After the ANBU finished their detailed report on Naruto's declaration of youth at Might Guy's home, a long silence settled over the Hokage's Office.
The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, simply sat there in silence, his pipe going out and being relit. Before he knew it, he had replaced the tobacco three or four times.
White smoke curled around his wrinkled face, obscuring his expression. Only the complicated gleam in his deep-set eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.
A long while passed before he slowly let out a sigh laden with emotion.
If Konoha's Hokage Building were recruiting clerical staff, that speech alone would probably get Naruto shortlisted without question.
That was no joke.
On the essay portion of the Hokage Building's recruitment exam, other applicants would score ninety-five because ninety-five was the limit of their ability.
But Naruto would get full marks because the maximum score went no higher.
His words had tied personal effort closely to protecting his comrades and the village's future. The spirit at their core was practically a living embodiment of the Will of Fire, purer and more passionate than even many adult ninja's understanding of it!
What surprised the Third even more, and gave him much to ponder, was that all these changes seemed connected to Might Guy.
Having Might Guy teach Naruto could actually produce such remarkable results?
The Third recalled his decision to tacitly allow Naruto to train in Taijutsu under Guy. At the time, his main considerations had been Naruto's need for a strong physique and Guy's straightforward nature, which meant he would not shun Naruto over rumors.
He had never imagined that Guy's seemingly blunt, even somewhat reckless philosophy of "youth" would gradually guide Naruto in such a positive, bright direction.
Might Guy... what a surprising talent for nurturing others!
Once again, the Third marveled sincerely to himself.
He thought back to the teachers at the Ninja Academy, with their varied personalities and teaching methods, then compared them with the astonishing results Guy had achieved.
Here we have a colleague who usually seems hotheaded and impulsive, even a little scatterbrained, yet who would have thought he was such a gifted teacher!
Wonderful! This is truly wonderful!
Once Might Guy steps back from the front lines and is no longer suited to high-risk missions, we can absolutely assign him to teach at the Ninja Academy!
When that time comes, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will be the first to raise my hand in support!
The discovery filled him with relief.
Considering the harsh environment Naruto had grown up in, isolated and rejected, the boy's heart should have been steeped in gloom and resentment.
Yet after a few years of training with Guy, he had become so cheerful and optimistic. Rather than hating the village, his heart brimmed with love for it, along with such a pure and passionate Will of Fire.
This was undoubtedly the ideal outcome when it came to managing a Jinchūriki.
Once his excitement subsided, a thought surfaced in the Third's mind and grew increasingly clear.
He could almost imagine how many young ninja Guy's infectious enthusiasm would inspire, nurturing more promising young talents with firm convictions and strong bodies for Konoha.
His relief and enthusiasm gradually faded, and reality's cold urgency returned. The Third tapped his pipe, his brow creasing slightly.
Many ninja retire from the front lines in their forties or fifties as their physical abilities decline, moving into teaching or clerical work. But waiting until Might Guy retires at that age before sending him to the Academy to put his remaining talents to use? These old bones of mine will probably be buried in the cemetery beside the Memorial Stone by then.
No. Konoha's future cannot wait.
A clear realization took shape in his mind: he had to find a reliable candidate as soon as possible, someone capable of smoothly taking over the Hokage position and being entrusted with the village.
His thoughts immediately settled on his two finest students, who were also the ones who gave him the most headaches.
I have to bring Jiraiya or Tsunade back as soon as possible.
Whether it was Jiraiya, with his formidable strength and keen grasp of the bigger picture, or Tsunade, whose Medical Ninjutsu stood unrivaled in the Shinobi World and whose prestige was unparalleled, they were the most suitable successors available.
Though one spent year after year wandering abroad and the other buried herself in gambling to escape her past, only they possessed the ability and standing to shoulder this burden.
The younger generation's faces surfaced in his mind as well.
Of the Fourth Hokage's generation, Shikaku is the best fit, but his strength ultimately falls far short.
The generation after that is my youngest son Asuma's.
Kakashi of the ANBU had outstanding strength, intelligence, and experience, making him one of the finest of the younger generation.
Among the young ninja, only Kakashi seemed even barely qualified to inherit the Hokage position.
Yet the word "barely" said everything about his reservations.
Kakashi still carried the shadows of the Hatake Sakumo incident and the deaths of Obito and Rin. Though he had considerable renown and formidable strength, he still needed time and experience to prove himself.
He even considered his own son, Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma was undoubtedly an excellent elite jōnin, but he lacked the stature and absolute strength needed to command the whole village and keep all sides in check.
Even his loyalty to Konoha was difficult to gauge, since he had joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja serving the daimyo.
Even Asuma was nowhere near qualified to inherit the Hokage position.
At that thought, the Third felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier still.
Finding a successor had to become a priority.
That thought brought not only a sense of urgency over the work ahead, but also the bleak awareness that his remaining years were limited.
He did not have many years left to live.
As an elderly man who had lived through three great ninja wars, he understood time's mercilessness better than anyone.
The Third exhaled a long plume of smoke, as though trying to expel the heaviness in his chest along with it.
Then, gently but with unquestionable resolve, he tapped his pipe twice against the hard surface of his desk, producing two crisp knocks.
His voice was steady, carrying the Hokage's absolute authority.
"Effective immediately, all ANBU under my direct command are to cease routine surveillance of Naruto Uzumaki. Maintain only such observation as is necessary for his protection."
He paused briefly, his gaze sharpening as he added words that sounded directed at a certain old friend hidden in the shadows:
"Root is no exception. If any Root member is found monitoring Naruto without my permission..."
His tone abruptly turned cold. "Bring them straight to me. Let Shimura Danzō come here and collect them himself."
This order was not merely a change in his attitude toward Naruto. It was also an explicit warning to Danzo and his forces, drawing a clear boundary.
"Yes."
A silver-haired ANBU wearing a dog mask appeared before the Third in an instant, then departed using the Body Flicker Technique.
The Nine-Tails sensed it the moment the ANBU withdrew.
He told Naruto about their withdrawal. Naruto made no unnecessary movements, merely telling the Nine-Tails in his mind that he understood.
After all these years, that old Third has finally decided to let his guard down around me!