Chapter 23

[A Few Years Later]

Several years had passed, and Naruto Uzumaki was now on the cusp of turning 12. During this time, the once-despised boy had defied all expectations, carving out an extraordinary path for himself. Despite his young age, Naruto had successfully completed countless S-rank and A-rank missions, feats that earned him a legendary reputation throughout the Land of Fire. Whispers circulated far and wide about his exceptional talent, often described as a once-in-a-generation gift, rivaling that of the First Hokage himself.

Unbeknownst to the public, Naruto had also amassed a staggering fortune through his exploits. His wealth made him one of the richest individuals in the Land of Fire, though he took great care to ensure his financial success remained a secret. He lived modestly, avoiding unnecessary attention, but the shadow of his fame loomed large.

While his renown brought some advantages, it often proved to be more of a curse than a blessing. The reverence he inspired among allies deterred potential enemies from underestimating him, but it also painted a target on his back. However, everything changed when the truth about his lineage came to light.

Naruto's true identity as the son of the Fourth Hokage and the vessel of the Nine-Tails was revealed to the villagers of Konoha. The revelation struck the village like a thunderclap. It was revealed that Minato Namikaze, the hero who had sacrificed himself to save Konoha, had entrusted his own son with the burden of containing the Nine-Tails, hoping the village would see him as a hero. Instead, they had treated him with scorn and hatred.

The weight of their actions bore down heavily on the villagers. One by one, they gathered in front of Naruto's apartment, unable to suppress their guilt and shame. Many knelt, their foreheads pressed to the ground as they begged for his forgiveness. They did not expect absolution, but the act of apologizing, however futile, was their attempt to ease their consciences.

Naruto stood before them, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady yet filled with an unmistakable gentleness.

"You may have beaten me, starved me, and despised me," he began, his words cutting through the silence. "But I am willing to forgive those who acted out of ignorance. As the son of the Hokage, I bear no hatred. A true protector of the village must be ready to forgive and to sacrifice himself. With these words, I ask you all to return to your homes and find peace."

His words, so unexpectedly kind, shattered them.

"I AM SORRY, NARUTO! PLEASE FORGIVE US!"

"WE FAILED TO TAKE CARE OF YOU. WE'RE SO SORRY!"

Cries of remorse echoed through the streets as the villagers prostrated themselves one by one. Naruto's kind smile faltered as the moments dragged on, the weight of their pleas becoming increasingly suffocating. He kept up the façade for as long as he could until, finally, he could bear it no longer. With a polite bow and a strained smile, he retreated into his apartment and firmly shut the door, shutting out their voices.

[Hokage's Office]

In the Hokage's office, a tense discussion was underway.

"Do you truly believe revealing Naruto's identity was the right choice?" Koharu asked, her tone heavy with concern. She folded her arms and let out a tired sigh as she addressed Hiruzen.

Hiruzen, seated at his desk with a pipe in hand, exhaled a cloud of smoke before replying. "I do. It was necessary. Naruto has proven himself time and again, and restraining him further would have only bred resentment. He needs guidance, not secrecy, to become the Hokage and protector of this village, just as his father was."

"And what about his enemies?" Homura interjected, his brows furrowed. "Revealing his lineage puts him in danger. Can he handle the threats that come with being Minato's son?"

Hiruzen smiled faintly. "I've tested his abilities personally. He has far surpassed my expectations. In fact, he has already surpassed me. His ability to sense chakra rivals, if not exceeds, that of Tobirama-sensei. During a sparring session, I attacked him from a distance using Enma, and Naruto reacted before the attack could land. His reflexes and sensory skills are extraordinary."

"WHAT?!" Homura exclaimed, his voice rising in shock.

Koharu sighed, shaking her head. "Strength greater than the Hokage at his age… and mastering techniques that even the Sannin couldn't hope to replicate. Truly extraordinary."

"It doesn't end there," Hiruzen continued. "Naruto has also mastered the Flying Raijin Technique in a matter of months, though I suspect he could have done it in mere days if he had pushed himself."

Homura rubbed his temples in disbelief. "A child with the strength to rival the Hokage and the skill to master forbidden techniques… It's both a blessing and a curse."

"Indeed," Koharu murmured. "His loyalty to the village is commendable, but his methods are… troubling. I've reviewed his mission reports. Enemies of the village found with severed tongues, broken limbs, and shattered wills—it's clear he doesn't hesitate to act decisively."

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Naruto's actions may be harsh, but his unwavering loyalty to the village reminds me of Lord Second. He's a double-edged sword—a potential danger but also our greatest asset."

"And Danzo?" Koharu asked, her tone wary. "He was furious when you revealed Naruto's identity."

"Let him scheme all he wants," Hiruzen said dismissively. "At the end of the day, I am the Hokage, and my word is final."

[The Next Day]

The next morning, Hiruzen summoned Naruto to his office.

"What is it, old man?" Naruto asked, appearing in a flash of light as he used the Flying Raijin to teleport directly into the Hokage's office.

Startled, Hiruzen hastily shoved a certain questionable magazine under his desk. "Oh, Naruto! Welcome."

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Old man, I'm busy. Just tell me what you want."

Hiruzen coughed awkwardly, regaining his composure. "Ah, yes. I've summoned you because I want you to learn all the jutsu in the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing. I trust you not to misuse them but to use them for the protection of the village."

Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Old man, have you lost it?"

"What? Don't you want to become stronger?" Hiruzen replied with a knowing smile.

Naruto sighed. "So that's your angle. You want me to become Hokage?"

Without further protest, Naruto opened the scroll and began memorizing the techniques. The sheer complexity of the forbidden jutsu didn't faze him. He committed each one to memory before finally rolling the scroll shut.

As he turned to leave, Hiruzen stopped him once more.

"What is it now, old man?" Naruto asked, clearly exasperated.

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe and said, "Naruto, the academy students will graduate soon. I think it's time for you to take on the role of a sensei. You've been overworking yourself on missions."

Naruto blinked. "Fine," he replied flatly.

Hiruzen's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? You agreed just like that?"

Naruto shrugged. "If it gets you off my back, why not?"

The room fell silent, and Hiruzen could only chuckle, shaking his head at the boy who had grown far beyond his years.