiruzen Sarutobi.

That was why he had joined forces with the two Hokage advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, to ask about Naruto.

But those two advisors were fence-sitters who chose sides depending on the situation, so his answer should be quite important as well.

"Lord Hokage, based on my protection of Naruto during this time, I've found that this child is practically born to become Hokage. Not only is he kind to others, but he also enjoys making friends. Everyone who becomes his friend genuinely likes him. This child also knows gratitude, handles people and matters with great thoughtfulness, and learns things without needing a teacher. He has high emotional intelligence."

"Furthermore, Naruto has repeatedly declared that he will become Hokage in the future. I believe the Will of Fire has already taken root in his heart, and he will certainly become an outstanding ninja who protects the Hidden Leaf!"

Kakashi truthfully expressed what he thought.

Danzo Shimura rapped his cane against the floor in dissatisfaction. "Kakashi, don't embellish him so much just because Naruto Uzumaki is the son of your teacher, Minato Namikaze.

"We have all seen how the villagers treat him. Growing up in such an environment, how could Naruto Uzumaki possibly remain so magnanimous and repay grievances with kindness? I say this is all your imagination!"

"Danzo! Don't think of Naruto that way. And everything Kakashi said is true. The Root ninja you sent to monitor Naruto naturally know this as well. You can ask your Root ninja what they have to say." Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Danzo Shimura at this point.

"Hmph, then let's ask! Bring in the Root ninja responsible for monitoring Naruto Uzumaki!" Danzo Shimura naturally did not believe Kakashi's words. The villagers' attitude toward Naruto had also been secretly instigated and guided by people Danzo sent. He refused to believe someone could grow up in such an environment without turning dark.

As long as Naruto Uzumaki showed even the slightest dissatisfaction toward the villagers, Danzo would have an excuse to take over Naruto. After Root brainwashed him, Danzo would have another jinchuriki weapon in his hands. Then becoming Hokage would be within reach!

At that thought, the corner of Danzo's mouth rose uncontrollably.

"Lord Danzo!" The Root ninja worked quickly and soon arrived at the Hokage's office.

Danzo asked him, "Tell us, how has Naruto Uzumaki been behaving lately? Has he shown any signs of wanting to rebel or harm the villagers? You'd better answer truthfully."

What Danzo meant was that he should report any sign whatsoever so Danzo could make his next move.

"Reporting to Lord Danzo, after monitoring Naruto Uzumaki these past days, we found that he has not shown the slightest sign of wanting to betray the Hidden Leaf. On the contrary, he is very tolerant toward everyone, and many children from major clans are willing to play with him."

"As far as we know, Naruto Uzumaki's close friends include Shikamaru Nara of the Nara Clan, Kiba Inuzuka of the Inuzuka Clan, Ino Yamanaka of the Yamanaka Clan, and Choji Akimichi of the Akimichi Clan."

Danzo's eyes instantly widened as he exclaimed, "How is that possible? How could anyone accomplish something like that?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed as he said to Danzo, "Danzo, I told you long ago that Naruto is a good child. He will not cause any harm to the Hidden Leaf."

Danzo's unwillingness was written all over his face as he roared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hiruzen! You set me up! How could those clans possibly allow their children to play with Naruto Uzumaki? You must have instructed them behind the scenes!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not lose his composure after Danzo exposed him. He calmly replied, "That's right. I did instruct the clan heads, but all I told them was to allow their juniors to interact normally with Naruto Uzumaki. What made them become friends was Naruto's own personal charm."

"Give up, Danzo. I will not hand Naruto over to you." Judging from the situation, Danzo had been completely defeated in this contest.

He thought he understood human nature, but he did not understand that Naruto was actually a transmigrator, and he possessed Oscar-level acting skills. Since being reborn until now, he had never let down his guard easily.

He had been guarding against petty people like Danzo, using a petty man's heart to judge a gentleman's intentions!

Seeing that the situation was settled, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane both chose their sides.

"Danzo, since Naruto Uzumaki has not shown the slightest sign of rebellion, then when the Ninja Academy opens in a while, Naruto Uzumaki may naturally enroll." Homura Mitokado said.

"That's right. Naruto Uzumaki's performance has already earned our approval, so naturally he can enter the elite class. This will also benefit his development." Koharu Utatane echoed from the side.

Hearing this, Kakashi understood everything.

It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi had proposed letting Naruto Uzumaki attend the Ninja Academy and enter the elite class. Danzo Shimura had objected, believing Naruto Uzumaki might rebel and should not be allowed into the Ninja Academy to harm the other students.

In reality, Danzo wanted to pull Naruto into Root. If Naruto successfully entered the Ninja Academy, Root's ninja would have a harder time making their move.

The tide had turned. Though Danzo did not want to admit it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangement was indeed more thorough than his.

And no matter how much he calculated, he had never expected the Nine-Tails jinchuriki not to be affected by the Nine-Tails. Logically, in such an environment, the darkness deep within Naruto Uzumaki's heart should have been easily amplified.

Had the Nine-Tails changed its nature? Or had Naruto Uzumaki's own will become strong enough to overcome the influence of the Nine-Tails Fox?

Could it even be that Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had left some hidden contingency behind?

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!" Danzo angrily struck the floor with his cane, then finally slammed the door and left.

Having won this confrontation, Hiruzen Sarutobi beamed as he called loudly after Danzo's departing back, "Remember, Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

That shout left Hiruzen Sarutobi feeling utterly refreshed, as though he had become several years younger.

"Well then, Hiruzen, we'll be leaving too. We have other affairs to attend to." Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane also chose to leave.

"Kakashi, go back and take good care of Naruto. I'll have to trouble you for a little longer. Once the Ninja Academy opens, you won't need to watch over Naruto every day anymore. You'll only need to come check on him from time to time."

In an excellent mood, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke gently to Kakashi.

"Yes! Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave!"

Kakashi also left the Hokage's office and returned to the area near Naruto's home to watch over him again.

Today's victor was Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a complete victory!

Danzo Shimura suffered a crushing defeat!

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