Chapter 11: The Hokage's visit
Three days prior, a few hours after the ANBU had left the office...
The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was tense, the soft glow of the setting sun casting long shadows over the cluttered desk. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind it, deep in thought. His pipe rested idly in his hand, the smoke curling lazily upward as he contemplated the challenges.
The door to the office slid open sharply, breaking Hiruzen's reverie. Danzo Shimura strode into the room without waiting for an invitation, his expression stern, a mix of frustration and cold calculation evident on his face. As always, Danzo didn't bother with pleasantries.
"Hiruzen," Danzo began, standing in the center of the room, his cane tapping against the floor with each deliberate step. "We have a situation regarding Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."
Hiruzen sighed, already sensing the direction this conversation would take. "What is it this time, Danzo?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Sasuke has taught Naruto the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu—a B-rank forbidden technique with potentially dire consequences. What's next? A more dangerous jutsu? Sasuke poses a risk, and it's only a matter of time before he shares something even more destructive with Naruto. They should be separated immediately."
The Hokage's eyes darkened, but he remained composed. "And what makes you think that Sasuke teaching Naruto that jutsu is a problem? It's a sign of trust and camaraderie, not a threat."
Danzo's lips pressed into a thin line. "You're too soft, Hiruzen. Sasuke's potential for danger is substantial. He's the last Uchiha, and the Sharingan will awaken in him sooner rather than later. Keeping him close to Naruto, who houses the Nine-Tails, is a recipe for disaster."
Hiruzen set his pipe down, folding his hands in front of him. "Naruto and Sasuke are not a threat to this village. They've both suffered loss and isolation, yet they've found strength in each other. Sasuke helped Naruto learn a jutsu that will protect him—and by extension, Konoha."
Danzo's expression remained stony. "You're letting sentiment cloud your judgment. What happens when Sasuke teaches him something worse? Or when they encourage each other to take risks that could endanger the entire village? They are both too dangerous to remain together."
Hiruzen's voice grew firmer. "Sasuke is not leading Naruto down a dangerous path. Quite the opposite—he's helping Naruto grow stronger. Separating them now would only hinder their progress, both as shinobi and as individuals."
Danzo's face twisted in frustration, his grip on his cane tightening. "You're making a mistake, Hiruzen. Once Sasuke reaches his true potential, it will change everything. His bloodline is filled with rebellion, and you're ignoring the warning signs just because they've become 'friends.' If you don't separate them now, you'll regret it when things spiral out of control."
Hiruzen rose from his chair, his eyes flashing with authority. "No, Danzo. I will not separate them. Sasuke is not a threat; he's Naruto's friend. That bond is crucial for both of their growth. They need each other more than you realize, and this is my decision as Hokage."
Danzo stood silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he gave a curt nod, though his discontent was palpable. "Very well, Hiruzen. But remember my words. You'll regret this decision."
Without another word, Danzo turned and left the office, the door closing behind him with a definitive thud.
As the room quieted, Hiruzen sighed and sat back down. He reached for his pipe again, the smoke curling in the dim light of the office. His thoughts returned to Naruto and Sasuke, and the bond that was forming between them.
"They will grow stronger together," he muttered, a faint smile on his lips as he spoke with conviction. Hiruzen exhaled a long breath, feeling a rare sense of peace. For once, despite Danzo's warnings, he was certain he had made the right choice.
In the present time....
In the dim light of Naruto's apartment, the clock ticked past midnight, echoing the stillness of the night. After a long day of training and camaraderie with Sasuke, Naruto entered his home, expecting only the familiar silence of his empty apartment. But as he stepped inside, he was met with an unexpected sight.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat comfortably on the small table in the corner, his presence both calming and surprising.
"Ah, Naruto," Hiruzen greeted with a smile, his voice rich with warmth. "I hope I'm not intruding."
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Old Man! What are you doing here?" He quickly brushed off the remnants of training from his clothes, feeling a flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety. What if he noticed I'm not exactly the Naruto he knows?
"I came to see you and deliver your monthly allowance," Hiruzen replied, gesturing to the small pouch resting on the table. "I also brought your favorite ramen. I thought you might be hungry after all that training."
Naruto's face lit up with relief, understanding that the Hokage hadn't noticed difference. His excitement was palpable as he was about to get monthly allowance. "Sorry for making you wait, old man! I lost track of time training with Sasuke," he said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"It's no problem at all," Hiruzen said, waving a hand dismissively. "I was quite impressed with what I heard about your training. How is it going?"
Naruto answered without hesitation, knowing that the ANBU had already informed the Hokage. "Sasuke taught me a powerful jutsu," he said, a proud smile spreading across his face. "I mastered the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Hiruzen's eyes twinkled with approval. "That's wonderful news! You should keep training hard like that. Your dedication is commendable."
