When Naruto came to see the Third, he happened to find the old man bristling with anger at an old black dog sleeping soundly in the sun beneath the veranda.
"Danzo, are you blind, you damn dog?!
You got ink all over the calligraphy I just finished again!
Look! This whole blot! You've ruined my work!"
The old black dog, "Danzo," merely raised his eyelids lazily, glanced at the Third with his one good left eye, and gave a whine. Then he rolled over, exposed his belly, and went back to sleep, utterly unconcerned with his old master's "fury."
That only made the Third Hokage angrier, but there was nothing he could do. He could only mutter to himself as he cleaned up the rice paper stained by the dog's paws.
He wore a simple house kimono, his graying hair impeccably groomed, yet even his back conveyed the frustration of a man with energy and nowhere to spend it.
Hearing footsteps, the Third turned around.
When he saw Naruto, surprise flickered across his face, followed by a complicated smile. It held relief, wistfulness, and a trace of... unmistakable gratitude that someone had finally come.
"Naruto, you're back. Come, sit down."
The Third beckoned him over.
Naruto walked over and sat beneath the veranda.
After a few pleasantries and questions about his health and life at home, the Third Hokage soon let out a sigh, his face taking on the aggrieved look of a hero with no chance to put his talents to use.
"Ah, Naruto..."
The Third Hokage stroked his beard, obvious disappointment and anticipation coloring his voice. "Is the fighting at the front going well?"
He looked at Naruto, hope undisguised in his eyes.
"Do you think... you could find me something to do? It doesn't have to be