The Hokage's office was already filled with smoke.
The room was filled with secondhand smoke.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the instigator, didn't feel ashamed at all and continued to puff away smoke.
His deep gaze was fixed on the crystal ball on the table.
And in the crystal ball, there was a picture of a blond boy running around on the street, as if he was looking for someone.
Knock knock knock!
There was a knock on the door.
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly placed the crystal ball under the table.
"Come in."
An Anbu ninja pushed the door open and walked in, handing a document to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, these are the information on Shiranui Aoyama and his relatives."
Yes, Aoyama Shiro only had a brief contact with Naruto and was already noticed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the document and briefly flipped through it.
Just the first glance made him feel a little surprised.
"So you're Yama's nephew. No wonder this last name seems so familiar."
"Were your parents also heroes who sacrificed their lives for Konoha? The name Aoyama carries the will of fire since birth."
Sarutobi Hiruzen then looked down, and his recognition of Aoyama Shiro deepened a lot; the background was very clean and correct.
After reading the following content, he also found out the reason why Aoyama Shiro helped Naruto so much.
"No matter who is being bullied, he will go to help. He has the will of fire. But he is a little greedy, and his method is a little too extreme..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his chin and thought for a while, as if he was considering whether to let Aoyama Shiro continue to get closer to Naruto.
Born in a small family, with a clean background and a good personality...
"Just let it be. Naruto needs to make friends on his own. I won't interfere."
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down the documents in his hand and spoke to the Anbu ninja again.
"Continue to perform the protection mission. Any special circumstances must be recorded and reported promptly."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The Anbu ninja withdrew, and Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped paying too much attention to Naruto's affairs and focused on other affairs in the village.
At the same time.
In a dark and twisted corner.
"Aoyama Shiro?"
"Baiyun Yama's nephew?"
"Snort!"
Danzo slammed the document in his hand on the table with a loud "bang" and snorted coldly, looking very angry.
Baiyun Yama is the village's Elite Jōnin and is considered one of the village's top fighters.
He has a strong character, remains calm even in big situations, and is meticulous in his work.
When performing tasks, he is also able to make accurate analyses, is experienced, and has outstanding command capabilities.
And the reason why he knows him so well is because he had invited him to join the Root in the past, but was directly rejected by him.
He had forgotten about this matter a long time ago, but he didn't expect that the information about his nephew would be in front of him again.
It made him recall it again.
However, although Danzo was angry, he did not take it to heart.
If someone else of unknown origin or from a great ninja clan came into contact with the Jinchūriki, he could go to Sarutobi Hiruzen and cause trouble.
Take the opportunity to ask for some benefits for the roots.
If it was the Uchiha clan, he would have an easier time finding reasons to suppress them.
But Aoyama Shiro's background is too clean, and he is the orphan of a hero and has an upright character.
The key is that Baiyun Yama is protecting him.
There was no need for him to go to Sarutobi Hiruzen and cause trouble for himself.
He was also very hurt every time Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped on his pain points.
"Continue your surveillance mission."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
The Root ninja retreated.
Shimura Danzo buried his head again, continuing to think about how to deal with the Uchiha problem.
The masked man had already talked to him, but he was not sure about Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude and did not dare to take action.
——
Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
There were already four large empty bowls stacked next to Hinata's seat.
As Hinata finished the last bite of noodles, a satisfied expression appeared on her little face.
The feeling of a full stomach made her feel extremely happy.
Normally, she wouldn't dare eat like this at home because of etiquette and image.
"Amazing!"
Ayame, who had been watching from the side, subconsciously let out a cry of surprise.
Although adults can eat several bowls of noodles at a time, it is rare for such a young girl to eat so much.
In particular, Ayame noticed that Hinata's belly wasn't swollen at all.
Where does the noodles go after you eat them?
After hearing Ayame's exclamation, Hinata suddenly realized that many people in the noodle shop were looking at her.
Her big eyes blinked.
Then her whole little face turned red, as if steam would come out in the next second.
She was staggering so much that Aoyama Shiro was worried that she would faint.
"Are you full?"
Aoyama Shiro asked, glancing at the empty bowl in front of Hinata.
"Full…full!"
Hinata nodded her head like a little chicken pecking at rice.
Aoyama Shiro still looked at Hinata with some suspicion.
After five bowls of ramen, there was no abnormality at all. Is this really a dimensional stomach?
"Now that you've filled your stomach, I'll take you home."
It was getting late, and even in the village, it was dangerous for Hinata to go back alone.
After saying that, Aoyama Shiro thought about it and decided to pay his share.
Hinata heard this and subconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes again.
For some reason, she suddenly felt very lost and reluctant.
"Hinata, it's time to pay."
Seeing Hinata distracted again, Aoyama Shiro couldn't help but remind her.
Although it is impossible for a lady of the Hyuga clan to not be able to pay for a few bowls of noodles, what if she forgets?
As for asking Aoyama Shiro to pay, forget it.
If you put together these five large bowls of noodles, you can get a card.
"Ah? Okay."
Hinata quickly came to her senses and quickly pulled a small wallet out of her pocket.
Aoyama Shiro took a look and his eyes almost popped out.
He didn't look carefully just now, but now he saw that it is full of one thousand ryō notes.
I estimate it to be tens of thousands of ryō.
This is more money than Tenten.
Although Hinata rarely goes out on weekdays, Hyuga Hiashi still gives Hinata a lot of pocket money.
Aoyama Shiro's mood wavered for a moment, but he quickly adjusted himself.
Looking at Hinata's porcelain doll-like face, he suddenly thought that he had no reason to take money from her now.
"At least, we have to wait seven years..."
In this short while, Hinata had already handed the money to Ayame.
But when she paid the money and looked back, she found Aoyama Shiro muttering to himself.
Hinata tilted her head cutely.
She did not remind Aoyama Shiro, but carefully moved her head closer to listen to what he was saying.
She rarely does anything so bold, and today she let herself go a little.
"What are you doing?"
But before Hinata could hear clearly what was said, Aoyama Shiro had already come back to his senses.
He also looked at Hinata, who was almost sticking to him, with curiosity.
"Hmm!"
Hinata's face flushed red, and she quickly distanced herself from him, lowering her head and not daring to look at him.
What's going on?
Aoyama Shiro had a face full of question marks.
But seeing that Hinata was about to steam, he didn't want to ask any more questions.
"Let's go, it's late."