Back then, the village could truly be described as thriving.
But after the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, sacrificed himself during the Nine-Tails' attack—and I reluctantly resumed the position of Hokage in my old age—Konoha began to decline.
It's not that I'm unwilling to reveal Naruto's identity as Minato's son.
However, Konoha's strength has weakened over the years.
The Land of Fire occupies a strategic position. The other great nations view Konoha as the strongest village—and therefore their greatest enemy.
I must focus my attention on military affairs.
Previously, Kumogakure forced the death of a Hyūga clansman. My failure to protect our own shinobi caused widespread dissatisfaction. As Hokage, my prestige suffered greatly.
The rumors surrounding the Nine-Tails… conveniently diverted public attention.
Within the village, friction between the Uchiha clan and the civilians continues to grow. The Uchiha Military Police Force has become increasingly isolated from the higher-ups.
The radicals within the clan are growing restless.
Fortunately, I still have two good children—Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi—to help mediate matters.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly.
"Even Teacher Tobirama could misjudge people… Not every Uchiha is born evil."
If Naruto's identity were revealed now, and the villagers learned that the Fourth Hokage's son had been treated as the Nine-Tails all these years, I would bear undeniable responsibility.
With internal instability and external threats, my prestige would suffer another severe blow.
I might become the first Hokage forced to resign due to incompetence.
And after me—who could shoulder the burden of Hokage?
Danzō Shimura is ruthless and extreme. He does not truly understand the Will of Fire.
As for my three disciples…
Orochimaru walked a dark path.
Tsunade left the village due to her hemophobia.
And Jiraiya…
Hiruzen exhaled smoke from his pipe.
"I wonder whether Jiraiya cares more about Konoha… or Mount Myōboku."
The Hokage's office felt unusually empty.
At present, he alone was holding the village together—barely maintaining stability and shielding Konoha from the storm.
If Jiraiya or Tsunade were willing to return and take the mantle, he would gladly step aside and assume all responsibility.
Rebuilding Konoha's glory was his duty as the Third Hokage.
The appearance of Yamanaka Ino in the crystal ball softened his expression slightly.
"That is Yamanaka Inoichi's daughter… a righteous child."
But immediately, images of Naruto's lonely back and the villagers' cold stares resurfaced.
Hiruzen's brows furrowed.
"I have failed you, Minato…"
A single friendship was far from enough to heal the wounds carved into that child's heart.
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The Hyūga clan…
The Caged Bird Seal…
Hyūga Hiashi, head of the main family, has two daughters…
After a long moment, Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"Summon Hyūga Hiashi."
Heavy snow blanketed Konoha in silver.
On the outskirts of the village, Naruto continued running despite the weather.
Chakra is created by combining physical energy and spiritual energy.
If physical stamina improves, chakra capacity increases accordingly.
Crude—but effective.
As an orphan under subtle surveillance by Konoha's higher-ups, his access to shinobi resources was extremely limited.
Even less than Haruno Sakura, who came from a civilian family.
If he defected from the village now, he would inevitably attract the attention of Root.
And Danzō.
Danzō Shimura was the darkness of Konoha—a fanatic who believed the ends justified any means.
If Naruto failed to escape and fell into Root's hands…
He would likely be forced into submission, branded with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and subjected to imprisonment and indoctrination.
Naruto exhaled slowly. His breath turned to frost in the air.
Strength.
He needed strength.
"System. Open."
[God-Level Choice System: Contact with key original protagonists may trigger options and rewards.]
[Name: Uzumaki Naruto]
[Total Chakra: 486XX (Sealed — Unusable)][Usable Chakra: 3012]
[Skills: Nine-Tails Chakra Control (Beginner: 1/10)]
Because of the Eight Trigrams Seal and Kurama's interference, most of his chakra remained inaccessible.
Even extracting chakra was difficult.
I need to speak with that tsundere fox inside me soon.
Three thousand chakra units…
Too little.
For reference, a "standard unit" roughly equaled the chakra reserves of an elite jōnin from a major village.
He needed to enroll in the Academy soon.
The upcoming generation included many key figures—the so-called Konoha Twelve.
Interacting with them would likely trigger more system rewards.
Naruto turned a corner toward a quiet forest clearing.
There, two figures sparred in close combat.
One tall. One small.
The younger boy had black hair and pale skin—around Naruto's age.
His taijutsu was precise and disciplined. Shuriken spun between his fingers, flashing coldly.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
Uchiha Sasuke.
And—
Uchiha Itachi.
Sasuke already possessed the skill level of an upper Academy student—even before enrollment.
As expected of the last heir of the Uchiha clan.
But Itachi was clearly holding back.
At first glance, the exchange seemed even.
But every strike Sasuke launched fell just short.
Every time—just barely.
Finally, when Sasuke was breathing heavily, Itachi stepped forward and gently tapped his little brother's forehead with two fingers.
Then—
Itachi lifted his head.
His gaze locked onto Naruto's direction.
Naruto's heart skipped.
From this distance… he noticed me?
As expected of the prodigy who graduated the Academy at seven and joined ANBU shortly thereafter.
At that moment, the system panel appeared.
[Option 1: Approach and greet Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi. Introduce yourself.Reward: Increase any one skill by one level.]
[Option 2: Avoid them immediately.Reward: Random A-Rank Ninjutsu.]
Option 1?
Itachi Uchiha was no ordinary child.
A genius even among the Uchiha—a clan that had endured for centuries.
Naruto made his decision.
He quietly turned away.
Itachi Uchiha was not someone he could casually approach.