Naruto's Changes

Hokage Office

"Bang!"

The Third Hokage threw a stack of documents onto the table.

"Danzo, what are you trying to do? How dare you open the Sky Prison without permission? How will you take responsibility if other prisoners escape?"

Danzo replied coldly, "Hiruzen, what are you talking about? I know nothing about the Sky Prison incident."

The Third Hokage angrily retorted, "Stop lying. Your Root member, Jito's body, was found in the Sky Prison. Are you still claiming ignorance?"

Danzo, leaning on his cane, said, "That was Jito acting on his own. It has nothing to do with me."

"Danzo! Stop pretending. Do you think no one knows about your order to Ryoma to seize the Uchiha's Sharingan? The Secret Technique Squad found evidence inside Ryoma's body!"

"Hmph!" Danzo stopped pretending and glared at the Third Hokage.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi! I've told you before, the Uchiha should have been eliminated long ago, but you've always hesitated!"

"Now the Uchiha have become a major force, with two Mangekyo Sharingan users within the clan, and Itachi and Shisui outside the clan."

"If you hadn't stopped me, I would have wiped out the Uchiha clan by now!"

The Third Hokage slammed the table. "Kill! Kill! Kill! All you know is killing! Uchiha Fugaku has been a Mangekyo Sharingan user for a long time! He just kept it a secret."

"Can you defeat Susanoo? How many lives would you sacrifice to annihilate the Uchiha clan?"

"Can you guarantee that Kumogakure won't take advantage of the situation? Can you assure that Kirigakure won't come? Or do you think Iwagakure will be easy to deal with?"

Danzo retorted, "If you had weakened the Uchiha earlier, would there be a strong figure like Sumeragi among them now? Without the Uchiha hindering us, no village could stand against us."

Hiruzen thought of Uchiha Sumeragi's Susanoo and felt frustrated.

He took a deep puff from his pipe and said, "What's the point of discussing this now? You are not allowed to provoke the Uchiha anymore. Regarding Ryoma's incident, you must step down from your position as an advisor and elder."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi!" Danzo glared fiercely at the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage's face remained stern, without any change in expression.

"Hmph!" After a few seconds of glaring, Danzo snorted heavily and stormed out.

The Third Hokage watched Danzo's back, taking a deep drag from his pipe.

...

"Lord Sumeragi, there's news from the Third Hokage. Danzo has been stripped of his position as an advisor and elder."

Sumeragi raised an eyebrow upon hearing the report. The Third Hokage was at it again with his tricks.

Although Danzo had lost his position as an advisor and elder, becoming a civilian on the surface, as long as his Root organization remained, Danzo would never truly fall. Losing the advisor title only meant a financial setback.

After recent events, Danzo's reputation was already tarnished. He was now cleverly minimizing his presence.

People have short memories. With enough going on, they would soon forget Danzo's misdeeds.

At least Danzo would be quiet for a while now.

Sumeragi wasn't interested in clan politics despite discussing it twice with Fugaku.

He expressed disinterest, and Fugaku had to let it go, given Sumeragi's young age and potential.

Fugaku was concerned, though. They encouraged clan members to have children post-Third Ninja War, and many responded positively.

Some families had lost members during the war and sought to grow. Others had always planned to expand during peacetime.

Within two months, many Uchiha women were confirmed pregnant.

The clan's finances were under strain, and a lot of money would be needed with so many babies due in a year.

Sumeragi reassured Fugaku, suggesting they could capture rogue ninjas for bounties if necessary.

Fugaku reluctantly agreed and focused on discussing new sealing techniques Sumeragi had learned.

Despite the Uchiha having their collections, sealing techniques needed to be improved.

No village excelled in sealing techniques except Konoha because it inherited resources from Uzushiogakure.

Fugaku, lacking talent in sealing techniques, needed to catch up with even the juniors Sumeragi taught.

After a week of fruitless teaching, Sumeragi wrote down the techniques for Fugaku to practice alone.

Then, he visited the Ninja Academy to see Naruto and Sasuke.

He had an important concern: Naruto must not invent the vulgar Sexy Jutsu.

Originally, Naruto created it to gain attention, but now he didn't need to.

Thinking of the hero's son engaging in such antics before forming his moral values saddened Sumeragi.

Jiraiya's questionable habits didn't help despite his other merits.

...

At Konoha Academy, young Naruto, used to running around, struggled to sit still.

Listening to theoretical lessons made him tired.

However, seeing Sasuke and Hinata paying attention, he forced himself to focus.

Naruto now had friends accompanying him everywhere—Sasuke, Hinata, Shikamaru, and others.

Sasuke had defeated Neji in the monthly exams, taking first place.

Hinata had once been bullied by an ignorant civilian child, leading to the parents being warned and the child being punished at home so severely that his cries echoed across two streets.

Civilians learned not to mess with major ninja clans and stopped bullying Naruto openly.

Since Sumeragi's intervention, Naruto has worn new clothes, eaten well, and explored good food places with Sasuke.

Despite his initial reluctance, Sasuke enjoyed these outings with Naruto.

Sometimes Neji, Hinata, Shikamaru, or Kiba joined them.

Naruto's improved spirits and neat appearance reduced unwarranted hatred.

On the Third Hokage's orders, Kakashi started "coincidentally" meeting Naruto at Ichiraku Ramen and getting to know him.

Grateful and content, Naruto felt happy every day thanks to Lord Sumeragi.

So, he obediently followed Sumeragi's advice on how to behave.

Though classes were boring, Naruto patiently listened.