003. Monotony and Dreams

As the Jinchūriki of Nine Tails, Uzumaki Naruto has two or more teams of elite Anbu for surveillance and protection around the clock.

Regarding the Jinchūriki's daily routine and life, the Anbu regularly report to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

In summary, Uzumaki Naruto's behavior in the past year has been very monotonous but also highly regular.

After waking up at six in the morning, Naruto prepares breakfast and then spends some time moving around the room to digest before sitting at the table and gazing out of the window in a daze.

This state of daze usually lasts until about noon, after which Naruto prepares lunch for himself, engages in some usual activities, and then returns to the old position, continuing to stare out the window in a daze.

The duration of the afternoon daze is a little longer, lasting until seven o'clock in the evening.

At that time, after making dinner for himself, Naruto goes out at 8 o'clock when most people are at home, and starts running through the quiet Konoha Village.

The route is random and not fixed.

However, Naruto deliberately avoids prosperous areas with a rich nightlife.

Around 9:30 in the evening, Naruto finishes running, goes to the shopping street to buy daily necessities, and then returns home to take a bath and sleep.

This routine repeats day after day, without any significant changes.

This kind of life may be acceptable for an adult, as not everyone likes to make friends, and many people prefer solitude.

However, for a child who is just over four years old, this withdrawn lifestyle may appear concerning to onlookers, who might even think that he has autism.

Looking at Naruto in this manner, Sarutobi Hiruzen feels a little distressed. He knows the reason behind Naruto's behavior, but he cannot change it.

Or rather, he does not want to change it.

Though Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't reveal Naruto's identity as a Jinchūriki, this situation is advantageous for him as the Hokage.

As the despised Jinchūriki in the village, Sarutobi Hiruzen is the only source of warmth for Naruto. Naturally, Naruto becomes a loyal supporter, which bolsters Sarutobi Hiruzen's rule as Hokage.

Having control over the Jinchūriki is a crucial power that the Hokage must wield.

"Naruto."

Finally, Sarutobi Hiruzen speaks, gently rousing Naruto from his daze.

He wants to talk to Naruto and understand what he is thinking at the moment.

Naruto, who was reading "The Five Thousand Years of History," is brought back to reality by the soft voice from outside. Upon regaining his senses, he looks in the direction of the sound and a smile suddenly appears on his face.

"Grandpa Hokage."

With a surprised tone, Naruto jumps off the chair and approaches Sarutobi Hiruzen, who stands not far away.

Sarutobi Hiruzen still wears a kind smile, reaching out to touch the top of Naruto's head, who stands only about waist-high, and he smiles and asks, "Naruto, what are you thinking about? I didn't even notice when I came in."

Without hesitation, Naruto replies to the question, "I was thinking about what I want to do in the future."

Naruto, having just read about five thousand years of history, is captivated by the stories of influential figures and unconsciously ponders about his own future and the person he will become.

However, he acknowledges that he is still too young and knows too little to come up with an answer.

(T/N: He is to young to acknowledge that too.)

Hearing Naruto's response, Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart stirs, but he maintains his smile and continues to inquire, "Do you have any thoughts about what you want to do in the future?"

"I'm too young to have an answer yet. I really wish I could grow up quickly, so I can explore many places and learn more. Then, I'll know what I want to do," Naruto answers with a smile.

"In that case, when you have the time, read more books. I'll have some books sent to you later. Don't stay at home too often, go out and explore more so you can meet other friends," Sarutobi Hiruzen advises with a smile.

"I go out every day," Naruto responds.

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile falters.

He recalls Naruto's daily routines, and how he avoids crowds by going out only when everything is quiet.

For a moment, he feels as if nothing has changed.

He takes Naruto and starts explaining to him the story of the First Hokage Senju Hashirama and the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, who brought peace to the troubled times, founded the Konoha Shinobi Village, and ushered the whole world into an era of peace from the Sengoku period.

He also tells Naruto about the concept of the "Will of Fire."

Compared to previous visits where he stayed briefly to provide living expenses, today's Sarutobi Hiruzen stays for over two hours and is drawn by Naruto's enthusiasm to eat a meal of his own sour and spicy pork noodles.

The taste is not bad at all.

He can't help but wonder how Naruto learned to cook such a new type of cuisine that he had never tasted before.

Should he contemplate it?

But soon, Sarutobi Hiruzen comes up with a reasonable explanation. After all, Naruto has been living under his watchful eye, and he knows what Naruto does every day.

So, there is only one explanation.

As he leaves, Sarutobi Hiruzen recalls the food he just ate and the conversation he had with Naruto.

Today's encounter has been rewarding. At least he realizes that Naruto is not an autistic child. At such a young age, he contemplates his future life, displays a strong thirst for knowledge, and possesses significant creativity. One could say he has an early wisdom.

With proper guidance, he will undoubtedly become a valuable asset to Konoha in the future.

"It seems that I will be sending more books to Naruto in the future."

With this thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen departs with determined strides. Today's delay has been significant, and he still has numerous official duties to attend to.

On the other side, as he watches Sarutobi Hiruzen leave, Naruto feels a bit melancholic.

Among the entire Konoha Village, Sarutobi Hiruzen is the only person who treats him without prejudice. Sadly, he is the leader of the entire village, the Hokage, and is constantly occupied with handling major events, leaving him little time to visit Naruto.

Not long after Sarutobi Hiruzen's departure, an Anbu appears suddenly, gives a few books to Naruto, and then disappears neatly.

Naruto places the books on the table, spreads them out, and looks at each one.

"Fire Will," "Ninja Modern History," "Konoha History," "Ninja Geography," "Chakra Refining Detailed Explanation," "Three Body Technique," "Basic Exercise Methods of Physical Skills," "Ninja Throwing from Beginner to Grandmaster."

He picks up the Will of Fire, which is closest to him, and flips through it casually, finding it similar to what the Third Hokage had mentioned earlier.

Immediately, he sets it aside without much interest.

To be honest, Naruto finds this topic a bit laughable.