This was, without a doubt, one of the happiest days in Naruto's young life. He not only had a partner to train with—a partner who shared his burning spirit—but also had earned the admiration of the legendary Might Guy himself.
"Naruto, Teacher Guy…" he whispered to himself, his eyes shining in the pale moonlight.
"I will definitely work harder!" he added, clenching his fists with resolve.
Meanwhile, Rock Lee, under the same moonlight, continued his grueling training tirelessly. His body ached, but his determination was unshakable. Every punch, every kick, every handstand carried the essence of youth and an unyielding will.
When Naruto returned home, the first thing he did was prepare his own meal. With practiced efficiency, he cooked, seasoned, and devoured it in record time, ensuring his body had the fuel it desperately needed for the next stage of training.
Almost immediately, a system notification blinked in his mind:
Chakra Refining Technique × 100
Clone Technique × 200
Naruto didn't hesitate. He obeyed without question, continuing his training with a feverish determination that would have left an ordinary person exhausted in minutes.
In the mental realm, the Nine-Tailed Fox watched silently, his sharp gaze tracking every motion. Though he had initially expected Naruto to be reckless or playful, he could not help but feel a surge of respect and curiosity.
"Even if it is to avoid being shocked… this kid is truly determined," the fox muttered to himself, his ears twitching. "Huh… persistent as ever." He shook his massive head, then, as if trying to regain his usual aloof demeanor, closed his eyes in mock disinterest.
---
Midnight – Konoha Village, Hokage Office
After a long day of administrative duties, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rubbed his weary eyes. The weight of responsibility sat heavily on his shoulders. "I really am getting old…" he muttered, exhaling a long plume of smoke from his pipe. The simple act of lighting it, drawing deeply, and blowing out a perfect ring brought a small comfort.
"Oh… hmm…" Hiruzen's eyes flicked almost unconsciously toward the crystal ball resting in the corner of his desk. "It has been a few days since I checked on Naruto…" he murmured.
With a wry smile, he activated his jutsu: Telescope Technique. Immediately, Naruto's room appeared within the crystal ball's vision.
Hiruzen squinted. "Hmm… this looks… different. Am I imagining it?"
The room appeared unusually clean and organized. Naruto, for all his faults and mischief, had surprisingly tidied up his living space. Hints of Hinata's influence were evident—she had helped him clean and maintain the space while also assisting with his studies. Yet, to Hiruzen, the small details of cleanliness were not what mattered most.
Soon, Naruto himself appeared in the crystal ball, diligently practicing his Clone Technique in front of the mirror. "Clone!" he called out, forming the technique with precision and determination.
Hiruzen's jaw nearly dropped in astonishment. "Did I… see that right?"
He rubbed his eyes, leaned closer, and squinted again. There was no mistake—Naruto was still practicing late into the night, sweating and focused beyond measure.
"What has happened to Naruto?" Hiruzen whispered, incredulous. "Is this really the same boy who… constantly caused trouble, played pranks, and neglected his duties?"
This was a far cry from the Naruto Sarutobi remembered—a Naruto who had been more nuisance than ninja, often reported for mischief by villagers and even other shinobi.
Hiruzen scratched his head, letting a few more strands of his sparse hair fall. "Anbu," he said quietly.
"Ready, Hokage-sama," the Anbu replied instantly, materializing in their stealthy black attire. Shadows danced across their masks as they moved with quiet precision.
"You will observe Naruto closely," Hiruzen continued. "Has there been any real change in him over the past two days?"
The Anbu exchanged glances before nodding. "Hokage-sama, this… is extraordinary. It's not just a change. It's as though he has seen a ghost. His focus, his stamina, his determination… all intensified beyond what we've ever observed."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "What exactly has changed?"
The Anbu explained Naruto's newfound diligence and dedication in meticulous detail. Hiruzen listened, astonished, each revelation layering shock upon shock.
"So… he has really transformed?" he muttered.
"Yes," one Anbu said. "Not only has he matured overnight, but his progress is consistent. Most boys his age have fleeting bursts of ambition, lasting no more than a few minutes. Naruto's focus is extraordinary—it is as if his entire spirit is ablaze."
Hiruzen nodded slowly. "True… boys this age can sometimes experience sudden motivation, but this—this is exceptional."
As the Hokage pondered the implications, a shadow detached itself from the office's dim corners. Hiruzen's eyes shifted immediately, recognizing the figure.
"Do you require something?" he asked calmly.
"Danzo." The voice was cold, calculating.
From the shadows emerged Danzo Shimura, a figure synonymous with Konoha's darker secrets—the man of the Root, the master of covert operations, Hiruzen's old comrade yet political rival.
The Anbu fell silent at his arrival. Danzo's presence carried authority and menace in equal measure.
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "Danzo… what brings you here at this hour?"
"I am concerned about Naruto," Danzo said sharply. "He is still a child, yet the Nine-Tails' power lies dormant within him. And now, these sudden changes… do you not see the potential threat?"
Hiruzen inhaled slowly, remaining composed. "You are suggesting we interfere… simply because Naruto has started to train diligently?"
Danzo's eyes gleamed with a cruel intensity. "Do you not understand the precedent, Hiruzen? Look at Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki, Gaara. He was a child, yet they controlled him without mercy. Jinchuriki are weapons—strategic assets of immense danger. They must never be left unchecked."
Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Danzo, Naruto is not your pawn to control. He is under my watch, and I will not allow you to take him."
Danzo's gaze darkened, a cold, ruthless sparkle in his eyes. "Hiruzen… your compassion blinds you. You will regret this."
Without another word, Danzo vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease. The Anbu remained vigilant, but Hiruzen Sarutobi, though calm outwardly, could feel the weight of impending conflict pressing upon him.
In that quiet moment, the Hokage's mind lingered on Naruto, alone yet burning with unprecedented determination. A small smile broke across Hiruzen's face, tempered by the shadows of political intrigue and the ever-present danger surrounding the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
Yes, Naruto had changed. But with change came responsibility, and with responsibility came danger. The night was silent, yet the storm was gathering—both within the village and within the hearts of those who sought to control it.
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