Knock, knock, knock.
A rhythmic knocking sounded, breaking the silence of the room.
"Come in."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put away the autopsy report of the Grass Ninja on his desk.
He adjusted his posture, trying not to look so solemn.
The door was pushed open, and Uzumaki Naruto walked in.
He wore his signature smile on his face.
"Hokage-sama, you were looking for me?"
Naruto asked politely.
The Third Hokage looked at the child before him, a strong sense of dissonance welling up in his heart.
It was too natural.
Expression, tone, movements… there truly wasn't a single flaw.
If not for various coincidences, he would even be willing to believe this child really knew nothing.
"Ahem, Naruto."
The Third Hokage cleared his throat and spoke slowly:
"Regarding the matter with the Grass Ninja last night, Kakashi should have told you, right?"
"Although the investigation results show it had nothing to do with you and was Orochimaru's doing,"
"that man is still at large, and you are his target…"
The Third Hokage paused, his tone becoming earnest and full of concern:
"For your safety, and also to prevent the Nine-Tails from losing control again due to the stimulation of the Cursed Seal,"
"the Village has decided that you need to move to a different place for a while."
"Move to a different place?"
Naruto was slightly taken aback.
"That's right."
The Third Hokage pointed to the map on his desk.
His finger landed on a core area near the Ninja Academy, backed by the Hokage Rock.
"That place used to be the Shrine of the Uzumaki Clan."
"With this building as the center, the surrounding area is protected by special Barriers,"
"and the Anbu will also be stationed there 24/7. This will protect you to the greatest extent possible."
"Until we track down Orochimaru, you can rest and recover there with peace of mind."
Naruto glanced at the location.
Located in the exact center of the Village, backed by the Hokage Rock, and surrounded by Anbu sentry posts.
It could be called a perfect prison.
And… "until we track down Orochimaru"?
If they never find him, would I stay in there forever?
He sneered inwardly, but Naruto showed no resistance on his face, instead nodding obediently:
"I understand. Since it's the arrangement of you and the Village, I have no objection."
The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief.
If Naruto hadn't agreed, for the stability of the Nine-Tails, he would have had to use forceful means… fortunately, this child was quite obedient.
"However, I have one request."
Naruto looked up, the look in his eyes obscured behind his lenses.
"I hope you can approve for me to consult the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique scrolls."
"Sealing Techniques?"
The Third Hokage was stunned for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Yes."
Naruto touched the Cursed Seal on his neck, showing a hint of pain:
"This thing Orochimaru left behind… although it's temporarily suppressed, it still acts up occasionally."
"And… the guy in my belly has also been a bit restless lately due to the stimulation of the Cursed Seal."
"I don't want to lose control and hurt people, nor do I want to cause trouble for the Village,"
"so I need to learn stronger Sealing Techniques to reinforce the seal."
The Third Hokage looked at Naruto's "pained" expression and fell into deep thought.
Refuse?
No.
Naruto's reason was simply too legitimate.
As a vessel, he was actively requesting to learn sealing skills to maintain his own safety and stability.
Regardless of what he was thinking inside, on the surface, it was an impeccable reason.
If he refused and Naruto lost control and caused destruction, it would be his failure as the Hokage.
Agree?
Sealing Techniques were the secret heritage of the Uzumaki Clan, and many were Forbidden Jutsu.
But… the Third Hokage's gaze lingered on Naruto for a moment, thinking privately:
Sealing Techniques are different from those Ninjutsu with direct lethality.
They are obscure, tedious, and extremely difficult to understand. For an ordinary person to master even the basics requires years of hard study.
Letting him learn Sealing Techniques might be a good thing.
Those complex Jutsu formulas and theories will be enough to consume his energy, leaving him no time to think about dangerous things.
And if he really can learn them, it will also help him become a better vessel…
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage nodded.
"Very well, Naruto."
He took out a permit, signed his name, and stamped it with his seal:
"Since you are willing to share the Village's burdens, what reason would I have to stop you?"
"This is a permit for the Sealing Corps Database; you may enter and leave freely."
"As for the Sealing Techniques of the Uzumaki Clan, I will have someone bring them to you."
"But remember, Sealing Techniques still carry a certain amount of risk; act within your capabilities."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Naruto took the permit, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
This was the only good news he had heard recently…
Naruto left, and the office door was closed again.
The Third Hokage looked at the door, the kind expression on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by deep exhaustion.
He sighed, then said to the empty room:
"You've seen enough, haven't you? Come out."
Creak.
The side window was slid open, and a tall figure flipped in through the window.
Long white hair hung loosely, a forehead protector with the character for "Oil" was on his head, and he wore a red vest.
It was Jiraiya, who had just returned to the Village from his travels.
"Is that… Minato's son?"
Standing by the window, Jiraiya watched the figure gradually receding in the distance.
There was no joy on his face at seeing the son of an old friend; instead, his expression was somewhat solemn.
"What do you think?"
The Third Hokage walked to his side, looking out at the receding figure together.
"Old man, to be honest…"
Jiraiya crossed his arms, his brow furrowed tightly:
"Although he has a smile on his face and speaks very politely, he is… too calm."
"So calm that… he reminds me of someone."
Jiraiya paused, the shadow of another person surfacing in his mind, and said in a low voice:
"It's almost like… a young Orochimaru."
The Third Hokage's hand holding the pipe trembled slightly.
The evaluation he least wanted to hear had still come from Jiraiya's mouth.
"You feel that way too?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply:
"Yeah… I've vaguely sensed it as well."
He blew out a smoke ring, his voice revealing exhaustion:
"Orochimaru has already set his sights on him, even planting a Cursed Seal on him."
"If left alone, he is very likely to be enticed by Orochimaru and fall into darkness."
The Third Hokage turned around, looking at his most prized disciple, and said:
"That's why I need you, Jiraiya."
"Since you've already returned to the Village, watch over him for me."
"Guide his thoughts and let him understand what the true Will of Fire is."
The Third Hokage paused, a flash of pain in his eyes:
"But, if even you cannot guide him and he goes astray… then prepare for the worst. It is better to destroy him and let Konoha lose the Nine-Tails than to let the Village be destroyed."
The room fell into silence.
Jiraiya looked out at the prosperous Konoha.
He thought of Minato's hearty smile and then compared it to the Naruto from just now… he was silent for a long time.
Finally, Jiraiya sighed helplessly:
"What a pain, I was originally planning to go to the bathhouse for research."
He turned around, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:
"Fine, old man, I'll go and meet this kid."