Chapter 30: Sarutobi's Inner Conflict

"Naruto-kun? He's back home?" Might Guy exclaimed upon hearing the news. "Are you looking for him? I was wondering why I was suddenly being pursued by ANBU..."

Guy's nonchalant tone made it sound like he was reporting a mundane incident, but it instantly plunged the entire office into an awkward silence.

At that moment, another ANBU agent rushed in from outside, ready to report. Upon seeing the crowded Hokage office, he froze, unsure how to proceed in such a lively atmosphere.

"Speak," the Third Hokage said, recognizing the agent as one he had assigned near Naruto's home.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. Uzumaki Naruto just returned home a moment ago. I observed him closely and confirmed that he wasn't followed and is safe. Additionally..." The agent glanced at Might Guy and the other two advisors standing nearby, then carefully organized his words. "It seems that members of the Root organization are searching for someone."

Someone? The Third Hokage looked at the innocent-faced watermelon-headed Guy and guessed they were likely after him and the just-returned Naruto. That Danzo fellow is becoming increasingly disrespectful towards his Hokage.

"Since Naruto is safely home, advisors, I suppose this matter is resolved," he said, ignoring Guy's exaggerated expressions. He turned to the arriving ANBU member, "Go notify Danzo to come to the Hokage office and... tell him to retract his hand!"

The two ANBU members left to carry out their orders, while the other two advisors shuffled away, unable to hide their embarrassment. They had just adamantly claimed that this incident was related to the Uchiha clan and mentioned something about a great upheaval... As they exited, they cast puzzled glances at Might Guy.

Once only the Third Hokage and Guy remained in the office, Sarutobi sighed, "Stop making that face. Now, tell me what happened."

"Oh, Lord Hokage! It's like this!" Might Guy quickly dropped his secret signals and adopted a serious demeanor, as if he were a seasoned jonin. "Initially, I was returning from a mission when I encountered the Hyuga clan and Naruto-kun..."

As Guy described the events, the Third Hokage's frown deepened.

"After escaping the ANBU, I intended to bring Naruto-kun directly to you, but I couldn't control him at all," Guy admitted, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face. "No matter how I tried to restrain him, the next moment he'd already be two or three meters away from me, and it wasn't some kind of body flicker technique. He has mastered the Flying Thunder God technique... After realizing he had such abilities, I thought there would be no one who could trouble him, and then he said he wanted to go home. Just after we parted ways, a group of ANBU members suddenly appeared to capture me. I thought I should hurry over here to you..."

"I understand the situation now. Don't worry too much about the Hyuga clan. It's a good thing that that girl became friends with Naruto, but... you say he has mastered the Flying Thunder God technique? That's no small matter."

Since the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, there hasn't been a single jonin in Konoha who has learned such a powerful space-time ninjutsu. Even I, who pride myself as a ninjutsu professor, have never learned it. The combination of sealing techniques and ninjutsu required for the Flying Thunder God is so complex that even Minato's bodyguards needed three people to perform it simultaneously.

It doesn't matter who taught Naruto; he's only just over five years old! Such talent is unheard of.

Could it be a backup plan left by Minato?

As the Third Hokage pondered this, he suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia.

To be honest, Minato was once the perfect successor in his eyes—flawless in his methods of governing the village, as well as in personal strength and virtue. After Minato made a name for himself in the Ninja World War and took the Hokage position, Sarutobi could already envision a prosperous future for the village. Even his two old friends and the increasingly critical Danzo had to admit that Minato's Hokage leadership promised a bright future. Alas, what a pity...

Losing Minato in the Nine-Tails Incident was a tremendous blow, and it is one of the reasons why the village is currently so wary of the Uchiha clan.

"...You should go back for now. I'll check on Naruto later." Sarutobi dismissed Might Guy, gazing thoughtfully out the window into the night. After a moment, he removed his Hokage hat.

A while later, the Third Hokage, dressed simply in a robe, appeared at Naruto's front door. He looked at the darkened windows of the house and felt his thoughts drift.

This house was not the one he and Minato had lived in; it was one assigned to Naruto by the orphanage through the village welfare system, meant to avoid attracting too much attention.

The reason for this was primarily due to the sensitivity surrounding Minato's identity. Behind the legendary reputation of Minato Namikaze during the Ninja World War lay countless grudges and debts of blood.

Konoha has never ceased its hostility toward Kumogakure. After the Nine-Tails Incident, Konoha was far too weak. Back then, when Kumogakure falsely accused the Hyuga clan and demanded the corpse of Hyuga Hizashi, Konoha had no choice but to retreat; the main reason was that Konoha simply could not afford to confront them at that time.

If the Hyuga clan had to back down, one can only imagine the implications if Kumogakure learned that Minato had an heir still alive—especially if it were the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

He felt indebted to this child, but as Hokage, he had no choice.

Sighing inwardly, Sarutobi turned away instead of going upstairs.

"Grandpa Hokage?" Just then, before Sarutobi could walk far, Naruto appeared around the corner, holding some snacks and looking up with a familiar face.

"Naruto? Did you go out to buy something?" The Third Hokage was momentarily startled, then smiled warmly.

"There was no food at home. I met a strange uncle who took me a long way. By the time I got back, I was so tired that I could only sleep for a bit before my stomach started growling," Naruto complained. He reached into his bag, fished out a cup of instant noodles, and offered it to the Third Hokage. "Want to have some, Grandpa?"

Seeing Naruto's cheerful demeanor, Sarutobi's smile grew even friendlier. "Eating instant noodles this late at night isn't good."

"I can't exactly go out fishing at this hour, can I?" Naruto retorted casually. He put the noodles back and rummaged around until he found two hot dogs. Reluctantly, he returned one and handed the other to Sarutobi. "Then please eat this."

The Third Hokage accepted the hot dog, examining the small offering from Naruto.

"Goodbye, Grandpa! It's late, so you should get back to sleep," Naruto waved and quickly dashed home, his figure disappearing into the night.

As Sarutobi stared at the hot dog in his hand and then at Naruto's retreating back, he stood in place for a long moment before saying, "Tomorrow, have Iruka and Kakashi come to my office... and bring Might Guy along."

"Understood," the hidden ANBU agent responded.

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Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 110+ at patreon.com/Esei01.