Reversing Fate 9

Naruto's room was shabby, but he kept it fairly tidy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the fresh fruit and milk he had brought. With a kindly smile, he asked Naruto how he had been lately, whether he was eating properly at school, and whether he had made any new friends.

Naruto waved his arms excitedly as he recounted the funny things that had happened at school, especially how Sasuke had been acting strangely lately but somehow seemed less annoying.

As they talked, Naruto suddenly remembered Sasuke's solemn instructions. His blue eyes blinked, and his smile faded into an air of feigned mystery. He leaned toward Hiruzen and whispered:

"Oh, right, Hokage Grandpa! There's something I need to tell you!"

He tried hard to remember what Sasuke had taught him to say. "A few nights ago, I went to play on the mountain behind the village. I saw this weird old man with bandages wrapped around half his body talking to a Mysterious Man dressed in black whose face I couldn't see!"

He paused, making sure he looked serious enough. "I overheard them saying they were going to go after someone from the Uchiha named... something-shui!"

"Grandpa Third, it sounded really scary! You have to do something! Please!"

The Third Hokage's gentle expression changed the instant he heard the words bandages wrapped around half his body, Mysterious Man, and go after the Uchiha. The kindness in his eyes gave way to sharp concern.

He studied Naruto's innocent, anxious face. When he spoke, his voice was measured, but the question demanded an answer.

"Naruto, tell Grandpa. Who taught you to say all that?"

Naruto's heart tightened. Remembering Sasuke's warning that he must never reveal who had told him, he shook his head furiously. A note of hurt entered his voice.

"N-no one taught