Bluebird Leaves His Post

Inside the Hokage's office.

After the Third Hokage gave Shisui a hearty dose of the will of fire, Shisui left the office with his eyes shining.

As soon as Shisui left, Bluebird appeared before the Third Hokage and dropped to one knee. "Lord Hokage, I have something to report concerning Naruto!"

Upon hearing that it concerned Naruto, the Third Hokage immediately grew serious.

"What happened to Naruto?"

Bluebird took a moment to gather his words, then explained that Naruto had said he was grown up and no longer needed protection.

Naturally, Bluebird also mentioned that he would no longer need to deliver takeout.

After listening to Bluebird's account, the Third Hokage did not answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his pipe and took a few puffs.

Originally, he had assigned the Anbu to watch Naruto to monitor the Nine-Tails inside him. The other reason was to guard against Danzo.

Back then, Danzo had been adamant about taking Naruto into his Root and raising him as a weapon.

Naturally, the Third Hokage would never agree to turn the Fourth Hokage's only child into a weapon.

It was not just because Naruto was his student's student's son. If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki fell into Danzo's hands, Danzo would also gain more influence on the council of elders.

To let Naruto live like a normal child, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had been forced under pressure from the elders to agree to several conditions that were deeply unfair to Naruto.

For example... he could not reveal that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son.

But what the Third Hokage had not expected was that, even after he agreed to all their conditions... Danzo still refused to give up on Naruto.

He began spreading rumors around the village that Naruto was the Nine-Tails reincarnated, hoping to use the village's ordinary Muggle residents to make Naruto resent the village.

Then Danzo could have him sent into Root on the grounds that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was too emotionally unstable.

Fortunately, Naruto had not disappointed the Third Hokage. He had not turned to darkness, and Danzo's scheme had fallen through completely.

The Third Hokage pondered for a long time. He knew Danzo had no intention of openly breaking with him, so he would not make a move against Naruto for now.

With that in mind, he agreed to Naruto's request.

"If Naruto no longer needs protection, Bluebird, you won't need to go there tomorrow."

"Stopping the takeout deliveries is a good thing, too. It will get Naruto out of the house more. Staying home all the time isn't good for him."

Bluebird was delighted to hear this.

At last, he would no longer have to deliver takeout every day.

But before Bluebird could celebrate for long, the Third Hokage continued, "Bluebird! You seem quite experienced at delivering takeout. From now on, I'll leave my takeout and medicine to you!"

Bluebird: ...

"Lord Third... I..."

"Say no more, Bluebird. I know how much you enjoy delivering takeout. You even pick up food for your colleagues whenever you have time."

"Besides... you're the only one who knows about the medicine errands..." At this point, the Third Hokage fixed Bluebird with a piercing gaze and continued, "You understand that it wouldn't look good if word got out that I, the Third Hokage, need medication to keep going every day. So... the fewer people who know, the better. From now on, buying my medicine and delivering my takeout will be your full-time assignment!"

"And naturally, protecting me is also your duty, isn't it?"

With the Third Hokage putting it that way, Bluebird could only agree helplessly.

He had never imagined that, after escaping a life of delivering takeout to Naruto, he would end up delivering it to Lord Hokage instead.

"Am I doomed to deliver takeout for the rest of my life...?"

After receiving the Third Hokage's answer, Bluebird returned to Naruto's home to find him.

He told Naruto that the Third Hokage had agreed to his request.

"So he agreed?"

"Still, it's a bit of a shame. Too bad you won't be delivering takeout to me anymore."

At Naruto's words, the corners of Bluebird's mouth twitched twice beneath his mask. He thought helplessly, I won't be delivering it to you anymore, but now I have to deliver it to Lord Hokage! Sigh...

Before leaving his post for good, Bluebird treated Naruto to a big meal at a barbecue restaurant.

Although Bluebird had spent the past two years delivering takeout rather than taking on difficult, high-paying missions, he was still an Anbu. Even his base salary was more than most people could imagine.

It was more than enough to pay for a barbecue meal.

While they ate, Naruto also got to see Bluebird's real face.

To Naruto's surprise, Bluebird was a member of the Hyuga Clan.

Still... assigning someone from the Hyuga Clan to watch him made sense.

The Byakugan could easily see the flow of chakra. If the Nine-Tails showed signs of going berserk, a Hyuga Clan ninja could spot it immediately.

Bluebird's real name was Hyuga Shoyo. He belonged to the Hyuga Clan's branch family and was only sixteen years old.

Although Hyuga Shoyo was only sixteen, he was already a genuine jonin and a true prodigy even among the Hyuga.

At the table, Bluebird talked to Naruto at length about staying safe.

He said all this not because Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but because he genuinely thought of Naruto as a little brother.

The Naruto of the original story had never noticed the Anbu around him, so naturally, they had never had any real contact.

But Hyuga Shoyo had delivered takeout to Naruto for years. People were not made of wood or stone-how could he remain unmoved?

Those years together had made Hyuga Shoyo grow increasingly fond of Naruto.

He could not show that affection, though. Only now, when he was about to leave Naruto's side, could he show a little concern as an older brother.

"Haha! Big brother Shoyo... instead of telling me to stay safe, you should tell yourself that. I know Anbu missions are dangerous!"

As he spoke, Naruto took a small iron tag bearing a picture of Wolffy's face out of his pocket and handed it to Hyuga Shoyo.

"This is a protective charm I made. Keep it on you! If you're in danger, hold it and shout, 'King Wolffy is awesome!' It might just save your life."

At Naruto's words, Hyuga Shoyo accepted the iron tag, hung it around his neck, and said with a smile, "Thank you!"

Naturally, Hyuga Shoyo did not think much of this so-called protective charm. What he did not know was that it really was something that could save his life.

It was actually an Invisibility Talisman invented by Wolffy. Once it received the voice command, it would activate and render the user invisible.

Although he did not take the charm seriously, Hyuga Shoyo was still grateful for Naruto's concern.

The only thing that made Hyuga Shoyo feel a little awkward was whether his next assignment would really put him in danger.

Huh? It actually might put me in mortal danger. For example... if I accidentally let slip that I'm buying medicine for the Third Hokage...

At that thought, Hyuga Shoyo shook his head vigorously.

Both Naruto and Hyuga Shoyo thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, Hyuga Shoyo escorted Naruto home.

Only after watching the lights come on in Naruto's home did Hyuga Shoyo leave, departing the place he had guarded for years.