"Thanks, old man!" Naruto beamed, his confidence bolstered by the praise.
The Hokage reached over and handed Naruto the pouch containing his monthly allowance, followed by the warm parcel of ramen. "Keep this up, and I have no doubt you'll become an exceptional shinobi. Just remember, it's not just about power; it's also about the bonds you form with others."
Naruto nodded and replied, understanding the importance of friendship, "I won't forget, Hokage!"
With that, Hiruzen stood up, preparing to leave. "Enjoy your meal, Naruto. And remember, I'm always here if you need anything."
As Naruto watched the Hokage leave his apartment, a sense of warmth filled his chest. Hiruzen's presence always brought comfort to original Naruto. Once the door clicked shut, Naruto turned his attention to the food parcel the Hokage had brought.
Even though he had just eaten with Sasuke, the tantalizing aroma of the ramen wafting from the bowl was irresistible. It might have been the transformation into Naruto that heightened his love for the dish.
With a quick, practiced motion, he tore open the packaging and set the bowl down on the table. As he slurped the noodles, savoring each bite, memories of his earlier training session flooded his mind.
Finishing the bowl in record time, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and leaned back in his chair, feeling content. With a satisfied sigh, he gathered his dishes and washed them up, humming a cheerful tune as he did.
Once the dishes were clean, he padded to his bedroom, the fatigue of the day finally catching up to him. He flopped onto his bed, the soft mattress welcoming him like an old friend. As he closed his eyes, he felt a sense of peace wash over him.
"Goodnight, world," he whispered, a small smile on his lips, before drifting off into a deep, restful sleep. He didn't forget to set up alarm.
-----
The sun peeked through Naruto's window, casting warm rays across his room and nudging him awake. He stretched lazily, his body feeling a little sore from the previous day's training, but the soreness was a comforting reminder of his hard work.
Naruto woke up early in the morning as the alarm sounded, shaking off the remnants of sleep. He took a cold shower to refresh himself and quickly went through his morning routine. After washing up and completing his daily activities, he rushed to the ramen shop. This time, he decided to try a leafy vegetable ramen for the first time, determined to stay healthy while still enjoying his favorite food. After he had breakfast, Naruto rushed to Training Ground 12.
Meanwhile, across town, Sasuke also stirred in his sleep, beginning to adapt to the original Sasuke's habits as an early riser. Once he completed his morning routine, he quickly ate a few eggs, drank some milk, and had a banana before rushing off to Training Ground 12 as well.
In the training ground 12….
As Naruto arrived at Training Ground 12, he spotted Sasuke already waiting for him, performing a few quick stretches. The sun was rising higher, illuminating the area with a golden hue.
"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto called out, a broad grin spreading across his face.
Sasuke turned, a faint smirk on his lips. "You're late, dobe."
"Just getting warmed up!" Naruto shot back, his enthusiasm infectious.
They exchanged ideas about what to focus on for their training session. Naruto was eager to refine his skills, while Sasuke seemed contemplative. After a moment, Sasuke broke the silence.
"By the way, do you know how to read and write in Japanese?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. He wasn't worried, as the original Sasuke was a genius and had already completed more than half of the syllabus.
Naruto's heart sank at the question. He recalled that the original Naruto had never learned those subjects properly, always too focused on playing around rather than on academics. "Uh… not really," he admitted, scratching the back of his head nervously. "I don't think I can pass the reading and writing test."
Sasuke sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "You need to know how to read and write if you want to keep up with me and the other shinobi. Maybe you should use your Shadow Clones to study. You could read and practice in one day, and it might actually help."
Naruto's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That's a great idea, Sasuke! I'll create a bunch of clones to tackle the material and get it done in no time!"
Sasuke nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Good. Just make sure you actually learn something from it."
After deciding on training language, Sasuke and Naruto gathered their reading materials. Sasuke pulled out a few books on Japanese language and writing, neatly organized, while Naruto rummaged through his bag, pulling out a haphazard stack of various texts.
"Let's get started," Sasuke said, his expression focused. He formed a single Shadow Clone, watching as it materialized beside him. "I'll go through this book first and we can discuss it later."
Naruto, however, had a different approach in mind. "I'm going all out!" he declared, a determined glint in his eyes. In a flurry of hand signs, he called upon his chakra, creating a staggering one hundred Shadow Clones in an instant. They appeared around him, ready for their task.
"Whoa! One hundred?" Sasuke exclaimed, slightly taken aback. "Are you sure that's necessary?"
End of the chapter. __________________________________________________________
Power stones, please.