Chakra swept swiftly across Konoha, rippling through the village like an unseen tide.
Uzumaki Chito's eyes narrowed as he honed in on the presence he sought. Within moments, his senses led him to a small figure at the ninja academy—a boy with bright blond hair and mischievous blue eyes, strikingly reminiscent of Minato in his youth, save for the distinctive whisker marks on his cheeks.
Chito frowned, his expression darkening. His gaze returned to Hiruzen and Danzo. "Are you certain Kushina didn't leave a child?"
Danzo nodded curtly, his face impassive. Hiruzen hesitated but ultimately gave a reluctant nod.
The other shinobi who knew the truth shifted uncomfortably, their faces betraying their unease. Yet they, too, nodded in agreement, following Hiruzen's lead.
Chito's expression grew colder, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You've changed, Hiruzen. You were once a bright and passionate young man, filled with righteousness. What happened to you?"
The incongruity of calling Hiruzen—a man long past his prime—"young" might have been humorous under other circumstances, but no one dared laugh. The weight of the atmosphere was suffocating, each word from Chito pressing down on their nerves like a hammer.
His gaze turned piercing. "Though I've been in seclusion for years, my strength hasn't diminished. I can sense it—there is a child in Konoha who carries the chakra of both Kushina and Minato. A child who bears the blood of my Uzumaki clan."
His voice was calm, but his words struck like thunder. "Why did you lie?"
Hiruzen and Danzo's faces drained of color. Shock flickered across their expressions as they realized the truth was exposed before they had even entered the village. Chito had already discovered Naruto's presence.
Hiruzen's voice faltered. "This..."
Danzo's usual composure cracked ever so slightly, and the surrounding shinobi stood frozen, unsure how to react. It became painfully clear that they had underestimated the man standing before them. Chito's abilities far surpassed what they had imagined.
Chito's eyes narrowed further, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Explain yourself, Hokage." His voice, though measured, carried a chilling indifference.
Hiruzen opened his mouth but found no words. His mind scrambled for an explanation, but every excuse he conjured fell apart under the weight of Chito's scrutiny.
Without another word, Chito took a step forward, his movements graceful yet impossibly swift. In the blink of an eye, he grabbed Danzo by the collar. A faint step, and they vanished like a gust of wind, reappearing moments later outside the ninja academy.
The distance between Konoha's gates and the academy was at least ten kilometers, yet Chito had traversed it in mere seconds.
Hiruzen, still at the gates, stood dumbfounded. The sheer speed Chito displayed left him questioning whether it was even possible for a human to achieve such a feat.
Before Hiruzen could react, Chito pushed open the classroom door.
Iruka's voice, sharp with authority, rang through the room. "Naruto Uzumaki, pay attention! This is—"
Iruka's reprimand was abruptly cut off as the door swung open, revealing a stranger with striking red hair and an elegant kimono. The imposing presence of the Hokage and Danzo following behind added to the tension.
Iruka froze, momentarily at a loss for words. He watched as the man strode confidently into the room, heading straight for Naruto.
Naruto, who had been causing trouble at the back of the class, paused mid-action. His bright blue eyes met Chito's, curiosity and confusion flickering in his gaze.
Chito knelt slightly to meet the boy's eye level. His voice softened. "What's your name?"
"Me?" Naruto blinked, his voice timid as he pointed to himself. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Who... who are you?"
A gentle smile spread across Chito's face. "Me? I'm Uzumaki Chito. I'm your grandfather. You can call me Grandpa."
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "Grandpa?"
Chito nodded, his tone warm but steady. "Yes. I'm your family."
Naruto's nose twitched, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him. For twelve long years, he had been an orphan, ostracized and alone. Now, someone stood before him claiming to be his kin.
Chito rose to his full height and turned toward Hiruzen, his expression hardening once more. "Hiruzen, this boy is the child of Kushina and Minato, is he not?"
Iruka's jaw dropped at the mention of Minato. While the children in the classroom didn't grasp the significance of the name, Iruka knew all too well. Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage and Konoha's hero.
Hiruzen stiffened under Chito's gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes... he is."
Chito's hand rested lightly on Naruto's head, his smile returning briefly. "It seems Naruto isn't very popular in this class."
Iruka wisely stayed silent, sensing the tension between the man and the Hokage.
Chito's gaze swept across the room. His smile faded as he addressed the children. "Come now, kids. Tell me—why don't you like Naruto Uzumaki?"
His voice carried an unnatural allure, a subtle edge of chakra lacing his words. Hiruzen's eyes widened in alarm as he sensed the faint fluctuation. Even a simple sentence from Chito contained enough power to constitute a genjutsu.
=================================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other chapter.
=================================================